VM2.6.12.x to VM2.9.x update

[atp]

I have read that when updating you should move from stable to stable versions of VM. I am unsure as if I can make the jump from VM2.6.12.2 to VM2.9.1? Or is a version better?

The developer issued a "stable version" of VM2.9.1 as an update on Jun 25th and now today an update to VM3.0 - but I am not ready to make the jump to 3.0

2 questions:
I've read VM2.9.x (rc state) but I do not know what "rc state" (I can't find it spelled out anywhere). Is this something that pertains to me to upgrade to or not? I know VM2.6.10 is the oldest secure version so I will need to update soon.

I have backed up my site and when I do update, users here have said do it on a copy of the site that is not live. That makes complete sense but I cannot find a write up anywhere or thread that has it spelled out.

I have been using Joomla! and VM for years but I have never had to restore or test before updates.Thank you

www.RetailDisplayusa.com
Joomla! 2.5.27
VM2.6.12.2
PHP5.4.37
Hosted on GoDaddy

[atp]

I have backed up my site and when I do update, users here have said do it on a copy of the site that is not live. That makes complete sense but I cannot find a write up anywhere or thread that has it spelled out.

I did just find this thread, sorry I missed it
http://forum.virtuemart.net/index.php?topic=78844.0

And this
https://forum.virtuemart.net/index.php?topic=95513.0

I will follow these for testing offline

[jenkinhill]

2.9.x were beta/release candidates for VM3.  If you are not ready for VM3 then the latest stable VM2 release is 2.6.18 available on http://dev.virtuemart.net/projects/virtuemart/files

Because of possible templating and other issues we always advise people to test updates on a backup of the live site first.   http://forum.virtuemart.net/index.php?topic=123808.0

Probably even more important if you use crapdaddy as host.