1. Mostly working, but still under test; usu. used with `in': `in beta'. In the Real World, hardware or software systems often go through two stages of release testing: Alpha (in-house) and Beta (out-house?). Beta releases are generally made to a group of lucky (or unlucky) trusted customers. 2. Anything that is new and experimental. "His girlfriend is in beta" means that he is still testing for compatibility and reserving judgment. 3. Flaky; dubious; suspect (since beta software is notoriously buggy).
Historical note: More formally, to beta-test is to test a pre-release (potentially unreliable) version of a piece of software by making it available to selected (or self-selected) customers and users. This term derives from early 1960s terminology for product cycle checkpoints, first used at IBM but later standard throughout the industry. `Alpha Test' was the unit, module, or component test phase; `Beta Test' was initial system test. These themselves came from earlier A- and B-tests for hardware. The A-test was a feasibility and manufacturability evaluation done before any commitment to design and development. The B-test was a demonstration that the engineering model functioned as specified. The C-test (corresponding to today's beta) was the B-test performed on early samples of the production design, and the D test was the C test repeated after the model had been in production a while.
--The Jargon File version 4.3.1, ed. ESR, autonoded by rescdsk.
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beta software
Beta versions of commercial software are work-in-progress test copies released prior to the full version. They're used to put the product through real-world tests and to ferret out bugs before the finished software hits the shelves. Betas often expire after a period of time, usually when the full version or the next beta is released.
Originally, beta software was released only to developers, but increasingly betas are offered to the general public, usually through the manufacturer's Web site. Testing beta software can be a great way to try out a new product that you're not sure you want to buy. But be warned: if you decide to experiment with betas (interkan.net)
Software that is released by the manufacturer before the full and complete version is made available. It is used for testing purposes and to get feedback from the users on functionality. It can consist of many bugs and usually expires after a period of time. (lizard solutions)
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Beta software is a nice way of saying, "It's not done yet." This software is mostly functional, but still has some significant bugs. One of the best ways, and sometimes the only way, to test software is to get it into real applications, used by real people. By using this BETA software, you are helping us to provide you with better software.
Much effort is made to ensure that this software is not harmful to your system (we use it on our own computers, too!), but please expect that some functions may not work, and some bugs may even cause your computer to crash. Because of this, please make sure that you save your work and backup your data often. (dycam.com)
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beta test
In software development, a beta test is the second phase of software testing in which a sampling of the intended audience tries the product out. (Beta is the second letter of the Greek alphabet.) Originally, the term alpha test meant the first phase of testing in a software development process. The first phase includes unit testing, component testing, and system testing. Beta testing can be considered "pre-release testing." Beta test versions of software are now distributed to a wide audience on the Web partly to give the program a "real-world" test and partly to provide a preview of the next release. (whatis.com)
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shut it
A polite request that the listener continue to listen and cease and desist from talking immediately.
(everything2.com)
