Yes, June 21 2012 will be a release date for first public version. If everything goes well, there will be Alpha #3 soon after (2 weeks). After that it all depends on the bugs in Alpha. I can’t announce anything else beyond that at this point. Back to June 20. Alpha version will be released on the new GD Star Rating website to launch same day (old website will go into archive sub-domain) and here on Dev4Press. This version will not be available on WordPress.org. GD Star Rating 2.0 will replace current version in WordPress.org plugins directory once the final 2.0 is ready.

By the end of this month I will release first commercial graphics pack that will include 8 stars graphics sets. In July two more sets will be released, one for thumbs and another one with stars. Expect 1 or 2 more sets during the year. Owners of GD Star Rating Premium Support license have free access to all graphics sets while their license is active. By default plugin will include only one stars set and one thumbs set. Each graphics set will cost $29.00. First commercial module will be released later in the plugin development cycle, I can’t confirm anything right now. There are 2 modules that are in works to be ready for the final release of the plugin. Two planned free modules (for bbPress and BuddyPress) will not be functional in Alpha #2. GD Products Center and GD CPT Tools Pro will add own modules for support soon.

GD Star Rating 2.0 Alpha #2 will contain fully functional rating module and interface to control the rating process, API hooks to expand it with new rating objects and methods, shortcodes and functions for adding rating/review blocks into the code. I am also preparing API tutorials for the plugin (premium support access only), and videos on plugin setup (free for all).

So far, plugin core is ready, and the goal now is to work on the user interface for next Alpha #2 that will be released to public during this month. Once the Alpha stage is done, plugin will go to final release soon after with maybe one Beta and 2-3 release candidate versions. I can’t talk dates now, but once the Alpha #2 is released I will have precise release date for the plugin.

Current tests show that plugin needs only about 1.0 to 1.5 MB of memory (current 1.9.16 needs up to 5 MB), and it is very fast. CSS and JS files are very clean and simplified allowing great flexibility and CDN compatibility (current 1.9 branch wasn’t CDN ready due to complex CSS file). Code is modular and will allow for great expanding possibilities starting with modules that will be built in (bbPress and BuddyPress), or commercial modules later.

During this month, I plan also to build new website and to retire old one under a subdomain installation for archive purposes. New website will be dedicated to 2.0 version only. So, stay tuned for more news and soon several screenshots. Great thing now is that plugin is nearing the release and this internal testing period will provide me with valuable information to make next Alpha a public release.