Re: No plans to change the version number scheme

On 08/23/2011 03:16 PM, Adam Kowalczyk wrote:
> Could you please elaborate on the decision to preserve the current
> numbering scheme? The idea to incorporate year in the version number was
> an interesting proposal that seemed to enjoy a lot of support in the
> community, as it could potentially alleviate some of the tension and
> misunderstandings around the new release process.

I'm open to date-based versioning and I know a lot of other Firefox 
developers/designers/contributors also think it might be a good idea. 
But personally I don't think we should do it yet, because:

1) If users keep noticing Firefox versions and updates at all, then we 
have much bigger problems.  For rapid release to serve our users well, 
we must get to the point Chrome is at where only very attentive 
developer-types even notice when the version changes, and 95-99% of 
users don't even notice when an update is installed.  This is why almost 
no one is complaining about Chrome's versioning system.

Firefox is not there yet; we still have tons of work to do on add-on 
compatibility and silent (by default) updates.  When it gets there, then 
the numbering scheme won't matter any more.  Or if we can't get it 
there, we'll have to change our process in much bigger ways than just 
version numbering.

2) While there are also real practical causes of user pain associated 
with rapid release, another cause of user pain is just the fact that 
change is always confusing.  Adding more change this early in the 
process will make this part worse rather than better.  I think we should 
consider changing the version scheme, but not right away.

Since Firefox 12 is scheduled for mid-2012, that could be an ideal time 
to switch from milestone- to date-based versions, if we decide to do so.  :)