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Jul 15, 2004, 1:07am

That might be a solution in an honest world.

The problem is not unhappiness, but security and stability. Often
alpha/beta versions contain code which can compromise security
settings for all of us. Even if security is far from perfect in user
versions, in apha/beta versions the problem can be much more serious,
simply because code is being tested. Such a tester is held by an
explicit or implicit non disclosure agreement. Until the product is
found fit for a larger audience, I don't think that any sane
enterprise would release it just like that (even AWI, in all their
madness :)

In the case in question, I think that the issue was much more focused
on the need to find a viable way to integrate media streaming code
into the AW browser. This was a very technical question, as it had
never been attempted and was unexplored terrain. Moreover, the
browser code is made up in layers, by different programmers. Some
layers are old, dating from the begin times. It is very difficult to
integrate modern methods in old fossils. Slowly, these old layers are
being peeled off, as it were, and converted to code that can be used
for more up to date functionalities. Sound and visuals existed for a
long time in AW, but conflicting methods were used, each responding to
a specific need. For the introduction of streaming media, a lot had
to be re-written and unified... and the task is not finished yet. I
think Chrispeg made the right decision in limiting participation to
this project. Now its up to the users to carry on testing, give ideas
and bug reports. The closed beta testing period was very short,
compared to previous ones, and meant to make this functionality
viable, so I think no one can complain seriously that they are
excluded: it has been made available to all to test in a record time.

Alex


[View Quote] >I think anyone should be allowed to download a beta version (no closed
>beta) but only a select few be admitted to the beta NG ..the rest could
>submit bugs via e-mail..and AWI could relieve themselves of having to
>give support/help for the beta version...
>
>That way nobody is unhappy that they didn't get to use the beta version
>and the sanity of the beta NGs is preserved...
>
>Ryan

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