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Stable versions

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    Stable versions

    I know this is a user forum, but maybe someone will see this... Can we get stable versions more often? Or at least backport bugfixes? It's been three months since the last stable release. I have features that need to go live that depend on bug fixes!

    #2
    Re: Stable versions

    The relatively long timeframe between stable releases seems to coincide with the push for subscriptions over the last couple years, and there may be a relation. I believe the terms of subscriptions/licensing allow the subscriber to retain their current version of AA in perpetuity if they cease their subscription and had been a subscriber for a minimum period of time (somewhere between a six months and a year), but of course, they would not be eligible for further updates. Under this scenario, I would guess Alpha would claim that the subscriber only had the right to the most recent stable release version prior to ceasing their subscription, regardless of whether the subscriber had downloaded and was using a pre-release version. The longer the timeframe between stable releases, the longer the release notes become with interesting new features and bug fixes, and the more tempted are subscribers to renew their subscriptions. It's a bit of a cynical view, but a case one could make. Or, it could simply be the crush of new features takes much longer to test for stability.

    Sparticuz, coincidentally, I was thinking about this today when I saw your post. It would be nice if Alpha were on a regular and more timely schedule of stable releases.

    Comment


      #3
      Re: Stable versions

      Personally, I'm not as concerned with new features as I am with bug fixes. Many different software vendors have the ability to publish bug fixes with the current version of the software while still developing new features on a separate development branch. I would be fine with a feature freeze and they release a point release every six months (or whatever), while still fixing bugs in the current stable version. As it stands we need to wait for bug fixes to be released simultaneously with feature releases. I totally understand the staffing issues this creates, but as you say, we are spending alot of money on these subscriptions, and I think we should have a reasonable expectation that bugs will be fixed and released in a timely manner (once a month?).

      Having said that, Every time I find and report a bug, it's fixed very quickly in the pre-release version, and am very happy with that. But, of course, I can't go into production with those fixes. As it stands now, I have migrated my version 11 app to version 12, but can't go live until a stable patch with my bug fixes comes out.

      Comment


        #4
        Re: Stable versions

        I always run the pre-release version, and it's as stable as the release version. At least for existing features.

        In rare ocasions pre-release builds become unstable for a week or two, but it's not frequent.

        Comment


          #5
          Re: Stable versions

          Unfortunately, I can't rely on that. 50-75 people depend on my application up and running daily to do their jobs.

          Comment


            #6
            Re: Stable versions

            Hi Sparticuz,
            Originally posted by Sparticuz View Post
            ...I have migrated my version 11 app to version 12, but can't go live until a stable patch with my bug fixes comes out.
            Would you share what bugs are preventing you to go live with version 12?

            Thanks!!!
            Edhy Rijo
            Progytech
            (Computer Consultants)
            The makers of CardTracking.Net
            www.progytech.com

            Comment


              #7
              Re: Stable versions

              Originally posted by Progytech View Post
              Would you share what bugs are preventing you to go live with version 12?
              Specifically, the 'show-stopping' bug was with custom ascii exports on grid where the extension was not honored. We are using custom exports to download _custom_ csv's for use with mail merges in Office, and this is a necessary, daily task that our Accountants and Office Managers use.

              Comment


                #8
                Re: Stable versions

                Sparticuz, thanks for sharing this info.

                For whatever is worth, I am using Export to Excel without problems so far with build 1693-4196.

                Did you submit a bug report for the custom ascii exports?
                Edhy Rijo
                Progytech
                (Computer Consultants)
                The makers of CardTracking.Net
                www.progytech.com

                Comment


                  #9
                  Re: Stable versions

                  I can't use export to excel because the csv file is very custom. Yes, the bug was fixed in pre-release about 2 months ago...that's why I'm frustrated...

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Re: Stable versions

                    Originally posted by Sparticuz View Post
                    .. Yes, the bug was fixed in pre-release about 2 months ago...that's why I'm frustrated...
                    I totally understand your frustration, it happened to me too last year when I decided to use A5 for one of my projects, I learned to leave with the pre-release and report bugs as fast as possible to keep moving my application, then stay with that version until I have the need to move to another pre-release.
                    Edhy Rijo
                    Progytech
                    (Computer Consultants)
                    The makers of CardTracking.Net
                    www.progytech.com

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Re: Stable versions

                      1711-4211 is as stable as the released version. Probably more.

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Re: Stable versions

                        Thanks Roger, that is good to know.
                        Edhy Rijo
                        Progytech
                        (Computer Consultants)
                        The makers of CardTracking.Net
                        www.progytech.com

                        Comment

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