Re: Removing Firefox Version Number

Asa, here is a bird's eye view of the situation as I see it.

You say the objective is to change the users' perception of Firefox's 
release model and to make them not pay attention to version numbers.

The point of contention is the question of whether users need to check 
the version number in this new release model.

I think I can present a way out of this deadlock: it doesn't matter what 
the answer to that question is.

If users DO NOT check the version number in the About window then they 
probably don't pay attention to it. If so, removing it does little to 
help the objective of changing perception. As there are some known 
disadvantages to the removal and it has become an extremely 
controversial change among the community, it's just not worth it. The 
potential gains are small, the community is already highly strung about 
the new release model. Pick your battles.

If users DO check the version number in the About window then removing 
it would indeed influence their approach to versions. However, it would 
achieve it by hiding something they are actively looking for. They would 
open the About window looking for the version number and they wouldn't 
find it. Training users by frustrating them doesn't sound like a 
particularly sane UX technique.

Either way, the conclusion is that this is not a good idea. Am I missing 
something?

- Adam