I have received this message from the Pronto Product Manager. I'm posting what is pretty much a direct quote:

ProntoEdit is a software package designed to enhance the already awesome capabilities of the Pronto intelligent remote. Philips recognizes the excitement and tremendous demand for an even more powerful customization tool that enables customers/consumers to:

- Manipulate panel layout (chose/move/add/delete buttons),
- Enhance user-interface flexibility (create macros in any button, chose/move/add/delete panels and frames),
- Import bitmap graphics and use them as icons that take advantage of our great LCD resolution (320X240),
- Emulate the product on the PC prior to use (ProntoEmulator gives you a view of what you create while you work),
- Configuration exchange between the PC and Pronto via a serial cable (upload, download, and merging of files and configurations),
- Store/clone/share configuration files using the computer, and
- Other features

Philips plans to release a beta version of the software package (ProntoEdit) on our web site (www.PhilipsPronto.com) by the end of this month (Jan/'99). The software will be available free of charge pending an on-line registration at the site and can be used by dealers and consumers in accordance to the user-agreement. The interface between the computer software and the product is through a serial cable that connects to all existing Prontos. The cable can be ordered from our web site (free of charge to registered Pronto owners) or from our toll free service number 1-888-486-6272.

**Philips plans to release a beta version of the software package (ProntoEdit) on our web site (www.PhilipsPronto.com) by the end of this month (Jan/'99). **

A Beta version? So this isn't a 'Final' Version? So what does Jack have then? The same version we're going to get?

Craig.

PS to last message...

So, with this being a Beta Version, why not have Jack send us his version?

It looks like we're not getting a 'Final Version' right away anyway.

And wouldn't we be considered Beta Testers using the Beta Version anyway?

Craig.

Because it's not ready yet - I'm sure the version Philips releases will be a FINAL beta release (perhaps to check first if there's other ideas users have before making it "final final"), while right now it's just a beta version. Significent difference? Probably not, but Jack (and everyone) has to follow the User Agreement, which to my understanding says it can't be distributed - beta or not. It's only a maximum of two weeks until it's available any ways!

This is great news!
Thanks for the update Daniel.

Does beta simply refer to no direct internal Philips support, perhaps. I think it's fair to say that as people use ProntoEdit, they will find more and more changes that would be beneficial to others. So I suspect that if the software is supported(rev'd) it will continue to be released in various flavors. Keep in mind that good software engineers are not widely available for low $$ and such ongoing costs need to be rolled into a $400 remote (gotta sell lots!)
What determines beta vs release anyway, other than the mfr's designation as such?

Beta: In the preliminary or testing stage, as in "they're still in the beta mode with that software." Software developers encourage users to report bugs while beta testing their program.

Final: Testing Stage Complete. Ready to Package and Ship Final Version. (Or in this case upload to the internet)

Or, as is the case lately, "Final" is designated by a combination of the following:

a) A key number of features have been implemented.
b) The maximum time allotted to complete the product has been reached.
c) The maximum amount of capital designated for the development of the product has been spent.
d) The product appears to be bug free.

A few queries... First, Daniel, part d) never seems to be met with MS software... (had to throw that in)

Second, there is an "alpha" version as well, which is preliminary design and writing of the program. Once it becomes "beta", it is operable and has most, if not all, of the features originally intended. It might still have bugs, but it functions "well".

And third, last, and most important... You mention "registration" in your post... Does that mean that those of us who do not yet own a Pronto are SOL? I mean, really... The software is probably useless without a Pronto, with the exception of being able to design your layout before buying the remote and using ProntoEmulator to see how well your design functions. This is major shortsightedness on Philips' part. I can understand having to be a registered owner if the software could program other devices, but I don't see that happening.

or as in 'this beta work, and its beta than nuthin.

The point is that when "beta" is referred to by a mfr, it really is whatever they wish to assign to the meaning, isn't it? No support perhaps....support really not needed anyway beyond forums.

Generally, in a "final beta", the programmers are reasonably sure everything works and it has been tested in house. The main difference between a final beta and a release is support, documentation, distribution, and a bit of CYA in case they miss something which causes problems to the user community.

Scott,

>And third, last, and most important... You mention "registration" in your post... Does that mean that those >of us who do not yet own a Pronto are SOL? I mean, really... The software is probably useless without a >Pronto, with the exception of being able to design your layout before buying the remote and using >ProntoEmulator to see how well your design functions. This is major shortsightedness on Philips' part. I >can understand having to be a registered owner if the software could program other devices, but I don't >see that happening.

You have to consider the cost of doing that. No software is ever truly free. Even freeware isn't truly "free" since it usually a way for the software engineer to promote his/her programming abilities so you will want to purchase the shareware version. Or the freeware version will be limited in abilities so you get a general idea of what the program will do, and again hopefully buy the shareware/retail version. Even companies like ICQ, AOL IM to name a few are far from free. The consumer might not ever have to pay to use the software, but the company itself is hoping to do an IPO, or be bought out for millions (see AOL IM, or hotmail for good examples, or even Netscape)

How does this all tie into ProntoEdit? Well from what we'll heard about the software it required a team of software engineers and quite a bit of time and QA testing. So how does Pronto release this software for free to everyone and not lose money? Well they limit it to people that have spent the $300+ on the remote itself. To hand out the software for free to people without remotes would cost too much money. They will be saving quite a bit by releasing it via Internet. (saving on boxing it up, written manuals, shipping costs, etc..) But you still have to factor in web hosting costs, bandwidth issues, etc.. All of these things cost alot of money. Be releasing it to everyone how does that benefit Phillip’s? Well I guess you could argue that you could “test out” the remote by playing with the Emulator, and if you liked it you would buy a Pronto. But would the total cost of the web hosting and bandwidth justify the amount of people that will play with the software than buy the remote? Maybe, I have no clue I don’t work for Phillips. But the bottom line is that it makes perfect sense to only offer this to registered Pronto users. It will save money, and allow for a justification of the overall budget that Phillips allotted to the Pronto project. Also by allowing users to go out and buy a Pronto than download the software you fulfill that “instant gratification” aspect. It would have been silly to package the software and require the user to send in or call in their serial number than wait several weeks for the software to ship. Not to maintain that this also drives traffic to the Phillips web site.
All in all, it was a good move to provide the software via the Internet, and to offer it only to registered users

If anything this also helps cut costs to lower the overall price of the Pronto, which is a good thing for all of us! :)

-Dymas

Scott,
I spent the $350 and part of that included the cost of the software. Why should you get it for free when it was part of the cost of the remote to me? Why don't you ask Proceed for one of their software updates to play with or Lexicon for software for their 700T remote and see what they say? Spend the money on the remote and get the software. If you don't like it just return it.
Ron

I agree the Pronto software is to promote the product. I believe registered owners get the cable. The software will be "free" and of course only useful with a Pronto.

For the record there are forms of "Free" software.

See [Link: softronix.com]

It's under GNU Public license agreement.