Stop using users as betatesters!

Stop using users as betatesters!

Since the introduction of automatic updates, every version has at least one new bug. The previous problems are usually fixed, however for example now for 10.51, application main menu and flash plugins are not sometimes repaint. I do not remember exactly the previous problems, but something was annoying in almost each version since 10.0.
As a software developer, I understand that with the variety of operating systems and system libraries, it is hard to test everything, anyway, I believe that bugs introduced into something that already worked, can be avoided.
What about making longer release cycles?
I really like to work with opera, however, if the situation will be still so tragic, I will have to switch to another browser.

Adam H.

P.S.: Just three remarks:
- Will the email client ever get better searching? At least simple searching where i can specify contents of fields "from", "to", "cc", "subject", etc. would be suitable, I do not want to create a filter every time i want to search for something.
- Why is almost in every update overwritten css file Opera/styles/image.css, I have there my values set and I quite doubt, that this file needs to be updated so often.
- There is some mismatch when checking for flash player version, I have the latest version installed (Opera\program\plugins\NPSWF32.dll has version 10.0.45.2), but here http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=00shaEWlDzU&feature=related it writes me to update the player, in Firefox WINDOWS\system32\Macromed\Flash\NPSWF32.dll, version 10.0.45.2, at least I think this is the one it uses), everything works fine.
(Windows XP SP3, I can email further details if needed)

Having read what you put I don't see the problem with using users as beta testers. The users give back good constructive criticism and point out bugs which might normally not be noticed. It also helps users feel like they are a part of the community. All of the user beta testers help make the finished browser better.

Originally posted by Museatlantis:

I don't see the problem with using users as beta testers.

I don't think he means users who voluntarily test beta versions. I think he's moaning about bugs in the final release.

I have done a lot of beta testing, not only for Opera, and no matter how much you test there are always hundreds of bugs that don't get fixed in time for the final release. At some point you have to release a final version, and then start patching the remaining bugs. Users always have a choice:

• Stay with the old version until the new one stabilises
• Install both versions and use them alongside each other
• Upgrade and find solutions and work-arounds to any bugs

Don't say you had no choice because it auto-updated — you chose to enable auto-update, and even if you missed the warning dialogue, you can always roll-back and reinstall whichever old version you prefer.