Switchpod, non-beta

[TheBigFish]

We are now non-beta. The site has improved a lot since the last thread. We now have a paid ad-free service also. Please check us out. http://switchpod.com

[Patrick]

Oh, brother.

:roll:

[richpav]

Registration page fell down went boom

Warning: mysql_connect(): Too many connections in /home2/switch/public_html/registration.php on line 23

Warning: mysql_select_db(): Too many connections in /home2/switch/public_html/registration.php on line 24

Warning: mysql_select_db(): A link to the server could not be established in /home2/switch/public_html/registration.php on line 24

Warning: mysql_query(): Too many connections in /home2/switch/public_html/registration.php on line 29

Warning: mysql_query(): A link to the server could not be established in /home2/switch/public_html/registration.php on line 29

Warning: mysql_num_rows(): supplied argument is not a valid MySQL result resource in /home2/switch/public_html/registration.php on line 30

Warning: mysql_query(): Too many connections in /home2/switch/public_html/registration.php on line 34

Warning: mysql_query(): A link to the server could not be established in /home2/switch/public_html/registration.php on line 34
Too many connections

[TheBigFish]

Try refreshing, I have never seen that happen on my site before.

[Patrick]

Well, it looks like it's all coming together for you, Switchpod.

[richpav]

The forum's down too.

phpBB : Critical Error

Could not connect to the database

[Patrick]

Too funny.

[jimk]

OK, I figured I had to try it before I criticized it again. So I signed up.

Problem number one; The email sent to me with my user name and pass was unidentified in any way as coming from Switchpod. If I wasn't waiting for it and had a lot of emails around unopened, I would likely have deleted it as spam because it looks like a random spam post unless you knwo what you;re looking for.

The user experience: The site design is passable, but lacks any concept of directions or help files. Why would you need them? Well, allow me to demonstrate:

I uploaded my promo to the site and went looking for the download link. Uhh...

http://starkcast.com/misc/switchpod/switchpod1.jpg

OK, but I have uploaded an mp3. Oh well. Maybe if I click on the link that says "get feed's url" (nice professional phrasing)...

http://starkcast.com/misc/switchpod/switchpod2.jpg

Wow, this is where you manage your files? I never would have known that. Bad design. OK, so there's my file. No RSS, no link...hmm. So how would I serve this file to the world? Maybe if I hit edit.

http://starkcast.com/misc/switchpod/switchpod3.jpg

Nope. OK, maybe if I just hit submit, the results page will have the links I need. It makes no sense, sure, but neither does anything else on this disaster of a website.

http://starkcast.com/misc/switchpod/switchpod4.jpg

Huh. No. OK, so how can I get back to my files? Where is the "Your control panel" link? Maybe a link that says "Manage your files?" Something? Anything? No? Well what the heck do I do now?

What? I click on "Login?" That's stupid. You;re crazy. That cannot be right.

http://starkcast.com/misc/switchpod/switchpod5.jpg

Well slap my backside and call me Nelly. Here we are back at the beginning, AND I STILL HAVE NO WAY TO SHARE MY FILE WITH THE WORLD. (and no, that is not a copy of the first image, it is the screen that showed up at the end.)

My conclusions? This service is a waste of time for free, and a complete ripoff if you pay for it. Get out of the hosting business, Switchpod, you don't have the foggiest idea what you're doing.

[Patrick]

That's the funniest site review I've ever seen Jim. Good stuff.

The site looks like a botched up template. The futuristic logo is amateurish at best. The control panel screens look like they were programmed by a kid who just learned PHP from a dummies book.

No marketing knowledge, no programming knowledge, no GUI knowledge, no business knowledge...

Gee, where do I sign up?

(Not much common sense either - he didn't get enough bashing last time, so he started a new thread?)

[Patrick]

Here's a simple marketing flaw - 101 type stuff -

Is it Switchpod? Or Switch Pod? Or SwitchPod? Because I've seen all forms all over the site.

ShitPod?

[PODKIVE]

damm you guys are hard. i hope you dont rip me a new *****le. hit me up ill send you a demo link.

[Patrick]

I just don't need any kind of podcast management system. Everything I do is working fine.