Over the years, it seems there has been a shift in how we view beta applications. A beta application is not the final version of the application but is available usually to the general public for testing purposes. In the past, businesses would shy away from beta applications and drivers because of security and stability issues. But it seems in today's Web 2.0 world, beta is everywhere. Google was really who coined the use of beta for everyday use, with Google calendar, Gmail, Google Docs still in beta the term has really taken on a new meaning.
Of course, I'm not advocating using beta in your businesses or firms for your core applications. But consider this: some beta apps may solve problems you are currently having with your applications or hardware. For example, much to my chagrin I have Vista running on my home computer (for testing purposes). Our firm apps all run from a hosted Citrix server and the current version of Citrix's client does not run well on Vista. I have had numerous crashes and small annoyances running it on Vista. I also have a client with Vista who has had similar problems. The other day I noticed Citrix had posted a version 11 which is still in beta. I tried it and I really like it. It is more stable than the previous version running on Vista. I've even installed it on my client's Vista computer which has resolved her issues.
I have one more beta app to mention. The application is Evernote. Evernote is a free note taking application similar to Microsoft's OneNote. The newest desktop version can be downloaded from their website. The beta portion is the new Web 2.0 application. You can sign-up for the beta which takes about two days to receive or if you like, email me at ryan@techsavvyfirm.com and I will send you a registration (I have 20 to give away).
Evernote allows you to store ideas, web pages, notes, pictures, and about anything else you would like and can be categorized and searched. You can tag the items for easier searching, but here is the really cool trick: you can search for any word in your saved notes and it will find it. It does this even with handwritten items. You must watch the intro video to see it in action. The guy actually took a picture of a handwritten sticky note and Evernote was able to find key words from the note.
The beta web version is what makes Evernote stand out from OneNote. The web version can be stand alone but works better integrated with the desktop version. With the desktop version and web version together you can automagically synchronize your desktop so you will always have a current copy of your notes on the web. It will also sync with any other desktop or mobile versions you have running, such as your home PC, Mac, smartphone and iPhone. This truly is the best feature of the product and the reason I will continue using it.
Ok, I sold you on trying it but why do you need it? Have you ever wished you could remember the cool article you read on the internet or maybe spent an extensive amount of time researching on the web and couldn't remember what you had found? Then enough said. Solution given, problem solved.
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