Home | Purchase | Contact | Site Map  

Making your embroidery hobby even easier!

 Beta Tests - Frequently Asked Questions

The information in this FAQ is not updated and therefore does not contain all the information available in the new Find Answer page. However, we continue to provide this information for users who are unable to use the new answers database:

Contents:

1. What is a beta test?
2. Who should beta test?
3. What do we need from our beta testers?
4. How long is the beta test period?

1. What is a beta test?

Before we release our software to the public, it goes through certain testing phases.  The first phase, called the alpha test, is our internal preliminary testing for functionality and stability.  We do not release alphas to the public.

The final phase of testing is the beta test.  Buzz Tools, Inc. beta tests most updates in order to present new features to the user community for evaluation before they are released.  Beta testers use a stable, pre-release version of the product that is usually usable for your day-to-day activities. In fact, we strongly encourage you use it just that way.  However, as establishing the dependability of these new features is part of the testing process, there might be a few glitches along the way.  Therefore, please backup any designs you intend to test new conversions on and do not delete any of your original designs.

We are anxiously waiting to hear whether you find any "bugs."  (Bugs are glitches and malfunctions in the software or in interactions with your other software and computer hardware.)  We are also eager to hear your suggestions and comments. Beta Feedback Form

Back to Top

2. Who should beta test?

We need beta testers who are very familiar with the Windows operating system, their embroidery software and the Buzz Tools program currently being beta tested.  If this is your first computer and you just installed Buzz Tools software, you should probably not be a beta tester.

Please DO NOT install a beta test version if you are easily frustrated or upset by program errors.

Back to Top

3. What do we need from our beta testers?

• We would appreciate it if you would use the beta test version in your day-to-day activities.
  
• When we add new formats, we need you to test the new conversions (to and from) and  sew out the converted designs. Since there could be some program glitches along the way we strongly encourage you to backup any designs you intend to test new conversion on.  If you run into any problems: 

  Save the problematic design files (before and after conversion) as we may need to look at them to correct the problem. When you report the problem to us using our Beta Feedback Form, let us know you have the problem files. Please include step by step instructions so that we can try to duplicate your error.

• Try out the other areas of the program that you are used to running to make sure that the rest of the program features perform as expected. 

Back to Top

4. How long is the beta test period?

As long as needed.  Generally, the beta test period is between 2-4 weeks but can be longer if needed to correct program glitches.  

There is often a delay of several months before new features and formats appear on installation CDs. However, we do not withhold features from our users during this production time. When the beta test period is over,  program update will be available for download from our website and applied to applicable versions of the programs.

Back to Top