Introducing some beta test users

Today we introduced a few beta test users to the site. Very interested to get feedback about the joining process and using the groups features.

Regarding the joining process there are too many stages:

1. Filling in the application form

2. Solving the Captcha

3. Getting a code to verify your email address

4. Being accepted by admin

5. Applying to join groups

6. Being added to groups

It would be great if 5 and 6 above could be done by the user but I have tried several different methods and every time come upon a brick wall: the website development package I am using simply doesn't provide this feature. I have one last solution which I am pretty sure will work, but it involves creating eventually 9 different €0 start-up packages, one for each province. You choose the package which will add you automatically to your province's group. Three problems with this:

• You might need to provide credit card details to join a €0 group - another hurdle.

• People will still need to request to join (and leave) subsequent groups. It's annoying that the option for users to join/leave groups on their own isn't supported.

• To offer paid features (even €0 is paid!) we have to pay much higher site fees and that will need external financial support. We're looking into this but it's a whole different ball game involving becoming a business with many additional costs.