Due to recent problems with not trustworthy beta testers mostly in the German community, we want to give some advice on this topic in order to help you finding the right people and giving them the right tasks. (Some users wanted to have a translated version.)
1. Choice of Beta testers:
- It's always good and safe to choose the people you already know for a long time. At best, choose people you know from "real life" (friends, relatives).
- Don't ask anybody you don't really know. That's espacially those users writing in their signatures that they are interested in testing your Beta versions. Don't call for Beta testers in your showroom thread. You'll of course get a lot of canditates but they are often just interested in having a new bus model/a new map to drive on but in really doing a Beta test.
- If you have found some Beta testers, think twice if they are really trustworthy. If you do not completely trust all of them, don't send the Beta material.
- If you're still unsure, ask well-known developers about their Beta testers. If you ask in a kind way they'll certainly help you.
- Of course, there are also us from the board team. If you ask in a kind way, maybe we'll have the time or we'll feel like helping you.
- In case of doubt it's better to test alone.
2. Testing process:
- If you found trustworthy testers, do not just send the map/bus by e-mail. You need to inform them before about all judicial consequences that are important if someone releases your map/bus without your permission (copyright). When all of them accepted these rules, you can start sending the materials.
- It's highly recommended to save your files with a password when uploading it.
- If you have your own homepage, you're able to control the access to the download by checking the IP addresses.
- Write a check list in order to clarify which points shall be checked by your Beta testers.
We'll hope this little advice will help you dealing with the Beta tester problem.
If you still have questions, please contact us by PM.
Your board team
