BETA TESTING
What is a Beta Test?
As Missing Link develops new programs or enhancements to existing programs,
we release them to a select group of clients for additional testing. Generally, the
programs in question are unfinished, and may contain bugs, (and almost certainly will be
accompanied by little or no documentation). Beta testers agree to
try out the program, and return feedback to Missing Link so we can correct the bugs, and enhance the program.
Benefits
In exchange for providing feedback, you get to use the program in question in advance of the general
public. In addition, Missing Link will send you 1 copy of the final product free of charge, and maintain
you on our list of Beta candidates.
Who is Eligible?
In general, anyone with internet Web or ftp access is eligible to become a Beta test candidate.
You must be able to download the Beta from the internet. We do not send out Betas via mail, or upload
to online services, other than our ftp site.
We favor long-term users of our products, though this is not cast in concrete. Only people who have
received prior Betas and did not bother to provide feedback are specifically excluded,
(as well as competitors, for obvious reasons...)
In additiion, if the Beta relates to one of our BRIS related products,
you must be a current BRIS subscriber, and
must have used the prior version of our product. (Otherwise, the Beta will be useless to you.)
General Expectations of Beta Testers
Assuming you agree to become a Beta tester, here is what we would like
to see from you.
- You agree that the software is Beta, and that you use it for wagering
purposes at your own risk. (This applies to all software, but is
especially important in Beta versions.)
- You agree that you are fanatical about performing backups of your
hard disk. Use of the Beta will NOT permanently affect your database,
except by YOUR choice.
- If your track is closed, you will test the Beta on past data.
- You will perform a best-effort test on all of the Beta's features,
including those that may not be of interest to you.
- You will report to Missing Link any bugs or missing features
that your testing has discovered.
- If your usage has not detected bugs, you will periodically let us
know that as well, including a description of the way(s) you have used
the Beta.
- When reporting problems, you will supply DETAILED information about
the nature of the problem and your computing environment. If necessary,
you will supply the data in question that depicts the problem.
- Obviously, we would like to hear your suggestions for improvement, as
well.
How to apply
To apply to be a Beta tester, merely send us an email. It would be useful if you included a brief
synopsis of yourself, mentioning your handicapping experience, experience with our products,
and level of computer-literacy. A brief description of your computer setup is also sometimes helpful (i.e.,
processor speed, hard disk capacity, Windows user or no, other programs, tools you use...)
If you currently use any Missing Link add-on programs, mention these as well.
Note: Betas are limited. Please don't be disappointed if you discover a particular Beta is closed.
Current and Future Betas
ATBETA - Advanced Tools for Plus V Enhanced
This Beta is limited to owners of current tools, and includes the Advanced Robot, Impact Value Utility,
Report Writer I, and ParBoiler.
MSBETA - Full version of MLSpread
The features included in MLSpread that are not present in the trial version,
included with Plus V are mentioned in the Plus V User Manual.
PWBETA - Plus X for Windows
This Beta is not really open, but is on the agenda... We're merely alluding to it here to give hope to those
of you who have converted to WIndows. Please be patient.
Down the Stretch
To see what else is on the horizon, click here
Last Updated Sunday, December 10, 1995