Stuck in beta?
When you think about it, there are a lot of web services and software that just never gets out of “beta”. Even though they at times charge the same amount that was going to be charged when it’s released. It’s like everyone is scared of saying it’s a live 1st version. “What if it crashes or won’t work and we call it v.1?” Big deal.
It’s like if Volvo would start selling a new car, calling it V90 Beta. Then when the journalist asks them why they would say something like “Yeah, we’re not sure yet if the breaks are completely ok, but let’s see.”
I just think that either you release something and charge for it, or you stick with beta until you are comfortable with the service/software and then start charging. If you need money, then ask people to donate and give something back to them.
Tags: beta, donations, private beta, public beta, software, versions, web services
This entry was posted on Saturday, January 17th, 2009 at 11:18 am and is filed under The Web, business, software. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
January 19th, 2009 at 6:39 pm
Beta should have remained within organizations to deal with versions because I believe it goes way beyond works/doesn’t work once you launch something online.
A feature/app might be working well from a technical point of view but what if it’s not right from a consumer point of view? I don’t think you’d be out of beta in that case.
Unlike all other platforms, online apps can not only be changed and adapted but they SHOULD be changed and adapted. It’s a never ending beta. Feedback and comments nourish them so they can evolve to work well. Cut the “beta”, the process is on-going and never ending.
January 20th, 2009 at 11:45 pm
That comment was thoughtful. I agree totally. About the might not be right from a consumer perspective. Basically I just think you shouldn’t start selling anything until it is good enough.. What do you think?