Leslie Camacho
Leslie Camacho
CEO, EllisLab

The End (of Beta) is Near: What You Need to Know

Jun 18, 2010 Permalink Discuss

EllisLab CTO Derek Jones announced during EECI2010 that the next build of ExpressionEngine will be 2.1. This will be the first non-beta release and officially mark the end of the beta. The release date given at EECI2010 was “Soon” and today we’re updating the release date to “Near.”

The end of beta will mean some important changes at ExpressionEngine.com and we want to give the Community sufficient time to prepare. Here is what you need to know.

When ExpressionEngine 2.1 is released, ExpressionEngine 1.x will no longer be available for purchase. EE 1.x will officially become a legacy version. We promised that we would keep the transition from EE 1.x to EE 2.x as natural as possible and not force it unnecessarily. Given that commitment, here is what you can expect:

  • If you own an EE 1.x license you will have continued download access to EE 1.×.
  • New EE 2.1 purchases will also have access to EE 1.×. You will still be able to start with EE 1.x and migrate to 2.x at your convenience just like you can now with the EE 2 beta.
  • When EE 2.1 launches, EE 1.x will be available as a separate download link instead of packaged with the EE 2 download like it currently is.
  • We will continue to provide technical support for EE 1.x as long as there is sufficient demand for it. Realistically we expect this to be throughout 2010 and a good deal into 2011 at the least.
  • EllisLab will provide six months notice prior to discontinuing EE 1.x support.
  • When EE 2.1 launches EllisLab will continue to provide security updates for EE 1.x in our usual speedy and thorough fashion.
  • EllisLab will continue to provide bug fixes for EE 1.x, though this will be at a reduced rate as development priority will be firmly on EE 2.×.

Coinciding with EE 2.1’s release, ExpressionEngine.com will be undergoing a refresh that includes replacing EE 1.x documentation and support resources with resources focused on EE 2. We will do our best to keep current URLs intact or redirected. If something breaks we’ll do our best to restore it quickly.

If there is something you absolutely reference everyday other than the EE 1.x User Guide, please make a copy for yourself and let us know about it in the Discussion Thread for this post. We will do our best to notify the Community prior to any major resource change that can’t be redirected in a seamless manner.

Please keep in mind this is a fairly significant update to a lot of resources and we appreciate your patience, help, and feedback during the process. Right now the main thing you can do to help is tell other EE people who may not read the blog or stay updated on EllisLab news. When we say sufficient time, we mean it, so this isn’t happening immediately but don’t procrastinate because it will be happening in the near future.

I will be happy to answer any questions posted to the Discussion Thread. See you on the boards!