So for, like, forever Google apps — in particular, Gmail and Google Calendar — have bore a beta label. Now, no one has any idea why this has been the case, but this week Google has decided to remove the beta label with little more than PR-speak as an explanation:
“We realize this situation puzzles some people, particularly those who subscribe to the traditional definition of “beta” software as not being yet ready for prime time.” (via John Gruber)
Gruber himself retorts:
“Imagine that — people thought that what Google meant by “beta” was what everyone else means by “beta”. Shocking”
Classic Gruber.
Now, I’ve heard Google spin it this way all over the web, but what I keep wondering is what Google’s special, newfangled, hi-falutin’ definition of beta actually is. The closest I’ve seen is this:
“Others say that, over the last five years, a beta culture has grown around web apps, such that the very meaning of “beta” is debatable. And rather than the packaged, stagnant software of decades past, we’re moving to a world of rapid developmental cycles where products like Gmail continue to change indefinitely.”
Um… What the hell are you guys talking about? Really. What is a “beta culture?” Seriously. What is that? And are you telling me that Google’s apps are the only ones to “change indefinitely.” That’s funny, because I keep running these software update thingies on my computer and all its applications. And every year or so I install new versions of said apps, loaded with new features. So tell me again: How is your definition of beta different than everyone else’s? And why in the name of sweet merciful heaven has Gmail been beta for the past five years?
Ridiculous! And the more you try to spin it the more arrogant and full-of-it you come across.
Just admit it. You’re afraid to commit. It’s okay. We get it. There’s no shame in that.
The Beta Setting
The oddest thing is that Google clearly thinks of the term beta as completely meaningless:
“Don’t despair… for those of you long-time Gmail-ers who might feel some separation anxiety, we’ve got a solution. Just go to Settings, click on Labs, turn on “Back to Beta,” and it’ll be like Gmail never left beta at all.”
That’s right. You want the beta label back? Just turn it on. Which begs the question, why did they use the term for the past five years?
It’s just stupid.
5 Comments
Well….they now need take the onus of some serious ownership. For any “BETA” product, the reliability of product is not guaranteed, it may crash or even dont work at all and you cant blaim coz hey…I got a BETA label tagged to me.
“We’re moving to a world of rapid developmental cycles where products like Gmail continue to change indefinitely.” ..
Whats nobel with them here… Whole world is having the agile fever so what makes gmail different?
And if they really want to stick to what they say….what made them to get OUT of BETA now?? Would it mean that they wont make any changes/ enhancements to GMAIL nowonwards!!!
I agree entirely. Why spent time fighting to redefine a word instead of just not using it? Instead of convincing everyone to call my cat a dog, I should either get a dog or call it a cat.
Posted my thoughts on this at http://knowledgeforward.wordpress.com/2009/07/08/google-on-privacy-coming-out-of-beta-and-possibly-rethinking-free-google-apps/
Rohit,
A great point: Why now? And you’re right. Is Google now suggesting that they’ll stop improving their products.
It’s all a very badly managed exit from an idiotic situation.
-systemsboy
Eric,
Yeah, I wish Google had just said something like, “The BETA label has confused our users for years. We’re removing it. Our apps are fully supported and we’ll keep improving them. Sorry for the confusion.” Instead they try to be cute and end up making absolutely no sense.
-systemsboy
i suppose now gmail will be coming out of beta