Why Upgrade your FlightPrep Software?

With new versions of our FlightPrep software being released regularly, a new one almost every 28 days, one of the questions we're asked by many of our users is whether they should upgrade their software to the latest version. While a simple "Yes" may answer the question in most cases, some dive a bit deeper to see if an upgrade is really what they need or would be helpful.

Minor Updates and Releases

FlightPrep releases sub-versions or minor updates (e.g. 6.2.3 upgraded from 6.2.2 just this week) that address bugs, work flow tweaks, speed enhancements, and add minor features. Lately, these minor updates have been released at a rate of almost every month. When it comes to our latest software version there are typically three different versions that are active or being worked on at a time. At first glance that sounds like a lot but here is how it works:

1. The first is the current software release that our customers are using. If you are running FlightPrep software and have the latest update, this is the version you are on.
2. The second is a Beta software version that will be the next version but is being tested by FlightPrep and our Beta Testers (by the way, if you are interested in Beta testing, send an email to support@flightprep.com). Unlike some developers that seem to go right from development to production, we want this Beta version to get tested, tried, and flown before it makes it all the way out to our customers. As long as there are no issues with the beta version, it is released into production with the next data cycle.
3. Third and finally, there is a developer or "Dev" build that is the latest software build that may have changes that are only minutes or hours old. This software moves into the Beta slot once the current Beta is moved to production.

Having three versions in the production line ensures that we not only have constant improvement, but that the new software is thoroughly tested as well.

Version 6 is our latest version, and FlightPrep just released version 6.2.3 on March 3, 2011. This latest version adds some additional error checking to ensure that XM weather files are in a complete and readable format, shows more fuel prices if you have Flight Guide data, handles memory usage better, and also takes care of an issue some were experiencing when the software would not shut down when trying to upgrade itself. So the question may be is the upgrade important for a software user that does not use XM or does not have Flight Guide? The answer is yes, it definitely is; the last two items listed will help your software run more efficiently and ensure that the application can seamlessly upgrade itself when it comes time for the next version. If you are running any version 6 software we would absolutely recommend updating to the latest version. You can download the upgrade for Golden Eagle or Golden Eagle Plus from this link: http://www.flightprep.com/rootpage.php?page=gefp_dl_pgmdata. The latest upgrade for ChartCase can be downloaded from this link: http://www.flightprep.com/rootpage.php?page=ChartCaseDownload.

Major Updates and Releases

Some software titles like Quicken, Turbo Tax, Office, or Photoshop require or suggest that you buy a new version almost every year. Sure there may be a discount for upgrading, but in some cases the old stuff just does not work any longer. FlightPrep offers its data subscribers free updates to new major versions and also supports the previous version of software. Major releases are for major things that change the application. We release new major versions to add new features, optimize workflow, fix issues found in previous versions, and make our software operate more efficiently on new operating systems like Windows 7. Due to added features and the constant improvements in computer hardware, these major updates are capable of doing things that previous versions could not. However, along with these big improvements in new versions, there may also be increases in the hardware minimum specifications to run the new software. While these changes to hardware specifications do not require a top end, or even typical mid-range equipment, the specs should be considered. If your equipment is older (typically something older than 6 or 7 years) you may not be able to run the new version. For some, not having hardware that is capable of running the latest software or operating system signals the need to consider an equipment upgrade. For others it may be best to stick with an older version as long as it is supported and the older version does everything they need or want it to do.

FlightPrep currently supports both version 5 and version 6 Golden Eagle, Golden Eagle Plus, and ChartCase Professional PC software titles. If you are running older equipment (for example a 6 year old PC that only has 512MB of RAM, a 900MHz processor and video capabilities that are not up to Windows 7 standards), you may want to consider installing or keeping version 5. Version 5 can run very well on older equipment with at least Window XP. If you have an even faster PC than that and are happy with your version 5, feel free to stick with it. We are planning on building data for version 5 for the foreseeable future but there will not be any upgrades or changes to 5. Here is a link to our change history if you are running version 5 and would like to see what is in version 6 prior to upgrading if you are considering it: http://www.flightprep.com/rootpage.php?page=Changelog. Please also note that version 5 will not auto-upgrade itself to 6. If you are running 5 and want to go to 6 you must download the new Golden Eagle or Golden Eagle Plus from this link: http://www.flightprep.com/rootpage.php?page=gefp_dl_pgmdata. The full version 6 for ChartCase can be downloaded from this link: http://www.flightprep.com/rootpage.php?page=ChartCaseDownload.

Now if you’re running Windows 2000, ME, or some older operating system we do not have a version for you. Microsoft no longer supports anything older than XP. Windows XP was released in August of 2001 so if you still haven’t made the jump it may be time to seriously consider an upgrade. If you are running one of the older operating systems and use the Internet you may be exposing your personal information or have other vulnerabilities that you may not have considered since there is no longer support for your system. Some of our older and no longer supported software, like version 4 or earlier software, may run on these older operating systems but is no longer updated.

If you are running version 6, you are running the latest and greatest major update to the application. Version 6 will continue to be upgraded as detailed above and the changes for each update can be viewed at the same change log link: http://www.flightprep.com/rootpage.php?page=Changelog or through the software by selecting Help from the menu bar and then selecting Change History.

As always, if you have any questions, feedback, or would like to suggest a topic for our blog please email support@flightprep.com.