Software is released with version numbers that contain dots. Version 0.x normally beta, 1.0 the first release. Then the small number changes as small upgrades are made, 1.1, 1.2 etc. The big number changes when a really big step-change in function is made (and some marketeer decides he/she can stiff customers for some more money for an upgrade – thus the somewhat miniscule incremental changes in word for windows since version 1.2)
Since the web was invented in 1994, or whenever Netscape beta was released, there have been a number of really important developments:
- Tables
- Background images
- Frames (maybe not) – but Iframes are handy
- Secure Socket Layer
- Javascript
- Java
- Sounds
- Streaming media
- Cascading style sheets
- Web services
- Different encoding methods
- AJAX
etc etc.
Now someone tell me what step increase in functionality justifies a big-number change. Secure Socket Layer – allowing us to actually make payments over the web without losing our shirt? How about Javascript allowing client-site computing? Streaming media is pretty cool how about that? Cascading style sheets – definitely.
If we gave the web version numbers like we give software version numbers we would be on version 8.5 by now.
So what is this web 2.0 thing about? And how come we go straight to 3.0 without any intervening numbers? Who decides anyway.
Sorry chaps – its nonsense.
Bob Browning's blog 
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