<P> As the Internet has facilitated rapid and inexpensive distribution of software, companies have begun to take a looser approach to use of the word "beta". In February 2005, ZDNet published an article about the recent phenomenon of a beta version often staying for years and being used as if it were in production level, disparagingly called "perpetual beta". It noted that Gmail and Google News, for example, had been in beta for a long period of time and were not expected to drop the beta status despite the fact that they were widely used; however, Google News did leave beta in January 2006, followed by Google Apps, including Gmail, in July 2009 . This technique may allow a developer to delay offering full support and responsibility for remaining issues . In the context of Web 2.0, people even talk of perpetual betas to signify that some software is meant to stay in beta state . Also, "beta" is sometimes used to indicate something more like a release candidate, or as a form of time - limited demo, or marketing technique . Since the introduction of Windows 8, Microsoft has no longer been naming their software as a beta . Instead, they have been using the term preview for most pre-release software . Since the launch of the Windows Insider Program back in 2014, all pre-release builds that are released through the program are known as Insider Preview builds . </P> <P> Developers release either a closed beta also called private beta or an open beta also called public beta; closed beta versions are released to a restricted group of individuals for a user test by invitation, while open beta testers are from a larger group, or anyone interested . Private beta could be suitable for the software that is capable to deliver value, but is not ready to be used by everyone either due to scaling issues, lack of documentation or still missing vital features . The testers report any bugs that they find, and sometimes suggest additional features they think should be available in the final version . Examples of a major public beta test include the following: </P> <Ul> <Li> Early customers purchased a "pioneer edition" of the WordVision word processor for the IBM PC for $49.95 . In 1984, Stephen Manes wrote that "in a brilliant marketing coup, Bruce and James Program Publishers managed to get people to pay for the privilege of testing the product ." </Li> <Li> In September 2000 a boxed version of Apple's Mac OS X Public Beta operating system was released . </Li> <Li> Microsoft's release of community technology previews (CTPs) for Windows Vista, between September 2005 and May 2006 . </Li> <Li> Throughout 2009 to 2011, Minecraft was in public beta . </Li> <Li> On December 29, 2014, all owners of Halo: The Master Chief Collection for the Xbox One were able to download and play the Beta of Halo 5: Guardians for free through January 18, 2015 . Users of the Beta were reminded via an in - game popup that the release was a Beta and could contain some glitches, and were encouraged to communicate them through the Halo series online community . </Li> </Ul> <Li> Early customers purchased a "pioneer edition" of the WordVision word processor for the IBM PC for $49.95 . In 1984, Stephen Manes wrote that "in a brilliant marketing coup, Bruce and James Program Publishers managed to get people to pay for the privilege of testing the product ." </Li>

What comes first in games alpha or beta