What is Beta?

TrishaM

Could someone explain what beta means in relation to downloads? For example, Opera browser was recommended but I see there is one called opera 9 beta. Also I have noticed there are beta versions of other downloads. Thanks techies.

Browntoa

beta means a test version

may have bugs, may crash, may be fine

most companies use this for ironing out any niggles in the software, there is an Internet Explorer 7 available for download at the moment, you use it and if it crashes you get the chance to report the problem to microsoft. They use the info to fix the problems before full launch (hopefully ....lol )

Labman_2

Beta versions are generally new versions of software that haven't been fully tested. I think they are released in the hope that users report back any bugs they find.

thewizard

Although you are warned that there may be crashes there generally aren't (dont quote me on that as this is not always the case but generally is). The reason they say this is because they haven't finihsed making the software but they are allowing people to download to test it.

To be honest I dont think a company will allow people to download software knowing that it will crash their computers. The only problemI have ever had with Beta software is that Internet Explorer 7 pops up when I close it saying that it has failed to write something to the memory. All my other beta software is fine.

Browntoa

I agree about the lack of crashes

I doing a trial on the new Ewido 4 beta and have had no problems at all

TrishaM

thanks all you're all GREAT

thewizard

Labman wrote:

Beta versions are generally new versions of software that haven't been fully tested. I think they are released in the hope that users report back any bugs they find.

full released version of software still asks for bug reports. If your computer crashes now Microsoft asks for a bug report to be sent to them even if its not Microsoft Software that has crashed