Beta

Beta (UK /ˈbiːtə/ or US /ˈbeɪtə/; uppercase Β, lowercase β, or cursive ϐ; Ancient Greek: βῆτα bḗta or Modern Greek: βήτα víta) is the second letter of the Greek alphabet. In Ancient Greek, beta represented the voiced bilabial plosive /b/. In Modern Greek, it represents the voiced labiodental fricative /v/. Letters that arose from beta include the Roman letter ⟨B⟩ and the Cyrillic letters ⟨Б⟩ and ⟨В⟩.

Name

Like the names of most other Greek letters, the name of beta was adopted from the acrophonic name of the corresponding letter in Phoenician, which was the common Semitic word *bayt ('house'). In Greek, the name was βῆτα bêta, pronounced [bɛ̂ːta] in Ancient Greek. It is spelled βήτα in modern monotonic orthography, and pronounced [ˈvita]. In US English, the name is pronounced /ˈbeɪtə/, while in British English it is pronounced /ˈbiːtə/.

History

The letter beta was derived from the Phoenician letter beth .

The letter Β had the largest number of highly divergent local forms. Besides the standard form (either rounded or pointed, ), there were forms as varied as (Gortyn), and (Thera), (Argos), (Melos), (Corinth), (Megara, Byzantium), (Cyclades).

Software release life cycle

A software release life cycle is the sum of the stages of development and maturity for a piece of computer software: ranging from its initial development to its eventual release, and including updated versions of the released version to help improve software or fix bugs still present in the software.

History

Usage of the "alpha/beta" test terminology originated at IBM. As long ago as the 1950s (and probably earlier), IBM used similar terminology for their hardware development. "A" test was the verification of a new product before public announcement. "B" test was the verification before releasing the product to be manufactured. "C" test was the final test before general availability of the product. As software became a significant part of IBM's offerings, the alpha test terminology was used to denote the pre-announcement test and beta test was used to show product readiness for general availability. Martin Belsky, a manager on some of IBM's earlier software projects claimed to have invented the terminology. IBM dropped the alpha/beta terminology during the 1960s, but by then it had received fairly wide notice. The usage of "beta test" to refer to testing done by customers was not done in IBM. Rather, IBM used the term "field test".

Beta (motorcycle manufacturer)

Beta is an Italian motorcycle manufacturer, specialising in off-road motorcycles. Beta are best known for their popular trials bikes. In 2005, they launched a range of enduro motorcycles using KTM engines. In 2010 they launched the new RR series, with a new engine made in-house. Beta motorcycles have been used by world trials champions such as Jordi Tarrés, Dougie Lampkin and Albert Cabestany.

History

Beta has its origins in 1904 as a bicycle manufacturing company named "Società Giuseppe Bianchi", originally based in Florence. The company started making motorcycles in 1948. The name Beta comes from the initials of Enzo Bianchi and Arrigo Tosi, who ran the company at that time. Focusing on two-stroke bikes through the 1950s and 1960s, the company started focusing development and production to off-road motorcycles in the 1970s.

Trials models

Beta have produced motorcycles for observed trials since the early 1980s and are now one of the leading manufacturers. Unlike the Trail and Enduro models, the trials bike have used Beta's own engines.

Cat behavior

Cat behavior includes body language, elimination habits, aggression, play, communication, hunting, grooming, urine marking, and face rubbing in domestic cats. It varies among breeds and individuals, and between colonies.

Communication can vary greatly among individual cats. Some cats interact with other cats more easily than other cats. In a family with many cats, the interactions can change depending on which individuals are present and how restricted the territory and resources are. One or more individuals may become aggressive: fighting may occur with the attack resulting in scratches and deep bite wounds.

A cat's eating patterns in domestic settings (homes) can be unsettling for owners. Some cats "ask for" food dozens of times a day, including at night, with rubbing, pacing, and meowing.

Communication

Vocalizations

Purring is a rapid low pitched fluttering vibration of the larynx that occurs during the entire respiratory cycle. Kittens begin to purr a few days after birth, especially while nursing: it is thought to be part of the bonding with the mother and litter mates. It occurs with contentment and with pain, such as with labor or injury.

Catfight (album)

Catfight is a compilation of unreleased songs by the British indie rock band Hefner. It was released by the band in 2006.

Track listing

The album is split into two discs.

Disc one

Disc two

Notes

"Orange Ball of Hate" is a cover of the Mountain Goats song (originally released on Zopilote Machine)

Catfight (video game)

Catfight (also known as Cat Fight and CatFight: The Ultimate Female Fighting Game) is a PC fighting video game developed by Phantom Card and published in 1996 by Atlantean Interactive (front for pornographic film company Vivid Entertainment). It is regarded as one of the worst video games ever made. The game is not related to the Japan-only PlayStation 2 game The Catfight.

Plot

The plot of Catfight revolves around a dark goddess Shinma and 10 female warriors competing to challenge her and obtain the ultimate power. The game's advertisement on Atlantean Interactive's website states:

Development

Like the early games in the Mortal Kombat series, Catfight uses digitized actors for creating the sprites representing the fighters. Martial actress Katalin Zamiar of Mortal Kombat II fame portrayed a female ninja character Chae Lee.

Reception

GameRankings rated the game at only 8.67%, their score based on three magazine reviews (Computer Games Magazine rated the game 0/5).GameSpot's review at the time (the score of 1.6/10), called it "without a doubt, the worst computer game ever released," the reviewer Ron Dulin stating: "The worst thing about Catfight (and, believe me, that's a hefty accomplishment) is that the gameplay is just so damn bad. I'll sleep easier knowing there will never be a Catfight 2."The Daily Pennsylvanian called Catfight the "number one sexist game ever created". According to Next Generation, "In fact, it's tempting to believe Catfight was designed as a sneaky feminist ploy, since it serves as perfect punishment for sexist males who might buy it. Our scoring system won't let us give zeroes, so Atlantean owes us one star."