Why would a compony like Netscape jeapordise themselves by even letting out a beta version so hackers have time to find bugs before the full version is released. Don't take me wrong I have only been on the net fer a little over a year and Love Netscape. And If I knew what I was Doing I would love to help them.....
Actually, it is not jeapordy that they get from doing so, but some of the best bug finders and security experts on the planet.. for close to free. If hackers can find 10 bugs before final release, it means there is a good chance that they will fix those bugs before final release. Think of it this way.. you practice a new task until you are competent at it.. beta code is the same.. it is the practice or scratch code that may be refined into the final product. Thanks- robL