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Beta Testing Starry Night 7 - Read EVERYTHING To Participate (this is a little different again)

Invitation To Everyone:

Everyone here in the Community Forums is invited to participate in Starry Night beta testing!

Your beta-testing feedback, whatever you can contribute, will be invaluable to the success of Starry Night!

Please read completely through this post to understand what we are doing for this round of Starry Night beta testing (this is a little different again from how we have done it before)

 

To beta test Starry Night you need 2 accounts!

  1. support.simulationcurriculum.com account - for providing feedback, reporting bugs, in the Starry Night beta community forum.
  2. beta.starrynight.com account - for downloading the beta.

 

How to Apply - The 2 Part Process:

  1. Please reply here (in a comment below) if you can help us at this time.   And please outline your experience with Starry Night (or SkySafari), including what versions of Starry Night (SkySafari) you have run previously, what telescopes you are controlling, what kind of astronomy you are involved in, if you are a power user, etc.  Importantly, your reply shows us that you have registered a support.simulationcurriculum.com account. 
  2. Visit the following URL and fill out the application webform: https://beta.starrynight.com/reqreg.php  Complete the registration process, choosing a password, and then you can access the beta downloads.  If you are already a registered Starry Night beta tester then please DO NOT fill out the web form again - you are pre-approved.  However, you must still reply here (in a comment below) if you can help us at this time. 

 

*** IMPORTANT*** In your comment below please state whether you have previously beta tested Starry Night 7; i.e, whether you already have the beta.starrynight.com account.

*** IMPORTANT*** If you're testing the beta on a computer that is also using Starry Night for important astronomy research please be careful, and understand what you are doing - if you are not sure what you are doing, please ask for my assistance first!  

*** IMPORTANT*** I don't want anyone to lose any important research.  So, please back up your work before you begin!

*** IMPORTANT*** Please know that if you are installing and running both a beta version and a public version of the same SN7 program then changes you make & save to one program will also affect the other program.  This will happen because both programs will be sharing the same preferences folder.  So, it would probably be best if you download a different beta program than the one you currently use; i.e. if you are running Pro Plus 7 (public) then download and test Pro 7 (beta).

When you are approved to participate, notified via an email, you will be able to download the beta and also have access to the Starry Night Beta Testing forum.  The Starry Night Beta Testing forum is hidden until you are approved to participate.

 

*** If accepted to the Starry Night beta-testing forum please do NOT report bug/issues on this post.  See below for workflow ***

 

The Process:

As you find bugs/issues in Starry Night please first review the current discussions in the Starry Night Beta Testing forum (which is hidden until you are approved).  If your bug/issue has already been identified please comment on the existing post. 

If your bug/issue has not been identified please create a NEW post in the Starry Night Beta Testing forum. 

For clarity regarding this bug reporting process please see the post "Example Bug Report" (hidden until you are officially approved)

Please do NOT submit tickets with bugs/issues.

 

How To Follow The Starry Night Beta Forum:

As part of your participation we would appreciate that you follow the Starry Night Beta Testing forum.  Following a forum means you will receive email updates when anyone creates a NEW post or comments/replies to one of the existing posts. This is important for two reasons. 

  1. Following the forum ensures you receive email updates regarding all admin communications to the beta testers.  If admins make a post asking for assistance you will get an email update with that post.
  2. Following is also very important so that you have an on-going status report regarding bugs/issues identified, confirmed, requiring further testing, or have been resolved, etc.  This will help you stay on top of the overall process, and ensure you are not duplicating efforts where issues are already known and resolved.

 

To FOLLOW the Starry Night Beta Testing community forum please see here.  Note, you must have been approved first, and have access to the forum before you can follow it.


 

Replying to Email Updates:

When you follow the Starry Night Beta Testing forum you will receive email updates regarding new posts (and comments, if opted for).  Please do not reply to email updates using the "Reply" function. 

Please first use the "View the comment" link to open the community forum post, then reply to the post. 

This point is crucially important - so please understand the image below.

If you use the email update "Reply" function your reply will NOT be added to the community forum discussion.


Downloading the Starry Night Beta app:

In order to participate you will need to download the Starry Night app from beta.starrynight.com (note, your application approval is required first)

 

About Updating the Beta:

When you run the beta app, it will look for a newer version and notify you if there is a newer version available.

 

How to Use the Community Forums:

For clarity regarding how to use the Community Forums (posting/replying/following) please see here:

How To Sign Into The Community Forums (Required For Posting And Replying To Topics)

Browsers Supported by Simulation Curriculum Community Forums (Cookies Must Be Enabled)

How To Use Your New Community Support Forums

  

Starry Night Beta Testing Summarized

Please...

