[BrownBuffalo]

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.

[Paul-ish]

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.

[3rd3]

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

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

[3rd3]

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.

[robin_reala]

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

[zobzu]

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.

[fotbr]

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.