Why beta test a program?

Question

Apart from the fact that you get to try out a new product before anyone else, are there any reasons to beta test a program? For example do you get to keep the program for free afterwards? Can it cause serious problems to your computer? Are the companies helpful in fixing any issues?

I am considering applying to test some microsoft programs...

Answer 1

The purpose of beta testing is to see how the program works and to see if it still have bugs. Beta testers then report bugs to the programmers to fix them. It depends on the company if they'll give you the program for free or will give you any compensation for testing it. The privilege to be one of the first to use it is good enough for some testers.  

Answer 2

Beta programs often expire prior to releasing the Final Product.    You will have no problems with Microsoft's programs.  

IE8 beta, Windows Se7en beta, etc. =]

Answer 3

you can try the program for free but it is manly used so the consumer can report back to the company on any changes they need to make, whether it be a bug report or reporting about some user unfriendly features that need to be changed. when you are using a beta program you are always taking risks, depending on the bug it could crash your computer or it will just cause the program itself to stop working.  

Answer 4

Doing beta testing lets you to notify the company what is wrong and give your opinion on how you think it can be improved. Knowing that your opinion counts to make the program a final product is a good feeling.

Answer 5

First of all I really doubt you are going to test games, it is most likely a scam and will make you sign up for a thing that sends you stupid betas as well as paying them money.  But you can get beta keys by applying for contests, buying games with them there, as well as just getting them out of luck.  But all in all the only reason to beta test is to just play the game and have fun and send feedback to the producers.  There are no harm they can do to your computer, the only thing that could happen is the beta becoming corrupt or the program becoming unplayable.  The point of a beta is to just get feedback of what they should change and what should stay.  If you would like to try a nice beta, i would try http://www.battlefield-heroes.com/  sign up and wait for a beta key give away.

Answer 6

Apart from the fact that you get to try out a new product before anyone else, are there any reasons to beta test a program?

- Yes, when you beta test a program, that means you want to contribute on the effectiveness of the software so that when it finally releases its stable version, users will not get any bugs. Remember, you might be one of the users of this software also.

When you download a beta software, you are optionally ask to submit any suggestion or error you encounter on using the software.

For example do you get to keep the program for free afterwards?

- Some of the programs are free, some are for sale. Beta testing a program does not guarantee that you can use it for free if it's for sale.

Can it cause serious problems to your computer?

- Depending on the software you test. Beta testing is at your own risk.

Are the companies helpful in fixing any issues?

- Yes of course, other than the help they get from beta testers, they have their own set of testers for their softwares, especially microsoft. The group of developers created the software are always looking for bugs on the beta softwares. So that, they can post a fix for it. That's the use of windows update, to download update that could fix bugs in a software.