Good luck with the release. It's good to see that there is a beta release, rather than simply releasing an update and hoping it is bug free. This might upset some, but it is the correct way to do things, especially with a release with so many modifications.

My comments regarding release cycles are in my blog, (http://www.boonex.com/unity/blog/entry/Product_release_cycles), so I will not repeat them here, but it might be worth considering that beta's do not necessarily have to be tested on the see more public. It might be advantageous to invite users into a beta test program and keep the beta versions away from public release. This has many advantages, most of which do not need explaining.

I'm sure that there are plenty of willing users here that would welcome to be a part of a beta test program - after all - they get to see all of the new features / fixes up front, ahead of the actual release, and get to contribute first hand to ensuring that the final release is bug free. Additionally, those not interested, get spared from having to install it.

With the beta program, once you have opted-in, you are automatically used for all future developments, including sneak peeks at test builds for future releases, D8 for example, for which they also get the opportunity to submit comments / suggestions / bug reports.

/DM