Hi
"LibreOffice 3.4.4 ... this version ... " and then
"LibreOffice 3.3.4 ... this version ... "
Which is exactly right. It doesn't mention other versions such as 3.3.0, 3.3.1, 3.3.2 (which i am still using along with many other Ubuntu 10.04 LTS users and many others), 3.3.3.
We could use the plural of version to cover all the different versions in much the same way as hard-drive space could be consistently quoted in Mb but at some point we have to start using more general terms that cover a larger group. Also we then have to keep explaining details of the versions we are talking about rather than being able to take short-cuts. If we use the word branch then we can say things like
"Stable branch is better for corporate organisations"
which makes some sort of sense. It's the type of thing corporates like to hear as there are 2 words that imply the product is solid, reliable, strong but still with some growth in it with implications of warmth and growing. It helps people understand because they will hear the same advice from other projects. If we avoid using the word branch then that short statement would become
"At the moment the 3.3.x versions are better for corporate organisations because they are less changeable and more dependable although they don't always have the latest extra features although the 3.4.4 is the one recommended now and there are no new 3.3.x version coming out."
This gives the impression of complete chaos and gives the impression that whatever they get will be quickly out-of-date and unusable or probably dead even before they get it given how long it takes to roll out programs across a large network.
Anyway saying 3.3.x (instead of using specific version numbers) is no less confusing, possibly more so. The dumbed-down page for people that are unlikely to cope with the wealth of information on a wiki is
http://www.libreoffice.org/get-help/documentation/
If people go to the wiki and can't understand it then there is a link to the official (and dumbed-down) page.
The plural of version leaves people assuming that 3.3.x is "old" and 3.4.x is "new" and then there is confusion when a 3.3.x release is more recent than a 3.4.x. By using the term branch
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/branch
then if they have ever seen a tree, or a river, or a railway, or know someone studying one branch of medicine or the law or another then it clicks into place without needing further explanation. "Versions" explains nothing and creates additional problems later that could be solved neatly and easily. Once people have the wrong idea it's very difficult to make them reassess so it needs to be clear from as early as possible.
A good, well chosen word or mnemonic
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mnemonic
can save people a LOT of time trying to figure things out by making it clearer and easier to understand. Sadly it is not something i am particularly good at.
I think that changing from branch would create a LOT more confusion than it solves.
Regards from
Tom