The new Findmypast (Part 3)

[Laytown]

Hi

Am I the only one who is fed up with the constant whinging about FindMyPast. Yes, we all know that FindMyPast is a shambles, and so I'm sure do FindMyPast, but so many of the complaints are repetitive. Once FindMyPast are aware of a problem they don't need to be told multiple times, it doesn't help.

Normally a website such as FindMyPast would do updates at a quiet time so as to disrupt as few people as possible, because of the number of issues it would appear they are doing updates at other times so if something disappears or you can't access a database. try again later.

I also find it REALLY WIERD that a new chatter signed up and the first post is on this topic.

Andy

Yes it is normal for websites to update & you try later but in the case of FindMyPast there is no warning or explanation unless you happen to be on Facebook!For those of us that don't do social networking we have to rely on online information from other sites be mindful that FindMyPast are not taking phone calls nor are they replying to emails.   
The site is flawed what works for some is not working for others as proven by the feedback forum
- thankfully I'm lucky my tree was not on there & I have Ancestry as a main site.
As Gadget said this site is open for anyone to join surely or are new members going to be blocked if they mention the FindMyPast "Shambles"
Laytown

[JenB]

I don't understand why its weird for someone to join and then make their first post on this particular topic.

Surely it is open to anyone to join Rootschat and then they are entitled to post on any topic they wish 

For myself, I will admit to a few 'whinges', but I have been posting on here mainly to report back about information I've received from FindMyPast regarding discrepancies and anomalies on search forms. I did this to try and inform other people not to 'whinge'.

[andycand]

Hi Gadget

The problem is that suggestions about how to get around the issues are getting lost amongst all the other posts. The new search is to a certain degree like a new website and it is a matter of learning how to use it. Yes, there are quite a few bugs in the system but much of the site does appear to work if used properly.

Andy

 

[locksmith]

The continual barrage of complaints, whether they are repetetive or not, are showing FindMyPast that the inadequate search engine that they have foisted on paying members (many like myself have paid hundreds of pounds in subs) is now a burden and in some areas still unusable compared with the previous incarnation. If the complains had not started, or very quickly stopped, even the most basic problems/faults would not be addressed. The responses from FindMyPast on their Facebook page are of the corporate kind and in most cases inadequate hence prompting more posts. Their technical responses are inadequate and sometimes wrong. The responses on their forum are now zero.

The Product manager who responded on the Forum has now been replaced with a generic 'Admin'. The much heralded 'FindMyPast just got better' is now 'FindMyPast has Changed'. The phone lines are dead. Response to emails is random (I have no response to a technical query afer more than a week, others seem to have immediate responses). Apart from a corporate response last week, the management is silent.

Regardless of the design of the new search engine, the thing was released poorly designed inadequatley tested, the most error riddled web site I've ever seen. Is it a surprise that the complaints keep flowing repetetive or not. We should not be their testers.

Simon

[Westmoreland]

Hi
after the first shock and a few probs I now find Findmypast as good as the information I put in,
sometimes better if I put in less it works for me and at least I donnt get a list of names that have nothing to doo with my question unlike ancestry
regards
Westmorland

[Laytown]

Hi Gadget

The problem is that suggestions about how to get around the issues are getting lost amongst all the other posts. The new search is to a certain degree like a new website and it is a matter of learning how to use it. Yes, there are quite a few bugs in the system but much of the site does appear to work if used properly.

Andy

Andy
Would you buy an untested car? This new site was untested and is very flawed - it's not a question of using the site properly - I have 2 friends who cannot and do not have search fields that I have.
It's not purely a UK issue it is also a problem in AU & USA
If it works for you good but for some of us we have paid and had no service. I am more than happy not to add any further comments to RootsChat.
L

 

[lisalisa]

Here is their reply to my email enquiring about the difference between 'birth town' and 'birth place'

Having checked various records in the census years, there are fields for Birth Place and also Birth town, however, there does not appear to be any information listed in the birth place field, where as there is information recorded in the birth town field, therefore, it appears that the birth place field may be a redundant search field

I find it increasingly difficult to believe that this was thoroughly tested before being launched - there are so many anomalies in the census search forms alone!

but did 'they' say, 'we do apologise, this is yet another mistake . . .'

 
Lisa

[JenB]

but did 'they' say, 'we do apologise, this is yet another mistake . . .'

They thanked me for drawing it to their attention.

[Jan Jones]

This new program is sending me crazy!!      I cannot open images, even with apps like Deja-Vu.
Did they really have to make these changes???
I can't even use the emoticons!!    Just as well - since they would need to be RED (for angry).

Moderator Comment:
Topic locked as it's getting big, and continued:
The new Findmypast (Part 4)