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Published On: Jul 23, 2004 09:21 PM
Total entries in this category:
Published On: Jul 23, 2004 09:21 PM
Once a beta tester, always a beta tester - Office 2004
Beta testers are often
treated to complimentary final code once software is published. Yesterday the
Office 2004 testers received a welcome surprise.
RTM is a common abbreviation in the development
community that stands for "release to manufacturing". When a beta has gone RTM
then it has effectively become the final
product.
Although not guaranteed, beta testers often get the final "bits" as a thank you from the software developer for testing the software and reporting bugs. Yesterday, I received an email from MacBU buddy Andy Ruff explaining that not only would we receive a final packaged version of the software in about a month but also an overnight mail package with the RTM. I would have gladly waited the full month for the packaged version but the early release to the beta testers is first class treatment. Thank you, MacBU!
This evening the RTM release was here and I'm about to install my copy of Office 2004 and enjoy. But I realized something. Once a beta tester always a beta tester. Software will never be perfect and although the beta testers have received the final build they will still continue to test and report problems. It's an endless process and frankly it will be difficult to think of Office 2004 development as "over". I'm sure the MacBU will keep the mailing lists open for quite a while — maybe through SR1.
"Office 2006" will be the next major feature release and we've all begun putting in our feature wishes and demands based on personal experience and feedback from the newsgroups. I'm anxious to go through a full product cycle and see what comes out in a couple of years.
Although not guaranteed, beta testers often get the final "bits" as a thank you from the software developer for testing the software and reporting bugs. Yesterday, I received an email from MacBU buddy Andy Ruff explaining that not only would we receive a final packaged version of the software in about a month but also an overnight mail package with the RTM. I would have gladly waited the full month for the packaged version but the early release to the beta testers is first class treatment. Thank you, MacBU!
This evening the RTM release was here and I'm about to install my copy of Office 2004 and enjoy. But I realized something. Once a beta tester always a beta tester. Software will never be perfect and although the beta testers have received the final build they will still continue to test and report problems. It's an endless process and frankly it will be difficult to think of Office 2004 development as "over". I'm sure the MacBU will keep the mailing lists open for quite a while — maybe through SR1.
"Office 2006" will be the next major feature release and we've all begun putting in our feature wishes and demands based on personal experience and feedback from the newsgroups. I'm anxious to go through a full product cycle and see what comes out in a couple of years.
Posted: Tue - April 27, 2004 at 09:09 PM