From maechler at stat.math.ethz.ch  Fri Nov  4 09:58:47 2005
From: maechler at stat.math.ethz.ch (Martin Maechler)
Date: Fri, 4 Nov 2005 09:58:47 +0100
Subject: [Rd] Alpha and Beta testing of R versions
In-Reply-To: <A2AC7F8A-16B6-4E81-813D-3889DEBB28EF@r-project.org>
References: <p06210200bf8fdc0381f9@[129.206.113.130]>
	<A2AC7F8A-16B6-4E81-813D-3889DEBB28EF@r-project.org>
Message-ID: <17259.8903.764080.973751@stat.math.ethz.ch>

[Mainly for R-foundation members; but kept in public for general
 brainstorming...]

>>>>> "Simon" == Simon Urbanek <simon.urbanek at r-project.org>
>>>>>     on Thu, 3 Nov 2005 12:16:25 -0500 writes:

	  <............>

    Simon> As Brian was saying, the error was fixed in R
    Simon> immediately after the release - strangely enough no
    Simon> one reported the error during the alpha and beta
    Simon> cycle although both the GUI and R binaries were
    Simon> available for download :(.

Unfortunately, the phrase "strangely enough" could be replaced with
``as almost always''.

Maybe we (the R-foundation) should give serious thoughts to
offer prizes for valid bug reports during alpha and beta
testing.  These could include
- Reduced fee for 'useR' and 'DSC' conferences
- being listed as helpful person in R's 'THANKS' file
  {but that may not entice those who are already listed},
  or even in the NEWS of the new relase 
  or on the "Hall of fame of R beta testers"

In order to discourage an increased number of non-bug reports we
may have to also open a "hall of shame" though...

Martin



[Rd] Alpha and Beta testing of R versions
Martin Maechler