A pre-shipping release of hardware or software that has gone through alpha test. A beta version of software is supposed to be very close to the final product, but, in practice, it is more a way of getting users to test the software in the first place under real conditions. Given the complexity and ambiguous standards in the PC industry, it is impossible to duplicate the myriad of configurations that exist in the real world. See alpha test, beta test, release candidate and dog-food.
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Additional Resources
- Hatchlings Beta 0.1 (Windows)
- This is an extension for Google Chrome. It changes public basket links or your bookmarks to point at the new beta version of Hatchlings.
- Software downloads 2010-02-01
- TooManyTabs for Chrome 1.3.3 (Windows)
- TooManyTabs is a must-have extension that manages your tabs, reduces your tab overflow, and saves your sanity. TMT has come to Chrome to help all your tab needs! This is a beta preview version before official launch of Chrome extensions.
- Software downloads 2010-02-01
- Google dangles the Chrome carrot
- File this under "Stupid PR tricks"yawn.... been done before but never been of any value...RE: Google dangles the Chrome carrotGoogle is trying to bribe people to fix the holes in their browser for them. Apparently Google's staff are that incompetent to do it themselves, but that is what you...
- Discussion threads 2010-01-30
- Microsoft earnings: 'Exceptional demand' for Windows 7 stokes bottom, top lines
- Let me predict.......This is just the last blip in the death of Microsoft. Yeah don't pay attention to those numbers and strong 7 sales. Nope, its all a mirage and Microsoft will be toast in just a year or two. Sorry guys I had to steal your...
- Discussion threads 2010-01-28
- Windows Home Server 'Vail': A web based media center?
- Weren't you in the WHS beta originally?I honestly can't remember. I know you were a "Grasshopper", but I can't remember if you were in this one too. Of course it may have been one of those "US only" betas back then.Luckily for me, I'm running WHS on a...
- Discussion threads 2010-01-28
- First look at Windows Home Server
- A deep look inside the pre-beta next-generation version of Windows Home Server. by Zack Whittaker
- Image galleries 2010-01-28
- Unlock thumbnail previews for Firefox 3.6 on Windows 7
- What kind of bugs?Details? Links?Too bad.The current implementation is incredibly buggy that it's best to have it off.Bugs?I've been using the feature without incident. Could you elaborate?Some previews just show the spinning wheelAt least for me.restarted firefox, that seemed to fix it.RE: Unlock thumbnail previews for Firefox 3.6 on...
- Discussion threads 2010-01-26
- CRM Watchlist 2010 - The SMBs - IVA - Brent Leary Rocks
- A Final Guest CRM Watchlist - Hey Yo To Brent Leary (Brent Leary, who is both a Social CRM guru and a great friend has graciously done a post on the companies to watch for 2010 when it comes to the small and medium business space. He was clearly...
- Blog posts 2010-01-25
- Asus Eee PC Seashell 1201N (black)
- ASUS 1201N A winnerI was looking for a 12 inch lap top, 10 inch is too small, Mac Book is too expensive. Along comes the 1201N. Specs looked to put this machine right at the forefront of good computing. This is easily one of the best notebooks that have come...
- Discussion threads 2010-01-22
- Firefox 3.6 - The review
- RE: Firefox 3.6 - The reviewFirefox 3.6 still does not fix the redirect bug that you get when you click on Google search results.Firefox has won the browser warFirefox is the BEST!IE is a virus magnet.AwesomeI must admit... Personas are more fun than I thought they would be.Don't forget ...
- Discussion threads 2010-01-22
- Intuit and Microsoft partner: more PaaS to put in your aaS environment
- Intuit and Microsoft have jointly announced a partnership that will see Intuit able to reach out to the huge Microsoft .Net and Azure developer network. According to the release: The two companies plan to integrate the capabilities of their cloud services platforms Ââ€" the Intuit Partner Platform and Microsoft...
- Blog posts 2010-01-20
- Video review: Handmark's TweetCaster beta is the best Android Twitter app
- Twitter applications are one of the most sought after social networking applications on smartphones. There are a few good contenders for Google Android, but as you can see in my video the current private beta version of Handmark's TweetCaster shows it will soon be the BEST Twitter app on Google...
- Blog posts 2010-01-20
- Unreal Development Kit beta 3 (Windows)
- Unreal Tournament 3 is the next installment in Epic Games' popular sci-fi shooter series. This is the third beta version of the free edition of the Unreal Engine 3.
- Software downloads 2010-01-20
- GlimmerBlocker 1.4.4 (Mac)
- The problem with other ad-blockers for Safari is that they are implemented as awful hacks: as an InputManager and/or ApplicationEnhancer. This compromises the stability of Safari and very often create problems when Apple releases a new version of Safari. GlimmerBlocker is implemented as an http proxy, so the stability of...
- Software downloads 2010-01-16
- Hostile Invasion 1.0 beta (Windows)
- Hostile Inavsion is a fun action packed game in which you are hired to protect briefcase/s full of valuables. It is played in bird's eye view. At the start of each map you have the opportunity to purchase weapons, traps and surveillance to prepare you for the oncoming "Hostile Invasion"....
- Software downloads 2010-01-14
- Ovi Store rolls out in early beta form on the Nokia N900
- I posted my full review of the Nokia N900 a couple weeks ago and mentioned that there were ways to get some applications on the device through different Application Catalogs. I popped my SIM in the other day and found a new firmware update available followed by activation of the...
- Blog posts 2010-01-13
- Firefox 3.6 release candidate now available
- Just installedI have just installed it and it seems to perform better than 3.5.x does.What is the point of WOFF?lehnerus2000RE: Firefox 3.6 release candidate now availableWOFF allows you to have ALOT more control over the fonts that the end user will actually see on the designed web page. Currently if...
- Discussion threads 2010-01-11
- Intel launches netbook app store; One store too many?
- You're wrong--Netbook programs will be 5+% of PC software sales soonYou're wrong--Netbook programs will be 5+% of PC software sales soonNetbook are not always used in a wi-fi accessiable environment (obvious, on a plane or a train trip)and also when one does not want to pay the outrageous fee (such...
- Discussion threads 2010-01-08
- Forrester warns of possible Office 2010 upgrade hassles
- Forrester and a few users?I do dev work for Office ad-ins and I have not seen the issues they talk about.The only issue I have seen is the VBA support in the beta isn't finished yet but thats expected in a beta.Acrobat, for startersAcrobat.Acrobat 8.1 is the lowest version that...
- Discussion threads 2010-01-08
- Flash Player 10.1.51.66 Beta (Windows)
- Adobe Flash Player 10.1 prerelease version of Flash Player 10.1 is now available for Windows, Macintosh and Linux operating systems.It is being made available for developers and consumers to test their content to ensure new features function as expected, existing content plays back correctly, and there are no compatibility issues.Consumers...
- Software downloads 2010-01-07
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