This might be a change, and maybe if change is always for the better, that makes this better.
What I see is that the issues have been moved from the general discussion area, but there is no more information on each one being provided from the project team scientists or coders, nor are the vast majority even assigned to anyone from the project. How is that being more accountable or responsive?
That typically happens if it's assigned to a group of coders rather than one specific person. This isn't a guarantee that we'll fix all issues immediately. Rather it gives us priorities to start with and ensures that you can always see what issues are outstanding and haven't been forgotten.
I think it is a major problem that the project has net yet noticed after 24 hours that there are comment spams in the forum. So so so pathetic. Call me a Hungarian again…. I am negative, yes, I am.
They have deletedseveral of the posts, but they continue to post them after being deleted.
We used to have a third-party spam Bayesian filter, but it worked poorly so I took it out. I'll re-enable it now.
I've also gone back and deleted spam comments from the site. I found 21 in total, typically hiding in old blog or news entries.
I found the Mantis Bugtracker very good.
http://www.mantisbt.org/
You can make projects (e.g. User Interface, website, general bugs…) and assign. What is done can be closed. You can also have public/private issues. As a User (reporter) it's the best I know.
I write this, that you can have a look and because I think it's not a good idea to have bug reports, wishes etc. mixed with questions or general problems.
For the forums: Community-grown mods have proven to be a reliable source for spamkillers and question-answerers.
The last one needs their questions answered first, of course. You cannot explain what no one said to you (and if axcho had not got an explanation…)
We already have a good feedback tracker.
You may want to keep it or not, but I strongly suggest having a look at what Mantis has. As in folding, several small tweaks can have a great rise in score if combined ;)
At least a splitting option of some kind should be implemented for bugs on current versions, beta versions (whats a beta of a beta? :D), suggestions/wishes and questions.
As a proven bughunter, manual writer and (sort of) game designer I know what I talk of ;)
[OffThread: hmmm… I think I will start an experiment]
Splitting? We have a category for bugs in the Developer Preview, that should be perfectly enough.
Integrating Mantis or Bugzilla (my personal favourite) to the site's theme and authentication system would be far too much effort for very little gain. Then of course I'd have one more piece of software to monitor on the servers for security updates.
In addition, we have such a general audience that a tracker with a simple interface is much better than one with more details and options. Furthermore, this one is quite extensible enough.
In sum there's absolutely no reason to consider another feedback tracker.
All the spammers who had signed up prior to yesterday's CAPTCHA (earliest was Feb 7) took the opportunity of the loosened spam filter to post. I've re-tightened our spam filter. Again, if the server thinks you're spamming, you have to fill out another captcha.