Betas for Forums

[Reverie]

What do you think of Beta openings for forums? Do you like when there is a few beta "Testers" who also post around a bit before the forum opens? Do you think this is a good investment into the forum? Would you be a "Beta Tester/Poster"? Why or why not?

 

[Geoffrey]

Unless the forum has a lot of major modifications or some kind of special system that needs to be tested, you don't really need a beta test. Just test stuff with your staff team and then open it up, and make changes as you go.

 

[KnownSyntax]

Unless the forum has a lot of major modifications or some kind of special system that needs to be tested, you don't really need a beta test. Just test stuff with your staff team and then open it up, and make changes as you go.

100% agree on this. Many people have this beta access when their forum has nothing but just a few custom plugins and a custom made theme installed. Unless the software is in beta or developed by the forum owner, there isn't a real reason to having these whatsoever.

 

[Mistress]

Unless you have created your very own platform, it's pretty much completely useless. Just test out the little things yourself before opening up, and that will do it.

"Beta testing" as a term has had the same fate as "pre-alpha" in game development; it just means that you have thrown up something that you know is unfinished and really bad, and just need a term to hide behind from any critisism

 

[Nebulous]

It's always good to fill your forum with some content before opening. I've done that before. Get some friends to post around with for a while then open it to the public.

 

[Forces of Steel]

No need for one, since most new forums are based on popular software. You, your other administrators, and your moderators should be the "beta testers". They were promoted for a reason. If you're the sole staff member, then it's a good idea to recruit at least one trustworthy asset!

 

[cpvr]

What do you think of Beta openings for forums? Do you like when there is a few beta "Testers" who also post around a bit before the forum opens? Do you think this is a good investment into the forum? Would you be a "Beta Tester/Poster"? Why or why not?

This isn't a good idea, beta testing is only for games.

 

[Teapot]

I don't have a problem with it. I just wouldn't necessarily call it Beta Testing unless there are major components your forum has that another doesn't.

 

[Cosmic]

It's good for building initial content. Before promoting a forum, it should have a decent amount of posts. If you can find willing beta users, that could help make your forum more appealing on launch.

 

[Mistress]

This isn't a good idea, beta testing is only for games.

Wrong. Beta testing refers to testing any piece of software, not just games. So if you have something coded from the scratch, testing it out extensively is probably a good idea, but if you merely install a script that's being used by thousands of websites, then the chances are that you can just check out that the features you need are working fine and be on your way.

 

[Thomasss]

I wouldn't want to call it beta testing. You're not really developing themes, plugins, or the platform itself from scratch so you have nothing to test.

Though I think it's a good idea, it builds content so you have something to go off of when the public sees your forum for the first time.

 

[Cierra]

I haven't ever done a "beta opening" for a forum, but I think it would be good for getting initial feedback on things like the theme, any plugins/modifications, etc and some starter content.