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Microsoft says it needs more Internet Explorer 8 beta testers

By Nate Mook, BetaNews

July 30, 2008, 5:14 PM

With Beta 2 of the Web browser due next month, Microsoft is looking to sign up more official testers for Internet Explorer 8, saying it's the only way for individuals to directly file bug reports.

Like with Beta 1, the second beta of IE8 will be made available for public download. Still, there's good reason to become a participant in Microsoft's IE8 Technical Beta program. In addition to filing a direct bug reports, official testers can be invited to other beta programs, such as Windows 7 or Office 14.

In addition, Microsoft occasionally makes beta builds available to testers that it does not release to the public, offering a chance to try out and provide feedback on new features in advance. With the final release of IE8 due later this year, it's likely that interim builds will follow Beta 2.

"These beta testers commit to spending time with IE8 betas and file bugs when they observe unexpected behaviors. The IE team will be evaluating this set of bugs, looking for the most impactful bugs to all of our users," Microsoft's Kellie Eickmeyer explained in March.

"If you wish to be a part of making IE better by contributing great bug reports then please email us at IESO@microsoft.com and tell us a little about yourself including why you'd be a great beta tester," writes IE program manager Allison Burnett on the IEBlog.

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By DatabaseBen

posted Aug 1, 2008 - 3:04 PM

with all the ga-zillions microsoft makes, surely they can hire their own guinia pigs..

they already employ monkeys for tech support.

Score: 0

By ZenWarrior

posted Aug 1, 2008 - 10:57 AM

First, if Microsoft's past holds, this will be an alpha release and a beta in name only. (Betas are released as finals--see Vista.) Second, and given that, I've had enough "beta-testing" of Microsoft's alpha releases. No thanks.

Score: 0

By imafurby

posted Jul 31, 2008 - 4:32 PM

I could have sworn I had posted a comment here yesterday.
Is the fairness doctrine upon us already? Nancy Pelosi, are you there?

Score: 0

By alphatrigon

posted Jul 31, 2008 - 3:19 PM

signed up as usual...not random unwarranted MS hate from me :D
I love MS..maybe random love for MS from me

Score: 0

By Bloc.net

edited Jul 31, 2008 - 11:29 AM

The spam filter is to hard to get through. I only got this mailer daemon back:

Final-Recipient: rfc822; IESO@microsoft.com Action: failed Status: 5.0.0 Diagnostic-Code: X-Postfix; host winse-6216-mail3.customer.frontbridge.com[205.248.106.32] said: 550 5.7.1 (in reply to end of DATA command)

Perhaps somebody should tell them, could be a small reason for the lack of tester :)

Score: 0

By sturgess

posted Jul 31, 2008 - 5:38 AM

Heck I'll do it for nowt, always enjoy trying out beta and sometimes even a bit of alpha. IE has always been the best browser to use, unfortunately it's not been the safest and that's my problem. I use FireFox and Opera but would prefer to use Bills browser if they could just make it more secure. The goods news is it looks like the beta 2 could be going that way, so I'll try it and if it works I'll tell 'em, and you lot too. Go on give it a whirl you know you want to.

Score: 0

By mdotwills

posted Jul 31, 2008 - 4:08 AM

oh gee, now they are begging us to use it!

Score: 0

By TomA102210

posted Jul 31, 2008 - 10:44 AM

You wish. Just don't don't e-mail Microsoft to sign up for the beta test. It's that simple.

Score: 0

By preinterpost

posted Jul 31, 2008 - 9:50 AM

Unlike who..?

Score: 0

By maxritz

posted Jul 31, 2008 - 1:51 AM

I tried beta 1 and it was less of a bother than IE 7 on xp. IE 7 on vista sp1 was flawless for me though it was a memory hogger compared to kmeleon. But its functionality and I got plenty of RAM.
I haev sent a mail to Microsoft. Oh and I wont mind purchasing an MSDN subscription annually since its well worth the price.
I have been an ex PSS engineer with microsoft and also a critic at times about the products. I think that people who come back and say they should pay beta testers should know that its a business model not charity. Charity is @ Melinda-Gates foundation, i Think.

Sorry brothers and sisters, (read Ladies and Gentleman by the not so human) if i am a little arrogant in expressing this opinion.

Score: 0

By leojei

posted Jul 30, 2008 - 11:38 PM

Can't they at least do their usual nomination through MS Connect? Why would I be writing a job-application-like e-mail to the team for something like bug-testing?

Score: 0

By Joco

posted Jul 30, 2008 - 10:40 PM

Come on, Microsoft know well this drill. Ask a panel of novice users what is their dream browser. Then show them an unmarked browser which is a disguised Firefox 3. All of them will say "Oh ... it's wonderful". Then at the end, tell them that it was IE8. And ask them to sign up as beta testers.

