TAPATALK USERS: Tapatalk Almost Removed Because Randall Fed Up w/ Tapatalk Questions

[RandallS]

I came within a hairsbreadth of removing Tapatalk from the forum today. I got another message from a luser (and I do mean to use this insulting term) asking me about a Tapatalk issue. As usual I replied with a message telling the person to ask in the Tapatalk topic on the board because I do not have any devices able to use Tapatalk. For the third (and final) time, I got a snarky reply stating that if we were going to offer Tapatalk I should get a smartphone so that I use it so I could answer questions on it. I told myself the last time this happened (after the second rude person said something like that to me) that the the next time someone basically told me I need to spend $250+ on a smartphone and $50+ a month in fees just so I would be able to answer their questions on Tapatalk, I would solve the problem for once and for all by removing tapatalk from the forum.

Fortunately, another issue arose on the board that allowed me to work off my disgust in a slightly more constructive manner. By the time I finished that, I was calm enough to reconsider my plan to pull Tapatalk from the forum. However, I'm very tired of having to deal with Tapatalk.

I have mentioned the problems I have dealing with Tapatalk issues before, but today was the last straw. One of two things is going to have to happen:

1) I put a note in the Tapatalk thread (and in our rules) stating that anyone who PMs or emails me about anything involving Tapatalk with be instantly and permanently banned be they a new member with zero posts or a long time member with thousands of posts. This would prevent me from ever seeing a fourth "let me pick your pocket to the tune of $600+/year so you can help me with Tapatalk" message. Only staff will be allowed to talk to me about Tapatalk issues and only in the staff area -- others get banned.

2) While smartphones are well beyond what I can afford, I might be able to afford a semi-decent Android tablet (wifi only which is free thanks to my router). I have an $80 credit at Amazon (Christmas gifts and a return credit). Unfortunately, none of the really cheap tablets are worth spending $80 on. A semi-decent tablet runs around $160 - $200 -- which is a lot less that the $400-500 they were last time I looked at tablets but still more than I can justify. So here's the deal Tapatalk users, if you want me to be able to use and talk about Tapatalk, donate enough money in the next few days to allow me to get a decent Android tablet so I can get Tapatalk and be able to answer questions on it. With the $80 I have available, we are talking about $110 or so in donations (as Amazon charges tax in Texas now). If I get enough donations, I'll get a tablet, be able to use Tapatalk, and will not need to implement option 1. If not, we go with option 1.  If you want to make a Android Tablet donation, use the Cauldron Server Fund donation link but write ANDROID TABLET in the spot where it asks for your username -- that way I'll know the donation is for the tablet and if I do not get enough donations to actually get one, I'll be able to simply refund the tablet donations. Basically, this is a way for Tapatalk users to vote against implementing option #1 above.

I realize that many members will think I'm being an ass about this. Perhaps I am, but I've put up with people expecting me to be an expert on Tapatalk for about two years now. I'm fed up with it and I am simply not going to take it any more. After all, if I were really intending to be an ass about it, option 2 would be "help me buy a $500 ipad" or I'd just end the problem by removing Tapatalk.

[Akurol]

I came within a hairsbreadth of removing Tapatalk from the forum today. I got another message from a luser (and I do mean to use this insulting term) asking me about a Tapatalk issue. As usual I replied with a message telling the person to ask in the Tapatalk topic on the board because I do not have any devices able to use Tapatalk. For the third (and final) time, I got a snarky reply stating that if we were going to offer Tapatalk I should get a smartphone so that I use it so I could answer questions on it. I told myself the last time this happened (after the second rude person said something like that to me) that the the next time someone basically told me I need to spend $250+ on a smartphone and $50+ a month in fees just so I would be able to answer their questions on Tapatalk, I would solve the problem for once and for all by removing tapatalk from the forum.

 
I use tapatalk to lurk around here and I'm completely fine with option 1. (Option 2 would be awesome, too, and I would gladly donate if I had the funds to do so). But I think it's completely out of line for people to think/demand you must own a tablet or smartphone to have a feature on the forum.

If you do end up removing tapatalk, would it be possible to have some kind of advance warning? I almost exclusively access TC from the app and might think I broke something with the software.

[LadyBug]

I realize that many members will think I'm being an ass about this. Perhaps I am, but I've put up with people expecting me to be an expert on Tapatalk for about two years now. I'm fed up with it and I am simply not going to take it any more. After all, if I were really intending to be an ass about it, option 2 would be "help me buy a $500 ipad" or I'd just end the problem by removing Tapatalk.

