Remember the uncertainty and fear that used to be connect with the idiomatic expression “ public beta ? ” You would instal an bare slice of software program that bring file name extension to your system of rules folder — suddenly your Mac would break up for no apparent intellect . Given all the commercial , shareware , and freeware products I ’ve test over the years , I often joked with friends that I was surprised whenever my data processor started up .
That ’s an erstwhile - timey eyeshot of betas . thing are much different now . Whereas I used to hold my breathing time whenever I installed a commercial-grade product ( let alone a beta ) , thanks to Mac OS X and a good group of developer , testing most computer software these twenty-four hour period is no large deal .
The companionship offer public betas have changed quite a bit too . Once the sphere of diminished company without the necessary resources to have a large intragroup genus Beta program , betas have moved to the large companies as well . I never would have think Adobe would unloosen a genus Beta ware , but here were are in 2007 with not one , but three merchandise in various stages of beta from them — Photoshop , Lightroom , and Soundbooth .
Another giant has emerged an active believer in betas in the last few twelvemonth as well — Google . Google has so many betas , it ’s gruelling to keep cut of sometimes , but that ’s a good affair . Currently I ’m usingGoogle Mail , Calendar , Picasa , Docs & Spreadsheets , and many others .
Now that Adobe is actively free Beta — and apparently satisfied with the results because it keep coming out with more — I have to question where Apple and Microsoft place upright on this issue .
Both companies have dabbled in genus Beta in the yesteryear , but not with any of their major coating . Apple hasBoot Campand Microsoft tested MSN at one pointedness , but where are the betas of iLife — or better yet Logic and Final Cut Pro . I ’d love to see a beta of Office for Mac , too , but I just do n’t think that will find .
Or , maybe it will . Microsoft just got through a large beta of Windows Vista and Office for Windows — well maybe that ’s not such a good example . But you see what I mean — there is a precedent for this sort of affair .
I think we will continue to see fellowship embrace beta examination as a way to set the roadmap for their products . Parallelshas certainly success with this method and as users we get to see computer software month before we otherwise would .
So come on Apple — how about post a few beta and permit us give them a spin . We ’ll have you know how you are doing before the next great version is due .
