Have you ever been a beta tester?

[yoda313]

So have you ever tested pre release software?

I'm not talking about the stable beta releases for graphics drivers or whatever. But I'm talking about those software releases before they hit the general public.

I never have been. It sounds intriguing though.

How about you?

[wtsinnc]

Yes, I've been a beta tester;

I bought Vista !

[gadgetguy]

Not for general release software, but I have been a beta tester for software and some hardware for proprietary Nortel products. Specifically, Meridian Administration Tools, Optivity Telephony Manager, and Meridian Integrated Personal Call Director, as well as some releases of X11, M1, Meridian Mail, and Call Pilot software. And probably a few others that I can't think of right now.
Note that I was being paid by my employer to do this testing. I'm not sure that I would bother without compensation, as it takes a significant amount of time to do it properly and provide relevant and useful feedback to the developers.

[usually_quiet]

I've used beta releases of software, but have not found an opportunity to do formal beta testing.

I sometimes feel I've been an involuntary beta tester for various software or hardware that did not seem like they were tested enough before being released.

[Number Six]

I have never actually been a beta tester, but I bought the beta version of Windows 98 when Microsoft made it available to the public. It was interesting to play with it - a lot of my PCMCIA devices did not work, but Microsoft did try to make an effort to help me get them going - although they did stress that this is beta and that everything will work in the the final release, which they did

[lordsmurf]

I think I beta tested something many years ago. I remember having to fill out a form and mail it back to the programmer.

[nick101181]

I got randomly picked to be a beta tester of playstation home. I wa surprised to say the least

[SingSing]

I was twice in a final test group.

The first one last 1.5 hours, and the software was pretty much same as the last revision. I just checked out the the new devices added to the list. Got pay and had a very very nice free lunch.

The second time, the vendor office was difficult to find. Got in late, hardly checked anything, but got pay the same. I like this better.

I quite sure the vendor's field offices pick their existing customers to check their softwares to make sure they are happy, and make these a sales pitch too.

[RickA]

Sure, I enjoy beta testing and tinkering with new things. Beta tested more games than anything: World of Warcraft, City of Heroes, Lord of the Rings Online, plus a few others I cannot recall at the moment. Also the new DivX H.264 encoder. Very impressive, anxiously awaiting some kind of CRF mode from them.

[JohnnyMalaria]

Yes, quite a few times. I'm also eternally grateful to those kind souls that have been beta testers for my own creations

[Legendsk]

I had to go with 'Other'. I've done lots of Beta testing and Alpha testing. It is always awful. The good side is that it helps get the software fixed and a good release that is usable. But the reason it's Beta is that there are still things wrong with it. You invest a lot of time in it and then it blows up and loses all your work.... You rely on the results it gives you and then later find they are wrong.... The bad results from it get fed to other applications and contaminate them....
The whole experience is not unlike getting a virus. I swear the first Beta versions of Windows 95 were the worst virus I ever encountered.

[the_man_one]

probably not what yall were asking (not products per say) i beta tested everquest (mmorpg) & a couple of arcade games by atari i think if i remember correctly Gauntlet (newest versions) & a game called war (linked 1st person shooter) back in the day

[Epicurus8a]

Unfortunately we Beta test stuff at work all the time. At home I never Beta test 'cause I don't want to waste time.

[thymej]

Yes, I have been a beta tester. If memory serves me right, it was Windows 98. I received new builds on a CD 1 to 2 times a month. Close to the end pf the beta, once a week. I had lots and lots of Win98 beta CDs. They have all been trashed, but I still have the Gold Win98 CD. IT is really gold in color.

Jerry

[wulf109]

I beta tested Windows 98 and learned it was a great improvement over 95 and Microsoft even sent me a final release full install disk for free. I also beta tested Vista and learned it was a slow resource hog and not to buy it and Microsoft did not send me a final release for free. So beta testing helps.

[Xylob the Destroyer]

I was supposed to be a beta tester for $ony when Final Fantasy XXIIXXXIVIVIVMVI or whatever the hell it was came out for the PS2 but they only sent me the disc and never sent the hard drive which was supposed to have been delivered as well....

Beta tested several proprietary systems for work.

Currently beta testing KILLZONE2 and Home on PS3.
Vista? Hell, I'm still beta testing XP and Office 2007.

been beta testing a collection database program for over a year now that still has a lot of bugs and problems and am now 'politely discussing' the company's decision that I must now pay them a subscription fee to continue using their unfinished product.

[tmw]

I selected "other"--I was a "beta tester" for FrontPage 98. I use the term in quotes, because I think M$ was using the term as marketing, and it was more of a stable release trial package than any true beta testing. What kind of beta test has a time limit? I think there was a feedback function, but I don't think they made any responses or updates from it, although I could be wrong.

[oldfart13]

Everytime you pick up a piece of software it's a beta test as it's never complete. How many final versions of software have we picked up on with unlimited updates? That means it isn't complete. I wish those companies would do away with the term "final" as it never is....

[nwo]

yes, i been a beta tester, shame the Dreamcast never worked.