CrystalFire Software Beta Program

Note: Use of beta software is at your own risk! Please read all of this page!

Note: Wormhole 2.0 has been released, so there are no current betas at this time.

What's a Beta?

Before polished software is released to the world, it goes through several stages of development and testing. Different companies have different terms for these stages, but usually they're something like this:

• Development Software in the development stage isn't finished yet. Usually it's not useful to anyone except the software developers themselves.
• Alpha Software in the alpha state isn't trustworthy. Most functionality is present, but it hasn't been tested, and some features may not yet be complete. Some companies (including us) will provide alpha releases to special customers or for specific needs, but it's generally not a good idea to run them.
• Beta Software in the beta stage isn't fully tested. It often has known bugs, occasionally severe ones, but the functionality is more or less complete. By calling software "beta," a company is acknowledging that the software doesn't yet live up to the company's quality standards. Beta software is often provided to the public under a beta program like this one. The benefit to the customer of using this software is that they have access to new features earlier. The benefit to the company is that more eyes are testing the software, making it less likely that a bug will remain undetected until release. The risk to both sides is that beta software likely has significant bugs still in it.
• Release Released software is the software you're used to. While rarely entirely bug-free, it's tested to the point where the developer believe that it's safe and effective for customers to run.

Some companies have additional development stages, and not all of them use exactly the same names or definitions.

Is Beta Software right for me?

Not everyone should participate in a beta program. In particular, if you don't maintain scrupulously regular backups, are on a deadline or otherwise couldn't deal with the program simply not working for some task, are easily frustrated by software bugs, or otherwise aren't in a situation where bugs (even data-loss bugs) are tolerable, beta programs are not for you.

However, some folks like to get new features early, and are willing to tolerate a higher rate of software defects in order to get them. Others simply like to participate in the bug-detection process in hopes of a more reliable product down the line. If either of these describes you, read on!

The CrystalFire Software Beta Program

CrystalFire software has the following beta software available for download. Please note that of beta software is at your own risk! CrystalFire Software does not warrant this software for anything. We aren't being malicious -- we're just telling you up front that this software hasn't been sufficiently tested to be relied upon.

If you download this software, please check back regularly, as beta software will be frequently updated.