We should stop calling live projects beta

andymboyle.com

4 points·andymboyle··4 comments

Labels alpha, beta indicate some pattern of design thought and course correction toward finished product. As long as there is a thought-through follow-up, I think beta is fair to use.

But, if the product is more like being freeformed, 'beta' is a misnomer. Does such thing really have a name?

The point I'm trying to make is that most of the products we create for the web aren't necessarily ever "finished." You're always attempting to add new features or create new value, right? So I feel like projects are never truly finished.

When people use 'beta' as a scrutiny shield, I fully agree with you that it deserves a storm of invectives. My take is that some projects truly deserve a 'beta' label, suggesting there will be meaningful updates to it. Our common distaste for the word will devalue those worthy projects.

Yes, projects are truly never finished. But in news you can't spend all that much time refining a package after an event has passed and editors have their sights on other things (excluding truly evergreen items.)

Being a cynic, I'd normally focus on anything labeled 'beta' and disassemble it with a jeer. But, my restraint is there so that I don't miss out on examining things that aren't labeled beta and thus slip under that beta-hating radar.

For example, check out the Guardian's 'favorite foods' map. Make sure to mouseover Mexico and India:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/interactive/2011/jun/...

I'm really looking for counterpoints to my argument. So please, I welcome them.

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