I am trying to switch off 2018 (somewhat unsucessfully) in slight downtime and for my new build system for 2023.  Licensing issues notwithstanding, is not the latest version the least buggy?  Why update and offer older versions?

Its a big step as I lose my dongle so I need to be sure it it works well and currently 2021.10 trial aint!

Thx

The older versions are being maintained because especially larger facility houses may need to stay on specific versions for compatibility. As a single user, you're usually best off getting the latest version, which also has the most new features.

Thanks Job - makes sense - many of the big boys do lament the loss of the UX message facility...

Hi Diesele,

Happy new year. 

DIESELE:

Why update and offer older versions?

After a long period where bug fixes and new features were joined in new releases Avid understood again that a part of the user base doesn't need or value new features or more importantly wants to avoid using new features without making sure they function well and do not introduce new problems. In other words the idea that paying for support means paying for fixes for your existing system, not for introducing new problems.

(Once upon a time people even wanted bug fixes for free and only pay for new features, but those times where the software manufacturers followed that wish are long gone ).

What currently happens is that Avid checks if fixes apply to the current and 2 prior versions. If you compare readmes you will see that the exact same fixes are applied in all.

Compatibility also plays a role but this is from my perspective currently more a question of the time and resources that Avid allocates for testing than the newer versions knowingly having potential compatibility issues with other Avid and 3rd party products. Simply said, limiting the amount combinations, old and new, reduces the time needed for testing which saves money.

In general my advise to any user wanting the new UI, small independant or large facility, is to use the latest patch of the previous version. But most facilities here are still on 2018.12.15 and we are hoping that in 2023 a 'smooth' transition to a 2022.x.x version will become a viable path forward.