Beta
Beta is a term applied to software used to describe the stage of testing, typically when a piece of software is released outside the development community to a select (private) or open (public beta) number of initial users. Often following an earlier alpha version, the beta version is "real-world" tested by independent "beta testers" who are usually a select group of users with no specific experience or knowledge about this software's development, using the software as it will be used upon its commercial release.
The term originated in an IBM hardware product test convention, in its testing of punched card tabulating and sorting machines. The term can refer to software and hardware alike. Video game designers have implemented the beta both as a means by which they can gain insight into possible bugs and problems within the software before a full commercial release and also as a marketing technique, occasionally bundling a beta version of an upcoming game with another game, such that the perspective beta testers must purchase one game to gain access to the beta of another. Though more stages of testing can be implemented, usually the next stage in the software release life cycle is the full release candidate.
Technology news All News
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11/13/09 7:04pm Computing Microsoft Office 2010 beta leaked to BitTorrent trackers
Microsoft's response to the news was restrained. The official beta release comes next week. dig deeper
Around the web: news.cnet.com (2 comments)
, techmeme.com
, BetaNews.Com (1 comment)
, computerworld.com (2 comments)
, cravingtech.com (11 comments)
, Neowin.net / Main
, downloadsquad.com (2 comments)
, news.softpedia.com 
Profile pages: Microsoft, BitTorrent, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Office 2010, piracy, Beta
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11/06/09 6:30pm Computing, Home A/V Skype founders keep 14% of company, LinkedIn gets a redesign, Boxee beta to be available December 7
Skype's founders and eBay have come to an agreement on the terms of the sale of Skype to private investors. The founders will… dig deeper
Around the web: TechCrunch
, Techmeme
, blog.linkedin.com (15 comments)
, techmeme.com
, Alley Insider (1 comment)
, techmeme.com 
Profile pages: Skype, VoIP, Boxee, Skype, LinkedIn, Boxee Remote, Streaming video, Boxee, Beta, Alpha, user interface, Social networking
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09/18/09 3:00pm Computing Hulu working on subscription-based pay service
The Business of Online Video: http://bit.ly/12qDG5 dig deeper
Around the web: blog.streamingmedia.com (1 comment)
, techmeme.com
, ReadWriteWeb (6 comments)
, downloadsquad.com (6 comments)
, Alley Insider (2 comments)
, Download Squad (6 comments) 
Profile pages: Hulu, Hulu, subscription, Streaming video, Video on demand, Beta
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08/12/09 6:38pm Computing, Mobile Microsoft Office coming to Nokia phones, Facebook Lite begins testing, iGoogle gets social gadgets
Microsoft and Nokia announced a new partnership today. The partnership will bring "Microsoft Office Mobile and Microsoft business… dig deeper
Around the web: microsoft.com
, techmeme.com (9 comments)
, TechCrunch (53 comments)
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, googleblog.blogspot.com
, techmeme.com (9 comments) 
Profile pages: Microsoft, Social networking, Facebook, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Office 2010, Nokia, Google, Facebook, Beta, FriendFeed, Google, Twitter
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08/05/09 5:45pm Computing, Mobile $99 iPhone 3GS 8 GB rumored, Google Chrome 3.0.195.4 Beta launches, Windows 7 NTFS driver stack bug threatens launch
The Boy Genius Report has received multiple tips about and screengrabs of a digital memo announcing that Canadian wireless… dig deeper
Around the web: boygeniusreport.com (15 comments)
, Techmeme (9 comments)
, infoworld.com (13 comments)
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, chrome.blogspot.com
, Techmeme (9 comments) 
Profile pages: Apple iPhone 3G, Apple, Operating system, Google Chrome, Microsoft Windows 7, Apple iPhone 3GS, Google, Gigabyte, Microsoft, Beta, NTFS
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07/22/09 6:30pm Computing Windows 7 finishes testing, gets released to manufacturing (RTM)
The Windows Blog: http://bit.ly/bOOR dig deeper
Around the web: windowsteamblog.com (63 comments)
, techmeme.com (9 comments)
, techcrunch.com (31 comments)
, pcworld.com
, blogs.zdnet.com
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, engadget.com (50 comments)
, Ars Technica 
Profile pages: Microsoft, Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Windows 7, Beta, Release candidate, Microsoft Windows 7, Operating system
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07/07/09 11:12am Computing Gmail, Google Apps finally come out of beta
Docs, Calendar, and Google Talk join Gmail in finally shedding the beta tag. dig deeper
Around the web: googleblog.blogspot.com
, deals.venturebeat.com (1 comment) 
Profile pages: Google, cloud computing, Gmail, Beta, Google Docs
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07/01/09 4:18pm Computing Windows 7 beta bi-hourly shutdowns begin today
Windows 7 Team Blog: http://bit.ly/tJT3R dig deeper
Around the web: The Windows Blog
, Engadget (23 comments)
, gizmodo.com (3 comments)
, trustedreviews.com (3 comments)
, downloadsquad.com 
Profile pages: Microsoft, Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Windows 7, Beta, Release candidate, Microsoft Windows 7, Operating system
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06/11/09 11:42am Computing Microsoft's free antivirus software Morro is about to go into beta
New antivirus dig deeper
Around the web: All about Microsoft
, community.winsupersite.com
, The Inquisitr » Technology
, Megite Technology News: What's Happening Right Now 
Profile pages: Microsoft, Beta, Microsoft Windows, Malware, Spyware, Rootkit
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06/03/09 10:07am Computing Opera 10 beta becomes combination browser, email program, RSS reader, and torrent tracker
DownloadSquad: Opera 10 beta released, shows off new features dig deeper
Around the web: CNET News.com (2 comments)
, Webware.com (2 comments)
, eCoustics (2 comments)
, BetaNews.Com
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, TrustedReviews (1 comment)
, The Register
, opera.com 
Profile pages: web browser, Opera, Beta
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06/01/09 11:00am Computing Adobe Flash Catalyst and Builder 4 betas bring web designers, developers closer together
Adobe AIR Team Blog: http://bit.ly/19IFfl dig deeper
Around the web: blogs.adobe.com
, VentureBeat
, theregister.co.uk (1 comment)
, pcworld.com
, infoworld.com (20 comments)
, news.softpedia.com
, informationweek.com
, techmeme.com 
Profile pages: Adobe Flash, Adobe, Adobe Flash Player, Adobe Flash Catalyst, Adobe Flash Builder, Beta
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05/29/09 10:40am Computing Microsoft sets July 10 date for full Silverlight 3 and Expression Studio 3 releases
MS's answer to Adobe Flash comes out of beta in July. dig deeper
Around the web: The Register
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Profile pages: Microsoft, GPU, 3D, Adobe, H.264, Beta, Microsoft Silverlight, Adobe Flash Player
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