[docbop]

Most companies I've worked for being a beta tester was by invitation. We would look at people from online boards like the DUC who have exhibited vast experience with the product and excellent technical knowledge. Then we would notice people submitting good bug reports with good problem description and valid test cases for reproducing the problem. Just being a user isn't much help need people who can write detailed bug report and supply steps for a test case. Then there are high profile users that are willing to test beta releases. They didn't ususlly write good bug reports, but their industry knowledge made their input on new features and know they would push the product. This was also a way to get them on a NDA which all beta testers have to sign. Being a good beta tester is a lot of work, its more than just trying out new releases.