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Mozilla Tries New "Lorentz" Dev Model

With the recent release of Firefox 3.6, Mozilla has also decided to try out a new development model dubbed "Lorentz." A blend of both Agile and more traditional "waterfall" development models, the new methodology aims to deliver new features much more quickly while still maintaining backwards compatibility, security, and overall quality. Only time will tell if this is effective, or just another management fad. "If the new approach sounds familiar, that's because Unix and Linux development has attempted similar kinds of release variations for iterating new features while maintaining backwards compatibility. HP-UX, for example, is currently on its HP-UX 11iv3 release, which receives updates several times a year that add incremental new functionality. The Linux 2.6.x kernel gets new releases approximately every three months, which include new features as well."

5 of 126 comments (clear)

  1. Chaotic releases? by Vornzog · · Score: 3, Funny

    Is this chaotic release schedule supposed to be more attractive?

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    -V-

    Who can decide a priori? Nobody.
    -Sartre

    1. Re:Chaotic releases? by TheLink · · Score: 4, Funny

      Was that a butterfly wooshing by? ;)

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    2. Re:Chaotic releases? by Eudial · · Score: 3, Funny

      Again, I request a "+1 Badum-tish"

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      GAAH! MY PRINTER IS ON FIRE!!! PUT IT OUT! PUT IT OUT!
    3. Re:Chaotic releases? by oGMo · · Score: 4, Funny

      So what you're saying is that this model is chaotic good instead of chaotic evil ...

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      Don't think of it as a flame---it's more like an argument that does 3d6 fire damage

  2. Scheduling by jpmorgan · · Score: 5, Funny

    Plus, with the "Lorentz" transformation, time dilation makes it a lot easier to hit release dates. But there has been some concern over the developers' sudden weight gain.