NSE participants are what? Alpha testers? Beta testers?
The definitions of Alpha and Beta carry some implications that we'd like to avoid if at all possible - i.e., the logical progression from Alpha through to launch. Services launched via the NSE initiative require input from our channel partners regarding fit and finish prior to a widespread launch. It will also be the case that both of us (ie - us and our resellers) have further learning to do about the space or technology that the service plays in.
The clearest idea that I can give you is that NSE launched services will typically not be "line extensions" (i.e. improvements on existing services like domains) - they will be completely new services that we haven't offered in the past.
I like to think of services offered under these programs as being offered on a start-up basis. Our team is small and focused exclusively on offering these services to NSE participants. For instance, I will be personally handling customer service, billing and technical operations for the services in my launch portfolio. Darryl Green, whom you may have dealt with in the early days of our cert and email services, will be similarly handling services in his portfolio. At a certain point, these services will be graduated to the larger organization, but in the meantime, this really is a deal between me and my team, and all of you.
Think of it as a cross between a Beta, a market trial and the Pepsi Challenge. :)
Hope this helps,
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-rwr
