How does the PDF-XChange development team measure demand for different features? SOLVED

[Jensen Head]

I wonder what methods the developers of this wonderful app use to study demand for features? For example, do you conduct surveys in your social media groups, or monitor search queries, or just count the number of "+1"-comments in topics where features are offered?

For example, if I find that I am missing some feature, the first thing I do is use the advanced forum search. And if I find a topic where this feature was previously offered, I simply add it to my bookmarks, and receive a visual notification when new comments appear in it (for example, that it has been implemented in the next update). If the developers evaluate the number of likes on posts, then I will know this and leave them in the topics I am subscribed to. Although, using likes would be much easier for your employees, who are forced to respond to literally every message on the forum, so that there is not a single topic in which the last word is not theirs (alas, limitations of the current implementation of this platform).

[Daniel - PDF-XChange]

Hello, Jensen Head,

I am certain I have given a similar spiel in the past, but do keep in mind that the forums are not our only avenue of direct user interaction, we have many more emails each day than forum posts. We also have a livechat system, where numerous requests show up (even though we would prefer users not to do so there, since they much harder to track..). I also recall once hearing a story about someone physically mailing in their feature request, though that is more an urban legend than a common occurrence.
In practice, something forum centric would not be able to give us a balanced picture of demand.

Beyond just demand, there are many other factors at hand. Complexity of request (Estimated dev time consumed) and the availability of the required dev team members, are some of the most impactful. These are also the items which lead to a delay far more often than "low request volume" has ever been a reason.

Kind regards,

[Jensen Head]

I am certain I have given a similar spiel in the past

Considering the size of this forum, I'm willing to bet that yes. But I, like you, couldn't find it because of the size of this forum. And I was forced to ask this question again. I hope that after this no one will ever ask you this question.

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Okay, I get it: something forum centric would not be able to give us a balanced picture of demand, chat is not suitable for this, but there is mail that makes the biggest contribution to the demand assessment (as a factor brought out in the title of this topic).

Complexity of request (Estimated dev time consumed) and the availability of the required dev team members, are some of the most impactful. These are also the items which lead to a delay far more often than "low request volume" has ever been a reason.

However, there are FRs on the forum, the implementation of which depends primarily on demand. (We can easily find dozens of these topics.) At least, that's how your colleagues formulate it, and I see no reason not to trust them in this. So, — emails. ✅

Thankee-sai!

[Daniel - PDF-XChange]

Hello Jensen,

I should clarify, I was not saying that email is a better solution than posting on the forums. I was saying that our email system is much busier than the forums are. It does not matter where you reach out from, you voice is weighed the same.. I was merely saying that the consideration of a "likes" system would not be as useful here, due to the population spread.

Kind regards,