The longest "BETA" products

In software development cycle, we oftenly use the term ALPHA and BETA term to indicate a progressing software, but somehow ready to make a test hit. In my own experience, we usually use BETA only for stating a software meet its basic function but yet to test througly. There's no exact rule on how long a software should be put on beta before its final release.

For a software company, when it meet all initial designed functionality and performance, then it's OK to be released and leave the beta stage. I'm not sure what are GMAIL guys think of, but the product never officially release.

When it first announce on April fool's day 2004, this phenomenal free mail really changes the paradigm of free mail services. Yahoo previously only provide max 10MB of mailbox, now even no limit. Others are previously closed the pop access now consider to reenable. And the Ajax-interface inspire other web application to follow so.

What's now ?
It's been BETA for more than 5 years. It doesn't make any sense that a product still in beta for such long time, even I start to think maybe "beta" is the product name. I'm not really sure what is their initial design and plan, but for me, it's surpased any free mail service that makes Gmail more ready than any other similar service to get out of the Beta stage.

Do you know any software that labeled Beta longer than Gmail does ?

The highest software version you ever know

Now almost every offices desk equipped by a computer. Could be a PC, Mac, or just thin-client. But have you notice what is the version number of software you used most ? Have you ever think of it ? I made a personal investigation about it on some software products I know.

Microsoft at least has two product that proven long heritage and evolution line. Microsoft Windows is going to launch Windows 7 as precedesor of Vista. Vista also known as Windows NT 6. However, Microsoft office has a longer evolution history by its version number. Office 2007 formerly known as Office V.12 while Office 2003 is equal to Microsoft Office v.11. Some of you maybe still remember the days of Office 8 years ago.

Adobe also has a long software history from its popular Adobe Photoshop suite. At this moment Adobe has release the latest version Adobe CS 3 (Creative Suite) which is collaborate photo editing, web authoring, and graphic design tools, which include Photoshop ver 10.0. Previously, Adobe Photoshop CS2 is equal to Photoshop version 9. Adobe Acrobat also reach version number 9. Yahoo messenger also reach version number 9, even I can't recall when is the initial version released. Core Draw reach version 12 , but seems market choice has turn to Adobe Illustrator for same function.

Some remarkable software version is those exceed magic 10. Some we can mention here are :
3D Max Studio : version 11
AutoCAD : version 17
MYOB : Version 17


Version are divide into major, minor, and builds. From publisher & developer point of view, every increase of software version should have significant improvement while maintain its core function. But there's no fixed regulation to control software version numbering. It's all back to the developer itself.

So next time, if you open a software dont forget to take a glimpse at the software version number. Usually real version number is stated in menu Help -> About. Leave me a message if you found some interesting fact regarding software version number.