Re: No plans to change the version number scheme

On 8/23/2011 5:51 PM, Matt Brubeck wrote:
> 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. :)


That's because Chrome updates silently, so users don't know that an 
update has happened, unless they happen upon a new feature.  I consider 
this a negative factor as it doesn't make a user aware of the efforts 
that have gone into the new features, nor does it highlight their 
usefulness to the user.  Most of the Firefox users I have heard from 
consider Google's method a bit 'underhanded'.  But then I deal with 
power users, who are going to want control of updates, and want to know 
but new features.  I am sure that most users just really don't care.
I sincerely hope that Firefox doesn't become the browser of choice for 
those who don't care...