So... I still have one site running on 2.2.3a. I thought the branches were merging or that there would be a safe way to upgrade or downgrade in the future?

The site has been functioning live and working perfectly with no problems ever, but I would like to someday be able to add features.

I remember when it was released and labeled stable and I installed it and was so happy with it. Then it was recalled and the downgrade script never worked right. Since it is a live site with several hundred active members and a huge database of collective resources, I would prefer to not have to totally re-build it.

WILL there be a working solution, ever?

Yes, there will be upgrade path from XOOPS 2.2.x to XOOPS 2.3

YAY!

the upgrade script is available in the 2.3 beta1 (for testing purposes, not for production environment)