A beta stream

[trixmoto]

I've never once seen the "Check for updates (when connected)" option in action, well I've seen the message at the bottom saying that it's checking, but never been told there is one. This is most likely because I visit this forum so often that I've always downloaded the latest version before it gets a chance to check for it! However, I was wondering if it's worth adding a beta stream for this check, so you can sign up to check for the latest beta versions as well. I'd certainly find it useful, because I like to have the version on my laptop bang up to date for when I'm scripting.

[Owyn]

ROFL. I subscribed to the announcement topic and install just about as soon as I see the email. This is one function I could never test. Well, maybe from a clean re-install of a "stable" release, e.g. 3.1.1.1261.

[Mizery_Made]

I don't see a problem with this idea. Seems some of the more user driven, continually updated softwares (i.e. not WMP or iTunes for instance) will have a "Check for Updates" option, and then have a sub-option along the lines of "Include beta versions" or other such option which allows you to receive notice of these builds.

I think the biggest fear might be that someone can easily turn that feature on, and then be subjected to a version that hasn't undergone a great deal of testing, and when something goes wrong "The program broke something! Screw this, back to iTunes!" since it doesn't come with as many warnings and safe-guards offered to the user before they decided to jump into the testing pool like they are when they travel in here.

However, that said, I kind of also question the use of this based entirely on Owyn's comments. I'm the same way, subscribe to the build announcement thread and receive an email almost immediately and I update whenever I'm ready to. The only time where a beta update check may be useful, is when a new test version rolls out (seeing as 4.x would get a new thread from the 3.x one, thus the subscription wouldn't do any good) Given too that currently the beta process is so 'message board driven,' it may encourage people to post their bugs here if they have to come here to get the latest update.

In the end, I think it's at least worth looking into. I think MM could stand to improve some of it's other "update check" functionality (like a force-check, and the Addons Update check needs some major work in my opinion), so it could perhaps be a "it's there for those who want it" addition that could be thrown in along with other possible update-check additions/changes (possibly for 4.x)