I'm keen to try out Linux_Learner's list, but I haven't got around to it yet. I think the key thing is to note his disclaimer about "beta" software. There is "beta software", and there is "beta software". .... Some beta is closer to alpha, ... other beta is closer to being very very solid and stable (like a version 2.x). ... And some beta is simply .... beta.

Hence my recommendation is not to immediately install beta software, unless you have read enough (and researched enough) to decide it is worth doing.

For example, consider ntfs-3g. This IS beta software (and a quick surf to the ntfs open source site for linux will confirm that). Yet it is offered on Guru's main respository, and IMHO Guru is typically pretty good at not trying to package flakey software. If one researches this further, one will learn there are querks to ntfs-3g impacting the installation, and drive mounting, all of which have workarounds. There have been no detailed observations complaining about data quality. Just the contrary. All comments have noted data quality is good (no lost data) and performance speed is also very good. Hence in my personal view, this software is very stable.

For any piece of beta software, I recommend users take the time to make that sort of stable or not stable assessment.