As per the "what happens next" message at the end of the application process:

Wave 1 - next week.  Reminder: Wave 1 folks are pretty much our MVPs, aka A-Team people, and already know who they are.

Wave 2+: Beginning week after next and continuing throughout the program.

Sorry - this is why I was holding out on posting the application in the first place.  I understand how excruciating it is to wait!!

Deep breath everyone.  Last time I checked, "pretty much" didn't mean "strictly".  I'm definitely sorry if I worried you unnecessarily.  Here's the more complete explanation: See items #3-5.  Nothing has changed.

thematrix25 -  You don't need a Mac to participate, and I'm curious to know why you thought this was the case.  If can improve how I communicate with you guys, I'd like to know.

Thanks!

That's fair.  I was and will continue to be intentionally vague for the following reasons.  (1) For a given program, I don't always know exactly how many of our MVPs will be participating in that program.  If there are fewer people (e.g. if not many have a Palm device), then I can add more people.  (2) I also never know exactly how close to prime time the product will be at the start of a program.  Generally, I can start with a larger number of people for a stable maintenance release.  For new, unproven products, I'm obviously going to start very small.  (3) It's my first priority to help Sling produce quality products, which--for a Beta Manager--translates to covering as many configuration bases as possible.  If I don't have the basic "use cases" covered, then it's my resposibility to add more people to the mix, even in Wave 1.  (4) Stating the number of people allowed in a beta program is considered by many to be intellectual property that--believe it or not--could be used to estimate competitive business information against Sling.

Bottom line: The number of random additions to Wave 1 for a given program will be very small--downright tiny in cases--but not impossible.  I could say it's impossible, but that would be inaccurate plus I don't believe in being that snooty.  (If I ever cross the snooty line, I expect you guys to call me out!)  On that note, I will now sing the National Anthem while burping.  (Not really, I'm not that talented.)

I'm actually glad we're having this conversation.  For one, my intention is to keep the lines of communication open, and if I can help shed light on where I'm coming from, all the better.  I hope you guys will learn to trust that I'm on your side, ultimately.   Secondly--and in theoreticaly contradition to that last sentence--it's allowing me to procrastinate a bit from reading through the overwhelming number of Palm applications<g>....as fascinating as it is, and it is fascinating!

Ahhh, weekend reading...