In answer to a few questions....
When?
Early versions of MC14 won't be available for a few months.
How much?
MC14 -- new license -- $49.98
MC14 -- upgrade -- $24.98
-- Prices may change at any time.
How to upgrade?
MJ8, MC9 through MC13 can be upgraded at the discounted price. One of these must be installed and licensed in order to get the upgrade price. Upgrading results in a full license, same as a new license.
What should I buy now?
Beginning with MC13.0.170, new purchasers of MC13 will receive an MC14 license.
Why now?
For business reasons, we don't have complete discretion on when to break from one version to another. It typically happens about once a year. This time, it went from August 8, 2008 to May 21, 2009 -- almost 10 months. The one before was a little more than a year.
What about my recent purchase of MC13?
Thanks for your purchase. We appreciate it.
When you purchase early in the cycle, your license is good for a longer period. When you purchase later in the cycle, you get a more mature program. Neither is perfect.
We hope you understand that we have to decide when to switch. We try to provide a buffer of several months where purchasers of the old version actually get a license for the new one. This began yesterday with the availability MC13.0.170. It uses an MC14 license, but also works with an MC13 license.
When MC14 is first available, in a month or so, early versions will work with an MC13 license. We will offer special pricing again on an MC14 license at that time.