Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

Just a question, but why is the interation cycle so extreme with Mozilla? Version 29? What is so different from version 3.x.x ... where we had normal interations I could wrap my head around. The whole number upgrades are insane. I know its such a simple thing, but trying to relate with software interation steps on such a fast moving number, just is mind boggling.


I believe it prevents people from accumulating on old versions. Upgrading version becomes a routine thing. Windows XP is an example of what you get with longer release cycles. XP was out so long people began to rely on it in a big way and upgrading becomes a laborious process.

OS X doesn't have that issue, I suspect in part because they are have a more rapid release cycle.


Because of Chrome: http://krzysiu.net/misc/history_version_numbers_internet_bro...

I think it's a marketing strategy to convey active development.


Another possibility might be usability, since whole numbers are easier to deal with than longer version names. Otherwise, I find Paul-ish’s theory above the most plausible one.


They release every 6 weeks. Chrome is on a similar strategy with similar version numbers.


actually the changes since version 3.x are mindblowing.

if you had least picked 28 to 29 i don't know.. but theres a million lines of code change between 3 and 29. the js engine is like 50x faster, theres hundreds of new things supported, etc.


It's what the cool kids at google were doing, so mozilla had to copy them, as usual, without any real thought as to whether it made sense.




Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: