Need 50 Beta Testers - DPChallenge Forums

03/07/2005 10:44:23 PM · #1

to test web site & service offering established remote backup solution.

Requirements:
1. Windows OS.
2. Broadband connection.
3. Able to download 20mb client software.
4. Have (or are willing to open) a PayPal account.

This service will be totally free during testing period (at least until end of April).

Beta testers will be expected to comment on site ease-of-use and quality of Service provided to assist in compiling a "help-page".

NB: The software itself is not Beta, is 100% stable and has been in use for many years.

Please PM me or email info@guroos.com if interested.

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

03/07/2005 10:45:50 PM · #2

What do you need a paypal account for? You have to admit...soliciting on the internet for beta testers and saying they need a paypal account sounds a bit fishy.

So are you paying them or are they paying you?

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

03/07/2005 10:52:03 PM · #3

I'd guess the software requires a payment to activate, part of the package, and that ti will be niminal in beta ane refunded immediately. This is not unprecedented; dollar in, dollar back.

Robt.

jbsmithana

Nikon D300

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 12-24mm f/4.0G IF-ED

03/07/2005 10:53:29 PM · #4

What happens after April when you have a bunch of b/u stuff on their site? The hook?

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

03/07/2005 10:56:23 PM · #5

Originally posted by bear_music:

I'd guess the software requires a payment to activate, part of the package, and that ti will be niminal in beta ane refunded immediately. This is not unprecedented; dollar in, dollar back.

Robt.

I don't buy it. dollar in, dollar back...sounds like a scam if I've ever heard one to me. Just email everyone the passwords to activate or just front them the money and send it to the companies in the first place.

Next thing you know, they'll be saying they're going to deposit some whacked out thing they have that is only in the amount of $1000 in your account and you get to keep $200 of it so you should send the other $800 back to them in the form of a cashier's check or money order.

scam..i vote this thread is deleted before anyone is ripped off.

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

03/07/2005 11:02:10 PM · #6

Sheesh, the guy's a valued member here, why not let him explain? And evidently you haven't opened an accounf at Blockbuster lately, that's exactly what they do...

Robt.

Message edited by author 2005-03-07 23:03:01.

03/07/2005 11:06:12 PM · #7

hmmm .... some very suspicious people out there:

1. I did not put any links up in order to avoid being accused of soliciting.
2. I use PayPal as one would think they are above suspicion.
3. If you bother to subscribe you will see that there is no charge for the first 30 days and you would be instructed to cancel subscription after receiving username, password & client.
4. No hook, after testing finishes you may uninstall software or renew your subscription and become a paying customer.
5. The data that is backed up onto the server is encrypted and can only be read by the client that created it. If you lose the key or do not back it up we cannot help you. It cannot be unencrypted without the key or at the server end.

Please ask me any questions you like, but I would appreciate you not being negative until you have a reason for being so.

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

03/07/2005 11:07:07 PM · #8

nope...blockbuster sucks. family video is where it's at!

--

Secondly...do you really know ANYONE here? I could be a murderer/rapist for all you know. Would it be so far fetched to believe that someone could actually *GASP* set up an account somewhere and pretend to be something they're not for a few months and then when they're trusted among the community, begin to rip the members off for their money?

It's not too hard for me to believe...I'm certainly not accusing anyone, but I just don't buy into this one. Like I said, front them the money, or give them the passwords...there should be no need for them to take money out of a person who is doing a service for them's paypal account.

For all we know, possibly guroos doesn't even know it's a hoax and the software could be stealing people's paypal information and password. I wouldn't trust anyone I couldn't drive within a few minutes to their house and have them explain it to me in person.

You can't get a good judge of character from reading someone's writing. You can't read their expressions or body language. There's too much to risk in this situation...and so I'm skeptical.

Neil

Fujifilm X-T30

03/07/2005 11:10:42 PM · #9

I don't know if it's legit or not, but I'd like to hear how it compares to the way "Connected Data"'s service works (www.connected.com). I currently pay $16.50 a month for 2 GB (or was it 4) of backup.

