Don't use RokBox
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- kfawcett
- Sr. Rocketeer
- Posts: 133
- Thanks: 0
- Information Systems Consultant
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Just to let everyone know. I have tried repeatably to get support for Rokbox for almost of month now with no response. There are major issues with Rokbox in IE when displaying PDFs and mp4s so if you use either of these be aware that if you use Rokbox your viewers will experience this problem.
It's too bad, because otherwise it's a great product. If anyone has any good suggestions for other light boxes that can show PDFs please let me know. - Rate your web host! ExploreWebHosting.com
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- Djamil Legato
- Elite Rocketeer
- Posts: 2371
- Thanks: 70
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For the records, the bugs mentioned aren't easily fixable, they just requires a lot of debug and tries because with IE is always a challenge. I feel sorry if you really think the support on RokBox is lacking, but you have to understand that RokBox is probably the biggest extension we do have and that allows to integrate almost everything imaginable. We never "sold" it as bug free, I'm aware of all the bugs present on it and I assure you I'm working hard to got them all fixed.
The PDF bug mentioned above is just one of the others ones that I'm aware.
Please consider also that RokBox at today is given for free and with that is to be considered free the support too. Things are going to change however, but you've to understand that since RokBox is very popular, the requests of support are a lot, we are doing our best to accomplish every of those. - / Djamil Legato / Lead Developer /
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- kfawcett
- Sr. Rocketeer
- Posts: 133
- Thanks: 0
- Information Systems Consultant
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I understand the bugs. I even understand that it's free. I am also grateful for all your hard work and it's an overall amazing plugin well worth paying for.
What is irritating to me is that the product is listed as able to support PDFs, when in reality it is not. If 90% of the market (IE) cannot use the product without problems, then that feature shouldn't be listed or at least have a disclaimer that states that the PDF function only works in Chrome, Opera, Firefox, et cetera. Especially when you are aware of the issue. Rather than having to install it on a client's site and then to find out that it does not work properly and have to waste countless hours redoing every PDF link that is using Rokbox.
Secondly, I tried for over a month to get someone to reply to my question in the proper forum about the issue and no one even attempted to say "sorry, but that doesn't work and at this time we are not supporting it..." I even went as far as to find out who made the plugin (you) and emailed you personally and didn't get a response.
Once again I am grateful and love Rockettheme. Everything you do is top notch and I will continue to use your templates and add-ons. But please, if you know that a product does not work as you have stated put a disclaimer or don't list that feature. - Rate your web host! ExploreWebHosting.com
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- Djamil Legato
- Elite Rocketeer
- Posts: 2371
- Thanks: 70
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PDF support was added to RokBox after requests from you, the users. When it was implemented, it was working perfectly. We test our products rigourously as we take great pride in our work. Similarly, we test in a cross-browser environment, testing on approximately 10 browsers to ensure compatibility with all our products.
The reason for the sudden arrival of the bug is due to the new Adobe Acrobat Reader which causes rendering issues in IE. Note that rendering issues are the hardest of bugs to fix, because they are sourced directly from the browser's core, rather than from a script or other external contributors.
Moreover, we are completely "refreshing" all our extensions, which we are focusing on right now This is our #1 priority. You'll notice soon what we have been working on and maybe that would also answer the question of "lacking of support", if by that time you haven't stopped using RokBox already.
One again, I am trying to circumvent this issue as well as fixing other reported bugs, in conjunction with providing new features. All you have to do is check the entire extensions forum to see the requests that we receive, and provide for. - / Djamil Legato / Lead Developer /
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- James Spencer
- Preeminent Rocketeer
- Posts: 46340
- Thanks: 50
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Might I suggest, that in future, you choose a title that is more suitable and specific to the topic at hand. A subject that pertains to the issue, rather than a statement that may incite inflammatory remarks.
"Don't use RokBox" would be better termed as "PDF & MP4 issues with RokBox". The latter is specific to the support matter and maintains the calm, and neutral balance of our community in these forums.
Also, regarding the 90% IE share comment. I would like to elaborate on this for any watchful eyes interested in the topic. The magic number is a transient, and variable one. It will of course vary from site to site on your usage. However, the current total market share estimate is around 65%. 90% maybe applicable to your site, but not too others and is much higher than the average. IE6, most fortunately, is dwindling percentage by percentage at around 15% - 20% and hopefully will drop significantly more with the release of Windows 7.
However, I do hope you read my comments in the manner in which they were written, that being in an informative and neutral tone. - James Spencer / Developer & Support / Hull, UK
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- kfawcett
- Sr. Rocketeer
- Posts: 133
- Thanks: 0
- Information Systems Consultant
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Djamil,
Thanks for the informative response.
James,
The whole point of the title was to get the post noticed and generate a response. I am well aware of the tone and style of writing that I used. I wrote originally in "the latter ... specific to the support matter" in the proper forum and did not receive a response. Sadly after posting in a more incendiary way I got a response. I know the title is a little misleading, but sometimes you have to stir the pot.
I do retract my original statement of IE holding a 90% market share; my data is a little old. The point of the matter is that if it doesn't work and you know it doesn't work, let someone know. If I would of gotten a response from any of my multiple attempts to have the question answered none of this would of been an issue.
I despise IE as much as the next person, but it's an inevitable problem for the foreseeable future. Also, the Rokbox issue does not just affect IE6; it affects all IE versions. As Djamil explained it has more to do with Adobe Reader being updated that seems to be causing the conflict.
Either way thanks for all of RocketTheme's hard work. You are, hands down, the best out there! - Rate your web host! ExploreWebHosting.com
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- rockethead
- Hero Rocketeer
- Posts: 433
- Thanks: 0
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@kfawcett
I'm with ya bro. I love this site and all the modules, especially the free ones, buuuuut....i am growing increasingly frustrated with all of the bugs in modules, extensions, etc. all across the net. I do think Rocket Theme does test thoroughly, but if something doesn't work, then it doesn't. I'm kind of outspoken here, so after this post i really won't get any help.
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- JEM
- Preeminent Rocketeer
- Posts: 17917
- Thanks: 4
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rockethead wrote:
@kfawcett
I'm with ya bro. I love this site and all the modules, especially the free ones, buuuuut....i am growing increasingly frustrated with all of the bugs in modules, extensions, etc. all across the net. I do think Rocket Theme does test thoroughly, but if something doesn't work, then it doesn't. I'm kind of outspoken here, so after this post i really won't get any help.
1) The Modules and Components are thoroughly tested before release. On occasion, there are a few bugs which are resolved by the team, but honestly, often issues reported as 'bugs' are simply a failure of the end user not following the documentation, or expecting the Module or Component to perform beyond what it was designed for.
2) As far as support goes, not getting help after a post such as yours is a fallacy. We support members equally despite what may be regarded as a negative opinion or attitude. - Thanks,
jim
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