Hey Go Pro … Ever Hear of QA?

In this day, where more people are using high tech devices, you would think that manufacturers would be more stringent on QA testing.  Well, maybe my standards are too high, because I work in Customer Support for firewall and router devices?

Recently, Go Pro released new software (version 2.3) for their Quik application on PC and Mac desktops.  Soon after releasing that software, it failed to load any videos.  It would always give you a “Loading Media” message, and it stays there forever.  It still is able to import videos, but after it’s finished, you can’t view it.  You can’t even view videos that had been previously imported.  The prior release, 2.1, was fine.  I had 2.1 on my drive from previous upgrade … I uninstalled 2.3, and installed 2.1 … the result … I’m able to view my videos now.

This problem is not just isolated to me … I’ve seen many other people complain about this on their forum … Mac and Windows platforms of various OS’s.  I posted that downgrading to 2.1 resolved the issue, and others have commented that it works too.

So why do they release software, that is extremely easy to reproduce.  I mean, it happens on all OS’s.  So Go Pro, don’t you QA your software before you release it … like any other vendor out there?

Ok, rant over …

Weird Go Pro Problem

I recently updated my firmware on my Go Pro, and then weird things started happening.  I was using GoPro Quik, and soon after the update, Quik was not able to load any media.  No matter what I try, it’s stuck on “Loading media”.  Well, I figured there was some application problem on my Mac.

Then, on the camera, I noticed that in some instances, the camera would get stuck in some mode, where I see blinking red led on the camera.  Usually that’s an indication that it’s recording, but when I look at the time recorded, it says 1:01.  Try shutter button, and nothing.  Press mode, and it says “Hilite already tagged”.  Huh?  I know there is a tagging feature when using the mobile app, but I never used it.  Basically, I couldn’t stop recording, change modes, or even turn the damn thing off.  When trying to import via USB, it didn’t detect any files.  Weird.

Finally, I figured by keeping the mode button depressed for about 15 seconds or longer, it would eventually turn off.  Now when I import it did detect some files.  I needed to quickly import them, before my camera got into that weird state again.  Then, from my smartphone app, I decided to see what option there is to format the microSD.  Hmm … no format, just erase all files.  So that I did, and seems like I’m able to record more than 1:01 now.  Well, we’ll see.

7 Days in to #30daysofbiking

It is April, and that’s the 30 days of biking month.  Every year, all cyclists, who sign up, pledge to ride every day in the month of April (http://www.30daysofbiking.com).

So far, doing pretty good … although I did miss one day (weather forecast was for rain but it was dry, up until the evening commute.  I guess it was a good decision, but man, for the rest of the day, it looked like a missed opportunity).

We’ve been lucky, in that when it does rain, it’s typically before or after work, but I do at least prepare with fenders, rainwear, etc.  How’s everyone else doing this month?  I made the pledge (although I already missed one day) .. How about you?