Anyone know what upcoming FamilyFinder changes are?

[ojosAzules]

My expected result date was changed from 1/24 to 2/28.
When I spoke to FamilyTreeDNA CSR, she said everyone's results were delayed b/c of "changes", but she claimed she did not know what changes were.

Does anyone reading this post know?

Thank you

[mkdexter]

Your answer is (probably) coming within a week from today.

[LucyBelle]

changes

My expected result date was changed from 1/24 to 2/28.
When I spoke to FamilyTreeDNA CSR, she said everyone's results were delayed b/c of "changes", but she claimed she did not know what changes were.

Does anyone reading this post know?

Thank you

_______________________________________________

There's some posts of folks who called in and got some information about upgrading the program for FF, I think. you may want to check batch 390 posts out.

[LucyBelle]

answer

Your answer is (probably) coming within a week from today.

________________________________________________

Notice: The answer has been delayed due to upgrades in keyboard.

[mkdexter]

or delays between the operator (that would be me) and the keyboard.

[mkdexter]

Ok I should clarify.

There are many tests from FTDNA. Of these I don't know why some of them are delayed. When I said the answer is coming I was referring to Family Finder because I only know why a FF test could be delayed if it is indeed delayed.

Yep they are working to make FF better. Some of the changes they showed at the GAP conference last October. Some of the changes will be even better news and may be a surprise too so we can't be spoiling a surprise.

I get the impression from some communciation I have received in which I was told to check back in a week that this "good" news will be revealed within a week or close to it. The fact it will be announced soon is really a guess on my part but I can assure you they are going to make FF better.. really better and that's not a guess.

Yes they do read these posts like you mentioned in the other thread. If I said anything more they'd push the little red button that fires a pre-programmed cruise missile into the Houston sky, sends it westward, and drops it below the radar. After 2.8 hours of flight it would hit my house smack dap in the middle of Arizona, level it, ruin my wireless router, destroy my high tech firewall and burn my computer - making it completely impossible to log into their website from home. I can't have that. I need to login. Besides where would the dog sleep if that happened.

I'd rather be able to log in - so I can't say more.

See what they say in a week or so. I am sure you will love it.

[LucyBelle]

or delays between the operator (that would be me) and the keyboard.

________________________________________________

LOL, yeah..they must really be swamped. FTDNA was on a program on a show on the History channel about one of the Cherokee tribes that are not recognized by the federal government or by the other tribes. I think the Chief was/is trying to prove they were one of the lost tribes of Israel. That was just a week or so ago. I'll be FTDNA got a huge influx of test requests then too.

[mkdexter]

________________________________________________

LOL, yeah..they must really be swamped. FTDNA was on a program on a show on the History channel about one of the Cherokee tribes that are not recognized by the federal government or by the other tribes. I think the Chief was/is trying to prove they were one of the lost tribes of Israel. That was just a week or so ago. I'll be FTDNA got a huge influx of test requests then too.

I didn't know about that. It wasn't Joe White in TN was it? Sounds like it might be. I talked to him once about a yDNA upgrade for me. Very interesting fellow (no mistake though.. he was a nice and agreed to help me out).

The more tests the better. The only way these (FF) tests will work is when we keep getting a ton more tests. Keep them coming.

[Salabencher]

Cool! Thanks Matt.

[travers]

I am just guessing, but my hope is the changes they are making are at the lab itself. I wouldn't think they would stop releasing results if it were just IT changes to the site (X chromosome browser?, profile pages? or whatever else they've discussed as possible changes for the future) although those or other changes are probably being worked on as well. Just by monitoring the Batch calendar forum it is clear that a lot of FF results were failing QC when Family Finder first rolled out last year and then things got better in the summer but now the last few months they seem to be having problems again. I really hope that is what they are working on.

I think the best use of FF is testing out theories and confirming relationships. That means testing multiple family members and others you think might be relation. But who really wants to go through the trouble of recruiting a distant relative you don't know very well or a potential relative you don't know at all, if you are going to have to call them up again in a few months to tell them they need to provide another sample? You'll get hung up on. People are going to test elsewhere if they keep experiencing delays or can't get reliable results here, simple as that. So hopefully that is what they are working on. I know FF is still relatively new so some problems are to be expected. If that part is fixed then the database grows and maybe they can have sales or discounts without being worried about a huge backlog and problems. I just really want to see FF succeed, so hopefully things get better.

[Salabencher]

Hope

I hope some new stuff comes out soon. I've been spending a lot of time with my new 23andMe results, but still pop over to see whats going on with FF and pop finder.

[mkdexter]

An announcement should be coming out any day now.

The FF results are not failing QC again though.

I am just guessing, but my hope is the changes they are making are at the lab itself. I wouldn't think they would stop releasing results if it were just IT changes to the site (X chromosome browser?, profile pages? or whatever else they've discussed as possible changes for the future) although those or other changes are probably being worked on as well. Just by monitoring the Batch calendar forum it is clear that a lot of FF results were failing QC when Family Finder first rolled out last year and then things got better in the summer but now the last few months they seem to be having problems again. I really hope that is what they are working on.

I think the best use of FF is testing out theories and confirming relationships. That means testing multiple family members and others you think might be relation. But who really wants to go through the trouble of recruiting a distant relative you don't know very well or a potential relative you don't know at all, if you are going to have to call them up again in a few months to tell them they need to provide another sample? You'll get hung up on. People are going to test elsewhere if they keep experiencing delays or can't get reliable results here, simple as that. So hopefully that is what they are working on. I know FF is still relatively new so some problems are to be expected. If that part is fixed then the database grows and maybe they can have sales or discounts without being worried about a huge backlog and problems. I just really want to see FF succeed, so hopefully things get better.

[travers]

That is good news. Hopefully their communication improves in the future too.

1) We have recently received your DNA collection kit and have begun testing.
2) Multiple attempts have been made to test the DNA we had stored in our lab. All attempts failed to pass our strict quality control standards. If we have no additional vials of DNA stored, you will be sent an additional collection kit so that we may continue testing.
3) We are waiting for you to return the DNA collection kit we sent to you.

[mkdexter]

That is good news. Hopefully their communication improves in the future too.

Yes hopefully if those are the choices you are getting because there are a few more reasons a test could be delayed. In the case of recent delays there should be something out that explains it soon. I would think this week but maybe plans changed.

[CAM]

Family Finder - Pending Items

I copied and pasted this from my Uncle's pending items page down below.
I called FTDNA and they said the test had not been run. They do need to work on their form e-mails. Cam

"Pending Items
TESTS EXPECTED* BATCH NOTES
Family Finder(FamilyFinder) 03/07/2011 391 Your