My suggestions to Avast Free:
They are trying to keep BETA strictly separated from the release version, so you have to use special BETA updater that is always released here on forums. It’s understandable that they don’t want to release it to those who don’t even know what’s beta. But if you do want to beta test, the whole process is very easy and you’ll be notified about any beta versions here on forums.
We have discussed “default button” and they’ve said it’s planned for avast! 5.1 which should arrive sometime soon.
As for the AQQ, we’ll have to wait for someone from avast! team.
Exactly beta option was to rely on the check box in the configuration settings for the update “Download the beta versions (only for advanced users)”.
+1, an option that notify interested user of a new beta available.
I think that buy automaticaly updating to a beta could be dangerous for alot of people beginer or advanced, what if it was a first beta that happened to have alot of bug’s. That’s why it’s better to come to the forum’s and read the detail’s and post’s before downloading.
While it sounds good, i have to disagree here. We’ve seen many times that users changed a setting they were not even aware of what it does. avast! taskbar popups in version 4.x were the most common thing. Now imagine giving them such an easy way to mistakenly enable BETA versions. It’s really not a good idea.
Besides, is that really needed? In all of the time i’ve been doing beta tests, avast! is using one of the best mechanisms i’ve seen. In fact it is the best to date from my experience.
If you already have avast! installed you just have to run an executable that activates BETA version. If not they provide stand alone installer. During beta test, all updates are delivered through built in updater. Once the beta testing is finished, BETA version automatically updates to final release version and disables beta flag so it will again only update to nothing but final releases until you invoke it with another beta activator, which is always provided here on forums to beta testers.
It’s more like a security feature to always keep users knowledgeable of using BETA version and preventing from “noobs” enabling it by mistake.
How are they to know who is interested of the 100 million plus avast users ???
I really don’t think the general population needs to have an option to update to a beta. For those who really want to check out a beta, the will be smart enough to come here.
I know that for some it is a bad idea, but this option was not enabled by default. For sure it will benefit users who like to test the upcoming versions. In my opinion, the most troublesome issue is ALPHA version. Large public beta will allow perception errors and defects in products, "Avast. When I did not come to this forum to report the lack of default settings that I could learn about the Beta. Certainly there are many users like me and I’m sure the additional option of no harm to anyone.
You don’t understand me Dave… I refer an option in the program that when people enable it (those interested), they will be notified through the program update check.
As has been mentioned already that kind of potion is not something that which should be easily available. We already see the damage some do to their avast settings by selecting options they have no idea what the impact will be.
Borut, as i have learned in many years of testing, you always have to take a specific scenario and imagine it in the worst way imaginable. Only this way you can imagine how it would perform in hands of a casual user.
Beta testing is always conducted here on forums and if you’re willing to participate, you are always welcome. In fact, a beta test is just running. See the sticky above.
Let’s see if they understand with this. I know that many users not understand what beta test is or mean. In this case, they don’t have to beta test a product. But, for those interested in beta test, an available option in the program can notify a new beta version like this picture that I snip to put as example.
Note: I change the setting to make beta notification available, by default, they are not enable.
As i’ve said, ppl tend to enable various things, not knowing what they just enabled.
Having beta accessible to every user is not really good so such checkbox will do more harm than good. Access to beta through forums is just the way it should be with any program.
If i want a beta, i come here. I think a “beta option” is dangerous for common users. If you are interested in betas you know about this forum and betas posted in this.
Using a beta version of any security application isn’t something to enter into lightly and certainly not alone. That is why the avast beta version or pre-release notifications are done in the forums.
The reasoning for this in my opinion is clear, having come to the forums to get the beta you now have access to all of the information gleaned from other beta users, note I didn’t say testers as some people really aren’t that either. But they are able to get the information (issued in the first notification topic/post), get help if required and pass on information about how the beta/pre-release build ran on their system.
This really isn’t something to enter into in isolation as could be the case if avast were ever to follow the suggestion, which I strongly doubt.
Many people using avast don’t even know of the existence of the avast forums, so those people are just as likely to select an option to get the latest version, beta or otherwise.
Avast is already very open and public with their Beta’s. With some other companies you have to be a forum member, need to have a certain status, or have to be accepted as a Beta tester.
Greetz, Red.
I only gave suggestions, which would be useful to me and I’m sure many others. I am not the owner of this program and I will not impose this feature.
And what about the point?:
I really dont see what is so hard about just coming to the forum to see if there is a beta that you might want to try.