How betas leak

Pete6 · Thread Author #1 01-04-2009, 03:08 PM

I posted this earlier in another thread but it probably got buried so I felt it worthwhile posting here.

RIM release their proprietary software to their beta tetsers as they wish and when they wish. RIM OWN the OS so it's theirs to do with as they see fit. They also release these builds to different Partners and ISV's.
Beta OSs are leaked by what we may call RIM's beta testers or Partners.. These people have signed NDAs secifically saying that they will not do this. So be thankful that you see them at all. For if these people are caught they could be in serious trouble as I am sure that there are stiff penalty clauses in the NDAs.
RIM do read these forums but we constitute such a tiny amount of their user base (13 million phones, 500K on CrackBerry) that we are scarcely worth a blink from them.
RIM know what they have put in any given OS. After all, they wrote the code. Why do they need to look at us for what is wrong. Their beta testers are told what changes have been made and what to look for. They tell RIM what happened in extended use.
There are differences between beta OSs and carrier releases of the same number. However these are NOT functional differences. Everyone knows that you do not need to delete the Vendor.xml file in a beta OS but you do if you have one carrier's released OS and wish to install it on a different carrier's phone. Also carriers may ask to have their latest theme changes included in their final release. Therefore OS 4.7.0.xxx will be functionally the same worldwide but the beta file may be somewhat different from the carrier release due to what I just said.
If you see beta OS releases coming in rapid sucession then you may be sure that there are problems with the base product. We went through this with OS 4.5.0 for the Curves. It was a nighmare because there were 4 Curve models to contend with. OSs were come about one a week at one point. There were all sorts of problems. Now, six months later we have a very stable product.
Some people in Crackberry know a lot more than others. Crucial_Xtreme is one of them. He has a lot of experience and knows a lot of people. He also does not have any reason to tell you anything other than the truth. If C_X posts it, you may believe it. He is one of the very, very few who really do know what is going on.

I really hope that this post will finally dispel some of the myth surrounding beta OSs.

Diginut · #2 01-04-2009, 03:17 PM

Thank you for a very informative piece of information.

corpnetsolutions · #3 01-04-2009, 03:27 PM

Yes, that was very good. Thank you.

Vulcan500Rider · #4 01-04-2009, 03:31 PM

Yes, thanks for your insight into the beta product. Isn't there some sort of code written into these beta releases before sending out to the beta testers that, if leaked would point to who provided the leak in the first place? Thats really about my only question if there's an answer, or maybe its just not possible either to do that.

brothamoveson · #5 01-04-2009, 03:36 PM

Good information to know now maybe some people can relax.

DonNguyen · #6 01-04-2009, 03:36 PM

sticky please

Reed McLay · #7 01-04-2009, 03:38 PM

Nice job, covered it well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vulcan500Rider

Yes, thanks for your insight into the beta product. Isn't there some sort of code written into these beta releases before sending out to the beta testers that, if leaked would point to who provided the leak in the first place? Thats really about my only question if there's an answer, or maybe its just not possible either to do that.

It is common practice in some industry's, but it does not appear to be an issue with RIM software.

There is nothing to prevent them from doing it, if they consider the leaks a serious concern.

timberdc · #8 01-04-2009, 03:46 PM

Thanks Pete!

bigredrandy · #9 01-04-2009, 03:52 PM

Well said, Pete!

And thanks to the "leaker" whoever he/she may be. Even WITH bugs, .85 is so much better than it's official cousins...
----------------

Patiently (or not so) waiting for the next OFFICIAL VZW release, hoping it's soon...

Pete6 · Thread Author #10 01-04-2009, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vulcan500Rider

Yes, thanks for your insight into the beta product. Isn't there some sort of code written into these beta releases before sending out to the beta testers that, if leaked would point to who provided the leak in the first place? Thats really about my only question if there's an answer, or maybe its just not possible either to do that.

We do not believe so. Of course that may not be true in all cases but RIM run a tight ship and they know what they ship and to whom. They also ship many beta copies (13 million phones, right? Lots of testers, groups, whole companies even) so it would be expensive to put a serial number on each copy. Of course it could be done but that would cost again because you would have to have empoyees watching the testers.

C_X says that leaked betas cost RIM money and this is true but probably less than putting a serail number int each beta that would, in any event would not make beta testing 100% realistic because the serial infomation would continually be transmitted unlike a real phone.

One beta release of OS 4.5 had a RIM reportin tool attached but it came a s a seperate PC application and was easily removed. I think that it went out in error.

dawilliams660 · #11 01-04-2009, 04:06 PM

I'm a tester for M-Audio this is a email I received and I'm posting this so people can see what it looks like and understand what will happen.

Dave

Dear Candidate,

Congratulations! Your application enables us to seriously consider your candidacy. Attached is the standard xyz Non-Disclosure Agreement document. Please review, sign and fax this document to us at

It is very important that we are able to contact you for testing related inquires. We ask that you make us aware should your email or phone number change or become unavailable.

Thank You.

WHAT IS AN NDA ANYWAY?

The Purpose of the xyz Beta NDA is to clarify the relationship between the Beta Tester (You) and xyz (Us).

It is a legally binding contract which the Beta tester (that’s You) must agree to, prior to acceptance into M-Audio’s Beta program (Which is ours).

Compliance with the NDA requires that the Beta tester (that’s You again) agree NOT TO DISCLOSE ANY INFORMATION covered by the agreement (that means YOU can’t talk about anything which is about US or OURS, to anyone outside of You and Us, or we can prosecute you if we find out you discussed our projects with the wrong people…)

An NDA creates a confidential relationship between the parties (that’s You and Us) to protect any type of trade secret. As such, an NDA can protect non-public business information.

The NDA also typically outlines the kinds of things you can’t talk about, and what sort of things you can talk about, and to whom. It also details the consequences of a breach of the agreement.

M-Audio
A Division of Avid

Pete6 · Thread Author #12 01-04-2009, 04:17 PM

Nice post. I like M-Audio gear. I have some at home.

The RIM NDA will be similar but muuuuch longer and you have to leave them your left male spheroidal as colateral.

hector.centeno · #13 01-04-2009, 04:17 PM

Very good info!

Crucial_Xtreme · #14 01-04-2009, 04:19 PM

That was the shortest most simple agreement I've ever seen. Needless to say, others are much more complicated to say the least.

Non-disclosure agreement - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Edit:Below: I can imagine.

dawilliams660 · #15 01-04-2009, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crucial_Xtreme

That was the shortest most simple agreement I've ever seen. Needless to say, others are much more complicated to say the least.

Non-disclosure agreement - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I have the contract its to big to post