[geek] Advice for consumers of custom software

Dearest and most beloved of our customers, for are not all of our customers dear and beloved? when we* tell you that we will humbly deliver to you, for your gracious and considered review, a stable and mostly-'feature-complete' Beta on Monday, the proper response does not include "So, I can put this into production Tuesday, right?" Nor does an appropriate and measured reaction include "That's great! Where's [previously undiscussed feature 'x']?" Such questions can only lead to conflict, sadness, woe, recriminations, and angst such as the stuff of which great sagas are composed. Wailing, gnashing of teeth, rending of garments, and lamentations - all of these can be yours for such ill-considered speech. Exactly who will be doing the bulk of said wailing, gnashing, rending and lamenting may be open to some question. Rest assured, however, that you will do your share. That is all. [*] "We" meaning the development team and/or the management - preferably 'and', but that's a whole 'nuther blog post.