Yeah, I used to see it in HP fic all the time, but it's been so long since I read any that I've not noticed it in a long time. However, Bones fic seems to be rife with it and OMFG I just wanted to tear my hear out the other day...actually, that would be painful, I'd rather tear the authors' hair out!

And, yeah, for betaing purposes fair enough, but you'd never leave it in on purpose when you posted it.

And, yeah, I don't mind footnotes, but if chapters are long, you're right, it can be a bit annoying.