Any reason for the new numbering system?

Probably to make the numbering easier to follow (i.e. if you see 2005-004, you know its the 4th update for the year, while 2005-03-30 tells us nothing except its from the 30th).

Has it been withdrawn? doesn't appear in Software Update (10.3.7) and can't find on Apple UK's os x downloads page.

The previous numbering scheme told us the update's release date. Year-Month-Day

For example: http://Security Update 2004-12-02 v....10.2.8 Client) was released on December 2, 2004

You can confim this by clicking the link to this update's information page and checking the Post Date in the information box at the top right hand side of the page.

Much more informatitive than the new numbering scheme. IMO.

Now seems to be available through software update.

is this update working fine? i don't want to install it if it might screw something up.

Fine so far on an iMac G5(10.3.7). Nothing noticably different.

Dates are unimportant. Who cares that the security update came out 12-02, when you have to go looking to see if there's any from November, October, etc. By numbering, you know "Hey, there were 32 security patches in 2002". And, as you say, its easy to get the post date from the internet.

It also probably aids in cutting the confusion for which the "v1.0" part at the end, which is one of those "Hey, we screwed up the original update, so on 2004-12-09 we're release Security Update 2004-12-02 v1.1" So, you see, the date isn't necessarily the date of release, its the date of the original patch, not the update (and, yes, they've done this).

Unless you're not the type to be confused by the statement "You need to download the 2004-12-02 patch that was posted on the 9th."

That was probably the reason why they did that. I remember when I had to reinstall 10.2 and 10.3 on my computers, and when I applied the security updates I ended up confused on which to install first (or which one to install at all) when I had multiple versions of the same security update floating around in my downloads folder.

BTW, I applied the updates to my iBook G3/700 and my DP G4/1.25 Power Mac. No problems to report at all.

My rev a G5 2x2.0 is working fine with 10.3.7 and the security patch.

Tomorrow I'll install it on my Ti and our iBook and see how it fares.