KIDS! STOP IT! NOW!
The whole point of a beta release is being lost here, in all these petty bickerings about nothing.
Cliff and crew came up with what might be some better ideas; they developed these to a nearly "complete" state, and put them out there, for those who are willing to take a chance, to try, and comment on. They are hanging their underwear out on the line, for the neighbors to see. There may be glitches that weren't considered. There may be things that some like better, and some worse. They are asking for our input - our cooperation. They are bringing us onto the team, to allow us to help them help us.
This isn't something they have to do. They do not make a huge bottom line profit by offering these updates and betas for our input or use. They do not discontinue product lines, and install planned obsolescence into their rigs, so you can only use them if you buy the latest and greatest widgets. They offer them FREELY - at no additional cost - to ANYBODY, including us common folks. To ALL of us - not just a select team of beta testers. It's awesome that they would expose themselves like that, considering that there may still be things that need addressed.
They have never said "This is it, take it or leave it; this is how it is, and how it will be. " If ANY of us, from new to experienced, offers constructive critique or suggestions, it's considered, and may be incorporated into a future upgrade. It's not a closed loop, of incestuous, inbred form of monopoly it's an open discussion of what works, and what doesn't.
Betas, or upgrades, have NEVER been a requirement to continue using the box. No one is forced to upgrade, to be able to keep the box at tip-top status. If you like it like it is; stay where you are - no problem for you, and none for others. If you don't like upgrades, that's cool with me; no skin off my nose. I'm willing to bet you sound awesome already - upgrade or not. Just enjoy the music however you can. If trying to stay current is not something that floats your boat, that's awesome. Some of the best tones ever are from gear that was made many moons ago, and it could be that's the case with some of the upgrades, as well. I prefer to keep an open mind, and to at least check them out; sometimes I stick with them, sometimes I go back, and wait for something else.
The betas are NEVER represented as being a completed product. There may be glitches, and that's made exceedingly clear. They're intended to be used by folks who have the experience and wherewithal to bail themselves out, if they get int too deep, or at least know how to ask questions, if they find themselves in quick-sand. That's the whole point of the betas, and this forum - that we shine a light into the darkest corners of the software/firmware, and find any potential issues that would keep this from being the greatest currently available. If we find something that doesn't seem right, we report it to those with the ability to fix it, and the pros step in, and take over, and soon we will have another update. That's how the process works. The whole point is for the largest group of real users possible, try the stuff in real world conditions, and report back. WE are the laboratory techs who are documenting and reporting our findings to the mad scientists, so they can fix things, as only they can. And then we get the benefit of enjoying the finished product, when it's fixed...... I say this again, AT NO ADDITIONAL COST.
I'm not going to be a bossy so-and-so, and demand how anyone is to conduct themselves on the forum, but please - let's keep focused here, and use the betas for what they are intended for. If you're a willing participant in testing things out, jump in with both feet, try as much as you can, and report back with your findings, so incongruities can be addressed. If you're a casual user, or pro, for that matter, and do not want the inconvenience that may occur using a beta software, I'd recommend holding off on updating. If you just want to have the latest and greatest, and still want to check out a beta format, be patient, and understand that there is a whole army of folks working on checking out every possible contingency, in the hopes of the end result being better than the initial offering. If you discover something, let everyone, or at least Fractal Audio, know. Stuff happens, and they'll probably appreciate your feedback, if it's offered constructively. If you discover something, or read about something, that's not working out right, it's not an automatic excuse to pig-pile. That's why we have betas and forums, so these things can be worked out. Be an active participant, and work for the greater good. YOU are the one who benefits in the end.
