What in the world is Beta anyway?
99157
If you mean the word "beta" after Yahoo! Answers,\nthen Beta in computer coding typically refers to a test of software prior to its release.  'Alpha' code is usually considered a very rough cut of a program and is not usually distributed to end users.  'Beta' software, or in this case a beta site, is intended to test full functionality and work out any unseen bugs by allowing a group of people to put the software through its paces.  Once that is done, the final code is released.
9660
In a simple word yes. The have a new beta mail that is currently being trialed, but I don't know when this is going to be widely released, soon I hope as it looks pretty good from what I've seen of it.
590336
http://dhvrm.blogspot.com/2006/04/what-is-beta-testing.html
518181
beta refers to how close to complete a program is.  The cycle usually runs Alpha, Beta, and final release.  If it is a PC computer program, yes it will run on windows.  Beta programs have a certain degree of risk, because they are not finished and can cause problems on the system.  Beta versions of operating systems ie Vista can cause major problems.  The idea of a beta release is to evaluate how the program works with the PC.  The programers then evaluate all of the crashes and bugs and work to fix it to make it a better, user friendly, more effective, and safer final version
989620
basically beta is the phrase used by software designers for "work still in progress"versions of certain software\n        you may have seen all the hype about the "vista beta" which is the next microsoft operating system due out next year,well the beta is just like the final version in look,but only 85% of the code is used,so there will be bugs,and crashes\n          beta,s are the only way software companies like microsoft can get their customers(joe public)to test their software,you may of come accross the "error report"in windows xp were you are asked wether to send or dont send error report,well that is how we have a xp today nearlly bug free,we send the error reports,microsoft fix the errors,and send them out to us in the form of "updates"\n        so the next time you get a error report,you should really send it as the more info microsoft receive ,the more bugs can be fixed and life will be easier for the xp user\n       yahoo betas are usually used for about 6 months before a decision is made wether to use it or keep to the old version(the new homepage is rubbish)\n       you can download the "vista beta" from http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/preview.mspx ,bear in mind it will take 18 hours on a broadband connection so if you want it you may be better ordering a dvd version of it\n           good luck
26289
remember it is still in beta. so everything can happen during the beta.
547657
''beta'' means that it is still in the testing stages.  \n\nIt seems like Yahoo would love to hear about your prob, but I guess not.\n\nIf it was me, I'd just get rid of beta mail & use the old thing.
462003
Beta means that the program is not the final product, and has just been released for people, especially developers to try it out, so that they can identiy bugs in the code. So usually beta versions are not very stable, and contain quite a few bugs. After most of the bugs are sorted out, the final version is released.
23936
Beta is when they release programs to testers in order to help find and fix the bugs/problems they have. When the beta is finished (when they believe they have found and fixed all of the problems) then they will release the program to the general public.
234116
When creating software, there are usually two major phases before software is released.  The Alpha phase is right after all the features have been completed but the bugs haven't been worked out.  Alpha software is usually not released to the public.  This is when the major bugs are found and fixed.  \n\nBeta software is usually the first release the public sees, and it's meant for people who are willing to help test a new product and help report problems they see with it.  Beta software is usually fairly well tested but because it is so new, the makers of the software want to get some useful feedback from users before ending the Beta period.  After the Beta is the GA (general availability) release.  This is when the product is extremely well tested and has minimal if any bugs in it.
14770
Beta release was Dec 13, 2005 - \nper info on Yahoo Answers Team blog.
23464
I wish I could have the beta. wanna trade? \nseriously though,\ndownloads.com still has the old one listed
1141291
you should wait for the full release version of it to come in because betas are usually for computer professionals to test out and there could still be lots of bugs that haven't been sorted out yet so the best choice is to use the 7.5 for now and upgrade later. (betas could have bugs that havent been discovered and could mess up your computer and make you have to system restore)
314703
Beta version is the name given to pre release version of softwares\n\nwhich actually means it is just next to best release [alpha version]\n\nthe company also acknowledges that there might be some bugs and still testing/development is under way and most corporation invites experts to test beta versions and give feed back on them.\n\nso you try beta version on your own risk as you cant blame them if anything goes wrong..all this is mostly covered in the EULA
407487
Beta is the second stage of product testing. There are three stages: Alpha Testing, Beta Testing, and Public Release. During Alpha Testing, the product is designed and built. During Beta Testing, it is released to a select audience and glitches/problems are discovered and fixed. When all problems are fixed, it is moved to Public Release, so the general public has access to it.
505981
That's a very good question.\n\nThe alpha version of a software product is the very first version of the software that works at all.  It tends to be very buggy and is tested heavily, in-house, by the developers and the testing staff before any outsiders get to see it.  \n\nThe beta version has had the worst problems fixed, and is distributed to savvy users so they can play with the product and test it further.
479493
"beta" means it's a test version.