Comments on: Metro Uses TV’s to Provide Next-Train Information http://la.streetsblog.org/2008/06/23/metro-uses-tvs-to-provide-next-train-information/ Covering Los Angeles's livable streets movement Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:06:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Fred Camino http://la.streetsblog.org/2008/06/23/metro-uses-tvs-to-provide-next-train-information/comment-page-1/#comment-1228 Fred Camino Mon, 23 Jun 2008 19:24:41 +0000 http://la.streetsblog.org/2008/06/23/metro-uses-tvs-to-provide-next-train-information/#comment-1228 In software development, this "work in progress" stage is called either alpha or beta and is used to test the software before a full release to ensure it is usable and free of bugs. During the beta testing phase, the software is released to a limited number of people who are well aware that they are using software that is still incomplete and the purpose of this stage is to get candid comments and criticism on the software to iron out the bugs. Metro decided to go with an open beta testing phase (releasing the incomplete software to the general public, not a select group of testers) but they decided not to tell anyone that it was in beta. What's more, it seems the comments and criticisms that are the reason for beta testing are unwelcome by Metro. If Metro wishes to not have public criticism of beta stage software they should have held a closed beta (allowing only a limited portion of the general public to knowingly participate in the testing phase) and made participants signs a non-disclosure agreement. They could have then used the comments and criticisms from the beta testers to refine the software before a final release to the general public, who would be able to judge the software at its final tested and debugged stage. Barring this, Metro should expect criticism from its customers for releasing an unfinished product onto them. In software development, this “work in progress” stage is called either alpha or beta and is used to test the software before a full release to ensure it is usable and free of bugs. During the beta testing phase, the software is released to a limited number of people who are well aware that they are using software that is still incomplete and the purpose of this stage is to get candid comments and criticism on the software to iron out the bugs.

Metro decided to go with an open beta testing phase (releasing the incomplete software to the general public, not a select group of testers) but they decided not to tell anyone that it was in beta. What’s more, it seems the comments and criticisms that are the reason for beta testing are unwelcome by Metro.

If Metro wishes to not have public criticism of beta stage software they should have held a closed beta (allowing only a limited portion of the general public to knowingly participate in the testing phase) and made participants signs a non-disclosure agreement. They could have then used the comments and criticisms from the beta testers to refine the software before a final release to the general public, who would be able to judge the software at its final tested and debugged stage. Barring this, Metro should expect criticism from its customers for releasing an unfinished product onto them.

]]> By: Kymberleigh Richards http://la.streetsblog.org/2008/06/23/metro-uses-tvs-to-provide-next-train-information/comment-page-1/#comment-1227 Kymberleigh Richards Mon, 23 Jun 2008 16:35:47 +0000 http://la.streetsblog.org/2008/06/23/metro-uses-tvs-to-provide-next-train-information/#comment-1227 The screens are still a work in progress (and thanks, Damien, for including the quote by Metro staff to that effect). While I am sure Metro appreciates constructive criticism and suggestions, I have been seeing a lot of negative posts on the various blogs about this upgrade and I really wish that people would give Metro a chance to finish what they have started before attacking. The screens are still a work in progress (and thanks, Damien, for including the quote by Metro staff to that effect).

While I am sure Metro appreciates constructive criticism and suggestions, I have been seeing a lot of negative posts on the various blogs about this upgrade and I really wish that people would give Metro a chance to finish what they have started before attacking.

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