This is one of the conundrums, so to speak, that I always think of whenever a new software version is released, especially with open source software. No matter how good the software developers are, in a matter of days, or weeks (if lucky), they will be releasing a security patch or bug fix. The beta testing stage isn’t always as effective as it is supposed to be. Maybe the reason behind this is because beta testers know how to fix things and already have a game plan as to what should be done versus what ordinary, technologically-deprived noobs would do. Here’s a suggestion: fill the beta testers roster with idiots and dummies. That way, most of the bugs will be quashed before the release date. There’s just one problem though. The developers would then need tons and tons of patience.

Anyway, I’m just thinking out loud if I should upgrade immediately to WordPress 2.5 when it comes out. Although there’s not really a major revision to the way the core processes data, meaning, the database schema is still the same as of 2.3, there shouldn’t be a lot of glitches. However, there are additional functions that might clash with a number of plugins that currently provide the feature that is yet to be included. One of the plugins that might be affected is the Tag Managing Thing by Christine from the Internet. There will be a tag management page included with the core of WordPress 2.5. If it doesn’t clash, the next question I have to answer would be which one to use as the main tag manager.

Another plugin that might be affected is the Gravatar plugin. WordPress 2.5 will have built-in support for gravatars. However, I don’t think this will be as affected as the previous plugin as WLTC’s Ronald Huereca points out that you can enable or disable the built-in gravatar support and just use the plugin. One thing they didn’t mention, though, is if the option is enabled or disabled by default. Installing is easy. Upgrading, however, is another story. And this is mostly for theme developers.

So based on my fickle-mindedness and inability to stick with the decisions I make, I think I’ll just wait for March 10th and see if I’m in the mood for some code-wrangling, or simply hitting my head with a brick.