 
I think you are being pretty reasonable to be honest. I use Tapatalk to keep in contact while I'm on the move, its helpful to have something to read while I'm waiting in line at the campus store! Had I the funds I would gladly donate(maybe I could pull a donation together when my birthday rolls around ), and if the donation gets refunded it would get put right back in as support for the server.

One way or the other though I wouldn't be devastated of Tapatalk was removed to preserve your sanity.

[Aster Breo]

I came within a hairsbreadth of removing Tapatalk from the forum today.

 
Randall, I know this has been a thorn in your side for a while, and, if you decide to remove Tapatalk, I would completely support you, even though I use it almost exclusively.  I have a Kindle Fire now and can access TC on that, and my convenience is definitely not worth more than your sanity.

I think it's completely ridiculous for someone to suggest that you should have to have a tablet or smartphone just because of a feature on a forum you run.  I just...that's so........stupid.

Anyway, if you decide to keep Tapatalk and if it's helpful, you can send people with questions to me, and I'll try to help them.  Unless they're rude lusers.  

[RandallS]

But I think it's completely out of line for people to think/demand you must own a tablet or smartphone to have a feature on the forum.

While I agree, especially when they do so rudely without any idea of WHY I do not own one. In some ways they are right. As I've never used Tapatalk, I have no idea how it works. For example, I put a notice up this morning directing Tapatalk users to this thread. Do Tapatalk users even see forum notices? I have no idea.

Also, we are stuck on a very old version of Tapatalk because when I tried to update it to versions after that, Tapatalk users reported parts of Tapaatalk stopped working. Since I do not have any way to use Tapatalk to troubleshoot the issues (and there is no way someone else could do it as you need access to the forum at the server level and Tapatalk at the same time to do it), all I could do s revert to the last version that worked.
 
When I added Tapatalk, I did so hoping to make things easier for members who needed to occasionally access the board on their mobile devices. I figured the average person with a smartphone/tablet would access the board 80% to 90% of the time with a desktop/laptop computer and only 10% to 20% of the time using Tapatalk on a mobile device. I think I was wrong as I get the impression that there are a lot of members who mainly access the board from their mobile device using Tapatalk.

[veggiewolf]

...

Anyway, if you decide to keep Tapatalk and if it's helpful, you can send people with questions to me, and I'll try to help them.  Unless they're rude lusers.  

I second this, Randall.  I use Tapatalk quite a bit and have no issue answering questions.

[baduhmtisss]

I second this, Randall.  I use Tapatalk quite a bit and have no issue answering questions.

I use Tapatalk almost exclusively, because I don't have reliable home internet, so, my laptop remains pretty useless once it runs out.

I'm sorry that some people are asses like that about a feature you provide for their convenience. If I had the funds, I would donate to help keep Tapatalk up, and get you the device.

[stephyjh]

While I agree, especially when they do so rudely without any idea of WHY I do not own one. In some ways they are right. As I've never used Tapatalk, I have no idea how it works. For example, I put a notice up this morning directing Tapatalk users to this thread. Do Tapatalk users even see forum notices? I have no idea.

Also, we are stuck on a very old version of Tapatalk because when I tried to update it to versions after that, Tapatalk users reported parts of Tapaatalk stopped working. Since I do not have any way to use Tapatalk to troubleshoot the issues (and there is no way someone else could do it as you need access to the forum at the server level and Tapatalk at the same time to do it), all I could do s revert to the last version that worked.
 
When I added Tapatalk, I did so hoping to make things easier for members who needed to occasionally access the board on their mobile devices. I figured the average person with a smartphone/tablet would access the board 80% to 90% of the time with a desktop/laptop computer and only 10% to 20% of the time using Tapatalk on a mobile device. I think I was wrong as I get the impression that there are a lot of members who mainly access the board from their mobile device using Tapatalk.

 
When I log in through Tapatalk, I don't see forum notices. However, I do see threads with unread posts, so it's already visible, and I know seeing "Tapatalk" in the thread title got my attention.

[RandallS]

When I log in through Tapatalk, I don't see forum notices.

Thanks for that info -- now if I can only remember it.

BTW, I've received $20 in donations! I'm somewhat amazed. I think I will actually get a tablet if more donations come in. As I mentioned in email to you last night, I was more shooting off steam than seriously. However, one of of the two $10 donors pointed out something I had not thought of... He said he does not use Tapatalk but thinks I should have a tablet so I could maybe get the new ecauldron.com to actually work right with mobile devices. He says it is obviously trying to adjust to tablet and smartphone sizes, but it it isn't working well.n  And Yes, the theme I'm using is supposed to adjust.

[LadyBug]

He said he does not use Tapatalk but thinks I should have a tablet so I could maybe get the new ecauldron.com to actually work right with mobile devices. He says it is obviously trying to adjust to tablet and smartphone sizes, but it it isn't working well.n  And Yes, the theme I'm using is supposed to adjust.

