# Include version number in ‘Powered by Discourse’
**URL:** https://meta.discourse.org/t/include-version-number-in-powered-by-discourse/307484
**Category:** UX
**Tags:** powered-by-discourse
**Created:** [May 10, 2024, 1:41am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/include-version-number-in-powered-by-discourse/307484 "2024-05-10T01:41:13Z")
**Posts on this page:** 9
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@jidanni](https://meta.discourse.org/u/jidanni)
#### Post date: [May 10, 2024, 1:41am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/include-version-number-in-powered-by-discourse/307484/1 "2024-05-10T01:41:13Z")
That is great that actual _end users_ like me can now see that what we are using is Discourse.
But then we arrive at the question: Discourse, but what version of Discourse?
E.g., in a browser we can click “About Google Chrome” and it tells us the version number.
Or, still supply a link to the version number, but show a reason why the version number cannot be shown, so the user clicking it knows it was not just an omission.
Or it could even be a [dialog](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ELIZA): “Why do you want to know the version number? Enter reason. Max: 25 characters.”
Thanks.
---
### Author:  [@Heliosurge](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Heliosurge)
#### Post date: [May 10, 2024, 1:54am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/include-version-number-in-powered-by-discourse/307484/2 "2024-05-10T01:54:49Z")
Revealing version number could introduce security risk ie iirc Stable is not as up to date as tests-passed
Though I believe a user may still use tools to identify version.
As long ago had member use knowledge of the forum not being updated to reflect exploit security issue that was patched in an update.
Powered by :discourse: is a nice touch. A visitor really doesn’t need the version number for this kind of bling imho.
Knowing what versions of software installed on your computer is a need vs knowing what software versions a website is utilizing.
---
### Author:  [@jidanni](https://meta.discourse.org/u/jidanni)
#### Post date: [May 10, 2024, 2:01am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/include-version-number-in-powered-by-discourse/307484/3 "2024-05-10T02:01:56Z")
Fine. Then please have some place in the side bars where the user can click a chrome-like “about Discourse” link. And if they are an admin, they can see the version number. And if they aren’t, they can see an explanation (like the points you mentioned) of why they are not allowed to know the version number. Thanks.
---
### Author:  [@Heliosurge](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Heliosurge)
#### Post date: [May 10, 2024, 2:04am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/include-version-number-in-powered-by-discourse/307484/4 "2024-05-10T02:04:40Z")
If you are an admin it shows on the dashboard.
The upgrade page shows also plugin versions.
---
### Author:  [@jidanni](https://meta.discourse.org/u/jidanni)
#### Post date: [May 10, 2024, 2:17am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/include-version-number-in-powered-by-discourse/307484/5 "2024-05-10T02:17:39Z")
I never dreamed that version info was that detailed. If we _end users_ could see some of that, we could tell if our admin was “on the ball” or not. And even alert them that they are many versions behind. Or perhaps give up sticking around on a site that never is updated.
---
### Author:  [@Firepup650](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Firepup650)
#### Post date: [May 10, 2024, 2:22am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/include-version-number-in-powered-by-discourse/307484/6 "2024-05-10T02:22:55Z")
> [@jidanni](#):
>
> we could tell if our admin was “on the ball” or not. And even alert them that they are many versions behind.
Or… Malicious users could learn of some critical security flaw that has been patched since that version, and exploit it.
Regardless, if any end user truly _needs_ to find out what the version of Discourse is, they just have to check their browser console:
> [@jidanni](#):
>
> alert them that they are many versions behind
Discourse itself will do that on every major version bump.
---
### Author:  [@Heliosurge](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Heliosurge)
#### Post date: [May 10, 2024, 2:51am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/include-version-number-in-powered-by-discourse/307484/7 "2024-05-10T02:51:12Z")
Well you have to keep in mind Stable is always a few versions/updates behind.
As I mentioned before a member on one of the sites I was a mod on before becoming an admin. The company only installed the forum software and had not updated it for a long time even with me recommending/pressuring them to do so. The member as a result wanting to view a Beta Groups progress was able to use version info to be able to peak into the beta group’s category. While bad enough. What if the private category had contained confidential member info?
Which @Firepup650 has also reinforced this point. Sure members with good scruples like yourself would not use info like this in a negative way. There are many who would use version info to compromise site security.
---
### Author:  [@JammyDodger](https://meta.discourse.org/u/JammyDodger)
#### Post date: [May 10, 2024, 3:13am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/include-version-number-in-powered-by-discourse/307484/8 "2024-05-10T03:13:04Z")
I think my previous answer to your previous re-raise of the issue still stands… 🙂
> [@"Powered by Discourse" should be on by default](https://meta.discourse.org/t/powered-by-discourse-should-be-on-by-default/302752/25):
>
> I think my answer to your previous topic on this still stands:
>
> > [@Include version number of Discourse more visibly](https://meta.discourse.org/t/include-version-number-of-discourse-more-visibly/257182/9):
> >
> > Another interesting point delivered with some panache @jidanni. 🙂
> >
> > The version number of a Discourse site represents the exact commit to which it has been updated to, and can change multiple times a day depending on how often a rigorous admin wishes to be as close to possible to the latest version. To a regular user reporting problems it is not particularly relevant information as they would be reporting any problems to their site admin who would have that version information on their dashboard.
---
### Author:  [@JammyDodger](https://meta.discourse.org/u/JammyDodger)
#### Post date: [May 10, 2024, 3:15am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/include-version-number-in-powered-by-discourse/307484/9 "2024-05-10T03:15:50Z")