By Richard Hay for Windows Observer
Are you analytical and enjoy testing out the latest and greatest software and tools out there?
Do you hesitate to install the latest version of a set of drivers, software update, etc. or do you just go without even backing up your data?
Do your family and friends call you for tech support and helping them with their computers?
Well, if you answered yes to any of the above questions then you just might have what it takes to be a beta tester.
I enjoy beta testing for several reasons. Getting that early peek at new technology and software is very cool. Getting to know other like minded people who are also in a beta test is superb and I have lifelong folks that I keep in contact with outside of the beta programs I have been in because of that. I like tweaking and exploring software to see how it ticks.
Getting in to be a Microsoft Beta Tester used to be so hard (IMHO). I spent about 6 years trying to get in. I can remember back when there was an email alias to Microsoft that you had to send an email to. You would get an automatic reply that had you answer several details about who you were, your background and experience and what program you wanted to test in. Of course back then my goal was to test the Windows operating system.
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This post is excerpted with permission from Windows Observer.
PC Pitstop is proud to welcome our friends at Windows Observer as guest contributors. Windows Observer is owned and operated by Richard Hay. In January 2010 Richard’s community contributions were recognized by Microsoft when he received his first Most Valuable Professional (MVP) Award for Windows Desktop Experience and in January 2011 when he was renewed as a Microsoft MVP in a new category called Windows Expert-Consumer.