I am not sure about the 30 limit… i agree with the limiting it to licensed members.
but, if we limit it to 30, we might not get good coverage of all the countries we could use reviews in.
I would recommend a higher limit even to start. like 50. [import]uid: 88147 topic_id: 24220 reply_id: 100158[/import]
I won’t be limiting it as long as everyone plays along 
If test drivers (not yet completed an app) are reading this are interested in joining please wait to join until you’ve released an app and then join and we’d be more than happy to include your app!
Danny [import]uid: 59140 topic_id: 24220 reply_id: 100159[/import]
Cool initiative! Requested to join the group, Edwin R. [import]uid: 105661 topic_id: 24220 reply_id: 100163[/import]
I don’t see a reason why we don’t let test drivers in. While they can’t post apps yet, they certainly can participate by downloading our games and apps and rating them, The more the merrier.
They might even learn some cool things by seeing a feature in the app then asking us how we did it.
And to me capping at 30 seems low. Ideally we want 100% participation, but people may not get to everyone and if only 50% rate your app, you only got 15 ratings. A perfect example, someone posted an iPad only app. I don’t have an iPad, I can’t rate it. Same with some Android, Nook and Kindle Fire people.
Just my 2 cents.
[import]uid: 19626 topic_id: 24220 reply_id: 100166[/import]
Awesome idea! Yep, the key is not to set a readily noticeable pattern and we should be OK by Apple.
Just put in my request as Douglas Kim! [import]uid: 39031 topic_id: 24220 reply_id: 100185[/import]
I am part of another indie dev group on facebook as well. They created an editable document as a means to list new apps. We could basically have a Friday spot and Tuesday spot and then a list of waiting apps. It could look something like:
Tuesday: Friday:
4/17 - app name. 4/20 - app name
4/24 - app name
We could just allow users to fill their app into a date available and perhaps we could do two apps on each day. On the day of, an admin could email the group the link to the app.
Even though there will be a schedule, I think we still should still be able to post newly released apps on the Facebook page. Getting ratings, reviews, and download numbers are so crucial in the initial days of launch.
I would argue against capping the group number. The more people we have participating should hopefully equate to a bigger boost into the effect it would have especially around the launch of an app.
I know I listed concerns about rating manipulation initially and I do like the idea of the minimum rating being 3 stars or contact the dev if you find major issues. When it comes purely down to number of downloads and app rankings, we should do all we can. Major developers have huge advertising budgets, we do not. I don’t believe there are any policies around a group just downloading the app and if we are doing it with the intent of checking out each others work, that’s great. I’d love to have a several hundred Corona devs downloading my apps especially around launch time even if they are not providing ratings.
I think it would be great to share ideas of how else we could promote each others apps or leave general Corona tips or ideas on the Facebook page. If we see something we like in an app or something we know we could help with, it would be great to have this info. [import]uid: 79834 topic_id: 24220 reply_id: 100191[/import]
I look at this group as “Submitting our apps to our Peers for review”
this should be no different then you sending out a note to all your friends in facebook saying “Hey check out my new app, download it and rate it for me please!”
I agree with Rob about test users, let them in the group. it makes sense and it will give us more honest reviews on our apps. And they get the benefit when they release their app they know we will return the favor! [import]uid: 88147 topic_id: 24220 reply_id: 100196[/import]
That’s cool by me to welcome the test users. You guys make some good points [import]uid: 59140 topic_id: 24220 reply_id: 100205[/import]
Hello guys,
I agree, the more the merrier. My first concern is that anybody can join the forum. We will have no idea if the app was done with Corona or not. I will think we should keep this project for Corona made app only. My second issue is if we allow test drivers in (like me) then what’s the difference between simply posting on the forum?
I think people who already have apps in the store will have more incentives to reviews apps since the success of their own apps would be helped by others doing the same. There is no reason for test drivers to not reviews apps on the normal forum and help people who have apps out. But the goal of the project was to make a system that would basically guarantee you at least 5 reviews since most Corona seems to launch with zero reviews.
