Article View: comp.sys.mac
Article #17183Re: How to run a Beta Test
From: Bill Coffin
Date: Fri, 10 Jul 1987 17:55
Date: Fri, 10 Jul 1987 17:55
17 lines
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1493 bytes
We had a problem with Beta software proliferating uncontrollably.
Here's something that helped a lot: Set up all pre-release
software to print a banner on startup. The banner should say
a lot of intimidating things like "Beta Pre-release" and/or
"for TEST only". Remove the banner (or make it prettier) when
doing the final release.
A lot of people that just want the software are not willing
to have the end users see messages like these, and will wait
for the real product. (Dedicated pirates can always find and
remove the banner (unless you go to absurd lengths) but 99% of
the bozos will ease off.) I recommend this technique very highly.
--
W.H.Coffin. billc@blia.BLI.COM (ucbvax!{mtxinu|ucsfcgl}!blia!billc)
>> the usual disclaimer about my employer and my wretched opinions. <<
>> the usual witticisms that swell netnews to ridiculous proportions. <<
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Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: arc1-ca.pugleaf.net!utzoo!mnetor!uunet!seismo!gatech!bloom-beacon!husc6!mit-eddie!ll-xn!cit-vax!ucla-cs!zen!ucbvax!hplabs!pyramid!voder!blia!billc From: billc@blia.BLI.COM (Bill Coffin) Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac,comp.misc,news.misc Subject: Re: How to run a Beta Test Message-ID: <2937@blia.BLI.COM> Date: Fri, 10-Jul-87 13:55:46 EDT Article-I.D.: blia.2937 Posted: Fri Jul 10 13:55:46 1987 Date-Received: Sun, 12-Jul-87 12:24:25 EDT References: <23057@sun.uucp> Organization: Britton Lee, Inc. @ Berkeley, CA Lines: 17 Summary: and print a banner.