After following alot of startups learning with many approaches to beta releases I have stumbled upon the worst example of how to release a beta. But first what I have seen. 

There seem to be three schools:

1. Release your beta early with less functionality….ride some marketing and hype and improve the functionality as you go
2. Release your beta late (seems to be 3/4 the way through dev cycle) and use the hype in market to get some interest for full release
3. Release your beta never make up your mind to leave the beta status little star in the top corner of your site forever. 

Well tonight I discovered the latest one which I really hope isnt a growing trend. http://blogwerx.com/ now seems to be accepting registrations (well somehow I managed to sign up) and you enter you newaccount after the obligitory email, and wow. Nothing work. And I mean nothing…sliders dont slide, buttons dont do anything….They could have posted a screen shot with hotspots for the same effect.

Realising there was alot of talk on this subject last year I wont press on, but it was just sad to see such a horrid experience.