[docs] [issue22270] cache version selection for documentation

[Terry J. Reedy]

Terry J. Reedy added the comment:

I agree that this is a bad idea.

1. Cookies are generally a nuisance. I like the fact that docs.python.org is (apparently) cookie free and that python sites only use a few short-lived cookies. The complications you propose would be a nuisance to create and maintain.

2. Not too long ago, we created docs.python.org/2/ and /3/ so people can use generic links to the latest docs for the latest released version of either Python 2 or 3. The aim was to reduce the problem of links to stale docs. Both sets of docs have version added notes for changes within a series. Those two docs are not interchangeable and should not be automatically switched.

If someone links now to a fixed version of the docs, they are either ignorant of the new system *or* they have a purpose that should not be over-riden.

If someone quotes or paraphrases a portion of a page (which is a claim about what the page says) or otherwise makes a claim about Python, and posts a link as evidence of the claim, clicking the link should take one to the 'evidence', not one's preferred version.

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nosy: +terry.reedy
resolution:  -> rejected
stage:  -> needs patch
status: open -> closed
versions:  -Python 2.7, Python 3.1, Python 3.2, Python 3.3, Python 3.4

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