Software Notation Update

[Gandalfe]

Upgrade bottom line:

SIBELIUS
If you use Sibelius 7, I think that's a good version to stick with for now. (that's the version I use for most of my work.)
If you use Sibelius 7.5, that's fine too. (This version added some small new features, but it also changed the file format, so it's annoying to share files with people working in earlier versions.)
If you use Sibelius 6, that's a little tougher call. It's acceptable to work in, but there are some limitations and it's now several versions back. I would recommend moving on from that version before long.
If you use any version prior to 6, I would recommend you upgrade to 7 or 7.5 before you get trapped in the version 8 licensing scheme. But act quickly, you'll need to buy 7/7.5 from a retailer who has existing stock since Sibelius is no longer selling those versions.

FINALE
Finale 2014d is pretty stable and it's the version I tend to use for most projects. But opening old files in new versions of Finale can cause problems, or in some cases it won't even work. Finale's free NotePad is surprisingly the best choice for opening old Finale files and allows for simple editing.
If you use a version of Finale prior to ver. 2012, it's time to upgrade.
Notation software is absolutely essential for virtually anyone who needs to write down a musical idea. I have about 70,000 music files on my computer, and I'd estimate 2/3 of them are in Sibelius format, the rest in Finale and SCORE format. I don't foresee abandoning Sibelius or Finale any time in the future, and I am reasonably confident the programs will remain functional and useful, even if they don't add any significant new features or fix the glaring problems that remain. Perhaps Steinberg's entry into this market will shake things up and force some serious competition among all of the programs. Despite all of the grim news here, I remain optimistic and hopeful.

Read more: http://www.newmusicbox.org/articles/to- ... re-update/