When IE8 beta2 is ready, send them the real IE8 beta2 which was not shown at the demo. They will happily help to beta test thinking that it was the browser they saw at the demo.

Score: 0

By RoyRodgers

edited Jul 30, 2008 - 10:30 PM

Why work for free on Microsoft's behalf? Why don't they pay beta testers? What favors is Microsoft going to do for us? Let us beta test Windows 7 for free?

Score: 0

By dvferret

posted Jul 31, 2008 - 1:33 PM

Hmm what does mozilla give me for testing firefox when its in beta? What about Opera? Microsoft? They give me a good product in return, thats what.

Score: 0

By mjm01010101

posted Aug 1, 2008 - 2:59 AM

The code is open so you can use it and build your own iceweasel. Mozilla gives you the code. That is far more valuable that a closed source OS as a "gift"

Score: 0

By leojei

posted Jul 30, 2008 - 11:40 PM

Well, it depends on which beta you were in. I got a free license of Vista Ultimate just to bug test Vista (I prefer calling it Longhorn). There are chances that the product team would give you something in return, such as key chains or alarm clocks or free license of something, or nothing at all. It really depends~

Score: 0

By siryak

posted Jul 30, 2008 - 10:59 PM

"Why don't they pay beta testers?"

The same reason everybody else doesn't. *shrug*

Score: 0

By Ryusennin

posted Jul 30, 2008 - 8:37 PM

"official testers can be invited to other beta programs, such as Windows 7"

Naah... I'll pass.

Score: 0

By Adrian79

posted Jul 31, 2008 - 2:38 PM

really? why pass, dont tell me your still using win98!!

Score: 0

By gawd21

posted Jul 30, 2008 - 6:03 PM

Not for me! I don't do the IE thing. I quit beta testing for MS, other than using it's OSes.

Score: 0

By dvferret

posted Jul 31, 2008 - 1:34 PM

Dont care so dont share.

Score: 0

By DonGato

posted Jul 31, 2008 - 8:54 AM

Well I beta tested 98, 98SE and ME. The last one was practically a joke. Beta testers were pointing out lot of problems but Microsoft didn't hear them. You know already the result.

In any case, my interest in beta testing was lost by that time. The first ones were quite good with a lot of feedback from developers and OEM manufacturers. With ME all that was lost and Microsoft become autistic.

After that I got the betas from informal channels and used them without reporting to them (2000/XP/2003). With Vista I didn't even test any beta.

Our time is also valuable and if the other side doesn't want to hear our opinion/feedback why help them?

Score: 0

By mjm01010101

posted Aug 1, 2008 - 3:04 AM

I feel the same way about those "survey" things that pop up on every tech support site. They pop up constantly. I gave my opinion, they kept asking. Then I started to give really nasty or random feedback. Finally, I actively avoid their sites or adblock the survey results sites... sigh...

Score: 0

By Bogunch

posted Jul 30, 2008 - 7:33 PM

Who really gives a sh*t! Why respond to this?

Score: 0

By frankwick

posted Jul 30, 2008 - 5:51 PM

Will try beta 2. Beta 1 was for developers and I didn't want to try it as my daily browser.

Score: 0

By scorp508

posted Jul 30, 2008 - 5:47 PM

No, thank you. I had beta 1 installed on my primary machine for a few weeks. It just wasn't fast enough (much slower than IE7) and messed up the formatting on too many websites even in IE7 mimicking mode to justify still using it. If there are major advances with beta 2 then I'll think about slapping it on again.

I don't remember the IE6 or IE7 betas being that noticeably below par, but then again it has been quite a few years since each of those! :)

Score: 0

By GTRoberts

edited Jul 31, 2008 - 8:32 PM

... and that is why it is called a beta... you WILL experience problems.

Score: 0

By psycros

posted Jul 31, 2008 - 2:45 PM

LOL, folks the whole point of a beta is TESTING. You guys talk about it like its a finished product that you're "considering" for day to day use. I don't EVER use a beta product unless it has a feature I sorely want or I actually want to help the developer release a solid product. And as for the material rewards for being a tester - first, IE is a free product. Second, you get the satisfaction of knowing you helped Microsoft release something that sucks a little less than it otherwise might.

Score: 0

By bourgeoisdude

posted Jul 30, 2008 - 9:33 PM

Really? Mine is actually faster than IE7, although the IE7 emulation mode seems slower. I did have to enable IE7 Emulation for a while (and when will BN fix that darn text scrolling problem with IE8?), but other than this site, everything I browse seems fine.

Score: 0

By scorp508

posted Jul 30, 2008 - 10:22 PM

Glad to hear it is working better for you. I'm always a proponent of a better IE, so I was a little let down when the beta seemed half-baked on my machine. Maybe I'll give B2 a shot then.

Score: 0

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