What is a Beta verison?
486029
It is an application or website being tested under real environment to ensure its feasiblity, whether it will be needing a fix or not. It may have different levels of beta. If  \nthe first beta found many bugs then it will be fixed and another beta will be released until it has reached its stability level.\n   For instance, the new Internet Explorer 7 is already in Beta 2. The new Yahoo homepage is launched after a series of beta.
192437
Depends. Beta testing what?
433728
Windows Defender (Beta 2) is a free program that helps protect your computer against pop-ups, slow performance, and security threats caused by spyware and other unwanted software. It features Real-Time Protection, a monitoring system that recommends actions against spyware when it's detected, and a new streamlined interface that minimizes interruptions and helps you stay productive.
417949
Try standardandpoors.com and also you can get it on Yahoo and also run a stock screener to get a list of lets say companies with highest beta. Please remember that beta by itself is not a sufficient enough measure of correlation since the r^2 could be very low meaning that the beta is irrelevant
435500
Beta is a name used by software developers that want to test their programs out first- to see if there any bugs present in the programs that can be fixed. One can assume that they use the term "beta" because it's second-rate (or not quite the perfection they seek that is called "alpha").
254392
I hope it will be around for a while, because I really like it and enjoy answering people's questions!  What is Beta anyway?!?!
129421
The alpha and the beta are used to measure the risk of a stock (they are more commony used with mutual funds and money managers).  The beta of a stock measures the volatility of the stock compared to the overall market, sector, or other index.  The beta for the market (S&P 500) = 1.00.  If a stock has a beta of .85, it means that the stock is 15% less volatile than the market.  If the stock has a beta of 1.5, it means that the stock is 50% more volatile than the market.\n\nThe Alpha is used to measure the risk adjusted return of a stock.  In other words, if a stock has a beta of 1.5, it should give you 1 1/2 times the return of the underlying index.  If it doesn't, then why take the extra risk if it is not going to provide you with the same amount of extra return.  Obviously you want to find investments with the most amount of return with the least amount of risk.\n\nFor a more technical explanation, click on this link and then scroll down to Alpha.\n\nhttp://biz.yahoo.com/f/g/g.html
698050
Beta\n\nBeta radiation
147421
You can download a beta preview here.
515606
The Beta version is being tested (it's called Beta testing, for obvious reasons). There are many different kinds of tests you can and should run during development, but before you can issue your final release, you need to submit your application to a group of people (Beta testers) who will be doing the same kinds of things with your program as the end users. In most cases, beta testers are actual end users who want to get a preview of the application (Beta releases are almost always free). The idea is that these users will report any bugs that they encounter, giving the developers a chance to fix them before releasing the final "stable" version.
567060
beta means son...so when u see Yahoo Mail Beta...that means its the son of Yahoo Mail...which is supposed to be better...but still young...understood?
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.
1036531
NO,personally beta programs to me mean (bugs) issues,flaws,glitches etc..wait until its released for commercial use
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.
12556
Yahoo Mail beta is a newer version of Yahoo's web-based email system that makes it more similar to MS Outlook.  It's key features are:\n- Emails arrive automatically (auto-refresh);\n- Browse email contents (preview pane);\n- Drag and drog email to folders;\n- Open multiple emails; and\n- Use keyboard shortcuts.\n\nIf you are a Yahoo Mail Plus subscriber (paid email) you can activate it by click on the "Try it now" underneath your mail capacity bar.  Otherwise, you'll need to sign up on the wait list by going to this link:\nhttp://whatsnew.mail.yahoo.com/\n\nKeep in mind that it is still a beta version which means it’s still in development and being actively debugged.\n\nGood luck and have a nice day!
253401
Beta is the second letter in the Greek alphabet (after Alpha and before Gamma).\n\nSoftware companies use the term "Alpha" to indicate the first series of tests done on their software.  In almost all cases, Alpha tests are done by employees that work for the software company.\n\n"Beta" is the term used to indicate the second test period for software.  These tests are usually performed by people that don't work for the software company.  The software company might give or sell Beta versions of their software to a small, selected group of outsiders or to almost anyone that wants to participate.  Yahoo! Answers is an example of a Beta test that's open to almost anyone that wants to participate (full participation in the test requires you to register as a Yahoo! user).\n\nAfter Beta testing, the software company might release the software to the public or, as in Microsoft's case, go through a series of release candidates (more tests) before releasing the software.
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.