News
Comments
Print
Email
Google Comments on Why Everything is Always in Beta
Posted 10/05/08 at 10:32:32 PM | by Justin Kerr
PC World’s Paul McNamara contacted Google last week to see if the cloud computing titan would clarify its use of the word “beta”. Sadly from those who read the response, they clearly intend to continue bending the term to their own use. This on the other hand leads to a great community conversation starter. Currently 22 out of 49 non Google Labs services carry the beta tag, including popular and widely used services such as Gmail and Google Docs. Google’s official response to the question is as follows: "We believe beta has a different meaning when applied to applications on the Web, where people expect continual improvements in a product. On the Web, you don't have to wait for the next version to be on the shelf or an update to become available. Improvements are rolled out as they're developed." If I’m interpreting my corporate double speak correctly, it seems clear that Google intends to continue using the beta tag to represent constantly evolving products. This makes me wonder, is it fair to use such a widely understood version label and turn it into a marketing term? Now it’s your turn to chime in. Do you like Google’s new definition of the beta tag? Or would you prefer they get off the fence and better distinguish new products from the old.
Comments Print Email The word "Beta"...
Submitted by winmaster on Mon, 2008-10-06 17:49
The word "Beta" scares me. To me, it means "Don't install me on your main computer, because I could summon the Ghost of Windows Crashed." Sorry Google, but as long as Chrome says beta, you won't find it on my machine.
Submitted by N25PHILLY on Mon, 2008-10-06 15:43
...bitching about how much they suck
Not that bad of a reason
Submitted by maniacm0nk3y on Mon, 2008-10-06 08:40
It does make sense, but they are taking it one step over. If they've been out for a year or two in beta, it really doesn't make that much sense.
Submitted by hogkill on Mon, 2008-10-06 07:18
beta is killing the environment. google, i implore you stop using beta's now!
Submitted by texmex69 on Mon, 2008-10-06 03:02
Beta is beta we all know what it means and that it is used for alot of software/games google just decided to make their own definition for it. Thats kinda neat if you ask me. It definitly isn't anything to complain about because its just a word.
Submitted by brokenmoth08 on Sun, 2008-10-05 23:11
Google needs to stop the Beta abuse!
Beta vs. Version
Submitted by Redeye on Sun, 2008-10-05 21:24
Personally I'd much rather see Google roll out with versions to their web apps. It is much easier to tell the different between a few tweaks here and there to a massive update roll out when version numbers change. Beta in the sense they are using it is ambiguous and not very specific. If you are going to butcher terms, at least make something up. Anyone seeing Gmail go into a Gamma phase?
Submitted by KHRex on Mon, 2008-10-06 01:35
I agree that this is a confusing twist on the "Beta" concept. Google and other companies should use "Epsilon" which would be used for "evolving" software.
Beta = test/pre-release software
Epsilon = evolving software (no versions)
Submitted by CTskifreak on Sun, 2008-10-05 21:14
...but not somehting like GMail, where so many people use it. I don't care if there are updates, but I think it's final
Submitted by bcweir on Sun, 2008-10-05 21:20
Microsoft was abusing the term "beta" (even applying them to released products) long before Google even existed.
Submitted by alsheng on Sun, 2008-10-05 20:53
What's with businesses nowadays that just wish to confuse its users?
Isn't is pointless to comment on this matter at all? There are millions of users that understand BETA as being pre-ready release. Why would GOOGLE want to make its users feel condesecended?
In my experience the term
Submitted by jwalch.hawk on Sun, 2008-10-05 20:53
In my experience the term "beta" normally implies relative instability as compared to a non-beta product. I have often seen the term used in a derogatory manner as a reference to a game or application that was released with too many bugs (something like "Wow, I'm glad they have us pay to use their beta software."). So it seems to me that the only thing Google's doing is hurting themselves... And that's their own damn problem.
Submitted by FFWeberIII on Mon, 2008-10-06 07:29
I think the best ourse of action is that offered by the poster above: Use Epsilon (or even Delta, to signify "change") as the designation for evolving web apps.
Not only does this provide a somewhat unique marketing tag to their software, but it removes the shroud of confusion and abuse of the term "beta". Whether you're an avid gamer or multimedia user, the term "beta" is often associated with only partial functionality.
I love the fact that Google wants to portray their products as constantly evolving (usually for the better!), but the reinvention of an industry-wide term is a bit of a marketing stretch... Even for the behemoth that Google has become.
However, keep in mind that iterated versions, lettered or numbered, with detailed changelog, takes extra time to upkeep and produce. It also contributes to convolution by the time you've detailed version 9.74, etc...
I think it's beneficial to both company and trusting customers to have an understanding that a product (app) will continually evolve/improve, without the demand for quantfiable proof every time said product changes. Perhaps a rolling, datestamped changelog and the "Epsilon/Delta" tag would best please the masses?
RESOURCE CENTER
MOST COMMENTED ARTICLES
MOST RECENT COMMENTS
NewsNew Forceware 180.48 Drivers Released, Claims up to 80% Improvement, Enables SLI Multi-Monitor Support
15 NEW COMMENT(S) | 15 TOTAL COMMENTS
NewsMicrosoft Takes Aim at Apple with Zune Price Cuts, Software Push
5 NEW COMMENT(S) | 5 TOTAL COMMENTS
THIS MONTH's ISSUE 
FEATURE Windows Tips: Find out what works and what doesn't as we test the most commonly prescribed Windows tipsHOW TO Customize and streamline your Windows desktop Core i7 Check out Intel's next-gen chip, up close and personal The Reactor We preview the first production-ready oil-immersed PC
Technology News
Computer Cooling Fans
Computer Cases
PC Game Controllers
PC Games
Computer Hardware
Headphones
MP3 Players
Stream Video
Computer Mouse
Monitors
Motherboards
NAS Storage
Networking
Laptop Computers
DVD Burner
Digital Cameras
Portable Storage
Computer Accessories
Smartphone
Antivirus Software
Sound Cards
Speakers
Computer Systems
Thumb Drives
Video Cameras
Video Card Reviews
Water Cooling
Gadgets
- Keyboards
© 2008 Future US, Inc. All Rights Reserved.