Have you ever had an idea and said to yourself, “This would make a great post on Be A Design Group?” Have you ever wanted to leave a comment, but restrained yourself because you didn’t want everyone to know how you really feel? Have you ever wished you could get instant feedback on your design work from other designers? Do you dream about a place where you can complain about your clients with other sympathetic designers? Maybe you just want to get to know the designers in our group better. Well, I am proud to introduce a new feature to our site that strives to be all those things and more. The feature is called BetA, and it is a private blog that can only be accessed by members of Be A Design Group.

Probably the most exciting part of BetA is that you will be leading the conversation. As a member, you have the ability to make a post and address the group about whatever you feel like. After your first post, you will see your name in the author section along with all the other BetA members. Your name will link to your very own profile page which you will be able to update and manage yourself. You will also be able assign yourself an avatar that will appear next to comments you make anywhere on BetA.

A side benefit to us is that we hope to harvest some of the more fruitful content for use publicly on Be A Design Group. This will be done with your permission, of course, and if we see an especially active member we may ask them to make the jump to BADG as an official author with all the fame, glory and wealth (cough) that goes with that prestigious title.

In addition to giving you a place to share your ideas, and the possibility of super stardom, BetA is also a place where the BADG team can experiment with ideas and get feedback from our most dedicated readers. You will be the first to know about new features that will be added to the site, potential podcast guests, and all kinds of insider knowledge. Heck, we may even have a yearly campout for members so we can get to meet you in person.

Registration will always be free, but membership will be by invitation only. How do you get an invitation? Good news. Until November 15, 2006, membership will be open to anyone and everyone who reads Be A Design Group. After that, simply send us an email and ask for an invitation. If you have left a comment on the site, we will most likely give you a green light.

I would like to thank the following “BetA testers” for their suggestions and involvement! Shout outs to: GCRaya, Jason, PixelHustler, Simanek, Ben Swift, JonSel, lostbercub, outerwear4, Donovan, Nate, Bennett, and Sam Sampson. You guys rock!

My hope is that BetA lets us to get to know each other better and allows us to help one another grow as designers. Hopefully soon BetA will be filled with conversations and personalities. Sign up, log in, and start kicking the tires. BetA is waiting for you.