HELP: should I post some freeware

[Quiet]

I have read the FAQ associated with these groups (or what claimed to
be the FAQ). I still have some questions about posting freeware.

I am considering posting a JAVA app as freeware. It is a calendar and
task tracking program. It needs the JRE to run. It is just a .jar
file. Do people post java apps? Is it ok to say on the product web
page that the user needs to get the latest JRE?

Also, how do the freeware writers out there get the initial set of
users to try the program before releasing to the general public? A lot
of freeware sites don't want anything to do with "betaware" - but I
don't really have anyone to try it out. I've been running it for
years, but bugs or other shortcomings wouldn't be as apparent to me as
to a new user.

If there is a FAQ that covers this, just point me to it.

thanks,
Q

 

[Ernest Fairchild]

I have read the FAQ associated with these groups (or what claimed to
be the FAQ). I still have some questions about posting freeware.

First off, don't *post* any binaries. This is *not* a binaries group. If you
want to post a link to your program, that's fine, though.

I am considering posting a JAVA app as freeware. It is a calendar and
task tracking program. It needs the JRE to run. It is just a .jar
file. Do people post java apps? Is it ok to say on the product web
page that the user needs to get the latest JRE?

I'd never consider running a Java app, myself. But hey, there's lots of
people around.

Also, how do the freeware writers out there get the initial set of
users to try the program before releasing to the general public? A lot
of freeware sites don't want anything to do with "betaware" - but I
don't really have anyone to try it out. I've been running it for
years, but bugs or other shortcomings wouldn't be as apparent to me as
to a new user.

I got the initial alpha- and beta-testers for both of my programs by asking
at a private newsserver I was frequenting at the time. Lots of people wanted
to help. Then when I was ready for public beta testing (and that's when you
really start biting your nails) I asked in more "public" newsgroups if
anyone would like to test the programs, and showed where the program could
be downloaded.

Mind you, you *need* to send your program through private and public testing
phases before you just release it. In my home right now, I've got Windows
XP, Windows 2003, Windows 2K, Windows 98, and Windows 95 all set up.
However, no matter how I test it in my home, there's always going to be
problems with Win ME (which I refuse to install, ever) or someone who has
different settings than I do, or different hardware, or whatever. If you
just release it, and it doesn't run on very many machines unless they're
almost the same as yours, you're doing your users a disservice, and it
probably won't make *you* feel very good, either.

Hope this helps.

Have a great day!
____________________________
Ernest
"The universe needs a reboot."

 

[John Fitzsimons]

On 3 Oct 2003 13:43:21 -0700, (e-mail address removed) (Quiet) wrote:

Also, how do the freeware writers out there get the initial set of
users to try the program before releasing to the general public? A lot
of freeware sites don't want anything to do with "betaware" - but I
don't really have anyone to try it out. I've been running it for
years, but bugs or other shortcomings wouldn't be as apparent to me as
to a new user.

I am not interested in Java apps but ;

(A) Put a post requesting beta testers in a relevant newsgroup. If you
want to you could state that you only want eg. 20 testers.

(B) Read newsgroups like this and see who appears to be beta testing
other programs and/or who seem to know what they are talking about.
Then consider sending them a private email request. I have had a
number of people contact me privately to help them with beta testing
and program/function design.

Regards, John.

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