[ESRI]Are you in the ArcGIS 9.4 Beta Program?

<P>The Support Blog has just posted some <a href="http://blogs.esri.com/Support/blogs/supportcenter/archive/2009/11/13/looking-to-the-future.aspx" target="_blank" >details about the 9.4 Beta Program</A> covering, amongst other things, what's included and who's eligible to join.  In general, if you're currently on maintenance or an EDN subscriber, you qualify. </P>
<P>It highlights that the 9.4 Beta is:</P>
<UL>
<LI>Available for download
<LI>Fully supported by ESRI Technical Support
<LI>Accompanied by new 9.4 Resource Centers, also in Beta state</LI></UL>
<P>As a developer however, here's a few points regarding how the program can help you...</P>
<P><STRONG>Early Access<BR></STRONG>First off, you get to try all of the <a href="http://www.esri.com/news/arcwatch/1009/nine-innovations.html" target="_blank" >new features in 9.4</A> early, like the new UI enhancements, the integrated search, map publishing, new Time support, and the new reporting system. In addition you'll have full access to the new APIs.</P>
<P><STRONG>Migration Planning</STRONG><BR>Equally important is that by getting your hands on the software so early you can get a great head start on planning your upgrade/migration strategy. This should help you with:</P>
<UL>
<LI>Focusing your testing
<LI>Automating installation
<LI>Measuring performance improvements
<LI>Assessing or re-assessing dependencies
<LI>Migrating sooner after the final 9.4 release</LI></UL>
<P>And let's not forget the day-to-day activities; you'll be able to check that the new products hook into things like your automated build or continuous integration frameworks as expected.</P>
<P><STRONG>Developer Community</STRONG><BR>With the dedicated 9.4 Beta Resource Centers, blogs and forums you can get involved with the community and share your tips and discoveries with other early adopters.</P>
<P><STRONG>Direct Support</STRONG><BR>And with the active online support model build into the beta program, you'll be able to interact with Support staff directly.</P>
<P>Take the poll to the right, and let us know in the comments how the beta program is working for you!</P>