What's In a Version Number, Anyway?

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Microsoft Office 2003 is a far more meaningful name than Microsoft Office 11.
If you think so, then you probably don’t really interact with non-technical users.

I have seen many people afraid of compatibility problems, because:

  • I have Office XP, on Windows XP, I think Office 2003 only works on Windows 2003
  • not buying MapPoint 2004 in 2005, because it is too old.
  • asking which one is newer, Win 98 or Win Me
  • asking which one is newer, XBox or XBox 360
  • asking about Windows XP server

So, although the version number does not mean much, it gives some logic in the marketing madness.