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devicenull
11-23-2004, 16:36
At the moment, the SDK isn't even released, meaning there's nothing to beta test. In fact, it might be awhile before there is anything to alpha test.

However, a lot of you seem excited about beta testing, and I think malex did a good job of commenting about it :)

We would love nothing more than to open up the beta program this instant. Because the SDK isn't out yet, however, there just isn't anything to beta. Be patient. We will put a call out for beta testers, with the requirements and questionnairs to help us find the proper mix of test servers to maximize test-case coverage.

While waiting for the first releases of SourceMod, there are some things you can do to help us pick you as a member of the elite testing team.

The first, and probably most important, thing you have to learn is how to write properly. We are more likely to pick someone who can properly communicate his thoughts in complete, well formed sentences. Sounding like a kid does not help you, even if you are a kid.

Second, learn the technology. Anyone asking to be a private beta tester, and asking about an installer for the first release, is likely to be laughed at. Learn about the Source engine, the console commands, the filesystem layout. Learn about Steam. Learn about the operating system you will be running this on, be it Linux or Windows. Learn how to separate OS problems from application problems. Most of you asking to be on the beta team probably know these things already, but it doesn't hurt to refresh your memory. It also doesn't hurt to know C++ and debugging, so you could not only find problems but also help fix them.

Third, learn how to properly report bugs. This is related to the first and second points, as you have to know the technology to report bugs properly, and you have to know how to write for us to understand you. Read through the AMX Mod X forums for examples of good and bad bug reports; you should be able to sort the good ones from the bad ones easily.

Until there is something testable, sit tight, learn, study, play, whatever. When we have something, we will find you.

\malex\

Dygear
11-25-2004, 18:51
A helpful command for when your beta crashes and it will. msinfo32. This will collect information about your computer during the time of the crash. This will allow the dev team to see what you were running and help them insure it not just you or some third party program interfering with SM.

Start -> Run -> (type) msinfo32 <hit enter>
Give it a few seconds to run the prgram, it is getting quite a lage ammount of informaion. Now hit Ctrl + S. Then all you have to do is zip/rar or send the raw nfo file to the dev team and tell them what happed.

imported_BlueRaja
11-28-2004, 22:16
Also, Windows Event Viewer (eventvwr.msc) gives infomation about application crashes.
I believe it's only available in XP and 2000.

QwertyAccess
11-30-2004, 01:54
i would just like to state one thing though, im pretty sure for those who HOST gameservers, and rent them out that just running Source Mod isnt enough, you have to look at it and check how it works and perform tests on plugins etc and debug it, check memory so if your someone who just hosts alot of rental servers to people for money you should have the time to watch your server well and the skills as such stated above.

nbigdog2000
11-30-2004, 02:11
WHEN SOURCEMOD COMES OUT(HOPFULLY SOON) ....are u guys looking for testers and alll..cuz i am interested!!!!

imported_malex
11-30-2004, 03:20
WHEN SOURCEMOD COMES OUT(HOPFULLY SOON) ....are u guys looking for testers and alll..cuz i am interested!!!!
Every stupid comment like this will delay SourceMod public release by 7 days. Thank nbigdog2000, folks (privately, of course).

\malex\

devicenull
11-30-2004, 16:41
WHEN SOURCEMOD COMES OUT(HOPFULLY SOON) ....are u guys looking for testers and alll..cuz i am interested!!!!


Can you read?

Bishop
11-30-2004, 19:27
obviously not... heh

nbigdog2000
11-30-2004, 20:34
take it easy guys,geezz....just a question!

imported_malex
11-30-2004, 22:38
take it easy guys,geezz....just a question!
14 days.

devicenull
11-30-2004, 23:23
take it easy guys,geezz....just a question!

You failed to read the first post in this thread, you just posted a question already answered in it. I'm not sure if your the right type of person to beta test things.

nbigdog2000
12-01-2004, 00:29
oo..opps, sorry! :-D :P mistakes happen

Downtown1
12-01-2004, 22:09
I can beta test, I got a 64 player CS : Source server and a 16 player HL2DM server :).

Linux btw :D :D

dual_bereta_r0x
12-02-2004, 12:48
I'll be glad to help testing too. I run some 32 ppl win32 ded servers and have some debug experience.

ShadowKat
12-02-2004, 14:23
Also, Windows Event Viewer (eventvwr.msc) gives infomation about application crashes.
I believe it's only available in XP and 2000.

This is an incorrect statement as the Windows Event Viewer has ever been a part of the Windows platform. It is just now located under a different group name in 2000 and XP. It resides in administration tools group that did not exist before Windows 2000.

The key to testing (I'm a Quality Assurance Engineer Manager) is well described by malex. Just sending in a report saying it broke, is not going to be sufficient. You definately need to understand when you see an error from which application or program it's coming from. If possible, it would be good for the SourceMod programmers to allow their beta testers to have access to have a high level listing of the design of SourceMod. Letting the testers know how the developers are expecting the program to act and react. Hardest way to test is to test a program or an application in which you have not been told how it's design and it's expect behaviors. Also, GOOD ERROR CATCHING CODE. If something does crash/break having a message that indicates "object reference is not set to an instance of an object" really doesn't tell you a whole hell of a lot. Please don't leave off error catching code for a "rainy day" in order to get SourceMod out faster. Believe me in the long run it will be better. :wink:

HEH, ok I'm done ranting now. 8)

KillerGreen
12-03-2004, 12:19
I too, would love to beta test for you guys on my LINUX 16 preson public server.

Pills[HL2DB]
12-03-2004, 20:58
Hi there. I am fairly new to this website. I think it's groovy what you fellows are doing. Anyway, let me get to the point. I run Http://articgamin.com and would be happy to setup a test server for the development team if one has not been done already.

My comment is not meant as a question, but as a statement. I am not looking to beta test, but to furthermore improve on this project. If you would like me to beta Sourcemod, I would not mind at all. My servers are ran on Linux (Which I know a decent ammount about as well as Windows)

You may contact me by email at:

[email protected]
[email protected]

best regards
-Sean

BAILOPAN
12-03-2004, 21:11
Okay, obviously people did NOT get the point of this topic :)

The point of the topic was to please, NOT post offers for beta testing.

So, thank you for your generous offers, but when we need testers, we will make a call for it :)