Here is an idea that might break our deadlock re backward
compatibility, versioning and RERO:

Agree that odd numbered versions have stable APIs - basically adhere
to Commons rules - no breaks within 3.0, 3.1, ..., 3.x... or 5.0,
5.1... but even-numbered lines can include breaks - so 4.0 and 4.1
might not be compatible.  We would always maintain both an odd and
even branch - ideally in such a way that when an even numbered line
stabilized it would add a last hurrah of breaks and move to odd. 
People wanting stable APIs could just stick with the odd-numbered
lines and [math] developers wanting to experiment with things and
not worry about compatibility could do that in the even-numbered
lines.  In effect, this is sort of what we are doing now in 3.x / 4.x.

I know above violates Commons policy if we actually cut releases
from the even-numbered branches - we would have to get agreement
from the Commons PMC that this is OK or somehow label the releases
differently.  Just an idea to get us out of our current bind...

Phil


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