beta?

December 20, 2008 2:48pm CST
WHen a company or site says it is still in beta,what does it mean? I have seen this on a couple and I dont want to waste my time on them if they are gonna flop!
3 responses
@Khayam (346)
• Romania
21 Dec 08
Beta version does try to highlight the fact the that product you are using it is, to a certain extent, unfinished. The most relevant aspect of the "beta-status" is that it grants the owner the possibility to change the set of norms, values, limits, etc (practically anything) without consulting the users. Any beta project can be closed without further notice, as the users take the whole risk of exploiting an unfinished software/game etc. Sometimes, websites use "beta testing phase" as a marketing tool in order to gather visitors/users. When they reached a good number of potential clients/notoriety, they announce that the beta phase is over (the product being available only to registered members). However, there is no universal recipe that could describe all beta websites.
21 Dec 08
ahh, I see, thats very helpful,thanks.
@sixclix (677)
• Philippines
20 Dec 08
It means its still in its trial stage. Companies allow users to use their products in it's beta stage so they can use them as guinea pigs for their new products.
20 Dec 08
thanks.
@algalih (79)
• Indonesia
20 Dec 08
This information not bad for me too. Thanks you all