Beta-testing There

by SoftlyDreaming

 

The other day my on-line bf sent me the link to There.com's beta file and suggested I download it in case we wanted to check out if there was anything worth testing, if that was what I wanted to do. I've got to admit I was overwhelmed by the prospect. First of all I wasn't sure about the download and if it would be complicated, or take up space etc. Secondly I didn't understand the whole Beta-testing concept. What it was for or why it's done. I just thought it was something veteran or knowledgeable Therians did because they were into it and wanted to see what was new. At times my boyfriend talked about it and I just half listened. Recently my bff BlackOut talked about an offline buddy list he saw in Beta and I just thought wow he knows more about this stuff than I do. So now my answer....I was like "um okay". He sensed my hesitation and said "maybe there is nothing worth trying". So without any pressure I downloaded the application which proved remarkably easy.

Now don't worry, I am going to tell you what happened next when I got into the whole new world of Beta, but it's funny that as I was writing this article I had this Im conversation with my boyfriend: 

Softly Dreaming: lol
Softly Dreaming: what you doing?
Percy: Talking to some Beta's in There
Softly Dreaming: what does that mean?
Percy: Crystalshard, FatHamburger, Lyekka, Kalala, BamaBabydoll (She's a former Greeter from vMTV) and Jade
Softly Dreaming: what are Betas
Percy: members from back in the Beta Days (before There was opened to the public)
Softly Dreaming: oh okay 

How ironic... now where were we? Oh yeah, I downloaded the application and now had an icon on my desk top: sign into There Beta. There was also a buzz in the air because the beta world is a timed event. So Theriens were saying things like "the beta is starting, it's four hours, I heard they had such and such...." And it is posted in forums what the Beta contains so you can actually know what you are testing and report a help ticket and write in the forums what you tested and the results.

As I'm writing this I'm wondering what does the word Beta mean and my bf gives me a nice definition and and a wikipedia link. From what I gather beta is the second Greek letter in the Greek alphabet. So it appropriately describes software that has passed the "alpha" stage. Beta software can be unstable and could cause crashes or data loss. A 'beta version' is the first version released outside the organization or community that develops the software, for the purpose of evaluation. The users of a beta version are called beta testers.

So now I was a "beta tester"! The first thing I noticed was where I logged in was not where I had just logged out of There the day before. Naturally I was puzzled, next I noticed I had a lot more t-bux and I got excited. After mentioning my windfall it was explained to me this was just a copy of There.com and it wasn't my actual t-bux balance. That caused me to check my transaction history and I realized that the copy was created at the beginning of January and now it was the end of the month!

I wanted to know... can I spend these t-bux? yes...will the designers get money? no. So I decided to buy stuff and try stuff that I haven't been able to have in world. The most exciting was Geea's wedding dress prop. It was so beautiful and when I put it on my bf and our close friend both put on tuxes, took pics and our friend took a wedding video of us...even though we haven't even had a There wedding! That just goes to show anything can happen in Beta.

 

 

It was interesting to see the "beta testers" that were also on my buddy list. My buddy list was so small, and the Beta was so quiet. It was actually peaceful and fun. Okay, your probably wondering, did I just fool around or did I test anything? Well between Percy and Tikatatu they actually told us the purpose of this particular Beta test. Our friend Leon, who just became an Island Guide and didn't have his star in this parallel universe, checked with us if designer HOVERBOATS actually locked and if events ran properly. We also saw a new Motu Motu game table in shop central (that MrKillJoy pointed out)! When the Beta ended there was a reminder to provide feedback. So it was a successful and fun adventure...and (now that my fears are gone) it's with pleasure I can now say I am a Beta tester for There!