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Why Does Beta Last So Long?

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the marketing-devices-and-other-evils dept.

Carl Bialik writes "Noting that Google News has been labeled 'beta' for nearly three years, and Microsoft's antispyware program for nearly a year, the Wall Street Journal looks at why 'beta' lasts so long these days. The article mentions the usefulness of getting the masses to test the product, but also notices another possible reason: 'Betas also have become a marketing device in a fiercely competitive industry, allowing software and Internet firms to release new products or services sooner and cultivate early buzz. Betas, which once had been quietly distributed, are trumpeted in press releases and at news conferences. "I deplore it as a consumer; I admire it as a marketing professional," said Peter Sealey, a marketing professor at the University of California at Berkeley and former chief marketing officer at Coca-Cola Co. "I can't come up with anything else in the entire marketing world where marketers knowingly introduce a flawed or inadequate product [and] it helps grow your user base." '"

9 of 258 comments (clear)

  1. Nothing Deplorable about Betas by Knight+Thrasher · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The reason people like products released as Betas, is because it's the most honest software companies ever get about their products. It's pretty much as simple as that; Beta implies under-constant-improvement, and even I as a consumer don't mind imperfect software, as long as the company will at least advise me it's been released in Beta - under construction.

    1. Re:Nothing Deplorable about Betas by mmkkbb · · Score: 5, Insightful

      The acceptance of 'beta' as 'final' by many consumers is a programmer's dream. The need for a product is diminished, as consumers will forgive anything from lack of polish to lack of functionality and lack of coherence. All those things you're too lazy to fix can be swept away since it's still in beta!

      --
      -mkb
    2. Re:Nothing Deplorable about Betas by Threni · · Score: 5, Insightful

      > I hate having six different entries in "Add/Remove Programs" for a single
      > program.

      I had that with Firefox. I deleted the oldest version and it deleted all of them. Uh...thanks.

      Also, I had 2 dummy labels in Gmail which I can't delete - it just ignores me, as does Google support.

      Frankly, standards are so low these days (software and hardware) that it's hardly necessary to stick a beta warning - I don't expect stuff to work, and I expect to have to explain what's wrong to clueless idiots in shops when I take the stuff back. Fortunately, they're so used to it too that it's rarely hard to get your money back - they know you're going to have to just take your chances with another one anyway, so why worry about it?

  2. maybe... by JavaLord · · Score: 5, Insightful

    why 'beta' lasts so long these days

    Because companies are being more realistic with project life cycles?

  3. Betas are the best! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Alphas have to work too hard, plus they have to think too hard all the time. They don't get to laugh and play. And Gammas and Deltas wear those ugly jumpsuits. I'm so glad I'm a Beta! Aren't you glad you're a Beta, too?

  4. Re:Nothing Deplorable about Betas ... except by jabelar · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Well, there is nothing wrong with Betas, except if their is no real intention of a production/stable release in a reasonable timeframe. Something in Beta for three years should raise questions. The implication is tha by tagging something as Beta, software/service suppliers can absolve themselves of responsibility for defects. This is sort of like an even further erosion of the standard EULA weaknesses regarding bugs and defects. Software that is in Beta indefinitely should be called "abandoned".

  5. The software... by wpiman · · Score: 5, Insightful
    mentioned in the article is free- both MS anti-spyware and Google News. I think this is a little bit different if it is a product you pay for. Many people had problems recently with Civilization IV and the XBOX 360. Being paying customers- these people have been heard screaming in various message boards.

    Drug companies do beta test their drugs. Usually- they pay the recipient to take them.

    The point is- you get what you pay for.

  6. Why does Beta last? by 1zenerdiode · · Score: 5, Funny

    - Superior picture quality and signal-to-noise vs. VHS
    - Widespread adoption by studios and professionals (Beta SP)
    - Convenient smaller-sized cassette
    - Mfr'd and licensed by Sony, a company known for their progressive stance regarding consumer rights.

  7. OSS essentially beta - not a troll by ServerIrv · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The premise behind a beta is to get the product into the customer's hands to increase the number of testers to improve the product. The OSS model of development uses this as a framework. Although versions are released as "final", it is understood that it can and will be changed quickly if any problems arise. I personally have gotten into several OSS while they where beta and still use them now.

    I do find it frustrating when paid-for services are in perpetual beta. If a OSS is broke, I haven't paid anyone any money, and I "could" fix it myself if I wanted.