Hi Richard, Like most high-tech companies, we perform a lot of internal testing of our products before we release them using very small groups of 'alpha tester' customers. It certainly is not a privileged group. :-) In this case, we are testing the APF function in a -partially- completed version of K3 firmware that is not quite ready for wider release. (All of the matching menu entries are not completed) This gives us early and fast feedback on any issues. Its also agreed by participants that testing at this stage runs the risk of unforeseen problems, which is why we do this first at a very small scale before the next stage of release. The last thing we want to do is to unleash extremely early K3 code on a broad swath customers.
Once it passes the alpha test level we then release it on the web site as -beta- software for those that wish to try out early releases. At that stage it is usually very stable and most feedback relates to minor changes in operation etc. Once we see good response from that group, we then go to final release on the web site. In this case the feedback from the testers was so positive that we allowed them to go public with their comments. We will be releasing the code as beta on the web as soon as we add the additional menu features. Overall our goal is top provide the highest level of quality possible. this process really helps us get there quickly. 73, Eric WA6HHQ www.elecraft.com --- On 10/29/2010 9:57 AM, Richard Thorpe wrote: > I would like to propose a special list for the chosen "beta testers" to boast > to each other about their "special connection" to the powers at elecraft and > new software that the vast unwashed is not ready to receive. The beta testers > should communicate but do the rest of us have to read what we are missing? I > don't like the feeling that there are "classes" of elecraft customers, my > money is as good as anyone else's. This is the good old USA not czarist > russia. > k6cg > > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
