I recently experienced exactly what Peter describes. I was asked to take part in the later stages of testing an upgrade to the accounting software I use. I was connected to the development team via a weblink whilst they watched me use the new software for the first time. When I got confused or made mistakes they would ask me what I was trying to do and what I expected to happen. There is nothing like seeing your software through a first time user's eyes. I was impressed by their approach - especially when they followed up by sending me a box of posh chocolates and a Moleskine notebook! Caroline Gurney On 5 July 2014 11:25, Peter at LostCousins <peter@lostcousins.com> wrote: > To add to what Adrian has said, one of the problems with beta testers is that they can become > so familiar with a program or a website that they're no longer able to see it as a new user would. > > When I was in the software business I would introduce new testers during the later stages of > development to overcome this problem. I don't know whether findmypast followed this strategy - > possibly not given their surprise at how the new site was received when it went live. > > Peter