VMware is inviting interested folks to test drive future versions of its vSphere by joining a new “private beta community”.

According to the company, willing participants will be able to “download, install and test vSphere beta” in their own environments, and then help the company out by providing feedback on how they use the software in real-world conditions, “with real-world test cases”.

Volunteers will be given first access to vSphere beta versions, and they’ll be able to chime in the discussions at new “protected, private discussion forums”. In addition, they’ll be among the first to see “early knowledge of and visibility into product roadmap”.

If that sounds pretty tempting, interested parties should note there’s a small catch – participants have to keep quiet about what they learn from the program, or else they could face the wrath of VMware’s legal team.

That doesn’t seem to bother too many people though – such has been the interest in the program that VMware has been forced to use Twitter to reiterate a few things:

#VMware #vSphere Beta is private and confidential even though it is open to everyone. Correcting some of the tweets that says it is public.

— VMware vSphere (@VMwarevSphere) July 2, 2014

Before being admitted, participants will need to sign a VMware Master Software Beta Test Agreement which contains a clause prohibiting any potential naughtiness:

“You will not use the Software for, and will not permit the Software to be used for, any purposes prohibited by law, including, without limitation, for the development, design, manufacture or production of missiles or nuclear, chemical or biological weapons,” the agreement states.

So there. If you’re willing to play nice, VMware’s more than willing to let you in on its secrets.

Image credit: Simon Yeo via Flickr.com