[UPDATE # 5] Addressing your concerns: solving potential drawbacks in TL4
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Hello, everyone!
As we approach the launch of TL4, we know that change, no matter how exciting, can bring questions, concerns, and uncertainty.
While we’ve shared a lot about TL4’s new features and improvements, today we want to take a step back and address some of the most common concerns and doubts we’ve seen from the community.
We’ve carefully considered these challenges and want to reassure you that we’re actively working to make this transition as smooth as possible.
Let’s take a closer look at the key concerns some users have raised and how we’re solving them.
The learning curve of a new platform
The concern:
Any major platform redesign comes with a learning curve.
Some users may worry that TL4 will feel unfamiliar and take time to adjust to.
How we’re addressing it:
- Alpha testers have already provided overwhelmingly positive feedback, highlighting that TL4 is actually easier to use than TL3.
- We’ve streamlined dataset access, search tools, and navigation to make finding and processing astrophotography data faster and more intuitive.
- A detailed onboarding system will guide new and existing users through TL4’s features, making the transition as smooth as possible.
- Complete walkthroughs will be available at launch, helping users adapt quickly.
Performance issues at launch
The concern:
Any new platform can have bugs, slow performance, or unexpected technical issues - especially right after launch.
How we’re addressing it:
- We have extended our alpha testing phase and will soon open access to the beta phase to identify and resolve as many issues as possible before launch.
- Once we open the beta testing, a dedicated bug-reporting system will allow users to quickly and easily report any issues, ensuring that any remaining bugs are addressed promptly.
- Our new infrastructure is significantly more stable and scalable, meaning TL4 is built to perform faster and more reliably than TL3.
Data migration & continuity
The concern:
Users want to know whether their data, credits, and history will seamlessly carry over to TL4.
How we’re addressing it:
- Your credits, account details, and subscription benefits will automatically transition to TL4.
- Most TL3 datasets will migrate, and users who previously downloaded more than 50% of a One-Click Observation Bundle will receive the full dataset in TL4.
- Advanced Requests will not migrate, but all related data will remain accessible in TL3 until June/July 2025.
- The TL3 Gallery will also transition, ensuring that most user-uploaded images remain available in TL4.
The Retirement of Advanced Requests
The concern:
One of the biggest changes in TL4 is the removal of Advanced Requests - a feature that allowed users to submit custom observation requests.
We know that for some of you, this was a key part of your experience with TL3, and losing it might feel like a step backward.
How we’re addressing It:
- TL3 will remain available until June/July 2025, allowing you time to complete any ongoing Advanced Requests.
- The shift to a dataset-first approach means that TL4 will provide ready-to-use, high - quality datasets, reducing the need for individual requests.
- Users can suggest new targets for inclusion in future datasets, ensuring we continue expanding the dataset collection with objects that matter to the community.
- We are actively exploring future solutions for more customizable observation options, which could bring new possibilities beyond Advanced Requests.
Losing familiar TL3 workflows
The concern:
Change can be uncomfortable, and some users may miss the familiarity of TL3’s structure and workflows.
How we’re addressing It:
- TL4 is designed to be more intuitive and user-friendly, with faster navigation and improved search tools.
- Core features like dataset access, tutorials, and the Gallery remain, but they’ve been redesigned to be more efficient and easier to use.
- The transition period (TL3 remaining available until June/July 2025) gives users time to adapt at their own pace.
Features that won’t be available at launch
The concern:
some users may be worried that certain features - such as personalized content suggestions or multi-language support - won’t be available right away.
How we’re addressing it:
- The most critical features will be available at launch, including dataset access, the new Gallery, and improved navigation.
- Additional features, such as multi-language support, will be rolled out after launch.
- We will continue collecting user feedback and refining TL4 even after launch to ensure ongoing improvements.
Final thoughts: a new era for Telescope Live
We completely understand that migrating from TL3 to TL4 is a big change, and we appreciate your patience and feedback throughout this process.
We’re confident that TL4 will bring major improvements that outweigh any temporary inconveniences - and we’re doing everything we can to ensure a smooth, rewarding transition for every user.
If you still have questions or concerns, we want to hear from you! Leave a comment below or reach out to our support team.