It is adjusting just fine to my android phone.

[Aiwelin]

BTW, I've received $20 in donations! I'm somewhat amazed. I think I will actually get a tablet if more donations come in. As I mentioned in email to you last night, I was more shooting off steam than seriously. However, one of of the two $10 donors pointed out something I had not thought of... He said he does not use Tapatalk but thinks I should have a tablet so I could maybe get the new ecauldron.com to actually work right with mobile devices. He says it is obviously trying to adjust to tablet and smartphone sizes, but it it isn't working well.n  And Yes, the theme I'm using is supposed to adjust.

I never used Tapatalk just because I don't like paying for apps, but back when I had an ipod the forum did have occasional adjustment issues. I think it'd be a good thing for you to have!  If I scrounge up some cash in the next few days, I'll send a bit your way

[SunflowerP]

BTW, I've received $20 in donations! I'm somewhat amazed. I think I will actually get a tablet if more donations come in. As I mentioned in email to you last night, I was more shooting off steam than seriously. However, one of of the two $10 donors pointed out something I had not thought of... He said he does not use Tapatalk but thinks I should have a tablet so I could maybe get the new ecauldron.com to actually work right with mobile devices. He says it is obviously trying to adjust to tablet and smartphone sizes, but it it isn't working well.n  And Yes, the theme I'm using is supposed to adjust.

 
That's a good point - you do have a need to be able to troubleshoot properly.

And, I'm glad Aster and Veggie have stepped forward. The thing that was making me scream through gritted teeth about this was, 'Why the hell does this luser think it's up to Randall to do this personally?!?' You have staff for a reason.

Of course, it sounds like Luser's problem might have been one more suited for Tapatalk's support (dude, if you don't know how to use a particular piece of tech, either learn how, or don't use it!), not our problem at all.

Sunflower

[MadZealot]

(dude, if you don't know how to use a particular piece of tech, either learn how, or don't use it!)

Yep.  I've viewed and posted to the forum via a Kindle using the basic browser.  No complaints; and if I had any, I wouldn't bitch Randall out over 'em.

[RandallS]

That's a good point - you do have a need to be able to troubleshoot properly.

I've managed okay with everything but Tapatalk. I simply cannot manage it without a mobile device as I have no way to test/use it (or even see it). The problems I've had with Tapatalk users are why I've never enabled Forum Runner (an alternate mobile thing like Tapatalk). Getting yelled at by two sets of users for stuff I can't even use is far more than I could take.

The default assumption too many people make is that "everyone" has a smartphone and/or a tablet.  Sorry, but not only can't I afford a smartphone, it would be a waste of money if I had one. I have an ancient T-mobile "dumb" phone on a pre-paid plan that after spending $100 on time (which we did when we bought in 4-5 years ago), time bought does not expire until a year after your last purchase of time. We barely use it. It's main use is for me to call Lyric when I'm at the grocery store and can't find something on her list. We spend $10 - $20 A YEAR on our mobile phone.

Getting a smartphone would be a huge waste of money (even if we had $50+ a month to spare).  I work out of the house for the most part. Lyric can't work at all and can't even drive any more (do to her back problems).  We never travel because riding in the car for more than 20 minutes or so makes Lyric's back hurt a lot. The 45 minute trips to the hospital in Temple for doctors that can't be seen in Waco are torture on her. Yet some people consider me "cheap" or a "luddite" because I do not have a smartphone. Apparently, they can't imagine anyone who truly "does not need one."
 
As for a tablet, I bought a early version of the Nook e-reader in 2011. It still works great and allows me to read lots of stuff. A tablet might be nice, but it is very hard to justify the price when I have an ebook reader and there are two desktop computers and a laptop computer in the house and we are mainly at the house -- and we have huge medical bills that need to be paid. Yes, a tablet would be very nice to have for working with The Cauldron and for reading PDFs in bed (something the Nook is useless at), but TC isn't a profit center. People who can't use TC because they can't figure out Tapatalk or because TC doesn't work well with their mobile device are not "lost income" so their problems do not make much of a case for spending $150 to $200 on a (less expensive but actually useful) tablet instead of spending that money paying bills. As for reading PDFs? I can read them fine on any of the three computers in the house and if  just have to read one in bed, there is this thing called a printer and we have one.

[Night Owl]

I've managed okay with everything but Tapatalk. I simply cannot manage it without a mobile device as I have no way to test/use it.

 
Could it be an idea for you to forward concerns about the tapatalk site to a staff member who does use tapatalk, so that they can go check it?