Continuous beta refers to the practice of deploying systems in an incremental manner (rather than waiting for large, heavily tested releases) but also continously monitoring them for problems. Effectively the deployed system is always under beta testing. The term was coined for web-based systems and is one of the characteristics of Web 2.0, but now most downloaded applications have similar rapid update cycles. Continuous beta deployment is usually backed by some form of agile software development.
Used in Chap. 5: page 76
Used in glossary entries: agile software development