While I'm okay with giving beta access to people who at least seem enthusiastic about the project (velorooms here was a lurker but I think he seems to be fit to help for the alpha?), I'm certainly not okay with giving access to people who flat-out point out how mysterious they are.
The beta will be private, but only to ensure it doesn't get out of control too soon. The bug reports will be public.
To me, 'mysterious people' will have to wait for a public alpha.
I think thats perfectly fair. I myself accept that I wouldnt be considered for the first alpha, but when im considered ready I am keen to take part. The fact that ive already asked a couple of questions (despite reading the forum for over a year) that had already been answered shows that im not fully up to date on what the features are etc, and might ask annoying questions. ..
:)The other problem is, as soon as the alpha or beta is out for widescale release, people start using it as a platform in the wild, for live forums, and you end up with an "unfinished" product, that may or may not have bugs, or unfinished features, being used in a real world environment which can create a negative impression of said product.
With a closed testing program if it is being used on live forums at least you can control where its being used, and make sure that members of that forum are aware its an "alpha" platform.
Posted: October 31st, 2012, 04:33 PM
On a side note, really pleased that the momentum seems to be growing as far as development goes. Following the forum for a while it was all systems go, then seemed to die off a bit, and was worried it might go the way of other forks. Interesting to read the politics behind it all on the smf forum as well.
:D 
