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The Amazing World of Software Version Numbers

Posted by timothy on from the remember-the-slackware-incident dept.

Harry writes "In theory, software version numbers should be incredibly mundane. In reality, companies have long twisted them for marketing purposes, avoided ones they didn't like, and even replaced them with things other than numbers. I've prepared a tribute to them with some facts and ruminations, but there's a lot I don't know, and I'd appreciate help on the historical side of things. (Anyone know when the standard decimal point-based system came into use?)"

5 of 321 comments (clear)

  1. What now? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...standard decimal point-based system...

    What is this standard you are referring to?

    1. Re:What now? by wkurzius · · Score: 5, Funny

      1.1.1 -> 2.0.0 - Expect 2.0.1 within the week.

  2. FFx2 by T+Murphy · · Score: 5, Funny

    All I know is with Firefox on 3.5 and Windows on 7.0, Windows must be twice as good as Firefox. AOL of course trumps everyone.

    --
    My webcomic
  3. Re:Different people, different numbering schemes. by veganboyjosh · · Score: 5, Funny

    Odd numbers for unstable releases?

    That you, Gene Roddenberry?

  4. Re:os x - Don't forget LOLCAT editions? by Webcommando · · Score: 5, Funny

    Apple will have even more names when they move into LOLCAT space: Serious Cat, Ceiling Cat, Basement Cat, Itty Bitty Kitty Commiteh, and Monorail Cat.

    The possibilities are endless!

    --
    I love the sound of distortion in the morning -- webcommando