Forum Discussion
Stable Version
Drew1903 "Where are you (& or others) seeing this so-called "Stable Version"? Where is this term showing?"
The so-called "Stable" release is a leaked, bootleg version that has received relatively widespread discussion. Do a internet search for "Edge Chromium Stable" and you'll https://www.windowscentral.com/stable-build-chromium-based-microsoft-edge-leaks-online.
"I have been beta testing for MS for many years, Operating Systems & other products and have not, until now, here, seen this term applied. Who or where is using this phrase, especially, at this point in time in regard to Edge Chromium when we are a long way from DONE?"
"Canary", "Dev", "Beta" and "Stable" are terms Microsoft adopted from the Chromium Project, which uses those terms to describe build levels. Microsoft has not used that terminology in the past (for example, Windows Insider builds are code-named -- 20H1 -- and build-named, but branched only in the sense that Microsoft releases different builds to various "rings" -- "Skip Ahead", "Fast", "Slow"), so it is not surprising that if your experience with testing software is has been confined to Microsoft products, you have not run across the term "Stable".
In the Open Source (e.g. FOSS) development world, "Stable" is a term used to define builds that are released to the general public for use (not testing) and are supported.
Obviously, that is not the case here -- the so-called "Stable" version has not been released by Microsoft and is not supported. The so-called "Stable" version of Edge Chromium is a leaked build, almost certainly of a version that was put on Microsoft servers in order to test delivery/upgrade mechanisms in-house. According to what I've read about it, the "Stable" version of Edge Chromium "replaces" Edge Classic, no doubt in the same way as the "Edge Replaces Edge" unintended release and boondoggle did.
Two things to note:
(1) Anyone who is installs the so-called "Stable" version is doing so at their own risk. I won't go so far as to call such people "fools", but I'm tempted because installing bootleg, unsupported software defines "foolish".
(2) If Microsoft follows Chromium Project conventions, there will always be a "Stable" version, but that version will change over time (see description of how FOSS development uses the term, above) as new builds are promoted to "Stable" (that is, released and supported) status. "Stable", in terms of version, is (like "Canary", "Dev" and "Beta") a relative term.
Welcome to the world of open-source software, Drew.
more information:
https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/Discussions/Is-the-new-tab-page-randomly-popping-out-the-known-issue/td-p/821797
HotCakeX "Unlike the previously leaked beta versions, this time the stable leaks come straight from Microsoft servers, so they are safe."
The so-called "Stable" version does come from Microsoft servers (as the article from the trade press that I linked to indicated) and it may well be "safe".
But I'll stick with what I said, if it is all the same to you:
"In the Open Source (e.g. FOSS) development world, "Stable" is a term used to define builds that are released to the general public for use (not testing) and are supported.
Obviously, that is not the case here -- the so-called "Stable" version has not been released by Microsoft and is not supported. The so-called "Stable" version of Edge Chromium is a leaked build, almost certainly of a version that was put on Microsoft servers in order to test delivery/upgrade mechanisms in-house. According to what I've read about it, the "Stable" version of Edge Chromium "replaces" Edge Classic, no doubt in the same way as the "Edge Replaces Edge" unintended release and boondoggle did."
The fact that the so-called "Stable" version on Microsoft servers is Version 77.0.235 (apparently, an earlier Dev version) and the released Dev version is Version 78.0.249.1 (Official build) dev (64-bit) lends credence to my suggestion that the so-called "Stable" version was put on Microsoft servers in order to test delivery/upgrade mechanisms in-house. The so-called "Stable" version is outdated and was clearly not intended for release, in any event. It isn't a version that offers anything to anyone beyond Microsoft in-house staff.
Drew1903 "Tom, IMO, at this point in time, no matter the source, they are leaked, premature and absolutely NOT recommend, at all!"
I don't suggest otherwise, and never have suggested otherwise. Leaked versions of Microsoft's (and other developer's) software in development are discovered all the time, and distribution/use of leaked versions is often illegal. It is, in addition, often foolish, as is the case here. What is gained by installing a weeks-old version of Edge Chromium, by definition less stable and less complete than officially released Canary, Dev and Beta versions available legally?
As I noted in the earlier comment, "Anyone who is installs the so-called "Stable" version is doing so at their own risk."
HotCakeX Drew1903 As far as I am concerned, enough said, at least by me.
Don't forget that this is an intentional move by Microsoft putting that version of Edge insider on their servers, calling it stable and making it public for everyone to download. I'm not getting into the why though.
would be foolish to think that Microsoft did it by accident. thinking like that = saying Microsoft can't keep their servers secure.tomscharbach
@Drew1903 As far as I am concerned, enough said, at least by me.
Tom, try to remember I have been saying the same as you, agreeing with you & supporting what you have said, about this. Was never me saying use leaked stuff nor would I ever.
Cheers,
Drew
