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I know that Microsoft is planing a SP3 service pack.
Are there advantages of being a tester?
If the software has too many problems, can it be removed?
How can someone become a tester of products?
Can you select which products you would like to test?
\I think it would be interesting to test new software, as long as you can remove it if there are too many problems.
Rick
Discussion is locked
I know John has tested items before. I'm more in the curious state on hoe to test, what happens, the whole nine yards. There were a few programs that I had the didn't work with IE 7. Took me a while, but I figured it out. Just thought that testing some software, depending on what it was, would be interesting.
Rick
The testing program Microsoft runs is aimed more at developers than end users. People who are fairly adept at tracking down and isolating program faults and generating feedback that's useful to developers. Also people who will need to ensure that none of the changes made will affect any of their programs, and give them time to get fixes in place if it should happen any are required.
The other thing you need as a tester, is an understanding that the software is not going to be perfect, and there will likely be some problems associated with using it. You need to be willing to suffer through these problems.
Generally, Microsoft is only interested in testers that are developers for Fortune 100 companies. They're not interested in Joe Average who just wants to try something new with their computer. If you want to do that, install Linux on your system. You can gain access to up to the minute versions of most software if you want. Development of software is done in a much more open fashion, where anyone who wants to poke and prod it is welcome to do so, along with anyone who wants to take it for a test spin. You'll have to compile the source yourself, but it's not that difficult after the first 5-6 times.
participate in all the MS Beta programs you might want to you can go to http://beta.microsoft.com and nominate yourself for one. The Available Connections link lists ones you might be able to get into. If you are accepted you are sent a nomination ID number with instructions on how to use it.
Hope this helps with your question.
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