I am a bit bitter.
Seems I wanted to post a thank you, so I go to create an account.
First thing I find, at the top of the forums, is something about "subscribers get... <privledges>".
Click on there... enter my info, pay the fee, go to create account get to "validate account", and it won't validate.
Frustration sets in. Validate what? My data? Yes... The entered info is correct.
Enter... "Invalid - Validate data" Enter... Enter... "Invalid - Validate data" Enter... Enter... "Invalid - Validate data" Enter...
Hmmm... Guess I better email subscriptions@anandtech.com. Sent email with problem/error including URL I am stuck at.
wait... wait... wait...
Noon next day... No reply... guess I better send em another email with my contact number. Sent...
wait.... wait... wait...
No reply 24hours from payment time, approx 5-6pm.
Guess I'll check it again. What's that? My.Anandtech tab has a form for joining? Click. Hmm... No fees required it seems. Proceed to create account... Walla! I'm in... Ok... So where's my money?
Luckily for me, I archive outgoing mail, and still have the link. Cut and paste link. Back to validation... Confirm... Boom! In. Subscription started and effective as of today, 6Feb03.
All is well.. But wouldn't it be "User Friendly" to have a "New User Login" at the Login, subscription, and forums pages?
Those seem like common places for new user account creation, not necessarily a highlighted tab (different color from the rest), which could denote a "members only" section to a non subcriber/account holder. And having it in multiple places could only benefit. No cost, and who knows how many users have already decided not to contribute to forums, simply because they couldn't find an easy way to create an account without paying.
William Mapp
Electronics Technician 2nd Class (Surface Warfare), US Navy
Seems I wanted to post a thank you, so I go to create an account.
First thing I find, at the top of the forums, is something about "subscribers get... <privledges>".
Click on there... enter my info, pay the fee, go to create account get to "validate account", and it won't validate.
Frustration sets in. Validate what? My data? Yes... The entered info is correct.
Enter... "Invalid - Validate data" Enter... Enter... "Invalid - Validate data" Enter... Enter... "Invalid - Validate data" Enter...
Hmmm... Guess I better email subscriptions@anandtech.com. Sent email with problem/error including URL I am stuck at.
wait... wait... wait...
Noon next day... No reply... guess I better send em another email with my contact number. Sent...
wait.... wait... wait...
No reply 24hours from payment time, approx 5-6pm.
Guess I'll check it again. What's that? My.Anandtech tab has a form for joining? Click. Hmm... No fees required it seems. Proceed to create account... Walla! I'm in... Ok... So where's my money?
Luckily for me, I archive outgoing mail, and still have the link. Cut and paste link. Back to validation... Confirm... Boom! In. Subscription started and effective as of today, 6Feb03.
All is well.. But wouldn't it be "User Friendly" to have a "New User Login" at the Login, subscription, and forums pages?
Those seem like common places for new user account creation, not necessarily a highlighted tab (different color from the rest), which could denote a "members only" section to a non subcriber/account holder. And having it in multiple places could only benefit. No cost, and who knows how many users have already decided not to contribute to forums, simply because they couldn't find an easy way to create an account without paying.
William Mapp
Electronics Technician 2nd Class (Surface Warfare), US Navy
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