2006-06-23 05:58:20 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Computers & Internet ➔ Internet
basically beta is the phrase used by software designers for "work still in progress"versions of certain software
you may have seen all the hype about the "vista beta" which is the next microsoft operating system due out next year,well the beta is just like the final version in look,but only 85% of the code is used,so there will be bugs,and crashes
beta,s are the only way software companies like microsoft can get their customers(joe public)to test their software,you may of come accross the "error report"in windows xp were you are asked wether to send or dont send error report,well that is how we have a xp today nearlly bug free,we send the error reports,microsoft fix the errors,and send them out to us in the form of "updates"
so the next time you get a error report,you should really send it as the more info microsoft receive ,the more bugs can be fixed and life will be easier for the xp user
yahoo betas are usually used for about 6 months before a decision is made wether to use it or keep to the old version(the new homepage is rubbish)
you can download the "vista beta" from http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/preview.mspx ,bear in mind it will take 18 hours on a broadband connection so if you want it you may be better ordering a dvd version of it
good luck
2006-06-23 06:20:48 · answer #1 · answered by brianthesnail123 7 · 7⤊ 0⤋
Beta version of a program is the program in its semifinal form. That means it is being offered to be tested by consumers to find out if it still has faults or bugs to be fixed before the final form is published
2006-06-23 06:13:14 · answer #2 · answered by mido 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Beta is a stage in programme development, usually when the product is available to be tested. It's generally the final stage before the 'final' product is released. It follows Alpha testing, which occurs when the product is even more buggy.
2006-06-23 06:01:07 · answer #3 · answered by sirdaz_uk 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
beta means that software is still in testing stage to work out the bugs. beta software has the potential to damage your computer, this does mean that it will damage yor computer but it can
2006-06-23 06:03:27 · answer #4 · answered by native 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The term tells you it is under test, but in reality it means "better"
ie it will crash your computer now but we will get it beta!
2006-06-23 06:04:50 · answer #5 · answered by Tim T 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means the product is released for experimental testing by users. It might still change significantly before it goes to production release, but it's stable enough for real-world testing.
2006-06-23 06:04:30 · answer #6 · answered by Aaron W 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it means they're testing the program.
2006-06-23 06:08:12 · answer #7 · answered by the nothing 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