Gmail launched in March 2004. But after more than four years, the site still uses “beta” on its logo.
For the uninitiated, “beta” is a fancy way of saying, “this software or website is a work in progress.” But all software and websites are works in progress, so the term is primarily used today to sound cool — nothing more.
So let’s drop that “beta,” Google. Besides, you’re not as cool as you once were (but I still love ya).
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Smooth Harold is the official blog of Blake Snow, a freelance writer and media consultant living the good life with a wife and kids. Among other things, he is writing a book on finding offline balance in an increasingly online world. He can be reached by email.
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August 26th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Unfortunately, I think to Google “Beta” means, “We haven’t figured how to make this look good on a profit spreadsheet yet.”
That’s the real reason Gmail has stayed in beta for so long. In fact, if they could figure out how to make Gmail profitable, it would probably get a lot more attention and be a lot better.
Don’t get me wrong, I love Gmail. I use it all the time, but it’s got flaws.
August 26th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
The only thing “cooler” than being in “beta” (not “Beta”) is being in “alpha” (or in the case of ZoomClouds.com, “zeta”)… But I agree. If Gmail is still in beta, then every single website and software product is also in beta; after all, everything is always in some sort of development or revision stage.
August 26th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
I was on some site and they claimed “gamma”. It may have been Google goofing on themselves, but I can’t recall.