“Perpetual Beta is a term used to describe software or a system which remains at the beta development stage for an extended or even indefinite period of time. It is often used by developers in order to allow them to constantly release new features that might not be fully tested”
When devices and programs are connected to the internet they become ongoing services. This has a big impact on the software development cycle. When new features are ready to be released the developers can choose to release them as big releases or as incremental releases. This helps turn the users into real-time testers who can then help further shape the development of the product/program.
In the internet Era many people don’t think about the internet as a product, rather they think of it as a service. We expect these services to be there over time. We don’t expect to have to install new versions, or upgrade the service. The traditional software development cycle is changing. No longer are products just a one release thing. Software has become a service that is always improving and always changing. It has become Web Development 2.0.
For a service to be successful it has to release early and often. Many sites make updates daily and in some cases more then once a day. After some time these releases will decrease. Many websites are in the Beta stage for a long period of time or release many releases in a short period. Some internet programs currently in Beta are Safari 4 and Opera 10.52.
You can find some of the new features and tips on Safari at http://www.macosxtips.co.uk/index_files/12-tips-for-safari-4-beta.html. Below is a preview/review on Safari 4 and Opera 10.52.
The evolution of Facebook
The evolution of Facebook (2004-2009)
One site that has continued to evolve and change bases on it’s users feedback is Facebook. Facebook was founded in 2006 by Mark Zuckerberg and some of his college roommates. Facebook is currently the top social networking site and has even passed Google in visits in some continents. Facebook has undergone many changes in it’s interface design throughout the years. It has had at least 5 different interfaces in it’s 4 years of opening. Below is an image of profiles over the years showing the changes of the interfaces.
Facebook has undergone criticism over the years for it’s privacy and security. Many of these issues have been resolved and privacy setting have been one of the major changes of Facebook. Privacy on Facebook is very high. Almost every setting can be changed by the users including: photo albums, statuses, wall posts, friend requests, application settings and profile information.
Facebook is also more then just a web application, you can also use it mobile.Facebook Mobile has almost all the same features as the real Facebook. It has also undergone a few changes it its interface over the years, not quite as many as the real Facebook. Facebook Mobile is also different for Smart Phones then it is for normal ‘internet-ready’ phone on Nokias’ etc. The image below is Facebook Mobile on a Smart Phone. Facebook Mobile has less of the extra privacy features though.
Facebook Mobile Interface
The problem with Beta
The problem with using public beta testing for promotional and visibility purposes is the quality of the product is compromised. Many products labeled “beta” today are still in active, even furious development, with their programmers adding and removing features, changing the interface, and doing serious work to underlying, fundamental code. This means that there are often bugs and users cannot often by bothered using these programs/services if there are going to be many bugs involved. Some users do not want to be testers for programs, they want a fully functional, bug-free program. Many users also see Beta as a security risk, because it’s not a complete program it may be a threat to their computer.
References/Links
- Apple. (2010) Safari 4 Download. Retrieved April 20, 2010 from http://www.apple.com/safari/download/
- Duncan, G. (N.D). Waiting with Beta’d Breath. Retrieved April 20, 2010 from http://www.tidbits.com/tb-issues/TidBITS-328.html#lnk5
- Facebook. (2010). Facebook Home. Retrieved April 20, 2010 from http://www.facebook.com
- O’Reilly Media. (2005). What is Web 2.0?. Retrieved April 18, 2010 from http://oreilly.com/pub/a/web2/archive/what-is-web-20.html?page=1
- Cnet Download. (2010) Opera for Mac- Free Download. Retrieved April 20, 2010 from http://download.cnet.com/Opera/3000-2356_4-10921061.html?tag=mncol;txt
- Wikipedia. (2010). Facebook. Retrieved April 20, 2010 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facebook
- Wikipedia. (2009). Perpetual Beta. Retrieved April 20, 2010 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perpetual_beta
- Youtube. (2009). Safari Beta Review. Retrieved April 20, 2010 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzeLprsCB6w
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