Member Directory Profiles Get Spiffed - What Can You Expect?
[Update: 10/2: Jeremy reports that profiles 2.0.4 was installed today. That gives us Buddies, customizable Themes and Privacy settings. Comments will also be added once a fix gets put in. -- Joe]
[Update: 9/7: We pushed that new build to production live this morning. It includes a security fix to stop hackers from messing with your profile, as well as letting you show current status and some layout tweaks. Also check out this update I did a few days ago but forgot to include here. -- Joe]
[Update: 8/31: We'll be pushing a new build to production next week. Also, if your profile keeps getting deleted, or an ad banner is showing up inside (not above) your profile, your account may be compromised by a hacker -- change your password! Get more info here. -- Joe]
[Update: 8/27: Here's an update on the weekend profile-saving problem, which is now fixed, as well as some other stuff. -- Joe]
[Update: 8/24: I posted helpful information explaining some details about a new phishing scam that's going around, and if you notice an "AOL Pictures" image and link on your profile. -- Joseph]
[Update: 8/22 again: Joe Manna has posted an entry on how you can display your Member Since, last Updated, and Visitors count information. This was the default before -- the team is looking into making it the default again. -- Joe]
[Update: 8/22: The tech team reports that the problems saving profiles should be fixed. See the entry and send us mail if you're still having problems. We're still working on the other stuff. Thanks -- Joe]
[Update: 8/20: Hi folks -- I posted a follow-up entry, which talks about some of the problem reports we're receiving; it also includes an e-mail feedback box the guys have set up to collect your problem reports: MemDirReports@aol.com. Please see the entry for more information. Thanks -- Joe]
Being flattered that they asked me, Erin McCue, to give you the skinny on some of the changes happening to your Member Directory experience, there was only one thing left to do with the information ... blog it.
Name, occupation, marital status ... Sure, it does the trick, but change is good! You need a better way to express yourself, connect with your buddies and show the world the real you.
We're making some changes to the Member Directory experience that will allow you to do just that. You'll notice some funky new tabs on the left-hand side of the page that allow you customize your existing profile, or create a new one altogether.
Don't panic! These changes are mainly happening behind the scenes, where our resident nerds happily dwell. You'll only have to worry about some differences in what you see when you try to edit and of course, there are some new fields for you to explore. If you're already a Member Directory user, you should not lose any of your content.
If you have a lot of customized pieces to your existing profile, however, there is a chance that everything will not migrate perfectly. We apologize for this inconvenience and we've done our best to make sure you can keep as much as possible. We need to take these steps toward providing you with a better overall experience. Thanks for bearing with us through the kinks.
So, what can you do with the new stuff anyway? Here's a quick take on some of the changes that you've probably already noticed.
• About Me: This simple text field allows you to write a blurb to introduce yourself to the community. If you love dogs, are crazy for the Yankees or prefer to sleep in your spare time, this is the place to describe it. There's plenty of flexibility to change your font or add hyperlinks.
• My Photo: Your Buddy Icon isn't the only way to identify yourself around here. That's why we've integrated the ability for you to upload a photo of yourself to your profile. Just grab a pic right off your hard drive and you're good to go.
• Personal Details: This stuff is easy. Where do you live? When's your birthday? Are you here looking for love or just want to chat with some online buddies? Reveal whatever you want, or just keep us in suspense!
• Interests: We know, we know ... you're highly opinionated. From your fave music to hobbies to turnoffs ... this is the place to share it. We're all ears.
• Pictures: Upload away! You'll be able to upload 24 at a time, so be patient with that 25th shot of grandma. Try to avoid the racy ones, however, or we'll have to remove them, and nobody wants that. Questions about what's appropriate? Refer to our friendly guidelines.
• Settings: How much info do you want to reveal on your profile? It's up to you. You can also reset your profile if you made a mistake or just feel like starting all over again.
We'll give you a heads-up soon on more exciting updates and features to come, so stay tuned. But in the meantime, get to playing with your profile! Your buddies will thank you for it.
[Update: 9/7: We pushed that new build to production live this morning. It includes a security fix to stop hackers from messing with your profile, as well as letting you show current status and some layout tweaks. Also check out this update I did a few days ago but forgot to include here. -- Joe]
[Update: 8/31: We'll be pushing a new build to production next week. Also, if your profile keeps getting deleted, or an ad banner is showing up inside (not above) your profile, your account may be compromised by a hacker -- change your password! Get more info here. -- Joe]
[Update: 8/27: Here's an update on the weekend profile-saving problem, which is now fixed, as well as some other stuff. -- Joe]
[Update: 8/24: I posted helpful information explaining some details about a new phishing scam that's going around, and if you notice an "AOL Pictures" image and link on your profile. -- Joseph]
[Update: 8/22 again: Joe Manna has posted an entry on how you can display your Member Since, last Updated, and Visitors count information. This was the default before -- the team is looking into making it the default again. -- Joe]
[Update: 8/22: The tech team reports that the problems saving profiles should be fixed. See the entry and send us mail if you're still having problems. We're still working on the other stuff. Thanks -- Joe]
[Update: 8/20: Hi folks -- I posted a follow-up entry, which talks about some of the problem reports we're receiving; it also includes an e-mail feedback box the guys have set up to collect your problem reports: MemDirReports@aol.com. Please see the entry for more information. Thanks -- Joe]
Being flattered that they asked me, Erin McCue, to give you the skinny on some of the changes happening to your Member Directory experience, there was only one thing left to do with the information ... blog it.
Name, occupation, marital status ... Sure, it does the trick, but change is good! You need a better way to express yourself, connect with your buddies and show the world the real you.
We're making some changes to the Member Directory experience that will allow you to do just that. You'll notice some funky new tabs on the left-hand side of the page that allow you customize your existing profile, or create a new one altogether.
Don't panic! These changes are mainly happening behind the scenes, where our resident nerds happily dwell. You'll only have to worry about some differences in what you see when you try to edit and of course, there are some new fields for you to explore. If you're already a Member Directory user, you should not lose any of your content.
If you have a lot of customized pieces to your existing profile, however, there is a chance that everything will not migrate perfectly. We apologize for this inconvenience and we've done our best to make sure you can keep as much as possible. We need to take these steps toward providing you with a better overall experience. Thanks for bearing with us through the kinks.
So, what can you do with the new stuff anyway? Here's a quick take on some of the changes that you've probably already noticed.
• About Me: This simple text field allows you to write a blurb to introduce yourself to the community. If you love dogs, are crazy for the Yankees or prefer to sleep in your spare time, this is the place to describe it. There's plenty of flexibility to change your font or add hyperlinks.
• My Photo: Your Buddy Icon isn't the only way to identify yourself around here. That's why we've integrated the ability for you to upload a photo of yourself to your profile. Just grab a pic right off your hard drive and you're good to go.
• Personal Details: This stuff is easy. Where do you live? When's your birthday? Are you here looking for love or just want to chat with some online buddies? Reveal whatever you want, or just keep us in suspense!
• Interests: We know, we know ... you're highly opinionated. From your fave music to hobbies to turnoffs ... this is the place to share it. We're all ears.
• Pictures: Upload away! You'll be able to upload 24 at a time, so be patient with that 25th shot of grandma. Try to avoid the racy ones, however, or we'll have to remove them, and nobody wants that. Questions about what's appropriate? Refer to our friendly guidelines.
• Settings: How much info do you want to reveal on your profile? It's up to you. You can also reset your profile if you made a mistake or just feel like starting all over again.
We'll give you a heads-up soon on more exciting updates and features to come, so stay tuned. But in the meantime, get to playing with your profile! Your buddies will thank you for it.
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