[diana_eva]

This is the BBO Server 2 Feedback Thread where we'll collect info related to the tests of our new backup server. To ensure nothing breaks, we need your help to test it with "real players" like yourselves before it goes live.

Tests will take place from Friday, July 5, until Sunday, July 13.


How to Access the Test Server
Use your usual BBO username and password to log in to the test server.

Click here to login to BBOServer2


What You'll See on the Test Server

• The test server contains games similar to those on the "real BBO."
• Prices might differ from those on the "real BBO."
• Add your BBO username to the Feedback thread below and we'll credit your account with BB$ to try any game.
• Some features, like the Prime section, are not included in this test.

Suggested Testing Hours
To ensure we have enough players online to start tournaments and matches, please try to log in and play during the following hours:

• Daily Testing Hours: 2:00 PM UTC to 4:00 PM UTC and 8:00 PM UTC to 10:00 PM UTC
• Weekend Testing Blitz: Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 AM UTC to 12:00 PM UTC and 6:00 PM UTC to 8:00 PM UTC

Click this link to see the hours in your own time zone. It's linked inside the Test Server for ease of reference.

We encourage you to join during these times to maximize the number of players and make it easier to play games together. While you're welcome to explore the server at any time, having more people online simultaneously will make the testing more effective and enjoyable.


Here's What to Test

• Start a table and play a few hands.
  Play a few hands with people, see if everything seems okay. Try to claim, undo, redeal.
  Use robots at your table and see if they start playing.
• Play a team match and check if everything looks fine.
• Play a free tournament. We'll post some free test tournaments during the testing hours.
• Play a paid tournament with people (ACBL, Express).
• Play a pair tournament and register with a robot. Is the robot playing?
• Play an instant tournament (free/paid).
• Play a robot tournament from Robot World (Robot Duplicate, Robot Rebate, Robot Reward).
• For TDs: Create a tournament and see if all works as expected.
• For teachers: Start a teaching table and do what you normally do -- see if it works as expected.
• Other activities you like to do on BBO that we didn't think about.

Daylongs and challenges are less dependent on the BBOserver, but it would help if you try one or two. Just don't over-focus on them.


What We Need You to Do
For each suggested task you pick from the list above, follow these simple steps:

• Perform the task briefly: For example, if you're checking whether starting a table with friends works, just play 2-3 hands. We want to see if everything works as expected: if the table starts successfully, if the cards load, if inviting friends works, and if you can use options like undo, claim, redeal, and alert during play. Or, another example: When you register with a robot in a pair game, we simply want to confirm that the robot is seated as your partner and playing. After this, you can quit the game if you wish and move on to another scenario.
• Let us know how it went by posting in this thread, and you can move on to another task if you wish.

How to Give Feedback
When posting your feedback, please include the following information:

• Username: The BBO username you used during the test.
• What You Tried: Specify what you tested (e.g., table with people, table with robots, undo, redeal, claim, etc.).
• Game Results Link: If available, provide a link to the game results (for example for teams, tournaments, challenges).

Even if nothing went wrong, it's important to let us know. For example, simply stating "I tried X, nothing seemed out of the ordinary" is very helpful to us.


If There Were Issues

• Take a Screenshot: Capture the issue on your screen. We suggest using Imgur which is a free resource and doesn't ask you to create an account. Capture the screenshot and simply paste it at imgur.com. Get the link to your image, and share it in your feedback post.
• Describe the Problem: Provide a detailed description of the problem.
• Mention Involved Usernames: Include the usernames involved, so we can investigate further on our side.

Important Notes

• The BB$ balance on the test server is not your real balance. Spending money on the test server won't charge your real account.
• Points or prizes won on the test server are not real and won't be reported to the ACBL or counted in your award rankings (sorry!).
• Scores in games you play won't be reported in your stats and hand records. Feel free to abandon games and hop around without affecting your real account.

Compensation for Your Effort
As a token of our appreciation, we will credit your real BBO account with BB$ for your participation in the test. Please post your BBO username and details of your testing activities in this thread to receive your compensation.

Lorand (lorserker) and myself (diana_eva) will be monitoring this thread closely and helping organize the tests.

Thank you for helping!