I would like to understand a bit more about BETA testing.  What is it all about and what are the objectives?  I currently understand that it is a testing process intended to help find faults and weed out bugs - is that correct?

I am puzzled as to why, after 3 Beta tests, there are - as some here imply - 'blatant issues' with the product.  Sure there are always service packs post release, many times more than one; but in most cases that I have seen, these fix either minor issues, or problems only people with experience and a sharp eye would notice, or even enhancements.

But some of what I have read here are so operationally obvious, it makes me wonder how they got past testing?  I can only imagine how much pressure we here at the forum must have put on you to get a finished product.  

I must honestly admit, myself being a veteran purchaser of your products and others, am quite surprised.