[wp-trac] [WordPress Trac] #35554: De-emphasise WordPress Version in the admin

[WordPress Trac]

#35554: De-emphasise WordPress Version in the admin
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 Reporter:  dd32                                 |       Owner:  (none)
     Type:  enhancement                          |      Status:  new
 Priority:  normal                               |   Milestone:  Future
                                                 |  Release
Component:  Administration                       |     Version:
 Severity:  normal                               |  Resolution:
 Keywords:  has-patch needs-testing ui-feedback  |     Focuses:
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Comment (by wturrell):

 Since I last commented on this (# 12), I don't feel anyone has made an
 especially compelling argument for how partially removing the version
 number improves the user experience.

 Terms like "De-emphasise" and "making WordPress essentially version-less"
 are pretty vague; also I don't understand how the latter is achievable.  I
 think to justify this change, someone needs to be able to clearly explain
 how partially concealing versions is of a ''practical benefit'' to those
 maintaining sites.

 Let's suppose the issue is the version number isn't deemed important to
 some users, or contributes to making the UI "cluttered".  In this case,
 then remove it completely, or better still, leave it by default, but
 ensure there are hooks for those who ''do'' want to hide it to be able to
 easily do so (much like the default admin dashboard panels can be
 removed).  This might also be convenient for anyone who wants to keep a WP
 installation running on an older major release (although hopefully still
 applying the security updates) whilst avoiding pressure from clients to
 upgrade.

 Don't though, just arbitrarily remove part of the version. That helps no-
 one: it doesn't save any space, it won't stop users being "distracted" by
 it when using the UI, all it will do is create uncertainty about which
 version is actually installed, and lengthen the process of checking the
 exact version via the admin area.

 If anything, the patch release (for want of a better term, I realise WP
 doesn't follow strict semantic versioning) is arguably the most crucial
 part, as it indicates the site is secure against the most recent security
 vulnerabilities.  It also can't be relied on that an installation will
 self-update - this may be disabled, deliberately or accidentally, or there
 could be similar issues to 4.9.3 which cause sites to become stuck.

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Ticket URL: <https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/35554#comment:52>
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