Download Approval Times - (Too Long)

[bakes]

Why does it take from 5-8 hrs for a download to be approved for others to download? I understand that the admins arent on 24/7 but isnt there a way to make it so if the download is just an update that its auto approved aslong as its uploaded by the same author? The initial approval for new downloads would still need to be approved by admins but updates to ui/patches etc could be auto approved aslong as same person does it... Would allow for critical updates to ui's to actually be download when the are released and now some 5-8 hours later in the day.

[Azoz]

1) My uploads have always been approved in less than an hour, including updates to existing UI pieces. Your mileage varies, apparently.

2) I am not an admin/moderator but I think the idea is that the ui will be tested before approval, so this could take some time.

3) Updating a UI is essentially uploading a new file, so it has to go through the same process. Anything could have changed in the UI.

4) I don't think anything ever qualifies as critical for the UI. If there's a problem just delete the file and the default will be used.

5) I could envision a system whereby a certain author is given 'trusted' status so his uploads are automatically approved, but personally I would opt out even if given such status because I know I make a lot of goof ups and appreciate it getting checked. (implementation would probably be more trouble than its worth though).

6) You get what you pay for.

7) Pay for some patience

[Drumstix42]

Forget it. NO way should it be auto-approved.

All it takes is one malicious person to ruin everything.

If you update pictures or or text, it doesn't need to be approved, but a new zipe, yes it needs to be approved. And it should be that way. Period. No and's, or's, or but's about it!

[Kosmos]

If an approval takes 5 to 6 hours I think that is awesome.
I mean just think about how many mods were updated due to the recent patch! That is ALOT of work!
As far as Admins... I think it's like Singular. ADMIN...


I'm amazed every day how active dolby stays on these boards, and only hope that as the site grows and becomes larger he is able to take such an active roll. The more people that come this way, the harder of a job all of the moderators will have.

Personally I think things are working exceptionally well, he is also doing alot of new changes to the download site to keep things from gettnig stale, and make the whole download process much simplier. Which means that the approval process will be that much more important, due to the new tools that will be implemented to allow people to install UI's right from the download site.

I've got no complaints, it's alot of work to prepare everything and upload it to the site. If you want to search threads and download random attachments I think you will find the quality level is not up to par.

Relax, man! Go work on a book quest or something, by the time your done the mod your salivating over should be ready.

[Humudce]

Originally Posted by bakes

Why does it take from 5-8 hrs for a download to be approved for others to download? I understand that the admins arent on 24/7 but isnt there a way to make it so if the download is just an update that its auto approved aslong as its uploaded by the same author? The initial approval for new downloads would still need to be approved by admins but updates to ui/patches etc could be auto approved aslong as same person does it... Would allow for critical updates to ui's to actually be download when the are released and now some 5-8 hours later in the day.

I'm sure it is frustrating that it sometimes takes a while to get approved. I myself have over 10+ Mods here on the site. Every time Sony makes the slightest changes to their default UI, it generally triggers me to update and or fix my UI Mods that were affected by their changes. I make my fixes and test them as much as possible, then I submit them as updates, with the understanding that it may take a while to get approved. I generally post in the forums, something to the effect that that Hey I updated this mod or that mod to make it compatible with the latest changes, and it's awaiting approval. That way anyone that is using my mod knows I have fixed it and it's just a matter of time before they are able to download it.

Personally I believe 5 to 8 hours or sooner is an awesome turnaround time. Has anyone ever submitted an Online Help request to one of the Big Companies like Sony, Microsoft, Disney, etc. They will tell you after you submit your request that you can expect to hear something in between 48 to 72 hours.

I feel bad when I submit more than 1 update to any of my mods in a given day. The last Big Patch (Live Update #5 - Sony's term for it) I updated all 8 of my XP Bar mods the same day, to reflect the changes of Update #5 and to fix a more critical issue where some of them were causing the players to crash when they camped to Character Select and picked another character to play. I put the admins through allot of work to get those 8 mod updates approved.

I would never want to see an Auto-Update take place, even if it was only an Update by the same Author. Having a second set of eyes look at it first ensures that I didn't screw something up when I made my zip file like put the wrong file in the zip, or forget something in the zip that I needed to allow the Mod to work. No matter how long it takes I like having someone looking at it before it's put live on the site.

No complaints here on how things work. Dolby and his folks have done and continue to do an awesome job.

[Dolby]

Originally Posted by bakes

Why does it take from 5-8 hrs for a download to be approved for others to download? I understand that the admins arent on 24/7 but isnt there a way to make it so if the download is just an update that its auto approved aslong as its uploaded by the same author? The initial approval for new downloads would still need to be approved by admins but updates to ui/patches etc could be auto approved aslong as same person does it... Would allow for critical updates to ui's to actually be download when the are released and now some 5-8 hours later in the day.

Well when they are submitted when I go to sleep its going to be 8hrs until they are approved. If they are released when I'm awake they are approved with in an hour. Right now I'm working 3rd shift filling in for some people on vacation so I sleep during the morning. Patch days where I know many people are submitting fixes I either dont sleep much or try and get some help.

It would be a very bad idea to auto approve files for every one. On EQI we have had an updated submitted with a virus and the author didnt even know it.

If anything I may need to get some people to help me moderate the queue. Send me a PM if your a long time active eq2i member, know alot about the interface and your interested. I just need to get a procedure down on paper.

Moved post to correct forum. Please take the time to note all our forums.

[Dolby]

I currently have two great members coming onboard to help with the moderation queue along with our current s.moderator. Hopefuly that will speed things up.

[Itanius]

...and two fine choices they are, also.

Hopefully that will speed things up a bit for times when we need things expedited. Thanks, Dolby!

[Drumstix42]

Give out a ring if you need help with anything else

[Zonx]

Just wanted to chime in with a "Great work! Dolby and team ROCK!"

Seriously, this "Hobby" site is run far more professionally with better design and responce times then like 80% of the "Professional" sites out there.