Are you ready to Wind your Mind?

Darth Mandarb · Sat 14/03/2009 18:51:07

Greetings my dear friends!

Some of you are "in the know" about a little web-experiment I've been working on for the last year or so called "MindWinder" (wind rhymes with mind)

What is MindWinder?

MindWinder is an idea I had about a year ago ... it is, in a nutshell, a digital-art contest/competition website. But it's ever so much more than just that!

The entire site is a point based "community"! The more you participate, the more points you earn. The more points you earn, the more you can achieve/do on the site. You can earn points by entering contests, rating entries, winning contests (1-3 place), referring new members (only if they register), etc. There's a "rewards" system as well where you can donate some of your points to members, and the like.

Registration is 100% FREE and will always be free. You will never have to pay a single dollar/euro/whatever to be a member and to take part in site activities! And here's the best part ... it's FREE to be a part of the community but you can actually win money!! *

There is much more than just digital-art contests as well! There will be a "fun & games" section too with some online games to play (to start just some fun little java type games but I'm working on some custom-made games as well). Also there will be "fun" events such as raffles and lotteries and the like. The first raffle is called the "Ten Times Raffle" where you 'bet' some of your points (you choose the amount) if you're selected (random selection) you win 10x the points you bet! Stuff like that. There will be random "prize" give-aways each month (ps3 or xbox360 games, dvds, etc.)

There is also a plan to eventually have an online "store" on the site where you don't have to spend money, but your site points, in order to "pay" for items in the store.

* not all contests have monetary reward for winning, some are just points based.

So why am I telling you this?

Excellent question! I have FINALLY reached a point where I'm ready to get some people BETA testing this sucker for me! I thought, what better place to find some beta testers than the AGS community?!!?

So ... this is an open call for BETA testers! If anybody is interested just leave a reply to this thread and I'll add you to the list and notify you by PM if/when you're selected to be a BETA tester! I have a set number I want to reach so it's possible (depending on the replies to thsi post) that EVERYbody who volunteers will get the job!

What am I looking for in a BETA tester?

Basically I just want people to use the site and try to break it! Find errors, bugs, typos, etc. I have created a forums on the site specifically (for now) for tracking BETA testing results!

Why would you want to BETA test?

Well to help me out I would hope!!

Also, I am trying to create a fun little corner of the web for people to use and have a good time. So you might actually enjoy it. All BETA testers will receive a special "title" under their names on the site (you know those little labels that make everybody feel special?). And lastly, at the end of BETA testing I will be choosing the "Best BETA Tester" who will receive a very nice little prize (keeping it a surprise for now!)

If anybody is interested please let me know and I'll provide you with the link to use to get into the BETA version of the site!

Thanks and I look forward to seeing how this goes!

Babar · Sat 14/03/2009 20:24:07

Sounds like an interesting idea, and "winning" stuff always makes it more fun

,

* Babar raises hand

Sam. · Sat 14/03/2009 22:13:14

Not to repeat myself, but, yes please.

Revan · Sun 15/03/2009 02:14:31

This concept sounds fantastic... Nice work... Sign me up for the Beta Testing..

GreenBoy · Sun 15/03/2009 04:48:53

Wow sounds interesting . Plus I'm good at breaking things so its win - win.

Shane 'ProgZmax' Stevens · Sun 15/03/2009 08:18:22

I am interested.

Nacho · Sun 15/03/2009 11:49:02

Jeremy, do I really need to post here to make you know if I am going to help or not?

arj0n · Sun 15/03/2009 14:28:33

I am also interested.

Darth Mandarb · Sun 15/03/2009 14:36:10

Most excellent! Thanks for the volunteers! Look to your PMs in the next day or two for information on how to get to the site!

There's still room for me if anybody else is interested!!

SpacePirateCaine · Sun 15/03/2009 15:30:46

I'm in, Darth, if you're still accepting volunteers.

Oneway · Sun 15/03/2009 19:26:40

Not sure if it's the kind of beta testing you want, but i'm a programmer of web applications by profession. I could help out in trying to find holes in security, cheating oppurtunities as well as checking for valid markup etc.
Besides, the project seems like fun! Any chance of programming contests?

Darth Mandarb · Sun 15/03/2009 19:33:27

Caine - glad to have you on board!

Oneway - that kind of testing would be invaluable! I have a few programmers I work with (day job) that are taking a peek at those same areas but one more can only help!

Check your PMs shortly! I'm putting a few more things in place before officially opening BETA testing up!

There's still room for more if anybody else wants in!

Buckethead · Sun 15/03/2009 19:40:27

This sounds awsome. You must be having a good amount of cash laying around to being andable to do this

I don't think I should promise to beta test with anything but I'll surely check it out when it's done.

rharpe · Mon 16/03/2009 06:04:58

I think I'll give it a go too! I'm great at breaking things...

Ubel · Mon 16/03/2009 10:35:58

I'm certainly interested in this project but I'd probably lose interest too quickly as it is with most things with me so I'll pass on the beta testing. Gonna check it out when it's ready though.

Andail · Mon 16/03/2009 11:11:47

If you still need help I can give it a shot. Got a fair amount of experience from art communities.

Trihan · Mon 16/03/2009 13:23:14

I am intrigued and would like to subscribe to your newsletter.

Darth Mandarb · Mon 16/03/2009 14:56:33

Andail and rharpe - check your PMs for the login information! And thanks for volunteering!

Pablo, Buckethead, and Trihan - thanks for the input! I'll notify you when the site is live!

Thanks!

Darth Mandarb · Wed 02/09/2009 05:25:05

I'm bumping this thread to post an update...

After a few months off for personal reasons (I bought/renovated a house) I am ready to kick-start this project again. I've made some updates and have reached a point where, barring actual use by people, I don't know where to take it next! So ... I'm opening it up to all users who would be interested.

I've started some new contests (the point of the site) for people to enter. Feel free to sign up (always free of course!) and enter a contest or two.

MindWinder Beta

Keep in mind this is a BETA release ... I'm looking for errors and bugs and the like. If you stumble across anything that throws an error or just doesn't seem right to you, please post about it on the forums there! Even if it's something you feel is trivial! I want to improve on the site as much as is possible! The more feedback the better! Also, please understand that I am still working a full-time job daily and still doing some reno to the new house so my participation won't be as great as it was last round of beta testing but I will address all issues as quickly as possible!

Thanks to all who want to help out!

P.S. - To all my first round of Beta testers you have no been forgotten! And one of you is still going to receive a special prize for being my best tester

Nacho · Wed 02/09/2009 09:31:54

Good luck on this! I wanna help, and now, for sure! I don't remember if I am already a member, but the "community page" does not work... Fix it ASAP!

J/K, when I know if I am already a member or not I will log in (try to figure my password, tobe honest) or sign in.