On my 1.2 beta, if Options->Discussion is unchecked for comments (so default is no comments), then if I check the box for comments on the write or edit screens, it saves the override, and comments are allowed for that article. It looks like it’s just the disallow that won’t override a default allow setting. The allow pings override seems to work for me (if that’s what’s supposed to make the trackback URI visible – I’ve never actually been much interested in that feature).
Link categories and edits thereto seem to be working okay on my install. At least, on the “new” install.
I made two 1.2-beta sandboxes. One is a new install from ground up with new db and tables, to which I imported data via CSV files I exported from certain of the old tables (but not options tables). On the other one, I unpacked 1.2-beta into a new directory but instead of running install.php I ran upgrade.php, in order to use the old db. Haven’t played with that one much yet. I was a little confused as to what Matt meant by “Please install it from scratch, upgrade your current blogs to it”. I’ve been suspicious for quite awhile about my old repeatedly upgraded tables. I don’t know if databases suffer stress fatigue from repeated adjustments, but I liked the idea of fresh new tables for the fresh new beta.
