Apple kicks off public OS X beta testing

From InfoWorld: Apple today followed Microsoft in opening up pre-release, or beta, versions of its personal computer operating system to all comers.

With little fanfare on Tuesday, Apple allowed anyone, not just registered developers, to download and install a beta version of OS X 10.9.3, an upcoming update to OS X Mavericks.

The last time that Apple allowed the public to obtain beta versions of an operating system was in 2000, when it charged $29.95 for the privilege of running an early edition of what became OS X 10.0, better known as Cheetah. Since then, only registered developers -- who pay $99 annually -- have been able to retrieve unreleased copies of its desktop OS.

The sign-up process for what Apple called the "OS X Beta Seed Program" requires only an active Apple ID and there's no charge or eligibility requirements to enter the program other than agreeing to a long terms-and-conditions document ( download PDF).

However, those terms legally muzzle participants from disclosing anything related to the beta, just as registered developers are prohibited from sharing what they know about Apple's pre-release software.

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