Number 221 - October 2001

Read This: Before You Run Out and Buy a Beta. And before you install the public release of XP1
by Al Winchell, SW Florida Personal Computing Journal from
Recently I overheard a conversation between two Beleaguered Novices discussing how considerate AOL and Microsoft were in providing free updates (A.K.A.fixes) to their programs. At the time I did not want to rain on their parade-- so I said nothing. But perhaps this is the time to mention that the free updates and fixes provided by software companies are not a result of outreach programs motivated by any corporate desire to benefit humanity. It is instead, a concerted effort to use you as a Beta Tester.     What is a beta tester? In the days of yore beta testers were experienced users who volunteered to test a new or upgraded software program--before it was released. They received pre-releases of a program knowing full well that a beta version could create computer problems. But the fact that the beta tester was an experienced user, usually meant that he or she could deal with any problem. And it was their responsibility to report-back the problems they encountered. Their reward was a free copy of the final edition of the software program.     In fact, beta testing was a well-controlled method of insuring the final product was as bug free as it could be. Often, many beta versions preceded the final version. Today, however, because: Competition among software companies is fierce. R&D costs astronomical. In my opinion, concern for the customer at a nadir. It is more economical for software companies to release their product with a minimum of formal beta testing. And rely on you, my Beleaguered Novices, to be their unwitting beta testers.	Why not seduce you into purchasing the latest version of their software. Then wait for you to experience the bugs that would have formerly been found by experienced beta testers. And then sanctimoniously offer you FREE band-aids.     Why mention this depressing phenomenon now? Well, not just because of the AOL 6.0 fiasco. But because of the many current and future releases of significant software programs, e.g. Corel WordPerfect 2002, Microsoft Office XP and Windows XP .Each, of course, to be heralded by their marketing department's upgrade siren song of seduction.     I would need a full News-Press page to list the warnings that should be on their packages. So I will just say this. Unless you are absolutely sure a system altering and/or costly software program has anything significantly new to offer. That your computer is state-of-the-art enough to access its new features. That you are capable of performing a successful installation.     Why not let your neighbors be their beta testers. Let them crash their systems and raise the standard of living of their technicians. While you wait for a Good Boot advisory.     Here's wishing you a Good Boot.     1 Or whatever the latest software/release is.
Number 221 - October 2001