After knocking out what seemed like a couple dozens bugs and feature requests over the weekend we now feel comfortable moving 2.9 into a Beta 1 release! We are really excited with what is shaping up with the 2.9 release and are looking forward to increased testing and participation now that we are over the Alpha to Beta hump! We look forward to your active participation to get us toward the next hump towards a release candidate!

Beta 1 Plans

I said that I would move the current 2.9 alpha to beta stage "later this week" and here we already slipping the schedule... No, I was not off getting my last fix on My Favorite Sail Boat before she finds a new home, though that would not have been a bad idea :) I've been busy cranking on some of the Asterisk 1.8 features that we've discussed, more on that…

Despite the busy past week with ITEXPO and luckily missing all the air traffic disruptions across the country, there's been some good progress on a few of the Asterisk 1.8 features that we are still targeting for version 2.9. Of course being in Miami by the beach brought back memories of my Favorite Sail Boat which looks like it may just be that, memories. (If you ever wonder where my avatar picture comes from, that's it, and as you can see if you take a peak, she's a beautiful and fun boat!)

My how time passes quickly! I'm hoping everyone had a great holiday season and New Years! WIth all the holiday activities and the heads down work that has been going on with version 2.9 I've been a little delinquent giving you an update. So for now here is a quick update and we'll be back shortly for more.

With 6+ years under our belt and releases that started as AMP followed by FreePBX versions 2.0 - 2.8 and now 2.9 underway, there are a lot of versions floating around out there that may make you wonder, "what should I be running?" This question is complicated by the fact that different FreePBX distributions tend to move slower than others in adopting new versions of FreePBX, with varying reasons why they each move at their own pace.

Just go back from last week's Astricon 2010 held in Maryland this year and we are excited about what the future prospects are for FreePBX after getting a taste of what Asterisk 1.8 and beyond have in store for us, as well as other various technologies and applications that we will have at our disposal to keep forging ahead. Of course some of you have already been playing with 1.8 and FreePBX which we strongly encourage to help clear the path for the rest of the community.

Another year gone by and we are back here at Astricon 2010. No more sunny Arizona like the last 3 years; this time they are holding it in National Harbor, Maryland by DC. (Though it looks like the weather is not going to be too bad). We will be over in the Open Source section of the exhibition hall so come by and say hello if you are at the event!