A pre-release version of software. Sometimes software vendors make one or two release candidates (RC1, RC2, etc.) available to select customers in advance of the official release. A release candidate is like a "sneak preview" of the final release with the added advantage that serious bugs may yet surface and be fixed before the general public uses it. Thus, there are alpha versions (internal), beta versions (external), release candidates (sometimes) and the final release of software. After that, there are countless updates that add features and fix bugs. See alpha version and beta version.
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Additional Resources
- Microsoft 'Geneva' identity wares approach the finish line
- Microsoft is making available for download the near-final Release Candidate RC test build of its "Geneva" framework, the technology officially known as Windows Identity Foundation. Meanwhile, a new test build of the Microsoft Oslo modeling platform is waiting in the wings. by Mary Jo Foley
- Blog posts 2009-11-06
- Thunderbird 3: Near-final version due next week
- Thunderbird 3, an update to the email software Mozilla hopes will give it some of the advantages its Firefox browser has enjoyed, is due to arrive in near-final form next week. Thunderbird 3, an update to the email software Mozilla hopes will give it some of the advantages its...
- News items 2009-11-06
- Ubuntu Karmic Koala launches to mixed reviews
- Not released yetKarmic koala hasn't been officially released yet and the bug that this article was talking about has been fixed for the official releaseMultiple hard drives issue already fixedThe problem only affected the 64-bit version of the release candidate, and it has apparently been fixed for the final release.wowwow,...
- Discussion threads 2009-10-29
- My 7 favorite Windows 7 features
- I must say ...... your impressive list, just isn't that impressive to me.#1 - Performance boost -- subjective#2 - More restrained UAC -- more duck tape#3 - 64-bit becomes the new default -- had 64 bit for years now#4 - Improved troubleshooting tools -- no comment, biting my tongue#5 -...
- Discussion threads 2009-10-22
- Snow Leopard bug deletes all user data (Updated)
- Proves Apple is not perfectI know many ABMers that bashed Microsoft when a bug that only affected a very small user base came on in Windows 7 Release Candidate and said that Microsoft should pay and how can they release software with bugs. All software has bugs I don't...
- Discussion threads 2009-10-13
- News to know: Oracle; Sidekick; Win7 party; Google; Yahoo Hack day
- Here are today's notable headlines. You can get News To Know via email alert and RSS daily. For continuous updates see BNET's around-the-Web tech coverage. Jason Hiner: Ellison rips IBM, shows off Sun-Oracle benchmarks, offers $10M prize Scott McNealy names Sun's top 10 tech...
- Blog posts 2009-10-12
- Zone Alarm Extreme Security 2010
- Best known for its ZoneAlarm firewall, Check Point Software also publishes two full-featured security suites. ZoneAlarm Internet Security 2010 gives users a robust firewall, antivirus and antispyware, and parental control package for $49.95, while ZoneAlarm Extreme Security 2010 adds Web browsing protection, system tune-up tools, backup options, and anti-phishing technology...
- Product reviews 2009-10-08
- Free VMware Player 3.0 RC - A worthy upgrade
- VMware Player 3.0 has hit the Release Candidate RC stage and is available for public download. This latest release brings with it some neat new features. by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes
- Image galleries 2009-10-06
- Free VMware Player 3.0 RC - A worthy upgrade
- VMware Player 3.0 has hit the Release Candidate RC stage and is available for public download. This latest release brings with it some neat new features. by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes
- Blog posts 2009-10-06
- Free VMware Player 3.0 RC - A worthy upgrade
- VMware Player 3.0 has hit the Release Candidate RC stage and is available for public download. This latest release brings with it some neat new features. by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes
- Image galleries 2009-10-06
- (Fences 1.0 reins in desktop clutter--photos)
- version 1.0??Stardock's web site still only has the beta 0.99 version. Why are you using the term "1.0" in the product name?RE: (Fences 1.0 reins in desktop clutter--photos)I've been using Fences for about a month now and already find it an indispensable addition to my desktop.RE: (Fences 1.0...
- Discussion threads 2009-10-06
- openSUSE 11.2 M8: What a Fine Lookin' Lizard
- Ubuntu's Karmic Koala isn't the only hot Linux beta floating around. On October 1, the openSUSE project released Milestone 8 of openSUSE 11.2, which is slated for general release in November, just in time for the holiday season. Milestone 8 will precede two release candidates to be also released...
- Blog posts 2009-10-04
- First Look: Ubuntu 9.10 beta "Karmic Koala"
- wow... seriously?NOTE: This was supposed to be in response to the "good for poor people" comment, but I screwed up:Do you have any basis for your claims? Have you even used Linux, let alone this version of Ubuntu which is still just a Beta? Why does cost/money...
- Discussion threads 2009-10-02
- Could Microsoft fix Windows Mobile by buying Palm?
- Nokia remain the strongest by far."The platforms in the strongest position are the Apple iPhone and RIM?s BlackBerry."Ex-US sales don't back that up I'm afraid. Nokia still dominate despite being behind technologically in terms of interface. With the release of the N900 and the X series this will...
- Discussion threads 2009-09-28
- (New features in Opera 10 release candidate)
- improvementsI'm not dumping my firefox just because Opera has a few new bells and whistles. I've been using fast-dial for some time now as a plug in. I'd like to see the run time reports on the speed improvements rather just saying it's 40% faster. I can make firefox 40%...
- Discussion threads 2009-08-26
- Snow Leopard might crash your apps
- This just has to be a Microsoft plot.LOL...LOL. :DRE: Snow Leopard might crash your appsNonsense, the latest mac hunter ad said we didn't have to worry about that and that a mac just works. Are you calling them liars?How did Apple phrase it in their commercials?That sure sounds like [i]a...
- Discussion threads 2009-08-26
- New features in Opera 10 release candidate
- Opera Software opens the curtain on the release candidate of Opera 10 with a bunch of new features to make it faster and more productive. by Andy Smith
- Image galleries 2009-08-26
- Opera 10 release candidate available
- They will probably get the law changed..because competing on your own merits doesn't apply to them.So how much will they pay me to use it?Because that's the only way anything they make will ever find its way on to any machine I run.RE: Opera 10 release candidate availableThe button to...
- Discussion threads 2009-08-26
- Reminder: Win 7 RC download ends August 20th
- Just a reminder - If you still feel like downloading the Windows 7 Release Candidate then you need to get your skates on! by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes
- Blog posts 2009-08-18
- We're still in a recession...Don't buy an Apple (the free iPod isn't worth it)
- Very solid adviceThanks for preaching common sense. It is sorely lacking these days but coming back in fashion with the recession. PEOPLE... PLEASE ask yourself REALLY for what you will use your computer. Typically web surfing, term paper writing, some basic audio video (which you can accomplish quite nicely with...
- Discussion threads 2009-08-13
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