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Author
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Topic: Do You Test Beta Software?
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JeffNyman
unregistered
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posted 02-12-2002 08:08 AM
   
quote:
Originally posted by digits71:
I can't think of any other industry where people will work for free to help a company develop their products on such a broad scale and so consistently.
To a large extent, you are right on the money. The whole open source movement is predicated upon the assumption that people want software not only free but also that they can have input into and work to modify. Most open source software is in a perpetual "beta test" phase if you allow a little looseness of the terminology. quote:
I agree that one day you might gain from the product that you are testing today. But you'll be paying for it too! Twice even - once with your time and effort, again with your money. If you don't do it for free - they'll have to pay for it - like they should be doing in the first place.
But, remember, it is a choice to beta test. You do not have to do it, so saying they "should be" paying you is really not relevant. There is no "should" as if this was some sort of moral imperative on the company. For the time that many of us spend on boards like this, one could argue that for the time and effort some of us invest in responses and helping others, we should be getting paid. After all could I not be using my information for my own gain to write a book? But we do not argue that because, after all, it is our choice to post and share our time and thoughts. If we do not like it, we can simply stop. As you say, just say "no thanks" if given the opportunity. That is why, for me, this is really a non-issue in terms of the personal issue for individuals but it can be an issue if companies are using such testing in lieu of actual in-house testing. That is then a more wide-ranging issue that does not just affect the individual, but an industry. ------------------
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spaceman
New Member
Posts: 1
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 02-12-2002 08:16 AM
When I hear about beta testing and how some feel it should be a job that pays and others feel it is a contribution to the greater good it reminds me very much of the struggle with Microsoft and the General Public Licence / Open Source.
MS have been caught out calling it a virus. They feel the way that an open source product spreads from one community to another and from one OS to another it acts very much like a virus.
They are entitled to their own opinions and suffer justified public reaction.
How does Open Source software get to where it needs to go?
Constant testing of the product which is then improved and tested and improved... and so on and so forth.
No one gets paid and no one is out of a job since no one was hired in the first place. Who beta test? The community of open source and GPL. They come from all walks of life.
What's the difference between what I'm talking about and this thread? Freedom. An Operating system that has practically everything you would need to function in the business world as well as at home and it costs the users relatively nothing when compared to other choices. Beta testing needs to be kept free and alive and the community ought to realise that without it the Borg and Big Blue will take it and inflate it's value to the Nth degree. This is just my opinion and boy did it feel good to say that. Ofcourse there are a lot of paid programmers out there who are part of the 'Industry' who will agree with the ethos of Microsoft. To them I say this - good luck! Beta testing for paid products should work the same. If it has monetory value then that value needs to be based on something tangible... make that you! spaceman ------------------
...if in doubt, mumble
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AmitK
Member
Posts: 75
Registered: Dec 2001
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posted 02-12-2002 08:33 AM
I will test a Beta build only if my software has relation with it. Other wise "No". Main reason that it may contain seroius bugs which may make O.S. weak to such level that I needto format and reinstall it. This is risky.  Thanks,
AmitK
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Andrew80k
Member
Posts: 47
Registered: Jan 2002
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posted 02-12-2002 08:40 AM
I have spent a considerable amount of my time in years past doing development for the FSF and the Open Source community. I wish I had more time to do it more. But, alas, I have other responsibilties... Anyway, I am a firm believer in that movement and have tested and used many of the products available out there. I guess I made the distinction about beta-testing for commercial software companies. And don't get me wrong, I don't have a problem with them doing beta-testing, America is a free country. Have at it! But I don't want to spend my time on software that someone is going to make money from without some sort of recompense. That is my choice. My freedom. I also don't criticize anyone else that does. It's your time. Enjoy! And like Jeff said, "beta testing is a choice, you don't have to do it." He is right on the money. If you are willing to spend your time beta-testing for someone else than you have to reconcile that with your own sense of fulfillment. As for me, if they are getting something out of it then so should I.IMHO ------------------
The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds the most discoveries, is not "Eureka!", but "That's funny..."
-Isaac Asimov
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Nancy Landau
Member
Posts: 22
Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 02-12-2002 07:20 PM
I test financial application software (and infrastructures) at work, and from time to time I like to break out of that mold and beta test something in a different venue altogether. It helps me open my eyes and learn new tricks. I do prefer to beta test fun things that I'll get some personal benefit from, however. For example, I'll beta test computer games from time to time.
Internet-enabled, multi-player games are particularly interesting for me because there's not just the gaming experience to tinker with, but the infrastructure complexities that come into play. I've seen some interesting architectural tradeoffs in beta testing computer games, and on occasion I've been one step ahead of the curve when infrastucture tradeoffs for a business application have mirrored general patterns I've experienced as a gaming beta tester. Testing game software has also given me visibility into test harnesses I'd not have seen otherwise, and sometimes helps me craft ideas for better test harnesses in my normal line of business. ------------------
No pressure
No diamonds
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testgeek
Advanced Guru
Posts: 829
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 02-13-2002 01:28 PM
An opportunity to do security testing: http://www.securityfocus.com/news/322
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