A few days from now, we will begin to open the platform. First, for animal rescues to add their appeals to find more homes and raise more money. Then, in mid February, we’ll begin to send out invitations for those in our waitlist to join our community and try everything out. We will stay open for a week. Then, we’ll shut down for another week before we officially launch early next month.
What am I planning to achieve? Other than raising a very healthy amount of donations for the rescues selected, I need to be sure I’m on the right track.
I want to see how you use the platform.
I want to hear what you like and dislike. And I want to get your feedback and ideas.
I need to see how a large community will fare. Do I need to get a stronger server? Is security tight enough to protect the community?
Running a place like this is very, very expensive if not managed correctly. So, I need to be sure I have a strong grip on things.
It’s just impossible to simply release a platform this big without testing it. And I need a good number of real people to come in and give it a whirl, to use it as they wish, so I can see what I’m “up against”. It sounds a little harsh, I know, but it’s the only way to describe it, because we all know the internet is a volatile place.
There will be arguments, there will be abusers and spammers. And there will be people who will want to take over the community to make it about themselves. You know, the “influencers”!
I need to see this all happen because it’s the only way I can find ways to control it once the platform does go live next month.
So, first and foremost, thank you so much for taking the time to be part of this little project. If it’s a success, we will be saving millions of lives each year and providing a long-term lifeline for thousands of those amazing humans who dedicate their lives to saving animals in need.
Success will happen, I know, if I can just get thru this Beta Week. It’s killing me, I tell ya. I’m so worried the servers won’t hold, or that some abuser will hack us, or that people won’t like it…I don’t know. I lie awake all night these days thinking about everything that can go wrong.
So, if there’s one thing I can ask of you, please don’t hold back on your reviews, but in a way that I can build on what’s wrong. If you don’t like something, tell me, suggest better ways.
I can tell you now, you will find something not working quite right, and there will be spelling mistakes. Please remember, this is a one-woman-show right now. It’s all being paid for from my own pocket and I’m doing everything I can to make this platform into a success. To submit your feedback, head over to this form.
In this day and age, when there is so much darkness, sometimes words flow in a much harsher tone than necessary. Pointing out errors you come across will be a huge help to me. But, I’m a sentient being doing my best. So, please be kind.
Here’s the place you can reach out to me. I will read every single message. Just give me a little time to get to you.
