iirc the no windows 9 thing was actually because a lot of software ran a compatibility check like:
if windows version = “windows 9*” then open legacy mode
This worked for software written for newer windows like xp but still allowing a legacy mode on older windows versions like 95 and 98. Problem was this also put that same software running on windows 9 into legacy mode. So they called it windows 10 to sidestep the compatibility issues.
Totally agree. IRC and Mailing lists used to be the best option for platform agnostic open source communities, but when better options exist it’s now used out of stubbornness. Even if not intentional, use of these systems with their own cliques and etiquettes now acts mostly as gatekeeping through obscurity and are off putting to outsiders who may well be prevented from participating.