xPad Beta Testers Needed
posted on january 9, 2004, tag: xpad
Update: I am no longer accepting applications. Thanks!
Want to help test future xPad versions? Here's how you can apply to be part of the beta testing team:
- If you have not done so already, purchase an xPad license. Only registered users will be accepted as beta testers.
- Send an email to beta at getxpad dot com. Make the subject of your email "beta test" and include the following information in the body:
- Your first and last name.
- Processor, RAM, Video Card and resolution info, formatted something like this: Dual 2GHz G5 / 1.5GB RAM / Radeon 9600 Pro / 1680 x 1050. If you do not know which video card you have, that's fine—please still specify your resolution. Please also specify if you are using dual monitors with spanning.
- OS X version and build, like this: 10.3.2 build 7D24 (if you don't know which build you're using, you can find it by viewing the About This Mac panel and then clicking on the OS X version number).
- If you have an iPod, please specify which generation it is (1st, 2nd, 3rd or mini).
- If you have a Palm product, please specify which model you have (examples: Tungsten E, Zire, m505).
- If you have a .Mac subscription, please note it.
- If you have a viable server to which you can upload via FTP (or SFTP), please note it.
- If you have a network on which multiple macs running OS X 10.2 and higher reside (at least two), please note it.
Before submitting your application, please be aware that you must be able to devote at least 4 hours a week to beta testing xPad. Obviously, the more time the better. I'm not asking for you to spend all of your time on this, but I do need to be able to rely on feedback at every point of the beta process.
Your responsibilities as a beta tester will include bug reporting, feature and interface testing, bug hunting (trying to break the application and/or find problems), regular use of beta builds so as to test them in a normal working environment, and, of course, commenting on the application and suggesting new features, tweaks, etcetera.
Please note that not all applicants will be selected. This is more or less first-come, first-serve, but also relies a bit on your setup as well (I need to get a group with many different environments so as to best test the application evenly). I will be accepting applications for the next 10 days.
Comments
There are 15 comments, comments are closed
Garrett on 01/10/2004:
Beta testers will get to see new features first, get to have a direct impact on how the product matures, and help to make it better.
I agree—beta testing is not for everyone. It sounds as though you would not be interested. That's fine. There are plenty of people who are, however.
Timen on 01/10/2004:
Now tell me, what's in it for the testers? That's a lot to ask of somebody for nothing in return.
First they have to BUY xPad. Then they have to send a long and detailed report about their system. Then they have to spend 4 good hours of their week on testing, each week in which they are required to send more detailed reports.
It sounds like a paid job to me.
Sean on 01/11/2004:
I'm just curious to see how things are going with xPad. How many licenses have you given out?
Anon on 01/13/2004:
I agree with Timen. I sounds as though you have people banging on your door begging to beta-test.
Garrett on 01/13/2004:
While I understand some people aren't interested, I don't understand why you posted that comment. If you don't want to be a beta tester, that's fine (obviously). Why complain as well?
Courtney Tompos on 01/13/2004:
Methinks they're upset that they have to pony up ten bucks. So they figure they might as well try to upset you too. Wah, wah.. Surely the lack of overwhelming applications and praise here equates to a dirth of beta-testers, right? Hah.
Sam on 01/13/2004:
Oh no, ten bucks?! I wouldn't pay more than $9.97 (Wal-Mart psychological pricing) for that application, no matter how great it is!
Seriously though, if you don't want to beta test, uh, don't apply. It's not like Garrett said that you HAVE to or anything. Just pretend that he wasn't asking "YOU".
Timen on 01/21/2004:
I don't think some of you guys understand the method to my madness. You seem to deal with it using sarcasm which, in my opinion, only shows ignorance and lack of understanding.
My post was trying to say exactly what Anon wrote, but in a very indirect way. To avoid confusion, I'll be a little more blunt this time around. xPad is a new product. It is a bit pompous of Garet to even propose this plan publicly like this, because it makes it seem you feel your product is worth more than it has proven to be. In other words, it's bad PR to sound like this.
Garrett on 01/21/2004:
Timen—I still don't understand the point of you arguing about this.
If you don't want to beta test, that's fine. Some people do. I am requiring the stuff listed above because that's what I feel is needed for testing.
Asking that someone register xPad first is not crazy. Asking that someone be able to spend time actually testing it isn't crazy either.
xPad being new has nothing to do with anything, and I'm not sure I see where I am claiming my product is worth more than it has "proven to be." I don't know what that is in reference to.
Again, let me make it clear: If you do not agree with the requirements mentioned in this entry, I understand—you won't be beta testing. There is no need to argue or complain.
Timen on 01/21/2004:
I understand why you think it odd that "I argue or complain." It's not because I want to disagree. It is merely because I find this sort of stuff interesting.
It's somewhat like a reviewer reviewing an newly released application and not liking it, but in this case it's a beta review program. It's not whining or complaining, its an opinion. See it as reader feedback.
And to clarify the "pompous" part: I was referring to the high requirements for your beta test program, considering the user base of xPad is probably fairly small at present. It makes one wonder how successful you expect the program to be (program = beta testing, not the app itself).
Thanks for your honest and serious answer.
Garrett on 01/26/2004:
The real reason for these requirements is due to what happened during beta testing for the first version of xPad.
Several beta testers never gave feedback, but yet at the end of the program received a free license.
It's not that I want to make anyone work for free, it's that I need help beta testing and I need the people who are doing it to actually be interested in actually doing it. That's the reason for asking people to register—it's not me being stingy, it's me making sure people who are applying aren't just applying to get a free license.
I just want the next version of xPad to be fantastic, and for that I need beta testers who are really willing to help me get it there.
snowman on 01/26/2004:
I have to say, I was interested in becoming a beta tester because this product looks very interesting, however the dedicating of four hours a week, and the requirement of having to register the product put me off.
I'm glad you've found people who are interested in testing your product for you under those conditions.
However, in my experience as a beta tester, beta programs are usually setup with either something in it for the user at the end (a free registered version of the software, or free upgrades for the life of the product, or something similar).
I love your site, and i like this program, but it does seem a bit much to ask people not only to pay, but also to dedicate so much time to helping you iron bugs out of your program.
Anyway, please don't let these comments detract from your work on this program, I like it and am considering listing it on usefulmac.com (currently down while the domain transfers over to my new host).
snowman on 01/27/2004:
Fair enough :)
Mazzie Stevensen "Registered User" on 05/11/2004:
I myself am a registered paid user of xPad.
I applied for the beta test, and never got any response. ( yes or no )..
This is not the first time that I have had this happen. It seems a lot of us girls are looked over buy the developers.
I also sent " Garrett " an email asking if he had thought about adding a " Wrap to page " and Folder creation with-in the categories option, and I never got any response yet again.. (:-<)
The application is good, as I use it everyday here, but the developer might need a little more work than his application does.
Mazzie Stevensen "Registered User" on 05/11/2004:
The application is good, as I use it everyday here, but the developer might need a little more work than his application does.