User testing of beta software creates a more stable product. The software companies actually listen to user feedback via their 'bugs' e-mail address. We, the consumer public, can feel like we had an impact on the final product, that our needs were heard and met. This close tie between software developers and the public is a vital link. If we don't voice what we think about software, then the resulting software won't contain our input.
Companies go to great lengths to test their software.
They do everything they can to verify that their product is ready to ship. This practice has worked for years, yet some developers have decided to release their beta versions to the Internet. While this gives the public a sneak peak at what they're working on, it can cause problems. Some betas are riddled with bugs. There are no manuals, tutorials, or anything that might help the user determine what the problem could be.