Detailed Explanation of Linux Distribution Version Numbers

Alpha: Internal testing version, generally not released externally, will have many bugs. Usually only used by testers. Beta: Also a testing version, this stage will continuously add new features. Released after Alpha version. RC: (Release Candidate) As the name suggests! Used in software as candidate version. On system platforms, it’s release candidate version. RC version won’t add new features, mainly focuses on bug fixing. RTM: (Release to Manufacture) Version for factory mass production, content is the same as official version, though RTM version also has limited and evaluation editions. But the main program code is the same as official version. OEM: Sold by computer manufacturers with computers, also known as bundled version. Can only ship with machines, cannot retail. Can only do fresh install, cannot upgrade from old operating system. Packaging is not as nice as retail version, usually only has one CD and manual (license). RVL: Claims to be official version, but RVL is not actually a version name. It’s cracked from Chinese/English documentation. EVAL: EVAL version circulating online is similar to “evaluation version”, functionality is same as retail version. RTL: Retail The true official version, officially on shelf retail version. In the i386 folder of installation disc there’s an eula.txt, last line has EULAID, that’s your version. For example Simplified Chinese official version is EULAID:WX.4_PRO_RTL_CN, Traditional Chinese official version is WX.4_PRO_RTL_TW. Among them: if starts with WX. it’s official version, WB. is testing version. _PRE represents Home edition; _PRO represents Professional edition.

Summary

Version numbers:

V (Version): Version, usually represented by numbers. (e.g.: EVEREST Ultimate v4.20.1188 Beta)

Build: A way to mark version number using numbers or dates. (e.g.: VeryCD eMule v0.48a Build 071112)

SP: Service Pack, upgrade package. (e.g.: Windows XP SP 2/Vista SP 1)

License and feature classification:

Trial: Trial version, usually has time limit, some trial software also has functional limitations. Can register or purchase to become official version.

Unregistered: Unregistered version, usually no time limit, has some functional limitations compared to official version. Can register or purchase to become official version.

Demo: Demo version, only integrates a few features from official version, cannot upgrade to official version.

Lite: Lite version.

Full version: Complete version, belongs to official version.

Language classification:

SC: Simplified Chinese version.

CN: Simplified Chinese version

GBK: Simplified Chinese GB extension specification version.

TC: Traditional Chinese version.

CHT: Traditional Chinese version

BIG5: Traditional Chinese Big5 code version.

EN: English version

Multilanguage: Multi-language version

UTF8: Unicode Transformation Format 8 bit, not a good solution for existing Chinese systems.

Development stage classification:

α (Alpha) version: Internal test version, for internal communication or professional testers. Many bugs, regular users should not install.

β (Beta) version: Public test version, for large-scale testing by professional enthusiasts, has some defects, this version is also not suitable for general users.

γ (Gamma) version: Quite mature test version, almost the same as upcoming official version.

RC version: Release Candidate.

RC version is abbreviation of Release Candidate, meaning release countdown, candidate version, in Gamma stage, this version has completed all features and cleared most bugs. At this stage only bug fixing, no major changes to software. From Alpha to Beta to Gamma is progressive improvement, but RC1, RC2 are often alternative choices.

Final: Official version.

Other versions

Enhance: Enhanced version, belongs to official version

Free: Free version

Release: Release version, has time limit

Upgrade: Upgrade version

Retail: Retail version

Cardware: A type of shareware, just need to reply an email or postcard to author. (Some authors provide registration codes this way), this form is rare now.

Plus: Enhanced version, mostly enhanced in program interface and multimedia features.

Preview: Preview version

Corporation & Enterprise: Enterprise version

Standard: Standard version

Mini: Mini version also called lite version, only basic features

Premium: Premium version

Professional: Professional version

Express: Express version

Deluxe: Deluxe version

Regged: Registered version

Rip: Refers to separating useful content (core content) directly from original files (usually optical disc or disc image files), removing useless documents like PDF manuals, video demos etc., can be considered lite version… but main content features cannot be missing at all! Also: DVDrip refers to separating video and audio directly from DVD disc as files.

RTM version: This is basically the final version, English is Release To Manufacturer, meaning release to manufacturer.

Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)

You may license products through an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). These products, such as Windows operating systems, come installed when you purchase a new computer.

OEM software is version for computer manufacturers, no need to explain further.

Full Packaged Product (FPP)/Retail

Physical, shrink-wrapped boxes of licensed product that can be purchased in a local retail store or any local software retailer.

FPP is retail version (boxed software), disc labels of such products have “FPP”, for example English WXP Pro FPP version disc label is WXPFPP_EN, where WX means Windows XP, P is Professional (H is Home), FPP indicates retail version, EN indicates English. Can be obtained from stores or some MSDN users.

Volume Licensing for Organizations (VLO)

You may enjoy potentially significant savings by acquiring multiple product licenses. Depending on the size and type of your organization.

Volume licensing (bulk purchase license agreement), this is a discount method for group purchases. Disc labels have “VOL”, taking first 3 letters of “Volume” to indicate bulk, for example English WXP Pro VOL version disc label is WXPVOL_EN, where WX means Windows XP, P is Professional (VOL has no Home version), VOL indicates volume license version, EN indicates English. Mainly obtained through group purchase, some MSDN users can also get it.

When downloading many software, you’ll notice labels like GA or CRx. For example MySQL and JBoss use this labeling. What is GA? GA is abbreviation of Generally Available, meaning development team considers this version stable (some software may label as stable or production version, same meaning as GA), can be used in critical situations.

If you’re using software in production, or you’re a beginner, you should choose GA version. This is the most thoroughly tested and most stable version.

RC is abbreviation of Release Candidate

GA: General Availability, officially released version, GA is used internationally to indicate release version