Windows 7: Use beta builds or wait for stable realeases?

Is a good idea to use beta builds or "unstable" releases of programs or is it better to just wait for the full version to be released. I noticed programs like Firefox have builds that are ahead of what the normal verions is. But then they usually say those versions can have alot bugs. I dont wana test something out LOL..eheheh I just want to use the program. I guess I sorta answered my own question LOL sory if I'm being confusing...

There is no right or wrong for everyone
For me I wait
Beta means you are testing, things go wrong and you are suppose to tell MS, so that they can fix it
You need computer expertise and a computer that you do not depend on.

But then you have an opportunity to contribute to what microsoft (as an example) may or may not implement into their software. Suggest how they might do something better, etc.

I think you'll find the general rule of thumb is, if its a business PC that you depend on to make a living, DON"T run beta software unless you really have to. If its your personal PC its basically up to you. There is some risk involved so it just depends on whether your prepared to deal with the down time if something goes bad. I'm running the IE9 beta because I want to use the new interface and features. Plus it shouldn't be a big deal to uninstall it when the final version comes out. I'm not running Windows SP1 beta because it doesn't add any new features. Windows update does the same thing it just takes a little longer.

Hello!

For general purposes, don't use beta. It sounds like a stable release is what you want. You rarely get benefit out of new features, unless you already know what they are, and then it crashes and loses your work, etc. etc.

I often run betas, as a tester. I am involved in several of the lower grade private betas for Microsoft. My computer is messing me around a bit at the moment, but I was having an issue with MSE 2 beta. Upgraded to version 2, and the problem remains. I now cannot format my computer until Microsoft are happy.

Without going into details, MSE is repeatedly failing to remove an Eicar Test file (com).zip as "Not Found" but then finds it again, removes it "Success, Not Found", finds it etc. etc.

This install is getting old, and a format would be great, but I can't!

Richard

99.9% of Betas I leave alone.

The one I'm glad I use is IE-9beta.

Other than that forget it.

My 2 cents.
Mike

I have jumped on a few pre-alphas, and several have "burned" me! lol

I typically don't bother with Beta's either. About the only things that I use ahead of time are the OS releases...the beta's and the RC1's. These give me an idea what to plan and prepare for in the future.

But most everything else, I just wait for the full releases.

It is difficult to give a definitive answer to this question because of the differences in software stability of beta releases in that some developers release very buggy betas while other developers offer much more stable beta releases.

~Maxx~
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