Hi Joe 
I agree that the provider of a product has a moral obligation, to provide it’s customers with a product which is “Fit for Purpose”. (as I’ve already stated)
Nobody would deny that it’s in the interest of both the customers, and the producers to ensure that a product is stable before it’s released into the marketplace. whether it’s computer software, or a washing machine, or a pizza.
It’s in their interest,.. but it doesn’t always happen.
sometimes market forces, such as having a group of customers asking when it will be released,.. can effect the decision of the manufacturers to release a product,.. before it’s ready.
As for beta testing,. Again,.. this is a VOLUNTARY process, which you personally can CHOOSE to be involved in,.
If an individual chooses to test the product, they are ASKED to report any issues they find,.
the purpose of this is clearly to help find errors
the alternative to this is to have the “Developers”, using the software for hours, or days, testing all the possible menu options and features of the software in a logical, methodical way..
This means that if they’re using the software,. they’re not actively developing it,, they’re looking for issues.
Also consider that the Code writers may be excellent programmers, but may not be experienced users of the software they’re working on.
Experienced users, will usually see issues quickly. and while those experienced users are finding issues, the programmers can be developing the program.
For the Company,. the Developers, and the customers,. this process makes sense.
The company can eventually release a product which has been tested and works.
the developers can spend time developing,
the customers should end up with a better product because they’ve been actively involved in testing it at different stages of development, and have assisted in tracking down issues. so that developers can fix those issues.
It’s also worth noting that users can add “Feature requests” in the Bug tracker, as well as reporting bugs.
so, they have the ability to influence the addition of new features into the development process.
to say that “No other industry” involves a small group of consumers in a testing process before a product is released to the public is,.. Ludicrous.
Have you never been asked to try a new food item while out shopping, or to take part in a consumer survey. ?
All hardware,. whether it’s a washing machine, a toaster, or a car, goes through the testing processes which involves experienced users. who know what to expect from the product.
if you have a washing machine which develops a fault, you’d contact the manufacturer, or their service agent, and they’ll either send out a technician to repair or replace a component, or offer a direct swap, sometimes for a slightly different model number.
the technician reports the fault, ....the manufacturer examines the component , perhaps changing the design, and the next version of the washing machine rolls out of the factory. (improved)
product testing happens all the time. in all industries. although you may not be aware of it.
You’re right that the testing process in C8.5 has taken longer than C8,. and there are probably some good reasons for the length of that process.
I’m not claiming that the users are directly responsible for the product development,. that’s a ridiculous observation.
as i’ve already mentioned twice , the company has the obligation ensure that a product is “fit ft purpose”
BUT,. by involving experienced users in a testing process, makes that development process easier, and faster.
Sometimes there are issues which prevent the developer from releasing a new Beta version for testing,.
sometimes that decision is for the benefit of the users testing the product.
but anyone who is taking the time to test the functionality of the beta, and is finding repeatable faults,. but is not reporting those faults either for the reason that ...“it’s Not my problem”, or ,....those coders shouldn’t have written such bad code in the first place,.
That approach does nobody any good, neither the customer, nor the developers benefits from that.
These forum pages could be looked upon as being a “FREE” source of educational material, and technical support.
Nobody here is forcing the community of experienced users to spend time helping others.
nobody is demanding that you provide new users with your expert advice.
but it helps the users,. and it helps the company. and indirectly, it helps to grow the community of users, and develop better software for the users.
Nobody is being forced to beta test the products here,. whether that;‘s Bryce, Hexagon, Daz Studio, or Carrara.
It’s a Voluntary agreement,. you enter into it willingly by choice,. and as part of that testing process you agree to report any issue you find.
If you don’t want to report any faults because you’re not being paid for it,. then that’s simple,.. don’t get involved,.. don’t download the beta version, don’t report bugs.
it’s your choice.
