[Nebullis]

Designs can skip evolutionary steps; Evolution can't.

I have just explained how evolution can! Neutral mutations accumulate without functional expression until they are carried into a functional state by other mutations. The hierarchical nature of genetic control networks also ensure that small mutations at the genetic level can lead to vast changes at the selection level.

[Southack]

Designs can skip evolutionary steps; Evolution can't. - Southack

"I have just explained how evolution can! Neutral mutations accumulate without functional expression until they are carried into a functional state by other mutations." - Nebullis

That's an interesting genetic theory worthy of further consideration, but it hardly applies to the software design of either Windows XP or DOS.