beta testing

[cameroth]

Just out of curiosity, how do companies pick people to test the beta versions of their softwaqre? For example, I head that microsoft is sending out a lot of office 2003 beta cd's to have people comment on. Is that an option when you register some software from that company, or can you sign up on their website? Thanks a lot.

[drew.]

I beta tested BF1942. I signed up at some website to beta test, and whenever a company asks that site to help with the testing they email all the peeps that signed up. But the only one that they have done so far is BF1942.

[cameroth]

what kind of stuff do you do as a beta tester? Does the company send you the software, and a lot of instructions, or is it mainly voluntary? just wondering.

[sdkfz]

If you go to the microsoft site and click on the office link the offer to get the beta is very prominantly displayed,

http://www.microsoft.com/office/

you just need to pay the 20 in shipping/handling

I have this, you get a complete office, win xp, server 2003. There are some 15 cd's

[drew.]

When i beta tested, they sent me a demo of the game(to large for my blazing 56k ) And they had forums where you could tell them glitches, bugs etc. and you could tell them some suggestions.

I like beta testing because it feels good to me knowing that I got to test a game that has had such a big hit.

[sdkfz]

Speaking of beta testing, I just replaced some hardware I beta tested, Iomega zip650. At the time 4x4x12 was great, my new liteon 52x is greater though.

My only disappointment was that my media needs replacing to take advantage of the faster burn speeds.

I believe that I was chosen from a registered users list for the 250 zip I had purchased

[cameroth]

thanks for all the help and information.