I am the non-techy half of the SweepsU.com team. I work full-time in the IT department at a major university so I do know a few things. But all my years at the IT Help Desk couldn't prepare me for the glitch the SweepsU.com team experienced last week. (Scroll down to see the photos)
The techy half of SweepsU.com is Gerald Anderson, a genius in my opinion. Gerald has written almost all of the programs on SweepsU.com from scratch which is why you will not find them on other sweepstakes websites. We are in our final month and a half of Beta Testing and anxious to add more users to really put Gerald's programs to the test. That's when it happened...the BIG glitch...let's call it Sam.
Several CBS affiliates across the country were scheduled to broadcast an interview with Robert and I. We knew it was coming, thought we were ready, but we didn't count on Sam. You see, Gerald and his wife, Erica, have been expecting a baby and last week everything happened at once.
Erica goes into labor...a few weeks early.
A CBS station airs SweepsU.com information a few days early.
Erica requires surgery to deliver the baby.
300 people sign up to be SweepsU.com Beta Testers.
Samuel Gerald Anderson (Sam) is born
Gwen has a problem & can't get the Beta Testers on - non-techy partner...remember!
Sam is moved to NICU
Other CBS affiliates air the interview.
Gerald splits his time between 3-year old Maddie (at home), Erica & Sam
1,000 more Beta Testers sign up
Gerald tries talking me through the problems
More CBS affiliates air the interview
Erica and Sam are released from the hospital
Over 2,000 beta testers have applied
Hallelujah!
It has been a mad house, but Erica and Sam are finally home and doing well. Gerald is trying his best to work SweepsU.com into a very busy schedule...2am feedings...changing diapers...playing with Maddie! This is definitely the biggest glitch we've experienced since we started Beta Testing at SweepsU.com. But what can I say, Sam just couldn't wait to join the team.
Now for the latest report on SweepsU.com from Gerald. He is almost ready to start sending out email invitations, but we need to do this cautiously. Therefore, when Gerald gives the word I will start sending out invitations in batches of 25. We will wait a few hours, possibly more, and if all goes well send out another batch. This will continue until everyone has received their invitations and logged on to SweepsU.com. The invitations will go out in the same order as the Beta Applications were received. No cutting in line allowed! It will take us several more days, but this is what Beta Testing is all about.
Please be patient and keep an eye out for an email from SweepsU.com. We should be sending one to each of you very soon! Now scroll on down to see some wonderful photos of Sam.
Gwen Beauchamp
Who is that masked man?
Sam in NICU.
Finally at home where he belongs!