I affraid that letting everybody join will make the system unmanageable and not really different from out we have already (forum)
I think that we have enough pro and indies dev to be able to reach that goal for each app coming out. I am probably just paranoid but I also think that we should not test Apple on this (especially if people outside the Corona community join)
Having said I will go with whatever you guys decide. I just wanted share some of the issues we maybe facing.
I also appologize for not reviewing any apps until this weekend. I am traveling and having the worst hotel wifi I have seen in a long time. But I promised to reviews bunch of them on the Facebook page this weekend.
Mo. [import]uid: 49236 topic_id: 24220 reply_id: 100211[/import]
Hi,
I just saw this - and think its a fantastic idea. I am all in. our studio exclusively focussed on corona to build apps.
Name: Altaf Rehmani. I have accounts in India and Hongkong appstores.
I have put in a Facebook request to join.
[import]uid: 55009 topic_id: 24220 reply_id: 100223[/import]
Sorry guys If i freaked out on you earlier. It seems actually that I am the only “test driver” who has “requested” to join so far. Maybe we do not have to worry about that issue after all…ah! Ah!
No seriously I am so happy to see great apps getting finally some love. That’s all I was looking for.
Great job Danny and all the admins.
Mo [import]uid: 49236 topic_id: 24220 reply_id: 100227[/import]
On the note of test drivers VS licensed devs, I would say if the test driver has been a Corona member more than you know, a week or two, we know they’re legit and just want to help out like the rest of us. The only block I’d move for is if it’s someone who has just joined up as that seems the only scenario we might see others trying to promote non-Corona apps.
Seems like this is resolved now but figured I’d voice my opinion on the matter.
[import]uid: 52491 topic_id: 24220 reply_id: 100250[/import]
I’ve sent a request to join as Eugen Stolin from Sweden. [import]uid: 40334 topic_id: 24220 reply_id: 100308[/import]
The best comments for me when I check an app are :
Update : 14/04/2012
The last update is perfect. The developer addressed all my requests. It definitely deserves 5 stars now!
See my previous review below.
I give 3 stars because the app is very good but it would be better if
- a
- b
- c
I got in touch with the developer and he is very open to suggestions, he said my requests will be taken in account in the next update! I’ll wait and see."
So even if you want to give 3 stars, get in touch with the dev, make requests, and later update your review. Be honest about it.
Users like to know that there is a dev behind an app, that is listening.
Just asking : what is the problem if a person that is not using Corona writes an honest review about your app in the App Store and gives you 3-5 stars? [import]uid: 95346 topic_id: 24220 reply_id: 100316[/import]
Guys i think this is a great idea.
I just requested to join the group: Robert de Boer
[import]uid: 50459 topic_id: 24220 reply_id: 100325[/import]
@MrMells: There is nothing wrong for anybody (subscribers, test drivers and even people outside Corona) to review and rate apps here. The onl issue I am affraid about is if the word goes out that there is a place developers can get automatically bunch of reviews then there is not telling how many apps would get dumped on our volunteers since there is really no way to tell if the apps was made by our fellows Corona developers or not. The issue here is of bandwidth, I think we should make sure apps are from our fellow Corona developers so we can concentrate on those.
But again that is just my opinion so I could be 100% wrong…yes it happens sometimes…ha! ha!
Have fun.
Mo. [import]uid: 49236 topic_id: 24220 reply_id: 100461[/import]
Hi, I just came across this and would love to be a part of it. I sent my request. Noah Malewicz [import]uid: 22392 topic_id: 24220 reply_id: 100483[/import]
Great Idea, I just signed up.
Larry Meadows [import]uid: 11860 topic_id: 24220 reply_id: 101151[/import]
Just requested to join, Jacques Deul [import]uid: 66228 topic_id: 24220 reply_id: 101161[/import]
Just requested to join this
Javier Rincon [import]uid: 75034 topic_id: 24220 reply_id: 101730[/import]