Update to Market Listing and Certification Policy
While BoonEx Market becomes more and more popular we witness repeating issues, such as incompatibility with latest Dolphin versions, misleading descriptions, incorrect pricing info, etc, etc.
Review of Market products is a labor-intensive process and we can't afford just doing it for free. So, we have "Certification" program that allows Vendors submit their products for BoonEx review for a fee. The program isn't very popular, though. Moreover, even with the payment we often end up exchanging endless recommendation letters with Vendors before issuing a certificate. This has to change.
The New Certification Program
We think about offering a simplified certification procedure with a price of about $30 ($20 for listing updates) that includes only a standard set of actions and a guarded certification. The main difference, however, is that no matter the outcome - the certification would be passed, with an appropriate public report.
Example
1. MasterX submits his new product for certification for $30.
2. We review it, according to standard set of parameters and publish a report like this:
--------------
- Installation successful. Took about 20 minutes. Installation instructions insufficient - had to request info from Vendor.
- Database error present when ...... .
- Works with Dolphin 7.0.6, as advertised.
- Requires additional software on hosting server, such as ... .
- Screenshots in product description are not accurate. The product doesn't .... .
- Text description is accurate.
--------------
3. The product goes to the main listing with a report and every purchaser is highly recommended to read it.
4. If MasterX fixes bugs or updates the product, he requests a report update and pays $20.
As for Free products, we would only ensure they are actually free, or they would have to pass a paid certification program.
And here's the kicker!
Market standard listings would be all based on Certified products only. All non-certified products will go into a tab called "Risky" and will all receive a big gaudy header banner with a disclaimer saying "BUYER BEWARE. THIS PRODUCT IS NOT CERTIFIED AND MAY NOT WORK AS EXPECTED OR MAY DAMAGE YOUR SYSTEM" or something equally terrifying.
Let us know your opinion and what are your suggestions on specific certification metrics to be included into the review list.
The new Dolphin solution is powered by UNA Community Management System.
And then there's the products either left for sale by those no longer around, or inactive for a long period of time.
I think this is an improvement, and a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done.
As said by HL, I think you should certify developers and give certified badge.
Making it mandatory for developers to have a support forum for each product would help greatly with issues, as the issues would be in public view with responses or non-responses from developer. On each market product make the Support Forum button big and direct members to read before purchasing .
If theres issues on Support Forum with no response from developer, it shows potential buyers the product support is not there or module has issues and see more
One more thing I would add is automatic update notifications to our mail here on unity, whenever the developer updates the product.
This may increase sales for the developer but may also drive interest to checking out more modules on Boonex.com.
Something to indicate "This modules has not been certified by Boonex" is a good idea but having a message that incourages the buyer not to buy the module could hurt the developer.
If see more
I'd rather see developers themselves, in the 'Risky" category rather than products. There see more
I wouldn't use the public nominations for 'Pundits' as an example. Do you not remember all the nut jobs that became "pundits"? You can't go completely public with something like that. You don't need a bunch of clueless voters making choices.....just look what happens in the US when Democrats vote.
Just come up with a review panel made up of a few boonex staff members, and some community members. I still see more
I'm sure after a few sales you have recovered your certification fee, and a certified product will give security to potential customers and should result in a higer turnover.
It shoiuld also weed out those hacker programmers which have no idea or don't care about good programming techniques.
I know what I'm taking about I have been design authority for some major see more
Now Boonex can have "Quality" apps
btw, any good thing like
http://www.facebook.com/developers/createapp.php
the links don´t work:
http://www.boonex.com/paymentprovider/cart
http://www.boonex.com/paymentprovider/orders
My only question is will boonex moderate are warn us about third party license agreement on the mod being sold? I don't mind complying to a third party agree to use the mod but this is something all buyers should be aware of since this see more
I can see that becoming a chore but I think it would be a value-centered approach as boonex grows. I remember when joomla started everything was free, then a few paid extensions appearred, and now everywhere you look there is another license requirement to manage ;)
Boonex is a well put together community and this decision is proving it.
Solution:
Here;s our recommended solution. You already see more
Currently few customers complained to me that its impossible to find any mods in the market, very difficult, thanks.
It also provides better value for money for people like Modzzz that have to pay fees to get all their products on the see more
forum is good, but TAT is long enough to rise the pressure.
maybe it can be available for premium members
- Install the module on all versions of D7
- Test all functionality of the module with all compatible versions as advertised
- Examine code for any 'hidden' code that may contains link backs or anything else that would be considered a 'threat'
What will happen if Boonex accepts the money, approves the product, and once installed by a purchaser see more
support by modders, reviewing the support, the modders can earn grades
1 likes in FB
and 7 likes in boonex...
boonex rocks!!!
Or you'll end up with people frustrated because they are left with broken sites and can not upgrade dolphin anymore.
If this is not possible at least the comments of people who bought the product should be highlighted.
I have lately had a developer tell me that he couldn't get on the net for 5 days!!!!!. This caused me to be annoyed as I am unashamedly building a commercial site and have to answer to my fellow directors.
Perhaps it would be fairer to these guys if it was made plain that they are promoting the apps as a part time addition to another income see more
http://extensions.joomla.org/
Thanks
I must say, this is a great idea to some extent. you are dealing with two different entities here:
Trusted Developers
and
Certified Functional Modules
Trusted Developers should be easy, and there have been as mentioned petitions requesting certain developers be granted Trusted Status. though fallen on a deaf ear, or the 'change' didnt ching-a-ling loud enough, so there was no effort put forth. You know without a doubt who the Trusted Developers are, and who deserves being granted see more
Please tell me I've got this wrong?