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What Do Beta Testers Do?
Have you ever clicked on a website and seen the word “beta” written at the top of it and wondered what beta is and
what beta testers do? Beta means that the product is in its last phase of testing. It has gone through development
and alpha testing (which is where the video game testers themselves test the product) and is now fit to be tested by
the masses. This is when the company recruits or hires beta testers in order to make sure that the product works
the way it is supposed to.
Understanding Beta
Once the program or game has been developed, it has to be tested in order to make sure it works. The first phase
of testing is done “in house,” that is by the developers and programmers themselves. They check to make sure that
the basic program works and look for major glitches. Programmers are often not gamers, however, and can often
miss small glitches and mistakes that gamers would notice.
What Beta Testers Do
Beta testers are the ones that are responsible for using the software the way it is intended to be used. It seems like
a simple job, but in reality it is actually fairly difficult. Beta testers can’t just use the program and enjoy it; they have
to be aware of what is going on with the program or game at all times. They are responsible for making sure that
there are no glitches anywhere in the program. They also must report on the usability of the game or program.
Some beta tester work out of their home. They may be hired, or recruited, by a company and asked to take the
program or game through its paces. Many of those that work out of their home do so in unpaid positions, often in
order to get their foot in the door at the company. Some testers that work at home are compensated for any work
that they do.
Other beta testers work at the company, testing the merchandise in an official capacity. They are often working in
paid positions and are paid per hour, anywhere from eight to twelve dollars an hour in most cases. In working at the
company site, the testers are better able to communicate the glitches to the programmers and often do so on an
hourly basis.
Beta testers have a very important job. It is their responsibility to make sure that everything in the product works the
way it should, thus saving the company from possibly refunding hundreds of thousands of dollars to unhappy
customers. If you believe that you have the ability to be vigilant, observant and patient; there is a possibility that you
can join the interesting and very different world of beta testers.
Have you ever clicked on a website and seen the word “beta” written at the top of it and wondered what beta is and
what beta testers do? Beta means that the product is in its last phase of testing. It has gone through development
and alpha testing (which is where the video game testers themselves test the product) and is now fit to be tested by
the masses. This is when the company recruits or hires beta testers in order to make sure that the product works
the way it is supposed to.
Understanding Beta
Once the program or game has been developed, it has to be tested in order to make sure it works. The first phase
of testing is done “in house,” that is by the developers and programmers themselves. They check to make sure that
the basic program works and look for major glitches. Programmers are often not gamers, however, and can often
miss small glitches and mistakes that gamers would notice.
What Beta Testers Do
Beta testers are the ones that are responsible for using the software the way it is intended to be used. It seems like
a simple job, but in reality it is actually fairly difficult. Beta testers can’t just use the program and enjoy it; they have
to be aware of what is going on with the program or game at all times. They are responsible for making sure that
there are no glitches anywhere in the program. They also must report on the usability of the game or program.
Some beta tester work out of their home. They may be hired, or recruited, by a company and asked to take the
program or game through its paces. Many of those that work out of their home do so in unpaid positions, often in
order to get their foot in the door at the company. Some testers that work at home are compensated for any work
that they do.
Other beta testers work at the company, testing the merchandise in an official capacity. They are often working in
paid positions and are paid per hour, anywhere from eight to twelve dollars an hour in most cases. In working at the
company site, the testers are better able to communicate the glitches to the programmers and often do so on an
hourly basis.
Beta testers have a very important job. It is their responsibility to make sure that everything in the product works the
way it should, thus saving the company from possibly refunding hundreds of thousands of dollars to unhappy
customers. If you believe that you have the ability to be vigilant, observant and patient; there is a possibility that you
can join the interesting and very different world of beta testers.
Beta Testers
