Thunderdome registration fixes

I’m deeply sorry to everyone who ran into recent problems registering for the Thunderdome. The registration flow did not work reliably for many users, the help center was difficult to access, and replies to our support emails were not reaching us.

If you replied to a support email and didn't hear back, check your inbox for a reply.

We have now fixed the main issues that affected registration:

• We fixed many issues causing registration to fail at the last step.

• Open, Work, and Leather Goods Dome entries are correctly shown as "Not yet worn."

• We fixed an email routing problem that prevented us from receiving replies to our support emails.

• We fixed several sign-in, Stitchdown Premium membership, photo upload, and contest display issues.

• Stitchdown Premium membership status now stays up-to-date with renewals correctly.

• The help center is accessible without signing in.

Please close and reopen the app to upgrade to the latest version.

We are aware of the following issues and are continuing to work on fixes:

• Some profile photos still fail to load.

• Email verification can time out and block account creation.

• Email sign-in links can open the app-download page instead of the installed app.

• Registration can fail from a temporary database connectivity issue.

We are working nonstop to get the app to a level of stability we are proud of. Over the next one to two months, we will focus on proper guardrails and release checks so future updates do not cause problems like these. After that, we will return our attention to the new features and improvements we have planned. We will be sharing a roadmap soon.

If something isn't working right, the best way to let us know is to create a new bug report.

v18.6

Improved

• Every Thunderdome contest screen has a Support button that opens the Thunderdome section of the Help Center.

Fixed

• Link Stitchdown Premium account step no longer incorrectly lets a user through, only to be denied at the end of the registration form.

• Link Stitchdown Premium account step now tells a more specific reason if there was a problem linking the account.

• Stitchdown Premium members who just renewed no longer show incorrectly as expired.

• Unworn contest pairs no longer show wear times like "Less than a day" in their answers.

• Pre-Worn Dome registration asks for your first worn date, and worn pairs respect it instead of showing "Not yet worn."

• The Help Center opens without signing in, and the sign-in, email confirmation, and expired link screens link to it.

• Replies to emails from help.patinaproject.com now reach our inbox.

• Photos you upload together stay in one post in the feed instead of splitting into several.

• If you turned off camera or photo access, the app now offers to open Settings so you can turn it back on and upload. Limited photo access works too.

• Long-pressing a reaction on a photo or review shows who reacted again.

Thank you for sticking with us while sort everything out. And thank you to everyone who reported bugs!

-Ted