Betas for experienced members only!
 

Ok,

Not that I am a coder but am a pretty experienced user and I want to say this, Betas should be for other coders and exp. members only. Or by exception.

I am waiting on this hack and it is killing me to watch Danny have to re-re-re-re-re-explain what the heck a fricking beta is to a bunch of newbies, this thread is torturous! I think the hack would have been written by now if he wasnt stomping out fires created by people who shouldnt be using the code yet anyway!

https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthrea...&page=1&pp=100

Danny is a saint for holding it together.

On another note I would like to announce my first hack:

[vB 3.5.0 Beta 3123] Slap Newbie VB Members who dont know what Beta Versions are for.....

Yup, its in Beta :)

-Jason

How do you define an expirenced user though? What makes them expirenced enough? A check box in their profile? Nothing would stop them, most users would go check it, and we'd still be at the same square.

post count, join date, custome usergroup where when they join they must agree to the Beta 'manifesto'.

Or, just have a seperate forum for betas like with the 3.0 hacks.

Thats silly.

A post count means nothing, nor does a join date, and who reads what they agree to anymore.

Again, we are at the same square.

It worked with the 3.0 hacks right?

I would rather try something than nothing.

Perhaps add Amy Khar's quiz hack with a bunch of vb.org questions on it, only when you answer a decent % correctly do you get access to the beta group? :)

As long as users understand that beta versions change somewhat faster and might contain bugs.

Maybe we should add a beta disclaimer if we release a modification in beta. I think this should also be made mandatory the check box doesn't seem to warn people enough.

Just to warn users of the potential issues in general.

However the release of betas tends to require more support. Not that I have a problem with that. But people should read previous posting before posting an issue (again).

I am still working on the slapping hack so there is hope people :) :)

Beta forum would be nice for VB3.5

- The non-programer (ie: end-user) will not expect "perfect product".
- The beta forum usaly attracts "helpers" that can help with bugz and ideas.
- R&D and many minds on a project move the beta hacks into production.
- The beta's are open to all - Look above @ R&D.

Another Idea would be to allow users that create their own "thread" to DEL and/or option to move to the Beta forum. (vs. tell a forum Mod of a problem . )

In most cases I would agree ,Zachery, that post count does not matter, but I think in this case the more posts you have, generally means more activity here which can be interpeted as experience to some extent. With my activity levels I am far from being a coder(speaking of which how do you earn coder status?) but I have defenitley learned alot.

Personally I like the quiz idea. It should be some what lienant though.