Below, are some functionality issues which are really bugging me and impeding my work flow.
 
-while in stencil mode, the image strip is locked in place requiring the user to exit the stencil mode in order to move the image strip
-by clicking on an image associated with the panorama, on the image strip, the pano should rotate such as to center the current image on the screen
-Press “S” to hide display of stencils not in current image--  This is an extremely important feature which no longer functions
-The old image strip is still available but no longer has the original functionality.  In fact , it has almost no functionality at all.
-Can anyone enlighten me as to improvements to the program which I may have overlooked ?

1. I always minimize the image strip down small but still visable first before using stencils, then use the ALT ket to re-position the stencil area as I create the stencil
2. To center image in image strip - Right mouse click on image select LOOK AT (There's also a key shortcut)
 
Hope those two tips help.

Thanks Andrew.  
I had not noticed that the right click menu had that option.  I am still concerned with the "s" hide stencil feature.  Do you know why it was removed and if it can be restored to functionality in the next patch?  I feel like I am working with a blind fold on when I am in the stencil mode.
As far as the image strip is concerned, I have in previous versions , usuually turned off the new version of the image strip and worked with the old one.  It provided me with more useful information on the project and a more convenient way of sorting and selecting input images.  I was prepared to accept a phasing in of the new image strip as long as I could use the old one until the new one was fully functional but now we have a program with two alternate image strips which are both deficient.
It seems that the focus is more on the superficial appearance of the interface than its functionality.  I am a dedicated user of this product and I am having difficulty understanding where and why the designers are going.with it.
 

A  quote below from new e-mail advertisement for SU 5.7.1
 
"New user interface enables you to manage your images and workflow with even greater speed and efficiency"
 
I wish this were true but the old interface had better features and made for quicker work flow.  I think that Autodesk/Realviz needs to spend some time in consultation with the end users of the product before doing any more development work.  I am happy to spend money on upgrades or what ever it takes to keep the product afloat but I don't want to pay for downgrades masquerading as upgrades.  Please...please!! fix it or go back to the last version which worked (SU 5.5 ), as I am doing and start from there.