As with most of my posts, I like to get some of the “givens” and contentious points off the table first.
As this discussion has the potential of breaching the Non Disclosure Agreements that many of you have signed, please let me set some parameters for this thread.
DO NOT discuss any aspects of any flights you have been involved in that were done under the NDA!
We know that the beta process has some flaws. We know that the beta process is an evolving entity. We know that, currently, (Steam users cannot participate and that Asobo is working to change that.)
{**EDIT: This has been fixed for this current beta. Steam users CAN participate now.}
What we, as a community, don’t seem to know, is how the process works.
There are two primary levels of testing. In house testing, done by employees of the developer, and public testing. In this discussion I would really like to steer clear of the in house testing. First, we have absolutely NO knowledge of how Asobo has that structured and secondly, guessing at their processes will only result in the inevitable spear chucking.
So, lets look at the public form of beta testing. In general, the idea is simple. The developer generates an update. They provide a compiled copy of that update to either a closed group or, as in this most recent case, the user base as a whole. We users then take the update for a spin and provide feedback to the developer.
I think we just covered pretty much the entire understanding that the majority of users have when talking about a beta test. That would be the impression I get from every beta I have been involved in. Equally obvious is that there are some very good beta testers among us.
Beta testing is not for everyone. There are a fixed number of bugs and or features that are the focus of every update. The primary purpose of running a public flight is to see if there are any NEW bugs that arise from the changes introduced by the update. Regressions, can appear that may have slipped through initial in-house testing. Testers are also tasked with confirming that those items marked fixed, are actually fixed.
Where this whole process gets bogged down and causes many to become frustrated is when users don’t understand the process or simply want to have a backdoor the register their own complaints. I would never discourage anyone from getting involved. Everyone IS welcome, but if you want to jump in, you must understand what is expected.
Betas are not an opportunity to pick apart the program. You can do that all day in the general forums. When a beta begins, a list of items is provided. These are the focus of the testing. Stay on the list. Posting known bugs that are not in focus, just clutters the feedback. There is a finite amount of time to test the things that need testing. Don’t waste the developers resources with out of focus rambles.
The testing forum category is for posting your test results and observations. Detail is required. “Me too” is not a useful post in the general forum. It is simply useless in a test. There is a template provided for feedback. Use it. Every time.
I know, everyone is an expert, but please, before making a test report, research the subject carefully. To test an aircraft, you really need to compare to the real aircraft. If you have no experience in that particular cockpit then your tests must be purely numerical.
To test a weather system’s accuracy requires a strong understanding of aviation meteorology and weather sciences. If you have only ever seen the top of a cloud from the passenger seat on an airline, you are not qualified to determine whether the formations are realistic.
Discussions, while sometimes productive and can help find solutions, must be kept on topic. Important anytime we are using the forum but absolutely essential in a test. You don’t need to post in a thread, just because you disagree/agree. Offering some new, tested, data will help the discussion move to a conclusion, but joining in to express an opinion must be left to the general forums.
Finally and most importantly, I believe, is to understand that, as with any scientific method, repeatability is an absolute must. If you are testing a specific feature/fix, track the details. EVERYTHING. If you determine there is a problem, you need to be able to communicate the details that allow others to duplicate your findings.
Beta testing can be rewarding and enjoyable. It is a great way to extend the boundaries of your hobby. You will meet some very knowledgeable users and maybe learn something new. You will need to give up some of your free time but that shouldn’t be an issue if you are doing something you enjoy.
Unfortunately, you will also need to develop a thick skin. Users will constantly tell you that you don’t care about their bug. That you are a hack and have no business as a tester. Just remind yourself that you set aside a little time to help grow and improve your hobby.
And you did it to help improve the enjoyment for that user that just called you useless. 
