2006-07-29 09:04:06 · 7 answers · asked by simmoatbrayton 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Software
Pre-release, unofficial. For instance, Microsoft's Windows Vista is still in beta because it is not complete and therefore, not safe for distribution.
2006-07-29 09:05:53 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It refers to a "testing mode". Most software is tested in stages. Usually "alpha" testing is carried out in-house or by the development team. Today, "beta" testing has been traditionally assigned to users' testing.
It has been greatly watered down recently. Betas were orriginally released to a finite set of users and feedback on functioality and such was a private matter. Today "betas" are used as marketting tools and a means to market saturation. The "betas" that are released to the public these days (media player 11, firefox 2.0 etc.) are really "pre-releases". The publisher rarely, if ever, are interested in constructive feedback...they simply want to trump the competition.
2006-07-29 16:08:48 · answer #2 · answered by Du 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A beta version or beta release usually represents the first version of a computer program that implements all features in the initial software requirements specification. It is likely to be unstable but useful for internal demonstrations and previews to select customers, but not yet ready for release. Some developers refer to this stage as a preview, as a technical preview (TP) or as an early access.
2006-07-29 16:07:38 · answer #3 · answered by dharksh 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Beta means unfinished and in testing stage. Beta software still has bugs in it and should not be run by new users as it will act up and they should wait for the final release.
2006-07-29 16:07:09 · answer #4 · answered by MrPurrfect 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A trial version of some program.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Development_stage#Beta
2006-07-29 16:06:58 · answer #5 · answered by shmux 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
beta is now the in or cool "politically correct" term --for what used to be called "hold your horses, man, I'm still working on it"....the later having been obsoleted unfortunately because there are so few horses around any more to "hold".
2006-07-29 16:14:43 · answer #6 · answered by Paris Hilton 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
at google type in
define:beta
click search
2006-07-29 16:08:55 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