If it was due as beta now and has been delayed by a month only, i'd be very surprising to see it not having been released by the end of this or very start of next year. 6 months max, i'd expect closer to 4, unless an absolute shocker is found on testing of course.
The test team they use will control it somewhat IMO, external testers would have it ripped apart and back on the slab for repair within a week. I have a firm belief that this version will be a good experience for all, from day one. We shall see.
That's very interesting, but do you actually know this - that V9 is due out next year and that Actinic are bringing in an external testing team - or are you just guessing?
They've openly said that releases will be more like annual than what we have been having. If v9 beta was scheduled for release now, i think we can safely assume that it will be released by next year at the very latest.
The testing team scenario is pure speculation, given what's happened over the past year or so, i don't think they can afford to not do it at some level though. It's time that major bugs and software feedback was done behind closed doors, it can't be good for reputation out in the open so much IMO.
The best source of an Actinic-aware test team remains this Forum. Perhaps some specific beta testing direction with an opt-in list of features to test might be added to provide structured testing, but the majority of the bugs did not surface/had side effects not discovered in v8 beta.
As to publicly (this forum) addressing bugs - I think its a sign of strength that the Company allow and encourage the practice. I would rather have Actinic with its openly discussed problems and the talented help available on and off this forum, than a competitor who keeps it all in house and neither discusses nor repairs its shortcomings.
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