Given that all the "exclusive" content posted in the MSFS insider area is reposted to public channels within minutes of release. 

And given that all Alpha participants are chosen from the pool of Insider members.

What is the benefit to Insider membership for those not picked to participate in the Alpha?

This is a legitimate question meant to stimulate MS/Asobo to consider other ways to increase the value of the Insider program.

I tacitly acknowledge that not everyone can participate in the Alpha, and my comment is not intended to imply any such entitlement. In fact, I'm specifically suggesting alternative perks completely separate from any testing or early access role.

Being "patient", as suggested by the moderator, does not address the spirit of my comment.

What the hell do you want them to do.

Really, like. What do you want. All your saying is that you want them to do more but dont provide any solutions on what other stuff they should give.

Calm down, man. If you've been here for more than 5 minutes, you'd know that I've never had anything but praise for the MSFS team and their work product.

Just how far backward must I bend over in order to provide constructive criticism about one element of their website or marketing strategy?

You're right, it is generally good form to offer solutions when identifying a problem. But I'm not a marketing major, and I don't have any insight into Microsoft or Asobo's long-term strategy. Besides, if I asked for something specific, someone like you would come along and accuse me of demanding something.

I'm not demanding anything. I'm just pointing out that there's really no middle ground when it comes to the current Insider program. You either know what the public knows, or you have early access to the software. Nothing in between.

Is that really so offensive?

Perhaps the answer really is just to be patient? The Insider program is generally just a way to sign up and manage people for the alpha right now, and later on the beta. Once the sim is released they may keep it going as a way to have people beta test new functionality like Microsoft does for many other products. And for the most part, I don't think any of those programs offer the user perks other than being able to help beta test.

https://insider.microsoft.com/en-us/

https://insider.windows.com/en-us/

https://www.microsoftedgeinsider.com/en-us/

https://insider.office.com/en-us/

Constantly asking for more does give the impression that one is feeling entitled, whether you mean to come across that way or not.

Edited January 31, 20206 yr by goates

Who "constantly ask[ed] for more"?

Have I EVER asked for anything?

But frankly, it's really not my concern how my comment comes across to you, or anyone here. I comment here because Microsoft/Asobo has a demonstrated history of reading and responding to comments here.

We have a 28-page thread of people bellyaching about Alpha emails. Maybe you can go tell them how they come across?

As for the MSFS Insider program, according to the website:

"What are the benefits of joining the Insider Program?

Insiders will answer short surveys, have access to private forums and receive exclusive weekly newsletters. Moreover, Insiders will have exclusive opportunities to participate in Technical Alpha and Beta tests of in-progress Microsoft Flight Simulator releases and provide feedback to the development team."

10 minutes ago, Noodle said:

I'm not demanding anything. I'm just pointing out that there's really no middle ground when it comes to the current Insider program. You either know what the public knows, or you have early access to the software. Nothing in between.

It's very likely that this is because MS/ASOBO doesn't have an unlimited number of employees to track the feedback from the Alpha test group. There is no point in people generating more feedback than they can process. That's why there is nothing in between. 

This is no different than other closed betas I've been in. The size of the test group is determined by whether the feedback can actually be tracked so it's useful.

6 minutes ago, Noodle said:

As for the MSFS Insider program, according to the website:

"What are the benefits of joining the Insider Program?

Insiders will answer short surveys, have access to private forums and receive exclusive weekly newsletters. Moreover, Insiders will have exclusive opportunities to participate in Technical Alpha and Beta tests of in-progress Microsoft Flight Simulator releases and provide feedback to the development team."

And perhaps they aren't at a point when they are ready to do any of that? Patience is a virtue.

Actually I did have similar thoughts... as in, which is the value of the Insider area when people post all the content to here and other fora anyway?

However people shouldn't be posting that insider content to anywhere else and if I were Microsoft (and had the time) I'd probably tell them that. No real harm done, but it does reduce the value of the insider area - and that's not Microsoft's fault.

3 minutes ago, goates said:

And perhaps they aren't at a point when they are ready to do any of that? Patience is a virtue.

I guess I don't understand the reflexive response to "be patient".

I am patient. I'm not demanding or even asking for anything. I'm just pointing out what i think is a deficiency to a team known for being receptive to constructive criticism. 

Edited January 31, 20206 yr by Noodle

1 minute ago, b737800 said:

Actually I did have similar thoughts... as in, which is the value of the Insider area when people post all the content to here and other fora anyway?

However people shouldn't be posting that insider content to anywhere else and if I were Microsoft (and had the time) I'd probably tell them that. No real harm done, but it does reduce the value of the insider area - and that's not Microsoft's fault.

That's all I'm saying.

8 minutes ago, Noodle said:

I'm just pointing out what i think is a deficiency

And some of us are trying to say it isn't a deficiency and that they most likely know very well what they are doing and how they want to run the program. Hence be patient. They could have not done any of this at all and had an entirely closed alpha and beta surprised us all with an announcement shortly before release.

5 minutes ago, goates said:

And some of us are trying to say it isn't a deficiency and that they most likely know very well what they are doing and how they want to run the program. Hence be patient. They could have not done any of this at all and had an entirely closed alpha and beta surprised us all with an announcement shortly before release.

There is a difference between these 2 sentences:

1.) What is the current value of the Insider area to those not participating in the testing?

2.) Microsoft are not providing me any value in the Insider area.

Your replies are based on the OP saying the latter, but that's actually not what he's saying. He's also not blaming Microsoft for it. It's an observation. Being patient, standing on one leg, or eating only fried food doesn't provide any extra value either.

 

Why do people sign up for giveaways? Surely the people who don't win in giveaways should be given some perks or some other compensation. 

33 minutes ago, Noodle said:

Who "constantly ask[ed] for more"?

Have I EVER asked for anything?

But frankly, it's really not my concern how my comment comes across to you, or anyone here. I comment here because Microsoft/Asobo has a demonstrated history of reading and responding to comments here.

We have a 28-page thread of people bellyaching about Alpha emails. Maybe you can go tell them how they come across?

As for the MSFS Insider program, according to the website:

"What are the benefits of joining the Insider Program?

Insiders will answer short surveys, have access to private forums and receive exclusive weekly newsletters. Moreover, Insiders will have exclusive opportunities to participate in Technical Alpha and Beta tests of in-progress Microsoft Flight Simulator releases and provide feedback to the development team."

You answered your own question in your post above. Being an insider gives you the OPPORTUNITY to participate, not the right to participate. Without registration you would not have been given any opportunity to participate. Pretty well clear to me.

Just now, tpete61 said:

You answered your own question in your post above. Being an insider gives you the OPPORTUNITY to participate, not the right to participate. Without registration you would not have been given any opportunity to participate. Pretty well clear to me.

You didn't read what I actually wrote. Try re-reading it and get back to me.