Re: Removing Firefox Version Number

On Aug 15, 5:35 pm, Asa Dotzler <[email protected]> wrote:
> Tyler Downer wrote:
> > Asa, would you mind clearly, and with supporting data, tests, metrics,
> > show What problem this is addressing, Who is affected by it, What our
> > goal is (long-term and short-term, and not generic terms like "getting
> > rid of versions") and How this solution addresses the problem better
> > than the solutions we already have in place. I truly would like to
> > know the clear answers to all of these questions, I may not be seeing
> > data that you are (Maybe 50% of users sit on About all day wondering
> > when Firefox last checked for updates, I don't know), but I need
> > concrete information, not generic buzzwords.
>
> It's simple. We are moving to a release model that makes version numbers
> meaningless and unactionable for consumers. In that model, version
> numbers go away.
>
> - A

Its not simple.  You still have not answered the question, you just
side stepped it like a politician.  WHY are you moving to this release
model.  HOW does it benefit users and support providers?

You have yet to provide an example of how this will improve the users
experience or assist support providers.  Yet for some baffling reason
you dismiss valid and important reasons to publish version numbers.
And they are not going away, that is silly.  To say otherwise lacks
intellectual integrity.

What is this this grand scheme Firefox is undertaking of which hiding
version numbers is a critical step?  "Its our plan" is not a valid
answer.  What is the plan and what does it accomplish??  You're not
doing this for average users, we have established this will hurt them
despite your attempts to brush the issue off as irrelevant.  Users are
never irrelevant.  You're not doing it for support providers, we know
it creates more work for them.  These are your front line in the the
browser trench warfare, and quite frankly the cause of most new users
switching to Firefox.  When they tell you something matters don't tell
them they're wrong and just drop it without and explanation.

That leaves the motives of either money or marketing.  And you might
even find the community would support you if you just stopped being
evasive and answer questions.