Google has gone and redefined 'beta'
The question of why so many Google products are classified "beta" -- and classified thusly for so long -- has knocked around the tech press for some time. However, no one really seemed to know the answer, at least no one outside of Google.
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Either way you look at it Microsoft Data Center management did not follow standards or best practices in this failure. In which case it makes me wonder more about the outsourcing of corporate data much less personal data.
- mburton325
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Web 2.0 Pattern
In A Pattern Language by Christopher AlexanderPattern 6
The Perpetual Beta
When devices and programs are connected to the internet, applications are no longer software artifacts, they are ongoing services. Therefore: Don't package up new features into monolithic releases, but instead add them on a regular basis as part of the normal user experience. Engage your users as real-time testers, and instrument the service so that you know how people use the new features.
I think
I think JC hit the proverbial nail on the head. Google is in a constant state of adding new features to gmail, google map, google apps, etc. Therefore the products remain in beta as each new feature does not constitute a final release or even a release canidate.