Well, this is a User to User support forum, none of us are "staff". If you'd like to communicate with the owner directly there is a phone number on the main page of the site, or you could fill out a helpdesk ticket...
As for Rick, I know he moved, but I'm not sure if he'll be developing code for the UBB in the future; it is his baby though so I wouldn't be surprised.
There will be several interim releases while v8 is being developed; v7.6 should be out shortly.
As for debit, I'm pretty sure it'd have to have a Visa/Mastercard logo (so it'd act as a creditcard) otherwise you can mail in your payment as listed on the
order page.
