free beta or buy a license
- Thread starter GameR
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Cezz
Well-known member
It has both its good and bad points...
Good... More people test the software on more system setups and so more bugs are found and fixed faster, and so it can accelerate the process.
Bad... More people test the software and more people raise the same pointless not really bugs over and over again and so it can slow the process.
GameR
Active member
No people say, that's a problem, to pay for a beta-version. 
Are exists good and important points for a free beta test, and also for a closed beta test.
So, when Kier and Mike say, that gives a closed test, is ok, and when they say, that gives a open beta test, than is ok too.
Are exists good and important points for a free beta test, and also for a closed beta test.
So, when Kier and Mike say, that gives a closed test, is ok, and when they say, that gives a open beta test, than is ok too.
Dark_Hunter
Active member
How so? Giving the software to people to test is a great way to make it more stable.
Ben Davis
Active member
It's also a great way to get mountains of bug reports about the same bugs, some of which won't even be bugs. No, I think that it would be a, somewhat, bad idea to release a beta, paid or free.
Dark_Hunter
Active member
Well if you release a beta you don't expect bug reports? Maybe make a script that stops more than one copy of the bug to reported.
Lycaon
Well-known member
In my opinion that was a mistake vBulletin made.
More people testing should help the developers in theory but in practice it doesn't always work like that.
One problem, which has already been mention by Ceri May if I remember right, is there will be bugs, or worse still not bugs, posted numerous times by numerous members - Kier & Mike will end up spending nearly as much time going through the forums/tracker marking items duplicate and not relevant as they will actually fixing bugs.
The other problem is noobs, and I say that with respect.
If every single customer was developer minded then it would work but most of us aren't. There will be countless bug reports where the person reporting them hasn't got a clue what they're chatting - Kier & Mike will have to try decipher what the hell it is they're talking about and asking them to make it clearer. This time could be spend fixing things and adding new features.
Like I said, it's my honest opinion that a closed beta would be more efficient than an open beta.
Dark_Hunter
Active member
Well I see where you are coming from, a closed beta might be a good idea.
Whilst I see where you're coming from, look at what happened the last time there was a closed beta?
I think it might be useful to have some sort of application procedure, open to everyone, but include as many people as possible. Things such as development skills could be tested in the application process or whatever.
I think it might be useful to have some sort of application procedure, open to everyone, but include as many people as possible. Things such as development skills could be tested in the application process or whatever.
Lycaon
Well-known member
Again while Kier & Mike are going through this process they're not working on the software.
I'm sure they know enough people who they trust and have some sort of design/developing knowledge to be able to test the software.
Ben Davis
Active member
Sure they could get someone to carry out that process for them, but the only way they could make sure that the right people get through is by doing it themselves, which, as Doctor said, would waste what precious development time they have.
Ben Davis
Active member
That question is better suited for another thread. This thread is about the/a beta and whether it'll open/closed or free/paid.
However, I will say that I think Kier/Mike have already thought about the size of their development team and will look into it when it actually becomes a problem. However, as I said, this thread is not about what they plan to do about the size of their development team, it is all about the/a beta.
erich37
Well-known member
I want to buy this XF-software now / as soon as possible.
I do not care whether you call it Alpha, Beta, Gamma or whatever.
I am also fine if there are still some bugs in there, which can and will be ironed out at a later release anyway.
I do not want anything for free and am fine to pay for it. There is no free lunch, not even on the internet......just give me the product.
I do not care whether you call it Alpha, Beta, Gamma or whatever.
I am also fine if there are still some bugs in there, which can and will be ironed out at a later release anyway.
I do not want anything for free and am fine to pay for it. There is no free lunch, not even on the internet......just give me the product.
Lycaon
Well-known member
I very much doubt you'll get a copy until Gold.
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