  1. SIGN IN or create account on this Simulation Curriculum support website.
  2. REPLY to this post (in a comment below) in order to apply to the Starry Night Beta Testing group.
  3. Apply via the https://beta.starrynight.com/reqreg.php web form to join the beta testing.
  4. When approved to join the beta testing, download the beta from beta.starrynight.com
  5. Previous Starry Night beta testers are ALREADY pre-approved (you can go get the beta now!) but you must still reply in a comment below.
  6. FOLLOW the main Starry Night beta forum to be kept up-to-date of any new posts (bug reports) and discussions thereafter (you get email updates).
  7. REVIEW previous beta testing discussions before posting your bug report.
  8. COMMENT on bugs already reported.
  9. Create NEW posts for bugs not yet reported.
  10. Follow the bug reporting GUIDELINES when reporting or commenting on bugs.
  11. Do NOT reply/comment to community forum email updates.  Instead, VIEW the post first, then comment in the forum.
  12. Post any questions, about anything to do with the beta testing, in the beta forum.  We will reply to you there. 

 

Please also read the What's New and What We Need Tested post here (approval required):

https://support.simulationcurriculum.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/360016845473-What-s-New-in-Starry-Night-7-6-4-What-We-Need-Tested-

 

Thank YOU! 

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Date Votes

28 comments

  • 0
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    Danny Rose

    I am already a beta tester and will download the latest beta for reporting feedback.

  • 0
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    Andy Douglas

    I was involved in beta testing the previous version and would be happy to contribute to the new one. I do not control a telescope with the software.
    I mainly use StarryNight for making charts and to help me learn the night sky. I think the first version I used was 5, certainly quite a few years ago.

  • 0
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    Cablsurfin

    Previous beta tester with an active account. User of Starry Night Pro Plus for many years. I remotely control an iOptron CEM60 for astrophotography and also EAA.

  • 0
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    Mark Garth

    Already a tester, currently on version 7.6.0.1294 (Pro Plus). This seems to be the up to date version at the moment.

  • 0
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    Cablsurfin

    Hi Mark,

    On Windows my current version is 7.6.3.1373.

    Regards,
    Nick

  • 0
    Avatar
    Keiron Smith

    Thanks to all for your replies, you should all have access to the Starry Night Beta Forum here:

    Starry Night | Beta Testing Starry Night 7

    The beta version is currently 7.6.4.

    On macOS, the 7.6.4 beta only runs on 10.10 and higher.  So, there is no 7.6.4 update available if you have an older beta running on 10.7, 10.8 or 10.9 (the 7.6.4 beta is not available for testing on these older macOS) 

    If you are already running the beta version on a supported macOS (or Windows 7/8/10/Vista) and don't see an update to 7.6.4 available please let me know.  But, you can also download another from beta.starrynight.com, so don't let that hold you up at this time.

    Thanks!

  • 0
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    Jean-Claude JESIOR

    Yes I would enjoy being a beta tester again.

    I'm using both Starry Night and SkySafari to learn about our sky.

  • 0
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    John Sillasen

    Keiron, after participating in the Sky Safari 6 Pro Beta testing, I'm interested in this as I also have the latest Starry Night Backyard Pro Plus 8 I think. Before I apply, I have one question. Am I able to install and use the Beta on my Windows 10 laptop without confusing the current licensed software or do I have to remove my licensed product to test the Bets version? Thanks for the opportunity. I already have a second account as I used it for the Dev Live Sky installation.

  • 0
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    Permanently deleted user

    Keiron, Already a beta tester from version 7 beta. I have Versions 6 and 7 Pro Plus installed and used primarily for target selection for imaging. I do have MaxIm current but use ACP for automated imaging runs so I mostly use SN7 for target selection and framing (FOVi). SN PP7 on this computer and SNPP 6 on another. Current version on this Windows 10 64 bit system is 7.6.3.1373.

  • 0
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    Keiron Smith

    @John Sillasen - You may have Starry Night Pro Plus 7.  On Windows, you should beta test the Pro version (not Pro Plus).  You can have both Pro Plus (public) and Pro (beta) running side by side.

    Thanks!

  • 0
    Avatar
    Keiron Smith

    Hi Gang, 

    *** IMPORTANT*** If you're testing the beta on a computer that is also using Starry Night for important astronomy research please be careful, and understand what you are doing - if you are not sure what you are doing, please ask for my assistance first!  

    *** IMPORTANT*** I don't want anyone to lose any important research.  So, please back up your work before you begin!

    *** IMPORTANT*** Please know that if you are installing and running both a beta version and a public version of the same SN7 program then changes you make & save to one program will also affect the other program.  This will happen because both programs will be sharing the same preferences folder.  So, it would probably be best if you download a different beta program than the one you currently use; i.e. if you are running Pro Plus 7 (public) then download and test Pro 7 (beta).

  • 0
    Avatar
    Andrew

    Previous Beta tester. Using SN since SN Backyard 3.1

    Use SN to control scopes.

    Use SN for scientific work.

    Perpetual PITA for Kieron...

     

  • 0
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    Donald Jusiak

    Keiron,

     

    Don Jusiak here. I have beta testes Starry Night Pro Plus and I'm ready to do it again.

  • 0
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    Donald Jusiak

    I should really use spell check.

