Iām having a problem with <some non-Google software package> version
<something> Beta. Can you help?
Before I answer that, I want to make sure you understand what the word
āBetaā means. Itās not exactly the same everywhere, but as long as the software
isnāt a Google service, the meaning is fairly consistent.
It means youāre going to have problems with it.
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āBetaā is āβā the second letter of the Greek alphabet, after Alpha
(α).
When used to refer to software, āBetaā is short for āBeta-testā ā a period
where the software is technically āfeature completeā ā meaning no new features
will be added ā and presumably stable enough for most common usages to actually
work. (Contrast with āAlpha Testā which happens earlier, and is often not
feature complete and even more unstable.)
But note carefully: itās a Beta test ā hence itās āBeta
softwareā. By definition Beta software is not finished and is known to have
bugs, perhaps even serious ones.
known to have bugs, perhaps even serious ones.ā
Many Beta tests are private, invitation only. The number of users is kept
controlled so as to be able to more efficiently control the quality of feedback
and to handle the quantity. A private Beta test almost always includes specific
instructions for reporting bugs, and getting support.
During a private Beta, ānormalā support channels are not used, and will
often have no clue as to the specifics of the Beta software.
A āpublic Betaā is nothing more than the incomplete Beta software released
to the public for further testing. Feedback from real-world usage is often very
valuable for identifying problems that need to be resolved before the product
is finally released. Youāll often see a flurry of announcements in the press
when a major product goes into public Beta, because then anyone can use it and
try it out.
Support for public Betas is typically restricted. The manufacturer may
choose the public beta to also test its normal support channels, but quite
often that doesnāt happen. Beta support is both limited, and typically happens
through venues such as support sites or news groups specific to that particular
productās Beta test.
software ā it will have problems.ā
The bottom line is that you donāt want to rely on Beta software ā it will
have problems. And as I said, support in resolving those problems will be
seriously limited. If you actually plan to use and rely on the software, do
not use the Beta version. It will fail. Even if youāre lusting after all
the new whiz-bang features, you are asking for trouble if you plan to rely on a
Beta version of almost any software package. Use the most recently released and
fully supported version instead.
Now, if you want to play ā if you donāt care that things may fail.
If you donāt care that a bug in the Beta software might crash your computer or
wipe out all your information, then by all means, try the Beta. Be careful to
fully back up, or use a machine you donāt care about and could reformat if the
worst happens. Be sure to help the quality of the released product by reporting
the problems that you do experience through the recommended channels and as
completely as you can. Thatās exactly what a Beta is for ā collecting the
problems that real people like you experience, and from there determining which
need to be resolved before release.
And then thereās Google.
Google has annoyed a lot of people in the industry by leaving products in
what many call āperpetual Betaā. GMail, for example, has been out for well over
a year, itās rock solid (from what I hear and experience), and yet itās still
labeled āBetaā.
As far as I can tell, āBetaā means something else to Google than it does to
the rest of the world. For all intents and purposes, Google apparently treats
Beta as a final release.
As a result, most all of my comments above describing the risks of using
Beta software actually donāt apply if that software from Google and has been
out more than, say, a couple of months.
Now, back to your question:
Iām having a problem with <some non-Google software package> version
<something> Beta. Can you help?
No, I cannot.
Beta software will have problems and the problems will change with each new
Beta release. The manufacturer of that software should have provided specific
support and problem reporting venues that you should use instead, if youāre
helping to test the product.
If youāre not evaluating the Beta, or helping to test the product, then my
recommendation is that you uninstall, and revert to the current
released, non-Beta version of the product.
Does anyone else smell the slow burn of someone who should not have downloaded I.E. 7> (grin)
:-) That would certainly be a candidate, but no ⦠the original question referenced a different product. There are many to choose from, actually.
I downloaded IE 7.0. What a mistake! Ended up re-formatting my hard-drive, even though I un-installed it, AND went back to the restore point. Couldnāt even open up web-pages, the files were so corrupted. Donāt do it!!!
I have found that some betas are ok and some arenāt but then I suppose thatās exactly the nature of beta software.
I found that Microsoft Windows Live Messenger BETA was stable until they released the latest beta version, which has compatibility issues with Windows Internet Explorer 7 beta.
Another questions thats been bugging me lately⦠what on earth does ābetaā mean to Google. Gmail has been Beta for ages, and as you said its perfectly stable. Same goes for Google Local and all the other services that Google label ābetaā.
Beta in gmail, I have heard, has more to do with the fact they are still adding services to it. Notice that is still has been publicly released. To get a gmail account you still have to jump through some hoops.
āNotice that is still has been publicly releasedā
should read
āNotice that is still has NOT beenā¦ā
The only hoop you need to jump through is to get an invite from another GMail user.
And in that spirit: you can email āaskleo at gmail.comā to ask for an invite, and Iāll happily send you one.
yeah. I was wondering if the new Internet Explorer 8 beta is safe becuase i kinda want to try itā¦
26-Jan-2009
um yeah, its fine, im using it right now actually
Iām sure glad I read this article and the other Beta article. I will never, repeat never, again try anything that begings with āBeta.ā
I did it once and once is enough for a novice.
Iām downloading Microsoft Office 2010.. Iām wondering if i should cancel it or not
One useful bit of advice; always, always use a Virtual Machine (VM) for beta testing, especially Windows.
If youāre using AutoCAD etc. then this may be a slightly different matter but Iām not that sure⦠never used AutoCAD betas really.
I am so pleased I have read this article,it has been most informative and have taken your advise on board.I will not be touching anything referring to beta.
So ā when Google posts a āwarningā that its directions (even walking directions) are āin beta,ā does this mean they are unfinished or unreliable? So strange!
Hope someone can answer this. Thank you.
RJ
@RJ
Google has a different standard when it comes to Beta. Chrome was in its Beta stage for years before they called it a final release version, but thatās explained in the article.
Very helpful article, Thanks for increasing my knowledge.