Slashdot Mirror


Google Considers Taking Beta Tag Off Gmail

Barence writes "Google is considering removing the beta tag from Gmail — and other online services — a mere five years after it was first launched. Google has become somewhat synonymous with seemingly endless beta cycles. Many of the company's most famous services, including Gmail, Docs, and Calendar all still carry the beta tag. Google now admits the eternal beta cycles could be damaging consumer and business confidence in its online apps. 'It's a minor annoyance and something you'll see addressed in the not-too-distant future.'"

12 of 180 comments (clear)

  1. In the not too distant future by RemoWilliams84 · · Score: 5, Funny

    It's a minor annoyance and something you'll see addressed in the not-too-distant future.

    3000 A.D. Sha la la

    --
    "I don't have to think. I only have to do it. The results are always perfect, but that's old news." - Meat Puppets
    1. Re:In the not too distant future by LMacG · · Score: 5, Funny

      > 3000 A.D. Sha la la

      Errr, that would be "Next Sunday, AD", actually.

      --
      Slightly disreputable, albeit gregarious
  2. Google Beta by dspkable · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I believe more people probably know what Google means then they know what Beta means. Google has become the biggest of the BIG companies (without imploding or needing government bailout). 8 to 1 searchers use Google over Microsoft Search Engine, so what Google's 'beta' is, is really what the industry standard has become.

  3. Coming soon... by lewko · · Score: 5, Funny

    Gmail - Acceptance Testing.

    --
    Do you or your partner snore? - Visit www.snoring.com.au
  4. Put a Beta Tag on Slashdot by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Put a Beta Tag on Slashdot
    (in case you can't read the comment titles)

    Jesus. Why does Slashdot always look totally broken?

  5. Coming soon... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    GMail Release Candidate 1.

  6. Re:Google Beta by E+IS+mC(Square) · · Score: 5, Insightful

    But that's the irony! Some (not all) of Google's Beta products are miles better than other "production" products. Go figure.

  7. What GMail really needs... by castironpigeon · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...is one of those early 90s construction signs.

    --
    mmmm...forbidden donut
  8. Re:Tarnished reputation by Tei · · Score: 5, Insightful

    "How can Google be taken seriously in an enterprise environment if their most stable and successful offshoot project takes 5 years to come out of beta?"

    The Beta tag let Google make changes that judge will make the service much better. These changes withouth the Beta tag are mostly "disallowed". Removing the Beta tag is much like a pact "We will not make mayor changes to the service, that will break your work". In my book great changes to make a service better is a good thing, the level of breaks of Gmail is high, but I can live with it. I will feel sad that the tag will be removed, because will mean maybe much less errors (or maybe not), but It will sure mean less and less enhancements of the service. And I blame the people like YOU.

    --

    -Woof woof woof!

  9. Re:Whew! by Neoncow · · Score: 5, Funny

    No, it doesn't get any beta than this.

  10. Re:Hahaha by maxume · · Score: 5, Funny

    And then you remembered your password?

    --
    Nerd rage is the funniest rage.
  11. Re:Whew! by beerbear · · Score: 5, Funny

    What a bizarre thing to say about a web app.

    --
    Hold my beer and watch this!