As a frequent reader of tech geekery websites like TechCrunch, I often stumble upon companies and services offering a "private beta" because they're not quite ready for prime time.  This seems like a good idea when you want people to try out your service but you know it's not perfect and don't want to disappoint the masses. 

However, I'm taking the official stance that private betas are a bad idea.  For people like me who either don't have any experience being a beta tester or don't have the credentials to get an invite, private betas equate to a road block.  If there's no simple way around it, I quickly lose interest, and you've forever lost me as a customer (since I can't remember the last time something was in private beta and eventually came out, still maintaining my interest).  In the off chance I put my email address in your "Tell me when you're out of private beta" mailing list, I likely won't remember why I was interested in your company in the first place, so again, you've lost me as a customer. #technology