Topic: Good idea to put out a 0.08 'beta'?

In a few days, it'll be 2 years since 0.07's release, December 23, 2007. (Time flies, eh?)

Of course, many of use have been using the 0.08 nightly builds (for Leopard or newer) ever since they first came out.


However, I don't think a huge majority of the current Cog users are using them, unless:

-they felt adventurous and clicked "Development" instead of "Downloads" (the latter being what most typical users looking to try software would click)

-they passed by the forums and happened to stumble on one of the many threads where I shamelessly take every opportunity to tell people to try the 0.08 nightlies tongue


So yeah, for anybody who's using Leopard or newer, if they aren't using the 0.08 builds, I feel that they're really missing out on the past two years of awesome additions and improvements (courtesy of vspader and other contributors).


As such, I wanna suggest putting out a 0.08 'beta.'

Well, it may be nothing more than one of the recent nightly builds with the label 'beta,' but I feel this would make a big difference, especially if:

-the beta is featured prominently on the Cog site (and I think people are more likely to try out a beta rather than a 'scary' developmental/nightly build)

-the beta replaces 0.07 on all those software download sites (MacUpdate, VersionTracker, Apple Downloads, etc.)


I think the builds are pretty stable to be usable. (IMO, they have for a long time.)

I would just rather than when new users try out Cog, they get the best possible experience out of it, not the 2-year-old experience.


What dya think?

Re: Good idea to put out a 0.08 'beta'?

Last edited by arghwhymustiregister (2009-12-19 14:43:18)

Re: Good idea to put out a 0.08 'beta'?

sounds like a plan. doesn't affect me personally but i can see it being good for other users & thereby good for cog.

Re: Good idea to put out a 0.08 'beta'?

I agree. The development build has been almost totally stable for me (only repeatable issue being spotlight search hangs). Should it even be a beta, or just a release?

Re: Good idea to put out a 0.08 'beta'?

I personally just don't have enough time to devote to a proper 0.08 release, so making it beta isn't worthwhile.

Re: Good idea to put out a 0.08 'beta'?

Re: Good idea to put out a 0.08 'beta'?

I have to agree with Remain.  It's distinctively depressing to periodically go to the site for a well-loved app, and see no updates for years at a time.  (I remember doing that a decade ago with SoundApp, Cog's spiritual ancestor of sorts.)  The way the Cog site looks right now, it's easy to come away with the impression of yet another dead/abandoned project.

Even a small sign of life makes a big difference, and given how much has been done on 0.08, having a beta release would help to "keep the faith".  It might even bring in developers who can help keep things going, fix bugs, etc. until you have more time.

Re: Good idea to put out a 0.08 'beta'?

Re: Good idea to put out a 0.08 'beta'?

I hereby dub Cog zombieware.

Re: Good idea to put out a 0.08 'beta'?

What's in todo for 0.08 release?

Re: Good idea to put out a 0.08 'beta'?