Perhaps it is just me, but does Mozilla have odd ideas these days?
The latest twist from the Firefox maker: hide the version numbers of the browser.
Product manager Asa Dotzler argues that there is no need for a version number anymore. What counts is the fact that a user knows when the browser checked for an update and that the browser is up to date. No need to confuse him with any additional information.
I can't say that I agree with Dotzler and would say that dropping the version number from the About window would confuse Firefox users, especially during a rapid release cycle. So, if you are waiting for a certain feature that is supposed to arrive in a certain version how would you know that your browser is already supporting it - since those automated updates don't always become available right away for everybody? Dotzler says you can simply consult the hidden about:support window, but I find this to be rather silly. Especially developers and IT manager need to know the version number and making it more difficult for them to find the version numbers is an unnecessary move.
There was no information which version of Firefox will be dropping the version number first.
Guy 1: "Let's rapidly update version numbers!"
Guy 2: "That may be hard to keep track of"
Guy 1: "Good point, we'll remove them all together"
Guy 2: "Then how are people going to know what version they are using?"
Guy 1: "We will name them after Animals!"
Guy 2: "Like Apple?"
Guy 1: "That's a fruit, dumbass!"
Guy 2: *facepalm*
Guy 1: "Let's rapidly update version numbers!"
Guy 2: "That may be hard to keep track of"
Guy 1: "Good point, we'll remove them all together"
Guy 2: "Then how are people going to know what version they are using?"
Guy 1: "We will name them after Animals!"
Guy 2: "Like Apple?"
Guy 1: "That's a fruit, dumbass!"
Guy 2: *facepalm*
If Firefox is going to have a fast release cycle, why keep incrementing the numbers everywhere. Why not just have the three versions like they do, and use the release date as a version number.
As an added measure incase I never need to reinstall my OS, I'm keeping a backup of the v3.6 install file.
I got a feeling Mozila will eventualy remove it all together and force people into using their latest...if thats the case I guess Chrome or IE would be my new browser.
I thought that idea was Google's?
Er... Chrome already does this, and has for a long time.
Personally I don't think this change is necessary. Most people don't really know what version they're running until they get hit with one of those first run web pages that tell them all the latest gimmicks with their newly updated browser.