1) Why are you beta testing this plug-in?

The plug-in is being beta tested with real customers, with real differing environments and configurations, to minimise the possibility of releasing the product with serious issues.

2) What is a beta test?

A beta test is a trial of a product in very early stages of readiness. The product has been through design and development, and is being tested prior to a possible release. Beta tests can be single or multi-release, with updates offered periodically to include new features and bug fixes. Having a beta test on a product does not guarantee that it will be released, but will allow the company to evaluate every aspect of the product, including support.

3) What costs are involved?

The plug-in is free to download and install. You will still pay for your standard TalkTalk broadband costs during this period of testing.

4) What's in it for me?

There is no payment for testing this plug-in other than our appreciation. And we do appreciate your active participation and all items of feedback are reviewed by people actively involved in the development and improvement of this product.

5) What exactly does the plug-in do?

The plug-in uses lightweight browser based coding to assist you in displaying selected information about your wireless network, devices in the home and information about your PC.

Currently, the beta release contains functionality to display your Wireless Network Name (SSID) and it's associated Wireless Password, to assist in connecting new devices to your wireless network.

Expected updates are the ability to display additional information about your router (e.g. firmware version, if updates are available) and other devices in your home.

6) Are new versions with more functionality expected?

It is hoped that new releases or updates will initially focus on bug fixes and additional platform compatibility support before we add more functionality. Your feedback and suggestions will go a long way in shaping the behaviour and look and feel of this plug-in.

7) How do I report a bug, make a suggestion, or tell you what I think of the plug-in?

The only available method of sending information to TalkTalk Labs is using a dedicated feedback form on the TalkTalk Labs website. You will need to become a TalkTalk Labs member, but it's free and easy to sign up.

In addition, being a member of TalkTalk Labs will also give you the earliest opportunity to apply for other product trials in the future, and we have plenty of exciting beta's and trials planned into 2011. It's a great time to get involved!

8) What if I want to remove the plug-in?

The plug-in has a dedicated Windows Installer / Uninstaller found in Windows Add/Remove Programs (Windows XP) and Control Panel - Programs and Features (Vista/7).

If you decide to uninstall the plug-in, it would really be massively appreciated if you could feedback on if the uninstall was fully successful, and the reason you decided to remove the plug-in.

9) Will I be informed of updates or will it happen automatically?

Currently updates are installed manually, triggered by visiting a webpage and then opting to install the upgrade, though auto-updating is on our roadmap.

On supported platforms (Internet Explorer 7/8/9 & Firefox 3.6 with .NET 3.5) plug-in upgrades are an easy single-click process, with no browser restart or page reload required.

10) Being a "beta" product, is it safe to install?

Beta is a very interesting part of a products life-cycle process. It is not ready to be released by the company to regular customers and will more likely than not include bugs. If you expect all features to work correctly, or for all text to be spelt correctly, then beta testing is probably not for you. If you do not object to seeing a few irregularities, and like the idea of telling the company about them, and seeing the points fixed in a new version, then Beta is exactly for you.

Bearing this in mind, beta testing is still an early testing phase, and because of this we will not state that the application will cause issues for your system, applications and general computer experience. Terms and Conditions will need to be agreed as part of downloading the plug-in and should be seriously considered before continuing.

The installer and uninstaller is digitally signed and limited development testing has been carried out before the product reaches the beta stage.

11) What sort of feedback do you want me to send?

No beta or trial has worth without feedback. It is the primary purpose of a beta, to harvest opinion, suggestion, rhetoric, comments and (most importantly to TalkTalk Labs) bugs. You may also know "bugs" as "Issues" or "Incidents" or "faults" - but, generally, we all recognise these terms all mean "Operational behaviour that is not expected based upon the product specifications". So, to allow you to perform testing affectively, you will need product specifications (on the Trial Page) and a list of known bugs - as you don't need to report them. These will be published as we collect them from you as we go through the beta phases.

As time goes on, and new versions are released, you may possibly see a bug you reported as a known issue, and see it listed as fixed in the latest version awaiting you to re-test. It's quite an organic and satisfying process.

The feedback form will be simple to complete and send, containing helpful drop down selections to assist you choosing the correct category of feedback, and also selectable elements of your computer system and operating system and what error message you were presented with.

12) What will you do with the information collected during the TalkTalk Labs signup process?

This is a really important question and a subject TalkTalk Labs take very seriously. Your privacy is paramount to our department's technical infrastructure. We do not share your information with anyone else, even within TalkTalk, without your consent. You will only be contacted by TalkTalk Labs from the information provided to us by you during the signup process.

13) Is there any other tasks you need testers to do other that sending feedback?

If you raise a bug, please expect TalkTalk Labs to contact you, usually via email, for more information. It is possible we will also send you a very short survey, written by TalkTalk Labs, to simply gauge you feelings on the plug-in. The survey should only take around  a couple of minutes to complete.

14) How do I get involved?

TalkTalk Labs would be delighted if you decide to help test the TalkTalk DigitalHome Plug-in. In order to participate in the beta, you will need to submit the signup form. Once this is complete, you will be given the link to download the plug-in, as well as instructions on how to sign into TalkTalk Labs and how to leave feedback.

Click the link below to sign up for the trial. The selection process will involve you being sent an email with a web link. Follow this link to download and install the plugin.

Sign up to the trial here