Beta testing scam

In olden times beta testing was painful, boring and you needed to press gang users into taking part. It was a well defined and mandatory stage of software development. Nowadays we let the toddlers run the kindergarten and their clunky attempts at software are released too soon.  It's a good job domestic computer users don't do anything important with their software.

Beta testing is now a marketing ploy. It has that exclusive VIP tag where the select few get to go back stage. Lawyers love it  because there is no expectation that the thing was going to work anyway. Developers love it because they can fiddle with features for years.

Things used to be  simple - have nothing to do with beta testing, only use version 1.0 if you really have to, wait for version 2.0 and let other people take the expense and pain of finding bugs.

What is my advice now that software is free and downloaded rather than overpriced and restrictive?

• Embrace the uncertainty! choose an application on the basis of having a name that you like. (saves a lot of time looking at comparative tables of features)

• Download it and apply the 10 minute rule . If it doesn't work throw it away

• Stick with one application through thick and thin. Resist the temptation to have more than one social bookmarking application or instant messenger. I am completely hypocritical about this which is why I have to practice GTO "Getting to One"  on a regular basis

• Make sure you can get your data out. The kindergarten may close, developers may produce a new version which is  incompatible with the existing one (as if that would happen in a real software company)

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