siliconman01
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Trojans! Chew 'em Up, Spit 'em Out...
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A Beta version is available. Should I install it ?
« on: Mar 16th, 2006, 5:19am » |
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By standard definition in the software world, a software BETA release is a test version that is released by a software vendor for the purpose of obtaining multi-user feedback concerning encountered problems and conflicts.
Vendors/developers use public beta testing because of the thousands of hardware and software combinations that exist in the today's world. No vendor can possibly pre-test all of the various combinations within its own development laboratories.
Vendor/developers normally release beta versions only after they have extensively tested the software on in-house computers and within a select group of users (alpha testers). This is done prior to issuing a beta version as an effort to reduce/eliminate as many problems and conflicts as practical within the testing capabilities of the internal lab and within the capabilities of the alpha testers.
However, there is always an "implied" degree of risk to the user who elects to install and use a beta version of any program- irrespective of the vendor. This degree of risk can/may be small or it can/may be catastrophic on any user's system. Interaction conflict with other programs may occur; adverse events with specific hardware drivers may surface; and even failure to be able to reboot a user's computer may result.
Remember, the whole purpose of beta testing is to reveal and isolate/fix problems prior to releasing the software to the general public.
Question: Should I install a TrojanHunter beta version?
Answer: Only if you are a relatively experienced computer user who is willing to provide productive feedback concerning problems with the beta version being tested. And only if you have full capability to recover your system should a catastropic failure occur during the testing. It is desireable that beta testing be performed on non-critical computer systems which are not expected to operate "flawlessly" 100% of the time.
Software vendors such as Mischel Internet Security need and encourage public beta testing. The more beta testers who participate, the higher the probability that few or no problems will be encountered during the rollout to the general public. All users benefit from highly effective and extensive beta testing.
Do not jump into beta testing just for the purpose of obtaining all the latest goodies and options that are being made available- unless there is full acceptance of the risk involved.
Be sure to read and understand any legal disclaimers that vendors/developers normally issue concerning beta testing.
Applies to all versions of TrojanHunter.
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