Because what happens when you're on a new version and your friend is on an old version and you want to share data?
If you can't go backwards and forwards with the data, then one of you will be pissed off. Corporations and governments care very much about the ability to keep using their old documents and data. You'll lose a lot of customers if you break backwards compatibility too often or too badly.
Slashdot Mirror
Because what happens when you're on a new version and your friend is on an old version and you want to share data? If you can't go backwards and forwards with the data, then one of you will be pissed off. Corporations and governments care very much about the ability to keep using their old documents and data. You'll lose a lot of customers if you break backwards compatibility too often or too badly.