What is meant by " Beta Downloads ?? " / ME to XP Pro??

Question

Many sites that I go to now to browse or to download from sa that their are " Now Beta Available " or " Beta Downloads Now Available ". I just downloaded LimeWire and figured that I would just do best getting both. Which do I need? Which is better for me to use? I just upgraded my system from Windows Me to Xp Pro. It's my first experience with Xp and it appears to be a whole new world. If you could give one piece of advice , one great benefit to this upgrade.......What would you tell me?......Thanks [e-mail]

Answer 1

Beta downloads are not yet approved by the program writers and includes software, hardware drivers, games, program and games patches, etc. However, Beta programs have had some test time or they would have never been released. The company that you download this beta program from will not guarantee the program to work and that is part of the agreement. In my humble opinion I think that you should play with XP for awhile before downloading beta programs. Betas can crash your computer and if your new to XP give it some time first.

Answer 2

Typically during development of software you have an Alpha, Beta and then Master (final) phase. The 'Beta' software you downloadd might be close to final but may have certain bugs in the code or system. Normally the company want you to tell them if you have any problems with the software so that their engineers can fix the problem before it become final, bugs typically found after that are fixed via patches...notice the patches that Microsoft send out...its all good!

Answer 3

Dont worry about those as a beta version or beta release usually represents the first version of a computer program that implements all required feature although additional features may be added. 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.



Its better if you have the released version than the beta version

Answer 4

Beta is a term they use to denote an unfinished program that is put out for people to use and make comments on. This helps them make any repairs and changes before putting it on the market. Some times this is good and some times it is not. you and try Beta and if it does not work well for you go to the original version.

Answer 5

Beta products are test versions. They are not the fully polished retail version. Software companies utilize beta tests to test their software on a variety of systems that they would never have the resources to test on in house. It is supposed to help eliminate potential bugs/problems in the program.

Answer 6

Beta is a term used by many companies and organizations to test their new software. They say it is unstable, which sometimes they are. But usually it is pretty reliable, they also rely on feedback to improve their software....If I were you I would just go with the stable version, because of your new operating system too...

Answer 7

From what I understand "Beta" usually refers to a trial run of a program to see how people like it before changes are made. Changes are made based off a 'Beta' run of a program.

Answer 8

I means upgrades, well that is what it is supposed to mean