BetaArchive

**BetaArchive** is one of the largest repositories of betas and abandonware on the Web.

It was opened in 2006-08 by Andrew Whyman who goes by nickname "Andy" and is currently managed by Andy with the assistance from co-admin mrpijey and the moderators. The site features a FTP server which is accessible once a user has attained the FTP Access status on the forum. As of today, a new HTTP download system has been launched, with the FTP being active and kept as upload and download only.

The forum has received 2 updates, first v2.0 , which was introduced with the upgrade to phpBB 3.0 and then 2.1, which was more of a forum revamp. There is v3.0 in the works. Not many things have been announced about this update so far. It is going to introduce a new forum theme that will use Twitter Bootstrap, thanks to which BetaArchive will also have a mobile site.

## Member Groups and Privileges

There are several groups on BetaArchive.

* **Administrators**
* **Staff**
* **Donator**
* **FTP Access** (aka **Archive Access**)
* **VIP**
* **Registered users** (phpBB Default)
* **Newly Registered users** (phpBB Default)

The **Administrators** and **Staff** form the BetaArchive staff. Both groups are invite only.

The **Donators** group is accessible by donating £2.50 (or equivalent amount in other currencies) or more donation and then PMing Andy on the forums. The benefits of Donators group is today a restricted forum exclusive to the Donators members and previously also access to extra/private servers.
The Donators group was formerly called VIP, and there was an option to make 750 posts aside from donating to get membership.

The **FTP Access** (also known as**Archive Access**) group is accessible by uploading one or more unique or improved release(s) to the FTP, followed by applying for membership in the user Control Panel.
This will give you access to most of the restricted forums and an FTP account with 50GB limit per day and locked to your IP.

* Previously , no uploads were required and only 10 contributing posts were required. With effect from 2014-07-28, this is no longer the case.

Members in the **Registered users** group can post freely in unlocked sections and you can now PM members and upload release to apply for **FTP Access** group membership. All members of BetaArchive are automatically placed in this group in addition to any other groups they may be in.

The **Newly Registered users** group is the first group you get in (automatically) and it is limited to no PM's and all of the 3 posts need to be approved by a staff member before you are automatically removed from the **Newly Registered users** group.

The **VIP** group is invite only, for those who done major contributions, no matter if posts, Wiki edits, uploads etc.

## Ranking System

   Up to and including BetaArchive v2, users used to have ranks displayed above their avatar. The ranks based on their post count or another criteria. In BetaArchive v2.1, the "star" ranks have been deprecated and replaced by the user's level. However, the banned user ranks have been kept from the previous ranking system.

0~49 posts50~299 posts300~599 posts600~999 posts1000 and above posts
The rank "Permanently Banned" indicated the user has been banned from the forum for an unspecified time. The "Temporarily Banned" rank indicates the user has been banned for a specific period of time. The "n00bus maximus" and "Noobus Maximus Moderator" ranks were more of an joke that continued and have been set for Gnome. However, he got the regular Moderator rank with the reveal of BetaArchive v2.1. The "Ex-OSBA" rank has been given out to users that were members of OSBA before its closedown in 2006.

There is also: *I don't like the stars* set for happy dude because he didn't like the stars.

Administrators RankModerators RankEx\_OSBA RankN00b RankPermanently Banned Rank
## Including Windows XP

**BetaArchive** does not host the final RTM versions of Windows XP. In the future, Windows XP Abandonware will be removed until 2024 after it's DMCA copyright.

This also applied including WinWorldPC, according on the note:

> Microsoft has asserted their copyright status regarding Windows XP. BetaArchive respects this and therefore will not host Windows XP.
>
>
> BetaArchive does not want to risk any additional trouble. Windows XP is not rare or in danger of disappearing, and therefore has no real place on BetaArchive anyway.
>
>
> Anyone who can not comprehend this and requests Windows XP or later will be immediately **banned**.
>
>
>
>

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## Staff User list

Below are these users who made contributed on BetaArchive.

* Andy (Administrator, founder)
* Mrpijey (Administrator, FTP Admin)
* Battler (Staff)
* Gnome (Staff)
* James (Staff)
* x010 (Staff)
* Daniel (Staff)
* The Distractor (Staff)
* mattarnster (Staff)
* Craig (Administrator)

According to this, there are 7 staff users in BetaArchive. Including 3 administrator users.

## Other BetaArchive Sections

Besides the Forum, BetaArchive has various other sections via the Website Navigation and links on the forum, these are noted here.

* Database & Download,
* Photo Gallery, containing Screenshots of various Windows and other products. It has been redirected to the wiki.
* Image Uploader, for uploading images on the forum, hotlinking to other websites is blocked.
* Server Info, with the Server Information and Statistics.
* FTP Servers with FTP Server information (Host, Account and Settings). **Only FTP Access group members have access to this page.**
* Wiki, which is what you are reading now, the BetaArchive Wiki.
* RSS Feed, BetaArchive's RSS Feed for the forum.
* Contribution Rules, Contribution Rules on how to get FTP Access or Donators group membership.