On: Big mistake launching a startup: make users pay for beta

Instead of just not charging beta users, imagine paying them a small thank-you fee ... might be a good way to get early adopters really on your side.

Don't do that. Get them on your side with quick, honest replies when they write you. Giving them money sounds weird and desperate, and it's an exploit waiting to happen.

Let me know when you do this.

Will do. :-) I'm actually hoping to do something like this when microPledge goes live.