Lauren Weinstein <lauren@vortex.UUCP> (08/10/83)
Time's up! A number of people suggested possible origins for the term "Beta Test". To those of you who suggested that the term relates to a certain supermarket chain here in California (i.e. AlphaBeta), I'm sorry to say that you're incorrect! No points. Actually, even the common usage of the term "beta test" is somewhat unclear (several persons admitted that they really didn't know what it meant -- but that they heard it all the time...) As far as I am concerned, the "beta testing" phase of a project is when a company begins distributing the first "reasonable" testing samples of a product to individuals and/or organizations outside of their own walls in a fairly widespread manner. "Alpha" tests frequently involve (in the case of electronics, for example) crude wirewrapped circuits (instead of PC boards) and would often not involve entities outside of the company itself. There is variation in the use of these terms, of course. Now, where did this terminology come from? The earliest reference I can find is to an actual Beta TEST. Yes, TEST, just like in school! It seems that in the period 1917-1918 the U.S. Army began a new series of tests to determine the mental capacity of incoming recruits. Their earlier tests involved textual written materials -- but many recruits were illiterate and those early tests were not very useful. Therefore, in '17-'18, the Army introduced a new series of recruit tests, which used pictures and symbols instead of written text. These new tests were dubbed the "Beta Tests" to distinguish them from the earlier tests, which were henceforth known as the "Alpha Tests". Believe it or not -- it's up to you. But if you don't agree, write to "Funk & Wagnalls" (that's my source) not to me! Ta ta. --Lauren--