Mac OS X vs Windows Updates Versioning

Apple posts updates to their Mac OS X operating system from time to time, much like what Microsoft does for Windows XP, Vista, etc. As I was installing the latest update, 10.4.11, I was just thinking how simple this version numbering is. Mac OS X “Tiger” is version 10.4, and updates to Tiger are numbered 10.4.x, such as 10.4.1, 10.4.2, … 10.4.11. It’s simple, and it lets users easily tell if they are up-to-date.

Apple lives up to their reputation to keep simple things simple, even when it comes to updates versioning. If there is any way to do something in a more complicated and confusing way, Microsoft will do it. I cannot even think how to begin explaining to ordinary users how Microsoft Windows XP updates are versioned. Sure, you have the rare Service Pack 1 and Service Pack 2, but that’s about it. The rest of the time, your Windows XP updates are but complicated nomenclature.

I know, the way you update Windows XP is to simply run Windows Update or go to the Windows Update website and let it figure it out for you. But couldn’t I just find out where I stand in terms of updates? Like maybe if I know that my system is at version X, and I read somewhere that the latest is Y, I’d know immediately I need to do something. It could be because the automatic updates isn’t working for me, or maybe because my PC hasn’t been on the net for a while, or perhaps I just wanted to double check to be sure.

The Mac OS X also has automatic updates too, so it is not like the simple versioning was needed to make up for the lack of that.

Strangely, Microsoft Office for the Mac does have simple version numbers too. E.g. the latest is 11.3.8. What version is your Office on your Windows XP?