Glossary Entry: Beta
Definition
As software is developed, it goes through several different stages before it's released as a finished product. The Beta stage refers to software that isn't quite ready for release just yet, but it's reasonably stable and can be used by people outside of the development team (see beta testing).
Using this term to describe software that's been given a full release is an insult - it implies that the developers were either too lazy or too incompetent to make something that works.
Using this term to describe software that's been given a full release is an insult - it implies that the developers were either too lazy or too incompetent to make something that works.
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