I use them all the time ... I may not be the most advance user ... but certainly advanced enough ... to both try and offer my input. It is how we as a community improve and advance products for general use. I see it as a sort of duty. While beta's are somewhat safe, they certainly are NOT for everyone, especially novice users. And testing Betas isn't the only way to improve products, reporting F/P's to the vendor, submitting malware files to various vendors, and general submissions of feature request, all do a great deal of service. Steve
Yes, but only if the program is self-contained (no install, no alteration of the registry). You're a BETA tester each time you install a new software. There is NO ASSURANCE that the new software will "play nice" with your system. That's why I always image my OS prior to ANY change in hardware/software. I may test up to 70 proggies a year but only keep about 1 or 2 applications.
The best way to make others build the functions that you want and help them to make them perfect. Besides, the community effort is great fun.
Quite true. Participated to several betas and enjoyed it very much. Not exactly the testing in itself, but the interaction with the other testers and the developer. Had to clean the registry manually once. Just in case it went wrong I still have my image to put back. If you put enough effort into it, you may get a surprise at the end.
Yes, but only if the software is not a commercial software. For a freeware, it's quite often that the author does not have enough financial resources to hire beta testers. So it's the responsibility of the user community to make the software better by using it and testing it. In this case, I am happy to beta test the software. For a commercial software, I am usually reluctant to beta test it. The software companies charge the users for the software without any mercy. So it's their own responsibility to make their software work. I just do not want to be exploited by the companies. (One puts hours and days of hard labor to beta test a software. At the end, he/she still needs to pay to get the final release. The company uses his/her labor for free, and then asks for money on the product that he/she has worked hard on. Isn't this an exploit? )
Only sometimes, but I will of course listen to what other people are saying about the beta software first.
I can't say I have helped the companies yet. I have only really used beta more recently and when I do, it tends to me for my own means, not the companies. Jimbob
I normally download the normal, and test the 'Beta' updates for Spybot!! (definitions, program updates) But, with the bugs in Spybots new Beta 1.4 release, I decided to stay away, and wait for the bug to be fixed, or just wait for the next major release...(either way, i'm hoping that the next one doesn't have glitches, like bugs that's give u alot of grief and hassle, and was made to deal with this currrent problem!!!) I Hope Ya'll can See Where I'm Comin' From Here!!! LOL Regards, LJM
So generally people don't have any major problems with beta. A friend of mine mentioned something about becoming a beta tester and he said he would probably create a partition to do all his beta testing in. Jimbob
I use it all the time and have only had minor bugs, but it's a good idea to use uninstallsoftware to install, so you can clear all remnants of a program in case there's a problem.
hayc59, being a long time Outpost user too (you longer probably than me ), you might help me... I love OP, love the beta testing, but please tell me that OP is only the second best way to protect my system and that the best way is to move over to Linux. I'm in the middle of my mourning process: I'm dropping Windows, I'll have to drop OP (I will keep the lifetime support license though... yeah free support, licenses, gadgets and free world tours come with beta testing too (kidding about the world tours)) Will this will get you to 1K? Congrats!!!!
meneer, thanks!! and linux is the way to go but its no fun for me!! you will be missed over at the beta area and the regular forum and you know that!!
I remember a saying I saw once that said something like : "If you value your computer and everything on it , dont install beta programs" lol... But I forgot about that after a while.. I'll use betas and even alphas if I know whose coding it or if it sounds good even.. just have to take some precautions before installing and choose your betas wisely..
I test/freelance for quite a few companies. Not just security related but a variety of products. I love providing input on what I think may improve the product as well as finding as many bugs as possible that exist. Plus the free software/cash that they provide adds to the incentive. Thanks, Chris