How Are Catalyst Beta Testers Picked CATALYST maker?

Dazog

I filled out the Form of course and sent it off to the email address requested.

I was wondering how or what method you guys use to pick Testers?

I haven't seen any threads or FAQS on how its done.

I mean is it random or does it matter what I wrote in the Application.

This isn't a please let me in thread.

I am just asking for a clear anwser from the one person I would think could shed some light on the process.

By the way.

Why don't you release Public Betas?

Like Nvidia's Detonators.

I switched to ATI from Nvidia, and I liked the option to Test Beta or "leaked" Drivers and see what progress is being made.

It would be nice if ATi had a public beta testing program for those of us who want to kill the bugs and Make our cards better than the "Other" guys.

Any info would help me out.

Thanx

The_Neon_Cowboy

Welcome to DH!

spacing ….

Well first off there has to be spots to fill to begin with as the testers grab on and hold on tight. It’s almost like some government jobs were someone pretty well never leaves his position unless he’s fired or dies (or something comes up and he can’t do his/her duties anymore).

Why not public beta’s? People would want support on the beta drivers and that would be a support nightmare for one. Some people would be falsely trying to say it fried their card yadda, yadda, yadda, give me a new one. Also, why would ATI want to give their competitor samples of what they are working on so they can copy, steal, counter with something similar, to their ideals? There are too many reasons to list but let’s put it this way. It’s in the best interests of not only the consumer but ATI as well that there are no public betas.

Easy ATI is dedicated to putting out quality drivers.

NVIDIA puts out betas because their drivers normally won’t even pass/they don’t bother WHQL, sadly those betas are actully more like their current “officials” they just aren’t marked that way or listed on their site.

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Dazog

WHQL means nothing to the people who test beta's

Because a Driver hasn't passed WHQL doesn't mean it isn't Better than one that did.

I don't see how nvidia can Steal ideas from them?

They are two seperate Architectures

Not like Intel Stealing Amd's 64 bit

I know alot of places that Have public Betas and don't have Support Problems.

Since when you install the drivers its easy to have a pop-up for people to agree to.

A contract is a contract.

Also People who don't know what they are installing wouldn't be worried about running the latest drivers NOT listed on Ati's Site.

Only the Die Hards and Beta Testers would be interested.

Nvidia's Leaked drivers aren't leaked, they are just drivers given to 3rd party companies and someone there just puts em on the net.

So nvidia did put them in the public domain by giving them to another company.

I don't see many ATi drivers come out so they must not hand out many drivers to 3rd parties?

I am happy with the latest 4.6

I am just one of the few who likes to run the today's build even IF its way worse than the latest WHQL at the time.

I spend more of my time Testing Drivers and the Such then I actually do using them to play games

Again I used to be an Ant-Ati Guy but since the Catalyst came about and the Opportunity to have a chance to test drivers made me leave Nvidia in a hear beat, since they don't give a crap about publicly testing there drivers with anyone.

Believe me I tried to get a hold of anyone to test for them externally, no dice.

So its not like I don't like the drivers once a month, But by the time we get them they are already 1 month old.

Cats 4.6 are Dated May 15,2004

Be nice to see a "Pre 4.7" release for people who actually would use them and test a few tough spots or just want to run the latest code.

Enough ranting from me.

MindlessOath

i would have to agree with neo cowboy's words 100%

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LINKS U SHOULD KNOW!!!!
DriverCleaner - use every time u install new drivers!
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Tacticalcenter - my Gaming website and forums
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The_Neon_Cowboy

You don’t understand everyone (about 80%) would be running the betas! They why would the ever bother with officials and WHQL and quality? I’m telling you people would expect “support “ etc. on betas…

People would be talking about “bugs” and ATI constantly. Which Is a terrible thing to hear especially by the 70% of the total pubic that are total noobs when it comas to pc’s who are lucky to find the power button little lone understand. You hear something I buggy and has problems in this and that are you going to run out and but it? NOOOO!

We try to squash the bugs before it ever gets out to the consumer. The larger the bug and more wide spread the bug is the more attention it gets. Actually do this, any bugs you find in the officials report here http://apps.ati.com/driverfeedback/index.asp religiously!
That’s what every user should/could do to help and things would get fixed so much faster and better! It’s very important people report the bugs in the first place. That other reason why there are no public beta’s people would use the beta drive and not give feed back or report bugs just but use them just like they do with the current officials.

Do you think people care what it say in the little agreements box 99.5% or users just click next, ok install. You’re giving people way to much credit.

I told NVIDIA drivers aren’t leaked the beta’s are their officials released direct from NVIDIA! NVIDIA has an internal beta program just like ATI! NVIDIA doesn’t bother to deal with thing like WHQL when they do it’s usually and “official” set.

NVIDIA has two kinds of officials:
• The WHQL you find on their driver page which is normally pretty darn old!
• The Non-WHQL (Supposed beta) You find on 3rd part sites and post on sites like www.warp2search.net

The pubic betas are their current officials! They just lack the ability to pass whql and quality testing.


For example there are /could be huge things in the works that NVIDIA would have no clue was coming. If beta were public NVIDIA could then know mouths in advance of upcoming features and come up with something similar of their own!

Heck they might as well have NVIDIA reps in their head quarters or close up shop. For you competitors to know your future plans are can cost you millions upon millions of dollars!

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CATALYST maker

There are a certain number of beta tester spots open at any given time. So I have specific positions that I need. For example somebody running Windows XP on an AMD CPU with a VIA chipset running a RADEON 9200. This person plays First Person Shooters primarily.

So when a spot opens I do a search through the applications for the key words I am looking for. After that its based on luck I guess (sometimes a referal from an existing beta tester helps as well)

Why dont we release Public Beta drivers?
Beta drivers typically mean untested and unfinished drivers. I personally believe it is not fair for a company to release such a thing. Stand by your products and release something that you know is good. Its honestly that simple. One reason why CATALYST is being updated monthly is exactly that, you dont need to run "beta" drivers. Beta is a very abused word..... remember, all it means is unfinished. I want ATI to test not end users.

Hope that helps

MindlessOath

hrm... /me thinking about becoming beta member, i would have a good referal, but that really depends on the hardware i use and when that might be needed

im wondering ... is their much need for a beta tester with ...
winXP pro sp2 all updates
AMD cpu with nforce2 chipset
9500non pro 128MB (L shaped memory)

willing to upgrade to directx9c if needed. :P

i talk to some of the other guys and they say its not a lot out of their daily scedual and my card often has troubles with drivers... i think i have things settled on the most part, but would really like to contibute.
(btw im not really asking to join, cause if so i would just fill out the application atm).

ohh and btw, what are the best forums for beta members and ATI official guys? im always at rage3d and sometimes here. :P im sure they each have their highpoints and low points.

Dazog

thank you for the reply Catalyst Maker.

I was just curious how you picked testers.

Any way of reporting a ton of bugs and getting invited to test

thank you for the reply.

Dom

When I beta tested I considered it more of a privilege than a "job".

The_Neon_Cowboy

The official beta forums are at rage3d but beta testers are all over. I commonly skim over at lest a dozen forums. I just like it here on DH and this is I do most of my posting anyways there are several testers on here.

(Note: don’t bother asking us about future release we won’t reveal anything, and we are all under nondisclosure agreements)

Well as I mentioned before you can report bugs with the officials and that can help us out.

It is a privilege and I am thankful. But, what I am saying it should be treated like you would any job and to take it seriously.

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