This confusion doesn't stop there. Why do you have to download different versions of software depending on the chip you have in your Windows CE unit? Some of you have to download a Mips version, others SH3, and now there's StrongARM and SH4 versions as well. This problem has an effect on users but also has a major effect on sites like CEcity and others who have to present information to you in an organized way. It is a daunting task to organize our software databases because of all the different versions of software, processors, hardware, etc., and it doesn't seem to be getting any easier. As we look ahead things could get even worse. It would be some much easier if someone at Microsoft had planned ahead. I've spoken with several software developers who are struggling through this process on their own sites asking the question, "How do we best present all of these different versions of software to our users?" Well, the struggle continues.

Who Caused This Mess?
So, who caused all this? Well, it's really hard to say. Yeah right. I'm sure you can figure out who caused this mess. I don't think Microsoft should hold all the blame though. Most of it maybe, but not all of it. Surely somewhere along the way one of the hardware partners could have raised the question about transportability of the software. Perhaps each hardware manufacturer didn't want to share their chips instruction set, but couldn't Microsoft have made Windows CE transportable so that all programs could run on Windows CE no matter what chip was in the unit? I think so, but maybe that's just me.

I don't want to come down too hard on Microsoft but the problem of distinguishing hardware versions from operating system versions is totally their fault. This is the most confusing numbering system I've ever seen and it could have been avoided entirely. If they would have just worded things a bit differently we'd all be okay. Perhaps they could state in their documentation that the H/PC Pro units we currently purchase run Windows CE 2.11, and not mention anything about Handheld PC version 3.0. When they state "Microsoft Windows CE, Handheld PC Edition Version 3.0" it's too confusing. Why not just say Microsoft Windows CE version 2.11, and then somewhere else state Handheld PC Edition 3.0? Why even call the H/PC Pro an H/PC Pro? What's going to be next, the new improved H/PC Pro? Does anyone have a Desktop PC Pro? This is really so silly.

Operating System Versions
If you haven't figured it out by now there are 2 sets of version numbers for each unit type, one for hardware, and one for the operating system. As best we can tell it breaks down like this:

Hardware Type	Hardware Version	Operating System Version
Handheld PC First generation (Velo 1, HP 320LX, Cassiopeia, etc.)	1.0	Windows CE 1.0
Handheld PC Second generation H/PC (Velo 500, HP 660LX, etc.)	2.0	Windows CE 2.0
Palm-size PC First generation P/PC (Philips Nino, Casio E-11 etc.)	2.0	Windows CE 2.01
Handheld PC Pro Third generation H/PC (Jornada, Clio, etc.)	3.0	Windows CE 2.11
Palm-size PC 2.11 Second generation P/PC (Compaq Aero, Jornada 420 etc.)	Who Knows?	Windows CE 2.11

Processor Types
If you still don't know which processor your unit holds please see CEcity's CPU Information Guide in our Support (How To) section. You'll find a list of all the different Windows CE devices and their corresponding CPUs. You can also access this information by clicking on the CPU Guide link on any page in our software database.

Will It Ever Be Fixed?
Will all of this confusion ever be fixed? Who knows. Microsoft has promised to do some consolidating with Windows CE 3.0 but I'm not holding my breath. We'll continue to work through all of this and hopefully someday, someone will figure out a way to get us out of all this.