Just a note that came to mind when I read this thread.......
In the past I really testet the beta releases etc. Was a bit involved!
The problem come with the bug tracker system that every developer seam to point at (and I understand why from a developer stand point). Every time somebody ask a question or have a problem they are directed to the bug system. The problem is that, in my view, the system is made to be used by the developers and most "ordinary" people is repelled by this system. It does not look nice to use or understand in any way. There is also a problem with the split between the forum that everybody understand and the bug tracker. What is the difference, when shall we use the forum and when shall we use the bug tracker etc. You also need a specific access name and password for each system.
The end result is that the developers do not get so many errors to solve, but the error are more documented and easy to list - but does it make a better system in the end? I do not think so! It is also the reason why people ask for the status of version 8 - nothing about it anywhere else but in the bug tracker really (everything else is outdated). May also be the reason why we still wait for version 8. Nobody like to get involved with the current system.
The solution is to make a better interface for a bug system and hopefully integrate it with a simple forum in some way. I know this is quite a project and out of scope for the SME-server people, but there may be a better system out there somewhere.