Author: Adrien Regimbald
Date: 22:03:29 09/05/00
Hello, I saw the huge thread on beta-testing, and while I didn't read the whole thing (it quickly turned into petty insult matches), I feel I should point out some misconceptions. 1. A beta tester is not a "real tester". A beta tester simply tries the major features of the program and suggests improvements, reports bugs, etc. A "real tester" is actually part of the development team, and in fact, sometimes this phase of devlopment in a serious software project can occupy more time than actually coding the whole thing. These testers systematically try to break the program - doing things that no-one would normally do, verifying outputs for test inputs using various techniques - black/white box testing, morph testing, recursion testing, etc, etc. These testers are advanced coders themselves, and are highly paid for their work. 2. Beta testers usually do not contribute significantly to the program - they point out small bugs, make suggestions, etc - mostly cosmetic issues and smoothing out unexpected problems with the GUI or perhaps a major functionality. Suggesting that a beta tester be paid anything for the 20 or 30 hours they spend "tinkering" (read - playing) with a program when perhaps a whole team of highly trained professionals for most likely a period of years over long and grueling hours is absurd in the extreme. 3. Beta testers are typically individuals who are eager to see a new release of their favourite program, or perhaps who don't wish to spend large sums of money on buying the program, but wouldn't mind trying it out. Usually there are many more applicants to be beta testers than are actually needed. To those who think they should be paid for beta testing - you really should feel priveledged to do it - there are likely many people waiting in line behind you who would be glad for the opportunity to see the latest and greatest versions of their favourite program, or who have a genuine interesting in advancing their area of interest. Being offered payment for beta testing is a big bonus - sure, don't turn down a kind gesture like this - but to demand payment as if you are a major part of the development process is an insult to the real developers involved. I really don't understand why people want to be paid money for beta testing computer chess products when they are presumably computer chess enthusiasts - it goes against all of my sensibilities to demand payment for something you'd want to do yourself, unless it literally becomes a full time job. Regards, Adrien.
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