But I don't see it happening, mark usually keeps his beta testing private amoung a group of people he trusts not to give it out.
I don't think so. I think its personal preference. I never betrayed anyone when I used to test b3d and B+, yet I am not testing max for some reason. I'm not upset by this, but I kinda think someone who doesn't like me probably stitched me up and tried their utmost not to let me test.Flameduck mentions that you need to pay a premium to for the opportunity to beta test and get a head start on your competitors.
He speaks truely from the viewpoint of someone who doesn't actually do any real testing. Beta testing, real testing, is hard work.
I found hundreds of bugs and reported them back when I used to test and I can assure you it isn't easy work writing example code to narrow down and help find those bugs.
I guess some people are happy to just sit back and get the software early instead...