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On 2nd April, 2024, WordPress 6.5 “Regina” was released to the public. By 9th April version 6.5.2 was in circulation, and while version 6.5.1 never reached users due to an error, it did mean that after 7 days there had been “2 bug fixes on Core, 12 bug fixes for the Block Editor, and 1 security fix.” And this highlights a general problem with software. How far should you trust the first iteration of a product?
Version 1.0 is, by definition, the first public version of a piece of software. This means the developers haven’t had the benefit of real-world user testing with a large audience. The software might have significant issues with bugs, crashes, and unexpected behaviour that can leave you frustrated or worse. New software is all about potential, and version 1.0 might not have all the features promised or envisioned. The developers are likely to be focusing on core functionality first, with additional features planned for later updates.
New software is exciting because it’s new. But that also means features might be unfinished, clunky, or even missing entirely. Version 1.0 might be a bare-bones version of the developer’s grand vision, leaving you wanting more. This means that you become the tester. By using Version 1.0, you essentially become a free quality assurance tester for the developers. While your bug reports might help improve future versions, it’s not ideal to be the one facing the brunt of the problems. Software of all sorts is there to support your business not hinder it. As it is new the software’s underlying code might not be fully optimised. This can lead to slow performance or compatibility problems with other software.
If you can imagine driving an unfamiliar road without signs or a satnav to guide you, you have a fair idea of what tackling new software with limited documentation can feel like. Version 1.0 manuals might be sparse or non-existent, leaving you struggling to work out how to use all the features, assuming of course that they work as intended. With a brand-new product, the developer’s support team might be overwhelmed by initial user queries. Troubleshooting a bug you encounter could take longer than with a more established product.
So how should you approach new software? If it is an update for WordPress, then your website designer or developer should be on top of it and able to advise when the best time is to update and manage the process for you.
For other software I have 3 golden rules:
Do your research:
Read reviews from early adopters and tech blogs to see what others are experiencing with version 1.0. We know the internet is never backwards about expressing its views. If you are tempted by Beta test programs remember they are generally for those who are willing to tolerate potentially unstable software and provide feedback to developers.
Consider alternatives:
If you have found the functions of a new product enticing look around. Is there existing software that meets your needs? Using a new version of an established program might be a safer bet than venturing into uncharted territory.
Consider the urgency:
If the new software isn’t critical for your immediate needs, waiting a few weeks or months for an update with bug fixes and potential new features might be a better move.
At Ginormous Websites we are constantly looking at updates for WordPress and the plugins which our clients use. It is important to keep up to date as every revision will close a security loophole and improve functionality. That’s why we offer monthly website maintenance plans to give you peace of mind that your website is secure and working with the latest stable updates. A well-maintained website is more likely to give a positive user experience. With our monthly update schedule, and the inspection and testing of your site that goes with it, your visitors won’t encounter broken links, non-functional contact forms or poorly loading pages.
Our affordable monthly maintenance plans include our secure hosting and an SSL certificate so that you can be sure your site is online around the clock serving your customers. Backups are made to the server and the cloud, so that should a problem occur, your site can be restored promptly, often without your clients being aware of it.
To learn more about our website maintenance plans, visit the page at our own website or get in touch for an initial conversation and start the journey to your best ever website.
