Beta launch

Definition

The early release of a product to limited users for testing and feedback. It's a safe way to find bugs before the internet makes fun of you in public.

Example Usage

We did a 3-month beta with 1,000 users before the public launch, which helped us fix critical bugs that would have destroyed our reputation.

Origin

Software development terminology, standard practice since the 1970s.

Fun Fact

Some companies use 'beta' as a perpetual excuse for a broken product ('we're still in beta'), which stopped being cute around 2012.

Source: Software development and product launch terminology

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