Best way to request a feature?

[cfaslave]

Snapstream,
What's the best way for your customers to request a feature? I began a thread called "Items to be fixed in Beyond Media" (http://forums.snapstream.com/vb/showthread.php?t=31483) and I've seen threads like this one for btv (http://forums.snapstream.com/vb/showthread.php?t=28192), but I want to be sure we forum users are expressing our suggestions or requests for new features in the best way. I don't want to "demand" new features, but I think it would be usefull to have a feature request list that was updated for each release. Most of us want to help Snapstream create the best HTPC front-end/PVR software available, and feel we can help with good ideas.

If the forums are the right place, and we are approaching it the right way let us know, but if there is a better way to communicate our ideas let us know that also.

For those of you fellow forum users that opinions or ideas about this, post away.

Thanks!
Brent

[cfaslave]

Looks like I'm the only one that wondered about this. No response from SS or forum members ....

If any of the moderators read this, I also wonder why the "announcements" section of the forum shows its last post [Beyond TV 4.2: Watch the Game, Record the Show (http://forums.snapstream.com/vb/showthread.php?p=188520#post188520)] to talk about BTV 4.2 when there is a 4.3 version out?
EDIT-Never mind- they did post 4.3 announcement after I posted this.

[pwlong]

Looks like I'm the only one that wondered about this. No response from SS or forum members ....Nah, I suspect it's just because there isn't an obvious "feature request" form or other official method from SnapStream for request submissions. I've generally filed feature requests the same way as bug reports, by just filing a support ticket, and I suspect whatever ticket-tracking tool they've got in house has the capability to flag something as a feature request.

...I also wonder why the "announcements" section of the forum shows its last post [Beyond TV 4.2: Watch the Game, Record the Show (http://forums.snapstream.com/vb/showthread.php?p=188520#post188520)] to talk about BTV 4.2 when there is a 4.3 version out?They seem to update the blog more frequently than the Announcements forum, not sure why -- perhaps since blogs are the current 'Net fad these days, and maybe they figure more folks will see it that way. I was pleased to get an email announcement for 4.3, even though it arrived a week after the release was posted.

All in all, I think SnapStream does a pretty decent job of communicating with customers, given their relative size and the number of customers they've got. Improvement in this area would be great, of course, and more detail on some of the priorities they're working on for future releases would be cool (ala John Carmack's early "blogs" during development of ID software's Quake family of products). They just feel like a small enough shop that they don't have anybody in a dedicated "customer liaison/communications" role.

Anyhow, to make a long answer longer :rolleyes: I'd recommend just filing a support ticket for whatever feature requests you've got, and include the "is there a more appropriate way to submit these?" question at the same time.

[cfaslave]

Here's a response I received when I submitted the following ticket:

Problem Description:

I wanted to send in an official request for the new features/improvements I want to see the most for BTV & BM:
1. BTV & BM integration
2. Beyond Media Fixes see list http://forums.snapstream.com/vb/showthread.php?t=31483
3. DVB-T
4. PIP
5. Cable Card Support when possible
6. Firewire Tuner Support

Thanks for listening! I love both BTV and BM and am a big supporter!!!
Brent

Here's the response:
Greetings, Brent:

The feature requests specifically mentioned here: BTV / BM Integration, DVB-T, Picture-In-Picture, CableCard, and 1394 capture, I know are all existing feature requests; I know either because I logged them, or because I overheard developers talking about them.

Regarding the list of feature requests in the forums, I've created a feature request item for development to look into the list -- it should prove to be a good source of user feedback given that so many people are participating in the form.

If you are having any particular problems with BM itself, please create a support request so that we can get a bona fide bug created. The developers will definitely need more information, with regards to bugs, for them to be actionable.

Thanks!!

I've always received a response when submitting a ticket. I think it would be nice if there were an "official" list of requested features so we know what SS has on their list and what they do not. For now, I'll go based on the Beta Site list. For those of you Beyond Media users like me, please submit tickets for any known problems in Beyond Media so they are officially on their to-do list.
Thanks,
Brent