Release testing

While i was testing the Nucleus 3.1 zip file before it was released, i got the idea that it would be usefull to have a checklist with tests you should do when testing a RC zip file, instead of just installing the zip and trying things you think about. Like Karma said it would even be better to have an automated testing system, but that's probably a bit overkill for Nucleus.
After searching Google for a second, i found some PHP Unit testing tools:

• SimpleTest: http://simpletest.sourceforge.net/
• PhpUnit (dead?): http://phpunit.sourceforge.net/
• Article from phpPatterns: http://www.phppatterns.com/index.php/article/articleview/33/1/2/
• Article about SimpleTest: http://www.lastcraft.com/unit_test_documentation.php

I don't know if this information is somehow usefull for Nucleus...