Microsoft Seeks to TAP Elite Beta Tester Pool

On Thursday, Microsoft Corp. notified some of its SQL Server 2005 testers that they are eligible to join the next phase of the "Yukon" beta program.

As noted in a beta tester e-mail note posted on the ieXbeta Web site, Microsoft is seeking customers to join its Technology Adoption Program (TAP) beta program for its next-generation database.

But more interesting than the e-mail itself is TAP.

TAP is the granddaddy of Microsofts beta programs centered on a core group of key customers and partners who are early adopters of key Microsoft technologies.

TAP is not a replacement for Microsofts mega-beta tests (public and private) for products such as Windows, Office and Visual Studio. Instead, its more of an "elite" beta-test program.

TAP, which quietly launched in the fall of 2003, supersedes Microsofts Rapid Deployment Program (RDP), Early Adoption Program (EAP) and Joint Development Program (JDP).

TAP is reserved for a select group of customers and partners with whom Microsoft is interested in holding "an ongoing dialogue on pre-release code," according to the company.

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