# OpenBeta

> climbing database and website

**Wikidata**: [Q119585760](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q119585760)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/openbeta

## Summary
OpenBeta is a climbing database and website providing information on various climbing disciplines, including rock climbing, bouldering, ice climbing, mountaineering, and traditional climbing. It is an open-source software project developed in the United States using TypeScript.

## Key Facts
- OpenBeta is an instance of a website, database, community project, and open-source software.
- It is programmed in TypeScript, a superset of JavaScript.
- The project is affiliated with Open Collective (Q131846838) and operates under a permissive open-source license.
- Main subjects covered include climbing, rock climbing, ice climbing, bouldering, deep-water soloing, sport climbing, mountaineering, and traditional climbing.
- OpenBeta is named after the climbing term "beta" and is distinct from software "open beta" testing.
- The project originated in the United States and is written entirely in English.
- It produces "beta" as its primary material, referring to climbing route information and techniques.

## FAQs
### Q: What is OpenBeta?
A: OpenBeta is a community-driven climbing database and website providing route information for rock climbing, bouldering, ice climbing, and other climbing disciplines.

### Q: How is OpenBeta different from commercial climbing apps?
A: Unlike proprietary services, OpenBeta is open-source software with permissive licensing, allowing free use and redistribution of its source code under community governance.

### Q: Can climbers contribute to OpenBeta?
A: Yes, as an open-source project, climbers can contribute via GitHub (username: OpenBeta) under its permissive license, though the description doesn't specify contribution mechanisms.

### Q: What climbing activities does OpenBeta cover?
A: It covers climbing, rock climbing, ice climbing, bouldering, deep-water soloing, sport climbing, mountaineering, and traditional climbing as its main subjects.

## Why It Matters
OpenBeta addresses the fragmented and often inaccessible information in climbing communities by centralizing climbing route data through a free, open-source platform. Its community-driven model fosters transparency and collective knowledge sharing, democratizing access to critical climbing information traditionally controlled by commercial entities. By being open-source, it allows climbers worldwide to verify, update, and expand the database, ensuring accuracy and relevance while avoiding proprietary restrictions. This empowers climbers to contribute directly to the sport's infrastructure, making it more inclusive and reliable than traditional climbing guidebooks.

## Notable For
- Being entirely programmed in TypeScript, a less common choice for web applications compared to JavaScript.
- Affiliation with Open Collective (Q131846838), enabling transparent community funding and governance.
- Explicit distinction from software "open beta" testing through its Wikidata property "different_from: open beta".
- Naming after the climbing term "beta," directly linking its purpose to route-finding expertise.

## Body
### Overview
OpenBeta is a climbing database and website dedicated to climbing disciplines. It operates as a community-driven open-source project.

### Technical Foundation
- Programming Language: TypeScript
- GitHub Username: OpenBeta
- Affiliation: Open Collective (Q131846838)
- License: Permissive open-source license (allows free use and redistribution with source code access)
- Instance Of: Website, database, community project, open-source software

### Content Scope
- Main Subjects: Climbing, rock climbing, ice climbing, bouldering, deep-water soloing, sport climbing, mountaineering, traditional climbing
- Produced Material: Beta (climbing route information and techniques)

### Origin & Identity
- Country of Origin: United States
- Language of Work: English
- Named After: Beta (climbing terminology)
- Different From: Open beta (software development concept)

### Online Presence
- Website: https://openbeta.io (in English)
- Social Media: Twitter (@openbetahq), Instagram (@openbetaproject), LinkedIn (openbetacollective)

## References

1. [Source](https://opencollective.com/openbeta)