But what's cool about it is the way it works; the software works pretty much invisibly in the background as a windows 2000/XP service, and does a differential backup at night--not just differential by file, it compresses the data down to almost nothing by diffing it against prior versions of the data.

And it stores something like 4 versions of each file, so you can also go back a version or two.

I wouldn't mind beta testing something, but only if it sounds like it might be better than I already have (Connected.com).

So what are the features?
And like the others have asked, why the paypal account?

Canon PowerShot Pro 90 IS

03/07/2005 11:21:35 PM · #10

Deapee, I have no trouble with you being sceptical or giving your opinion to others. But it should be noted that at no time would anyone be asked for money. If you are sceptical about PayPal then I suggest this is not for you.

nshapiro, sounds like a very similar concept am checking their site now to see major differences

coolhar

03/07/2005 11:40:32 PM · #11

This sounds like something beyond normal beta testing. Beta testing is to find bugs in software. This sounds more like a trial baloon for someone's new business model, more like product testing or marketing research. These people are suckers to do it for free.

And why so secretive about what the real deal is? Does it have anything to do with digital photography?

But I'm sure they will find enough suckers to prove their product for them. This is the internet after all.

goodtempo

Canon EOS-450D Rebel XSi

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

03/07/2005 11:54:28 PM · #12

I think Deapee is skeptical about you requiring the tester to have a Paypal account, not about Paypal itself. You still haven't said why you require a Paypal account or a Paypal payment or deposit or whatever you call it. Are you asking for a payment? Are you asking for a deposit? If not, then why can't you do it without the Paypal account?

Originally posted by guroos:

03/08/2005 12:02:11 AM · #13

coolhar, perhaps you are right about the term Beta Testing. It is for the purpose of testing:
1. the ease-of-use of the web-site
2. flow of subscription method
3. the back-end servers

I thought offering a couple of months use of the service for free was adequate compensation for any assistance offered.

Not sure what you mean about 'secretive', ask anything you like.
Nothing to do with DP, unless you count back-up as related.

I was expecting interested parties to contact me then look at the site before deciding if they wanted to proceed.

I was not expecting to have unfounded suspicions cast upon myself in this forum by people who have not even looked at the site!

Something really simple has turned into something nasty and I hope does not detract from my future enjoyment of this site. I recall someone recently trying to solicit traffic to his site in an underhanded manner and when found out no-one said a word. I have been above board every step of the way and have at no stage asked anyone for money.

I gave a complete list of requirements prior, without hiding anything so that people would not feel they are being misled. However, I am not completely naiive to the existence of scams and peoples suspicions when being offered something. I just thought people would look before being negative, my mistake.

03/08/2005 12:06:16 AM · #14

goodtempo

The PayPal account is for the purpose of testing the subscription process. When subscribing it clearly states that there will be no charge for 30 days, with the idea being you cancel the subscription before that time.

03/08/2005 12:14:23 AM · #15

Originally posted by guroos:

That's the part I don't get. If the paypal account is NOT used, then why is it needed?

I think I understand what you're getting at...the paypal account must be real and must be used for those that do not cancel their 'subscription' after 30 days -- what does the cancellation notice entail?

How can I not be skeptical when you've only given us bits and pieces of the information?

--

What does the cancellation process entail? Can a person not sign up then if they want to continue provide their paypal instead of making them cancel a subscription. I've seen places that do this and the cancellation process is basically to mail in a SASE to the place, they will send you the cancellation form. Then you have to sign the form, pay a cancellation fee, have the form notorized, then photocopied and mail it in to two different places.

Canon PowerShot Pro 90 IS

03/08/2005 12:32:13 AM · #16

deapee

Once setup, a PayPal subscription can be cancelled right up to the morning of the next due payment. All that is involved is logging into your account, selecting the appropriate subscription and click on the 'cancel' button.

BTW: It can be cancelled by the vendor as well.

The process you mention is precisely the reason for my selecting PayPal, they make it easy & safe for buyers & sellers.

coolhar

03/08/2005 12:52:43 AM · #17

What, exactly, is the product that you plan to be selling on this website after you finish testing it? Please explain that in the simplest of terms so that I can understand it. Please.

Message edited by author 2005-03-08 00:54:08.