Pottermore Really Potternone?

I really can't say how disappointed I am with this website.

Not only is it very slow to load, but it is not easily accessible. It takes you around in circles, making you read the same "new information" multiple times. I still have not been able to be "sorted", which is the one thing I have been looking forward to about that site.

Granted, it's still in Beta testing, when it was supposed to be opened to everyone by October. Sorry guys, but you're going to have to wait until all the glitches have been sorted out.

According to the website, it is "currently only available to those who are part of the Beta," but the Pottermore Insider will contain up-to-date information about Pottermore.

Really? Because all I can seem to find are drawings that current users have uploaded depicting multiple important scenes in the first book.

However, for those who are Beta users, there is a separate blog site with updates and commonly asked questions/answers. The latest update, November 9th, says that after being shut down for three days, the site is running with no speed or stability issues. I guess I'll have to be patient for this change to take place permanently, but I can say that I'm still having issues with this.

Personally, I'm not necessarily sorry for those who are still waiting for entry. Hopefully by the time it opens up to the public, it will be a more accessible and more informative site.

Any questions, comments, concerns or suggestions? As always, leave a comment!

Coming Next Time...
I plan to discuss the idea of role playing and how Harry Potter has taken on a new life through it. Thoughts, comments, concerns? Post them here, or tweet at me on potterview's twitter, "potterview".

Pottermore

After years of book releases, merchandise-selling, film-creation and the opening of a theme park, the world of Harry Potter is now taking over the internet as well. Though the development and opening of Pottermore is not "new" news, it is certainly being discussed rather frequently.

(For those readers who have not heard much, if anything, about Pottermore, I'll make a quick recap):

The site began its early registration process mid-August with its "Magical Quill Challenge". Each day Pottermore posted a question at a specific time, and those who were able to answer the question correctly and find the quill on the website were offered a chance to receive early entry. Emails were sent to the ones who accomplished these tasks in a timely fashion, promising that early entry to the site would be granted in a timely fashion.

Welcome emails from Pottermore have been sent out in batches, starting August 15. This group of "Beta" users has been steadily increasing in size, having the ability to explore the site and make suggestions. Registration will not be open for everyone until sometime in October.

I recently received an email with my early account access; of course, I received it on Friday night when I did not have time to stick to my computer. I also received it when the site was to close down for a few hours. My acceptance timing was perfect.....

I digress. Today I had a little extra time to do a little exploring on the site. So far, I have learned a little more in-depth information on how JKR came to create Privet Drive, as well as the description/visuals for the actual home itself. Pretty cool, until the message "Due to overwhelming demand, you cannot access Pottermore right now. Please be patient whilst we try to connect you" popped up on my screen. Great......

Needless to say, my experience with Pottermore has been anything but ideal so far. Technology issues have been present on the site all day worldwide, so I have not been able to check into the site other than the 5 minutes I was on earlier this morning.

Here is where I post questions to my readers; how many of you have been accepted onto Pottermore? What have you discovered so far? Any specific likes/dislikes/problems?

Next time: I will be discussing The Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park. Readers, do you have any experiences with the theme park? Have you or anyone you know been there? If so, let me know and your information may be posted in next week's blog!