X5 beta

[bbbuilders]

For those that have tried X5, Would you recommend making the change to X5 now during BETA, or waiting until after BETA?

[VHampton]

My 2 cents, even though it seems pretty stable so far once you turn over a plan to a new version there's no going back in case you experience a blip.

I guess it depends on how compatible your hardware is with the new update.

[perryh]

It's good to go as far as I'm concerned, use it every day.

[lbuttery]

As aready stated, I would wait - there's no turning back

Lew

[perryh]

Why Lew, X5 is great. How long have you been using it?
I'm doing full working drawing using everything.

[lbuttery]

Perry:

it could be the greatest in the world - doesn't matter

as a 30+ programming veteran I have learned not to trust beta

even then I generally wait awhile after the official release to start projects in the new version - just to be sure it's stable etc

I let users like you be the ones with the arrows in the back

I would hate to be working on a client project and have an issue arise

then telling the client they have to wait....

just my opinion

Lew

[perryh]

It depends on the company.

The last 4 versions of the public beta release has been very good and stable, even the pre public releases have been good enough to do full production drawings.

I see no reason not to go for it at this point.

[kiwideziner]

I would go for it on any work that is not really close to complete. X5 is stable but as with all upgrades there can be small inconsistencies so I have always said if there are time constraints or it is close to finished, finish it in the old version. But start any new jobs in the new version.

[William H Lynch]

Just completed computer demo on X5 to a prospective contractor. No crashes, no problems, no arrows in back. He's sold, townhouse project in my pocket!

Bill

[kirk.clemons]

As with any upgrade, Beta or Stable, your habit should be to first backup your data.
This way if there is an issue you have the older version of the file to revert to.

If you start a new project in the new version and experience a problem, having a regular backup plan in place is your best protection. With a backup plan in place you have very little to worry about.

[Chiefer]

X5 is not yet stable.

[perryh]

Chiefer
Maybe it user error, because I dont have any problems whatsoever. also might be computer problems. You just cant make those statements. X5 is great if you know what your doing.

A hint when the final comes out there will be some minor bugs, and with every version. I just learned to live with them.

[WendyWelton]

I would keep plans near completion in X4. Good candidates for X5 are projects that are in early stages and that do not have extremely tight time schedules - so you have time to learn new stuff.

I may nor may not be allowed to admit I've been using X5 for long enough that I can't remember what's new and what's not, dozens of projects on 5 full time workstations - with very few problems, none of them insurmountable. But you didn't hear that from me, 'cause it's classified.

I've seen one report in another thread of show-stopping problems on a network, but they seem to be unique to his setup. More importantly, they were obvious to the poster immediately, - not some sneaky surprise that would catch him with his mouse pad around his ankles half way through a project.

And - practice the Safe Six

1 - Always try a new version on a SaveAs file.

2 - Never disable your Chief backups. And periodically back up to a location separate from your main box. And then ideally store those off site.

3 - Always test all types of features that you use in a new version before doing billable work. My method is to do my work in the current version - and periodically hop over the new version to try each type of thing in the new one. iow, don't just do hours on construction documents, do a little dimensioning when you do some, then when you do some raytracing, hop over and try that... It's not about time, it's about hitting all the bases.

4 - Always review the available material before doing billable work - the videos, What's New, etc. Things change, settings get moved... You don't want to be under the gun and looking for the directions.

5 - Always practice good computer maintenance - virus updates, deliberate decisions about updating drivers (and know how to roll back if needed)

6 - Always leverage the value of your SSA. If you think it's broken and spend more than an hour trying to find the cure, you should be sending in a Support Ticket. First - you paid for that right, use it. Second - the rest of us need you to do that. If it is a problem, the sooner they know, the sooner it gets fixed. Sometimes you get an answer back that gives you a "doh" moment, but a problem solved is a problem solved.

[WendyWelton]

And - do you need the new features badly? Or not?

I wanted those shadow boards so bad I could taste it, along with the ability to control frieze for eaves and rakes separately. That alone made me dive in, even when the weather report wasn't so clear just yet.

[William H Lynch]

And - do you need the new features badly? Or not?

I wanted those shadow boards so bad I could taste it, along with the ability to control frieze for eaves and rakes separately. That alone made me dive in, even when the weather report wasn't so clear just yet.

The window, door labels in elevation views seduced me into X5! So far no problems, even with old, old, files...

Yes, there are a few quirks, like full gable returns with extensions, but nothing I can't fix....

Bill