Using the Feedback Form: A Primer

[jungrrl]

Ok, so in cleaning up the feedback database I thought I'd give a little primer to let everyone know how the way they enter feedback effects how things show up. Here are things that cause the most common errors we run across.


1. Whatever you enter into the database actually goes into the database.  

      Even if feedback doesn't show up on a person's profile, if you entered something into the feedback form it is now in the database in some form 99.999% of the time. The form doesn't eat information.  It goes into the database even if you don't see it on someone's profile.  It's incredibly important that the information in this database is accurate. Feel free to open a help desk ticket if you feel you've added inaccurate data to the database.

2. The form does not compare what you entered to the list of Craftster usernames.

       If the swapper's username does not match exactly (minus capitalization), the feedback will not show up.  If I type in "jungrrl" the feedback WILL show up.  If I copy and paste and "jungrrl " gets put in the system, it will be accepted, but because of the pesky space at the end of my username, it will not show up.  It will assume I meant the non-existant user "jungrrl " was supposed to get the feedback.  (We are trying to change this but for the moment, that's the way it is.  )  Likewise, if I have an underscore or a dash or what have you, those characters also have to match.  "crafty_dame" does not equal "crafty dame".

3. If the username or swap organizer name is different, even by capitalization, when updating feedback, a new entry will be created.  

     Say when I was putting in progress feedback into my account for the XYZ swap, I put my username as "Jungrrl".  This feedback would show up on my profile because it is formatted correctly as far as spaces, etc.  However, when I want to update my feedback to be positive, I enter my username as "jungrrl".  The database does not recognize that this feedback already exists because the names are formatted differently by capitalization.  I will now have an In Progress and a positive feedback.  It's ridiculous, I know.  The best thing to do is copy and paste (but make sure there's no space at the end!)

4. Do not use apostrophes in the Swap Name field.

      Using an apostrophe in the form causes lots of unnecessary headaches, so they should not be used under any circumstances.  For example, the swap name "My Country Doesn't Have That Round 302" will cause lots of problems, but "My Country Doesnt Have That Round 302" works fine. They should be avoided in the Comments section as well.

5. Enter dates in mm/dd/yy format.

         I know it may not be the way you’re used to doing it, but it is the way that the database is formatted. Also, make sure ALL of the dates you enter are identical throughout the swap:
                09/10/6 is different than 09/10/06
                09-10-06 is different than 09/10/06
                10/09/06 is different than 09/10/06

6. When entering the swap url, make sure it is the sign-up thread, not the idea thread or the gallery thread, and make sure it follows this exact format: http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=274755.0

      Any of these formats would be wrong:
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=274755.msg3002124#msg3002124
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=274755.msg0#new
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=274755.msg3084337#new
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=274755.0;topicseen
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=274755.new;topicseen
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=274755.new#new
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=274755.10


Feel free to ask questions.

[Lilyvanilli]

Thanks for this, it's all very helpful! I actually had something like #1 happen to me in the Set of Tea Towels swap recently. I was changing someone's feedback from "In Progress" to "Positive" and it didn't show up in their profile. I just thought it was a mistake so I did it again and that time it showed up. I don't remember which person it was for but I know that no one ended up with 2 sets of feedback in their profile. Should I still open a Help Desk ticket even though I can't remember who it was for?

[craftydame]

yes, please do lilyvanilli! that feedback is floating around the system somewhere!

[Lilyvanilli]

Thanks! Will do!

[babalina58]

I think the issue with me is the cut and paste...I did not think about that aspect of being the root of all my issues ROTFL...

[jungrrl]

Yea that cut and paste can get ya!    

[SpottedFrog]

I am one of the hopelessly inept organizers who prompted the need for this guide. THANK YOU from the bottom of my ornery little keyboard

[PerachYafeh]

Boy I was also got by the cut and paste and the double "trouble" feedback. Luckly we have these Angels (= crafster mods) that catch our bloopers.
I will try my best to avoid giving these gals " more thing to do"  Thank you !!

[Eliea]

perhaps I'm missing something but what is the difference between the "good" url and the last "bad" url on the list?
I only see a difference of 1 number and don't understand how that would be bad?

[jungrrl]

You're talking about the one that ends with .10?  That takes you to the second page of the thread.  .20 takes you to the third, etc.