     

  • 0
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    Randall Kayfes

    Using SN since SN 3

    Previous Beta tester 7.6.#

    SkySafari 6 Pro Andriod

    Use SN to control Celestron CGEM DX Mount with various scopes

    Used SN 7 to Prepare/Plan for Total Eclipse of 2017 in remote Eastern Oregon

    Teaching Astronomy lessons at local Middle School

    Core i7 w/ Win 10 Preview Subscriber (Slow Track) Dual Monitors

    CSA & Server Administrator

  • 0
    Avatar
    Kevin Weiner

    Keiron,

    Hello and thank you for asking me to participate with the next beta test. I have 7.6.4.1436 SNPP running on a Win10Pro64 machine. I have access to the “SkySafari | Announcements (Dev Posts Only)” page but I do not seem to have access to the “Starry Night Beta” Testing group page.

    Kevin Weiner
    Chesapeake, VA
    Meade LX200-10

    PS: I am also running SkySafari 6 Pro on Android and IOS

  • 0
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    John Sillasen

    Application submitted. As a Pro Plus 7 licensed user, I want to test the Pro version not the Pro Plus version currently on my system. License is under John Sillasen with my guzzialfa@cox.net email address.

  • 0
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    Antonio

    Hi, everyone.

    Already beta tester for previous versions and will be happy to help again. Use both Starry Night 7 ( 7.6.3.1373 ) and SkySafari 6 Pro for macOS and iOS ( 6.1.0 ) for many years ( I think I've got StarryNight since 2006 or so, SkySafari the last 4 years ). Use Celestron C14+CGEM DX. Mostly astrophotographer ( both planetary and deep sky ) as an amateur, work for a telescope reseller too.

    Regards

  • 0
    Avatar
    Keiron Smith

    Hi Beta Testers, 

    Everyone who has replied here now has access to the (hidden) Starry Night forum. 

    Starry Night | Beta Testing Starry Night 7

    I have approved all account applications for https://beta.starrynight.com/reqreg.php.

    Please review the What's New post here:

    https://support.simulationcurriculum.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/360016845473-What-s-New-in-Starry-Night-7-6-4-What-We-Need-Tested-

    Looking forward to your feedback!

    And big news coming!

    Thanks!

  • 0
    Avatar
    Phyllis Lang

    Hi Kieron,

    I'd like to *continue* beta testing Starry Night 7 on Windows 10. I have just updated to SN Pro Plus v 7.6.4. I am testing a plug-in and OAL export.

    Thanks!

  • 0
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    Keiron Smith

    @ Phyllis - you can access the beta forum now, thanks so much!

  • 0
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    John Davidson

    Hi

    I'm already approved as a beta tester and can get the software, but I don't have access to the forum.

  • 0
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    Keiron Smith

    @ John - you can access the beta forum now, thanks so much!

  • 0
    Avatar
    Keiron Smith

    Hi Beta Testers, 

    We have released another beta update that includes fixes for the issues reported.

    We are looking to release this possible "final" version of SN7 tomorrow.

    So, if you have a chance, please hammer away on SN7 this last 24 hours and see if there are any more critical bugs to be discovered.

    Everyone who has replied here now has access to the (hidden) Starry Night forum. 

    Starry Night | Beta Testing Starry Night 7

    Please create NEW posts (or reply to relevant existing posts) for anything you want to report in that community forum.

    Thanks soooo much!

  • 0
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    Keiron Smith

    Hi SN7 beta testers, 

    Is anyone here on macOS 10.14 Mojave?  We need specific testing help for something.

    Thank!

  • 0
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    Donald Jusiak

    I'm using Mojave.

     

    What needs to be tested?

     

    Don Jusiak

  • 0
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    Keiron Smith

    Hi Don, 

    Please see here.  Expect a new update with fix tomorrow.  Thanks!

    SN7 vs macOS 10.14 Mojave | Please Test Broken SkyGuide When WiFi Is Off

  • 0
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    Keiron Smith

    Hi Beta Testers!

    Great news!  We are ready to start beta testing Starry Night 8 which includes a new Deep Sky Objects Database + LiveSky Integration

    And, everyone who joined the SN7.6.4 beta testing (i.e. following this post) is pre-approved for SN8 beta testing.  You can get the SN8 beta right now from: 

    beta.starrynight.com

    As before, all feedback, bug reports, etc, are to be posted in the community forum - and we have a new SN8 beta testing community forum ready for everyone here:

    Starry Night | Beta Testing Starry Night 8

    We are aiming to release SN8 in the second week of December, so we don't have a lot of time, and need as much help as possible.

    Please read the What's New in Starry Night 8 and What We Need Tested here:

    https://support.simulationcurriculum.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/360019432514-What-s-New-in-Starry-Night-8-And-What-We-Need-Tested-

    And please also read about LiveSky here:

    https://support.simulationcurriculum.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/360019547153-About-LiveSky-Please-Read-Very-Important

    Thanks so much!

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