Have you ever been on a pre-release or BETA team?

Discussion in 'Community Forum Software' started by Brandon, Jun 24, 2012.

  1. Brandon

    Brandon Regular Member

    Joined:
    Jun 1, 2009
    Messages:
    6,602
    Likes Received:
    1,706
    Location:
    Topeka, Kansas
    First Name:
    Brandon
    I've been on a few beta and pre-release teams over the years. I really enjoy getting an early view of applications and offering feedback on improvements I'd like to see. One of the more well known products I helped out on was being an early adopter of vBSEO and being invited to be in the pre-release. Having access to those early builds and seeing what the new SEO enhancements were before everyone else was awesome. Then vBSEO sorta stopped adding new stuff so I asked to be removed from the team.

    Anyways I was reading something earlier and I started thinking of these BETA teams and wanted to see who else has been involved in these. Did you like it, and would you be interested in BETA testing current applications for the scripts you run. eg, vBulletin, xenforo, IPB etc...
     
    DaUnknownAdm!n likes this.
  2. AWS

    AWS Administrator

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2010
    Messages:
    1,616
    Likes Received:
    692
    Location:
    Joliet, IL U.S.A.
    First Name:
    Bob
    I've been on a bunch. When I was a Microsoft MVP I had access to all kinds of pre-release software. My focus was Visual c++ and later Visual Studio c# and c++. Had access to early build of Windows dating back to Windows 3.1. Back then they mailed you the beta disks.

    I've had set top boxes sent to me, tablets, tv tuners and a whole array of hardware to evaluate and test. Some of it I got to keep, but, most had to be sent back after the testing phase was over.

    For web stuff I was on the vbulletin 3 beta team. There weren't many of us. If I remember correctly Floris and I were the first and they later added about 5 or 6 more testers. I was a UBB tester also.

    If you get invited to any beta you should jump at it. If you're lucky enough to get invited to join an alpha team don't pass it up. You get to shape the product. Once software is beta for the most part it's feature locked.
     
    DaUnknownAdm!n, cpvr and Brandon like this.
  3. nemtulea

    nemtulea Regular Member

    Joined:
    Jul 3, 2012
    Messages:
    12
    Likes Received:
    4
    Location:
    usa
    not me,but it was nice to be one...
     
  4. CM30

    CM30 Regular Member

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2012
    Messages:
    901
    Likes Received:
    500
    Not as of this time. I do always use the latest beta releases that come out and use the latest beta versions of Firefox, but I've never been on a proper beta or pre release team.
     
  5. Cerberus

    Cerberus Admin Talk Staff

    Joined:
    May 3, 2009
    Messages:
    1,031
    Likes Received:
    500
    I used to be on the Sony Beta Release Team.. It was nice when I had the time but I got cut when I stopped reviewing games. I would get sent copies of games before everyone else had them and I also used that to make money with a blog by providing screenies and videos of games before they ever came out.. It was a nice lil deal for while then I got busy with real life stuff and lost out on that.. But getting stuff before everyone else is always nice :)
     
    Brandon likes this.
  6. SpacewardAsh

    SpacewardAsh Lurking From Space

    Joined:
    Jan 2, 2011
    Messages:
    211
    Likes Received:
    683
    Location:
    Falmouth, Cornwall, UK
    First Name:
    Ashley
    I've tested out a few phpBB mods for friends, and I'm also a tester for ProphpBB's new forum hosting system that is currently in development
     
  7. eva2000

    eva2000 Regular Member

    Joined:
    May 22, 2012
    Messages:
    138
    Likes Received:
    107
    Location:
    Brisbane, Australia
    I did alot of beta / pre-release testing on computer hardware front for a few manufacturers from Corsair, G.Skill, OCZ, Intel, DFI, Asus and Gigabyte on occasion :)

    On software side, very early days did beta testing for BlueByte's Settler's games (addicted to strategy games myself back in the day). Unfortunately, such genre of games can be too time consuming and haven't had time for them these days.

    As to software online, vBulletin v1.0.x to present++ :D :giggle: ;) :whistle:

    Also did some feedback testing for Unixy Cpanel Varnish plugin as well (i.e. whm current varnish stats variables/format display and a few other suggestions)

    It's always nice to have other folks value your opinions and feedback - probably best part of being in beta/pre-release testing stages.
     
    Brandon likes this.
  8. digitalpoint

    digitalpoint Regular Member

    Joined:
    Jul 9, 2012
    Messages:
    193
    Likes Received:
    313
    Location:
    San Diego, California
    I've been in some over the years... Microsoft, Oracle, Apple, vBulletin...

    Not part of any currently though.
     
  9. Brandon

    Brandon Regular Member

    Joined:
    Jun 1, 2009
    Messages:
    6,602
    Likes Received:
    1,706
    Location:
    Topeka, Kansas
    First Name:
    Brandon
    eeeeewwwww oracle :( lol
     
  10. Zaturo

    Zaturo Regular Member

    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2012
    Messages:
    9
    Likes Received:
    6
    No, I have not. Not that I don't want to, it's just that no one seems to take me under their wing if you know what I mean. I bet there would be so much to learn if only. If only if only I were a..nevermind. Forget I said anything.
     
    Brandon and Monster like this.
  11. Monster

    Monster Admin Talk Staff

    Joined:
    Apr 24, 2004
    Messages:
    515
    Likes Received:
    82
    Location:
    Germany
    Many developers are looking for beta testers. Simply ask them (you often find contact information on the program's website or in the source code). If I ever have something to beta-test, I'll contact you! :)
     
  12. Creaky

    Creaky Regular Member

    Joined:
    Aug 15, 2011
    Messages:
    310
    Likes Received:
    96
    Location:
    London
    If you include forum software then yes, IPB normally release beta versions so I normally test those.
     
Similar Threads
Loading...

Share This Page