Yes, I agree with you totally about beta-readers, though I'm not sure how good I'd be about practicing what I preached.

What are your feelings about people attempting to write their fic in British / Canadian / Australian / American / delete as appropriate English when they're writing in foreign fandoms, out of interest? It doesn't bother me at all if people talk about 'the color of Harry's scarf', or whatever, though I know for some people it's on a level with Ginny going out and riding a broom clad in a vest and pants.