I went and spent a few hours trying it out back in March 2019, when @lulucrypto kindly created Cryptos-Currencies.Com on Epochtalk. I reported 20 odd things or so at the time (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5115500.msg49971713#msg49971713), and saw how some were dealt with after reporting them on Github, but I lost interest after a while.

Really there are two macro testing scenarios here (with different required profiles):
-   Epochtalk as a general purpose software to implement forums.
-   Epochtalk to support Bitcointalk, as one instance of the above.

Now it’s clear that the goal is way more ambitious to that of simply moving Bitcointalk from one platform to another or creating a custom platform solely for Bitcointalk, as developing a general purpose software for forums is pretty tough, full of abstractions that need to be considered.

From a Bitcointalk user’s point of view though, I’m ok spending a small amount of time testing Epochtalk on a non-Bitcointalk test forum, but I’d still prefer rather more prefer a Bitcointalk specific test scenario (providing I find enough time again). Even so, it’s better to carry out scripted tests than random generic test (unless the former have been completed), and doing so requires plenty of linear focused time (whereas voluntary help is normally sparse).

I’m aware that the objective is broader than Bitcointalk, but from the point of view of a member of this forum, I’m likely to be more motivated and focused if I can test things that are Bitcointalk implementation related. That is, I’d rather have a full test scenario with the data migrated as of last month, which enables me to compare functional features, UI, speed, and so on with regards to a scenario that is better known to me. Exaggerating a bit here for comparison purposes, I’d rather test a SAP implementation of the software to replace my ERP that test SAP itself.

The two macro testing scenarios I mentioned before, although one is a subset of the other, do have different goals. From a product owner’s perspective, you’d want Epochtalk to work as a full fledged forum implementation solution. From a Bitcointalk member’s point of view though, I’m really only concerned on how well it will server as a platform for Bitcointalk.


Here’s an example of these two different perspectives, both understandable, but with different scopes in mind: