Active Self Protection

In the beginning ( add snarky quip here...)....

The ASP app on my Roku TV wurky just fine. (^_^)

Few months later... Thumbnails for vids all gone. Nuthin. Made for searching what to view quite more difficult than necessary. (_Oo)

Reported problem 30 days ago. No improvement. At 60 days will unsubscribe.

Anyone else having same issue? (O_o)

'Lo Niel, (^_^)

Reported on the 20'th of March to the Vimeo customer service after a month of living with it "as-is". Vimeo sent the form letter reply and said they'd investigate. Later reported still "wonky" and Vimeo asked for and received what you request-pics, TV model number, App version, etc.

I'll fwd you a copy of the complete email conversation and pics fOaR your viewing pleasure. (ʘ‿ʘ)

Posted here just to see iffin' imma the only one seeing wut imma seein'. (⊙.☉)7

TIA, your NEIL'ness! (◠﹏◠)

Awesome! \(^_^)/

I was a tech guy too! (IBM)

Alrighty.... I'm in. (ʘ‿ʘ)

I have not logged out or removed/reinstalled the app. (O_o)

I'll do that later today (second coffee...) and report back. (´･_･`)

I'll uninstall/reinstall which might deal with the problem if it's a device issue and/or my own personal favorite theory-

The app pushed an update that didn't ExAcTlY preserve what was needed and remove what it was s'posed too. (_Oo)

Please Stand By..... (๏_๏)

Early 90's.....Now THERE's an era wurth revisiting. (^_^)

SOooo...per the usual, no thumbnails on the ASP splash page.

Found and used the log-out in settings. (Noted app version to see if it would change....)

Re-entry into app-Same app version and no thumbnails. (O_o)
Note- "Strong Passwords" take fOrEvEr to enter....(_Oo)

Went ahead with NukYuler option- Removed ASP app. (ಥ﹏ಥ)
Confirmed app no longer available on my home page. (҂◡_◡)

Found app in streaming store. Entered Pin to install. Success and go to ASP.

Drum roll....

Thumbnails....EvErYwHeRe! “ヽ(´▽｀)ノ”

Somehow still signed in even tho I had nuked/resurrected the app. (⊙.☉)7

So fOaR today's viewing I'll have the usual/enjoyable ASP experience. (っ˘ڡ˘ς)

I'll keep it under "observation mode" for a few days to see if the thumbnails remain. I mean it's happened before that for a day the thumbnails are there and then gone the next time. (っ•́｡•́)

Imma still gonna keep track of the app version number and see if the problem re-occurs if/when the app tries to push an update. ٩(๏_๏)۶

Troubleshooting....EeT's a PROCESS, Right!? щ（ﾟДﾟщ）

Thx, Neil. ミ●﹏☉ミ

I'll follow up with the Vimeo team if/when the app shows it's stable like this fOaR a week. (._.)

Update...

One day after the app uninstall/reinstall (the LAST NukYuler option available to the end user)....

No Thumbnails. (._.)

Looks like the push of additional content fOaR the next day took me back to square one. (눈_눈)

Also, Received an email from Vimeo support saying they'll look into things and get back to me. (Same form letter response I got when I reported the issue a month ago...) (⥀.⥀ )

After exhausting all options/choices/actions the typical end user has within their span of control? (O_o)

(Haven't tried boiling water, throwing salt over my shoulder, rubbing a rabbit's foot, or seeking guidance from gypsy fortune tellers/palm readers...) (_Oo)

Looks like my viewing fate is in the hands of the Vimeo customer service team. According to responses from a "potentially" real-life person at vimeo,

"We’ve experienced an unexpected increase in support emails recently and we’re working hard to reply as soon as possible"

By my account, the issue has gone over 60 days. Only 30 days since it was "officially" reported. (´･_･`)

Game plan unchanged-

At 90 days imma pulling the plug if it isn't resolved. ( ಠ ʖ̯ ಠ)

Emotionally prepared fOar that end game. To permanently uninstall the app and go thru the unsubscription process. (╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻

Clock is ticking.....we'll see. (-_- )

Well that stinks. The email your got from Vimeo was likely because I asked them to reach back out to you I know they’ll try to help resolve the issue but understand you are the only one experiencing this issue that we’re aware of. I’ve checked with 11 other users and they have all confirmed that they are not seeing the issue. So likely it’s a device driven issue and that may take a bit to get to the bottom of. I’ll keep on top of them.

I know Roku is your preference for watching but do you see the same issue if you use the app on any other devices?

Hi Neil,

Thx fOar the "co-miseration" about this situation.

Have to use the ole'chromebook to use the forum here so I just popped over to the browse section and saw the thumbnails were present.

I agree...Roku TV app specific problem. I wouldn't rule out significant numbers of other people experiencing this yet. Kinda why I put this in the public domain forums. Although this forum may not have the reach/visibility needed. I mean I had the asp app and it took me this long to even SEE that there was a forum. Others may take just as long or longer to find it.

Also, the fact that this matter got to your attention via a channel outside the vimeo status reports seems to indicate they haven't been the reliable source one would expect. Again, mOaR people may (or may NOT) have made the decision to seek Vimeo tech support on this issue than they share with you.

But the problem at hand as viewed on my Roku TV is NOT one I've never experienced before. Tubi, Hulu, and others have had times when I went to their splash page/home and saw missing thumbnails. This was fixed by backing out and updating the channel manually. OR in the event I just bailed on watching that channel for the evening, the thumbnail issue was fixed the next night I wanted to watch something. Self-correcting on their end as mebbe they noticed the problem and addressed it promptly.

But thumbnails gone and staying gone on my Roku Tv? That problem is specific to the Vimeo App for ASP. Everybody else seems to play nice together.

Don't rule out folks not seeking help or reporting this for one of the Biggest Reasons out there, Neil.

"We" LIKE you. "We" like EVERYBODY at ASP. "We" wouldn't want to bring bad or troubling info your way and make things harder than they have to be for you.

Ball's in Vimeo's court now....

I'll let you know if they're successful.

Till then we'll both think happy thoughts.

Like the absolute beeyootee of FLITE control hole patterns on a target. (❂‿❂)

Well, well.... (눈_눈)

Received a response from Vimeo requesting that I Factory Reset my Roku Tv.

My Response? "Absolutely, I will NOT factory reset my Roku Device."

In the spirit of openness and transparency, I submit the following-

Repeatedly I have pointed the finger back to the ASP Roku TV app and with the evidence on my end which supports it as the not just probable, but "likely" cause of the problem. Vimeo's response has been and continues to be a complete disregard of what I've presented just like what I've "said" hasn't even been heard.

(One of the tells that would let anyone know they are in a conversation/situation with someone who is using rules from the "Bad Debater's Handbook" isn't r e a l l y participating in good faith...) (_Oo)

The "Factory Reset" is an an example of Vimeo "doubling down" in their approach to the situation here. That approach is loosley, "No problem on OUR end. The problem is on YOUR side." YOU do this/that and jump thru ALL the hoops we present. (YOU do ALL the work fOaR us.)

And Factory resetting my Roku TV is fairly quick/easy just by making a few selections on the right screens. But it is a LOT of work afterwards. I mean this isn't like my Dell computer(s) where I can reset it back to the first OS install and then bring it back to the last/most current and preferred setup by loading a backup. Roku doesn't DO things that way. (⥀.⥀)

Right now I'd bet $100 that even if I DID the factory reset I'd have to report back later, "Nope. That didn't fix the issue." And the next response from Vimeo would be something akin to, "Well, WE have tried just about all WE could do and it looks like WE are running out of options here." Sorta like, "We've fought the good fight my lads but we should be prepared fOaR defeat."

Which IMHO, is exactly where Vimeo intended for this issue to end up from the beginning in this customer service "Flow Chart."

1. Deny the problem is on Vimeo's side of the issue.
2. Assert/insist that it's the user's software/hardware.
3. Keep in communication but STAY the course of reversing the blame (Flip-the-script) until the user accepts this or simply gives up and/or goes away.

Well, well... (Ծ‸ Ծ)

Neil, we're gonna have to go j u s t a little deeper down the rabbit hole to understand what Imma gonna do NEXT. (ʘ‿ʘ)

Remember John? Mr. Correia? Brilliant and effective man who has read and recommends the book, "How to Win Friends & Influence People" by Carnegie? Give him a ring and see if he's read or applied the book "Winning Through Intimidation" by Ringer. Cuz iffin' John has, he would recognize the gameplay/strategy Vimeo is using here as a textbook case of the second of three types of ways the "crook/thief" employs to get something they haven't worked for, haven't earned, and don't deserve. They try to get the "victim" to just "understand-and-accept" the fact they're not getting what they should as well as "accept" the thief isn't a bad guy.

SOooo, we go back to the beginning and the first mis-step in the troubleshooting process with Vimeo. Remember that the app worked fine fOaR MONTHs and then started misbehaving?

My working theory is that at some point, Vimeo pushed an update of the app for some practical or cosmetic appearance issue but somehow gOoFeD it somewhere in the code that makes it compatible with the Roku app version installed on my TV. TBH, I did discover that my Roku TV updated it's own system version in Jan 2024.

Regardless, Neil, anyone not living under a rock knows of instances where Microsoft WEEndows pushed updates that caused certain computer brands to BRICK. Also had customers/users tearing their hair out due to malfunctions and incompatibilities until MS released the patches that fixed(?) the problems the updates caused.

Also plenty of examples of independent apps/programs out there that somehow missed this "moving target" of keeping up-to-date with the OS updates and putting out their own updated program versions with buggy/broken tools. (_Oo)

Sound familiar to the current Vimeo/ASP app situation? I think so. Only instead of going back to examine their own app/version, find the problem, and issue a patch (updated app with a new version number...)? They're demonstrating they'll do anything and everything BUT that. Including trying to marginilize/trivialize my situation as the majority of app users being satisfied with me being "the only one with this problem."

All deception and misrepresentation on their part, Neil. (╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻

Imma putting this next part forward cuz we're both experienced (and hopefully WISE/ETHICAL) tech dudes.

In this "dynamic" between VIMEO (caps intended foar the COMPANY), I am only a "user/customer" (NO caps at all...). Telling them what do do is likely to be treated like "the tail telling the DOG how to wag". But that's exactly what NEEDS to be done here from a technical/troubleshooting perspective.

While I (customer/user) have had to jump thru hoops and provide screenshots as the evidence showing imma participating in-good-faith, there is a conspicuous absense of any evidence showing VIMEO's actions or efforts in this "team game-play", don'tcha think? (⊙.☉)7

Imma thinkin' it's practical, reasonable, and sensible that if they're developing the ASP app fOaR Roku TVs? They surely have a COPY of the app I keep finding/installing from the Roku Streaming Store.

Also they, as the developers, should have the ability to acquire (or already HAVE...) the particular System/OS installed on my Roku TV. I mean they requested I provide it and that info WAS provided to them weeks ago.

Mebbe they don't have a physical RCA 55 inch TV in a closet somewheres but I would hope/expect they own/use a decent computer with the correct EMULATOR software. How could they possibly develop/debugg apps for their customer/users without these "tools" to ensure proper performance as well as customer satisfaction? To do so without these tools? IMHO that would be reckless AND irresponsible. щ（ﾟДﾟщ）

SOooo, Neil. In the mostest calm and reasonable way, imma gonna request politely that they (VIMEO) actually do what they should have done in the beginning- Load the ASP app (the version on my TV..) into a TV Like mine (or an emulator would suffice noicely...) and most importantly, take SCREENSHOTS for the standard "proof of doing their own homework".

Likely the first/fresh install will behave properly and show the thumbnails. But if they wait 24 hours for the next "MUST-SEE" content from any of the ASP Content Creator Team to be uploaded/presented??? ¯\_(⊙︿⊙)_/¯

Dunno...We'll have to see what THEY experience, right? If it's their app being goofy then same missing thumbnails. If not? We continue brainstorming together from there.

BUT, Imma going back to the "winning thru intimidation" framework they've latched onto like a monkey trying to grab a banana inside a mason jar but can't pull it out cuz their fist is too big to pass through the jar opening. ( ఠ ͟ʖ ఠ)

Predictions, Neil?

1. My request doesn't even get a reply or if they DO reply, once again they'll act as if it wasn't even made.

2. Some repeat of the ongoing "Intimidation" strategy where they attempt to explain indignantly they don't NEED to show proof of their homework and double/triple down on the "its MY problem" to force the issue down the greased rails of their "Flow Chart" to destination Farked.

3. FAKERY/FRAUD. I mean screenshots where they rise to the occasion presented here and show the app performing exactly as the concept says it should. Y'know, Neil. Like the Vimeo team gets together and decides to go all "CHALLENGE ACCEPTED" and compose/present the fake shots just to bring the team together as a project demonstrating their solidarity against this upstart customer/user. Battlecry- "FOAR THE LOLS!!!!"

Place yer bets, Neil. (⊙﹏⊙)

Sorry to hear it’s still not working for you Larry. We’re in an unfortunate position here with you being the only person reporting the problem and I have personally viewed it on multiple Roku devices with zero issues to report. I’m now sure what else to tell you at this point. You have confirmed that it works on your computer (if I remember correctly) so as far as I can tell we have one Roku TV giving us issues and when you removed the app and reinstalled that fixed it for a bit. So for me this all points to the TV

FoAr me, the way I interpret the evidence is that it points to the asp/app. (O_O)

Just so we can clarify something-

NOT a layman here. At IBM it wuz part of my JORB description-

"Analytical Troubleshooting and Fault Analysis" on computer/robotic systems.
Included both hardware AND Software which means I had not just one degree, or two. Needed THREE degrees and I graduated #1 top of my class to wurky at IBM.

The obviously faulty "logic" and behavior of Vimeo according to the standards is something you and I could discuss IRL but WAY out and beyond the scope of this forum venue.

But even as a layman? I mean I could go to the Roku streaming store and download/install any app of my choice (except the ASP) and they'd all wurky. All be compatible with the hardware/software of my RCA and do wut they're s'posed to do. That certainly would be evidence to consider as demonstrating whether the problem is on my end or Vimeos in a easily understanable way.

We'll just have to wait-n-see how Vimeo responds to the "Tail telling the dog how to wag" and actually seeing the evidence Vimeo presents that truly rules out the app being the problem. (Which so far they have NOT presented.)

Imma also prepared for the justification/rationalization they'll put forth for them to continue to NOT fix the app itself- Good-ole-Pareto Principle. "We be making 80% of the app users happy and it's NOT wurth our time/effort to chase down an error in our code that so far, according to the "reported" problems, affects one single solitary individual. (even tho they probably at this point KNOW the app missed a benchmark test for my TV version and was released anyways...)

Missing from your view at this point is what any good tech or app owner would wanna see- the app software change log. Imma betting that months ago this log would show that "improved/revised" (but faulty code...) version being foisted on me a few months ago.

Imma checking the app version after every viewing session and the app version isn't changing. Evidence that Vimeo is doubling down on denying it's their faulty code and sticking with the buggy app version till the wheels fall off.

The uninstall fixed it foar a day but the next day with only a couple more new vids from asp on the table/screen presentation made it all go wonky again. That's an app/coding issue in my book.

No worries, Neil. I'm putting this out there in the moment and as it's happening to document just for the record (and history...) for the benefit of those folks who DIDN't report the issue and then hoped that Vimeo would fix the problem. Which imma betting they won't.

Then those users may find this "message in a bottle" which should show them not only were they NOT the only ones but even if they had made a reasonable and concerted effort to "participate-in-good-faith" with Vimeo Customer service?

They would've received the same unfair/unethical "Treatment" from Vimeo as in "that's just the way things wurky now-a-days".

Sadly, it seems apparent to me that even trying to make the best choice of services to host the ASP content has yielded a provider willing to behave like this to your target audience/subscribers.

This will play out and be something to be aware of in the event alternative hosting service providers become available.

I mean, with things being the way they are right now and the way I expect them to go? I will let the clock run out with Vimeo failing to resolve the issue on their side.

Based on what I am getting, a dysfunctional Roku App, I will no longer support them financially or use the app.

It's basic "game theory"and "Option choice", Neil.

Except in my opinion and based on the evidence so far, it's a crooked game being played by Vimeo, the provider ASP has partnered/allied with.

Better for the users and the ASP owners to know that than NOT know it and wish you could'a, should'a, would'a known. (O_O)

I certainly hope Vimeo can come up with something to help you Larry. I'm not an expert in Roku technology but my experience is what it is as is yours. If they can figure it out then we'll all be happy, if not I'll be sad to see you go but i'll understand. Take care.

Hmmm.... ( •_•)

According to my records, the ASP app bills me on the last day of the month or the foist. That's comin' up quickly and so far Vimeo hasn't exactly given me reason to have a high degree of confidence that they'll fix things "properly and in a timely manner". (☉_☉)

SOooo, wait until the 20'th of May to officially run out the clock which would effectively remunerate/pay them fOaR a dysfunctional Roku app an additional month? That's mOaR money TO them but FROM me and outta my pocket. Not likin' that...at all. (⊙_ʖ⊙)

Immediately after posting this will cancel/unsubscribe via the menu on this "Compooter" version of ASP. (◕︿◕)

Depending on how things and subscriptions/access are "managed" I might/might not be be able to post here on the forum again. ¯\_(°_°)_/¯

If nuthin' from me shows up here then y'all can reasonably deduce wut happened. Vimeo FAIL and me sayin' Buh-BYE and good riddance to a problematic service provider... ヾ( ･`⌓´･)ﾉﾞ

But just in case anyone is following here? (◑‿◐)

Definitely not comfortable with Vimeo's ethics here as shown in their "gameplay." So after removing my payment info HERE in/on the app?

Gonna change my CC number just so Vimeo employees can't leak it to the dork web as an "after-the-fact" way of retaliating against me. Not gonna leave that info out there just a'dangling. ( ಠ‿<)

Lions....Tigers....and BEARS! Oh my!? ( ‾́ ◡ ‾́ )