There are several benefits to beta testing.

Firstly, you get to try out the software early so when the final release comes you are productive straight away.

Secondly, you get to assess the software in depth early on which saves time and costly mistakes later.

Next, some of us derive satisfaction from playing with software. It's a very personal thing. There's an intellectual buzz from troubleshooting or the simple acquisition of more experience on certain types of software.

Fourthly, despite the best efforts of some unscrupulous commercial interests, the Internet's communal spirit from its early days still exists. Some of us feel that whilst we can't give back directly to those who've given to us in the past, we can contribute to the IT / Internet community generally today in other ways. Beta testing is one of those ways.

Finally, as a consumable product, software is unique. There are a huge variety of complex environments in which it has to perform, not one but a set of functions. Add in the complexity of the relationships between hardware, software and OS and there is no way that in house testing could possibly catch as many issues as user testing. Beta testers therefore contribute their own time / effort partly for the selfish reasons (as above) but also to help produce a better product for everyone.

I can understand how beta testing does not appeal to some (OK to many!) but please don't feel bad for those of us who do it and who don't receive a free copy.

In over 20 years in IT, I've beta tested innumerable products and only ever received a free copy of a program on two occasions. But I don't feel hard done by at all as I've had great fun and gained a wealth of experience doing it plus made a few friends along the way.

Oh yeah, my copy of V5I was delivered at 1000 (UK) this morning via UPS.

Cheers,
Mark