I have both a 2010 IMac, and a 2012 MacBook Pro with Mountain Lion installed. I need to install Snow Leopard in addition to Mountain Lion as I have multiple documents with AppleWorks 6. What is the best way to do this. Thank you.

Apple does seems to like to do their testing out in the field.

Before the term "Beta" software became popular, it was very common to "Field Test" software before the initial release. And Apple has always tested their software with non-developers before release. Until a few years ago, the testers were 3rd party software developers, but they tend to have a different focus from typical customers. Now Apple has a customer "Beta" program that allows for a more diverse group of users, but while wider, this will tend to get the more geeky population testing, not "Mom and Pop" users. So the end result is that millions of customers can find a lot of interesting ways to do things. At least with military pilots they have extensive training, and there are fewer of them to find new and interesting ways to break the toys.

Like the mechanic that replaces an engine part thinking that solves the problem, without taking it out on a test drive.

You misunderstand software types. They would want to change the engine while the pilot was on a mission and ask how does that work 😁

The IPhones bending in one's pocket, is another example of poor field testing.

This is back to millions of customers finding new and interesting ways to use a product.