title: Need some explanation on OpenType tables fixed version numbers
body: <p>This was extracted from <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/typography/otspec/otff.htm" rel="nofollow">The Open Type Font File</a> under <strong>Version Numbers</strong></p>
  
  <blockquote>
    <p>Most tables have version numbers, and the version number for the
    entire font is contained in the Table Directory. Note that there are
    two different table version number types, each with its own numbering
    scheme. USHORT version numbers always start at zero (0). <strong>Fixed version
    numbers start at one</strong> (1.0 or 0x00010000), except where noted (EBDT,
    EBLC and EBSC tables). Implementations reading tables must include
    code to check version numbers so that if and when the format and
    therefore the version number changes, older implementations will
    reject newer versions gracefully, if the changes are incompatible.
    When a Fixed number is used as a version, the upper 16 bits comprise a
    major version number, and the lower 16 bits a minor. <strong>Tables with
    non-zero minor version numbers always specify the literal value of the
    version number since the normal representation of Fixed numbers is not
    necessarily followed</strong>. For example, the version number of 'maxp' table
    version 0.5 is 0x00005000, and that of 'vhea' table version 1.1 is
    0x00011000. If an implementation understands a major version number,
    then it can safely proceed reading the table. The minor version number
    indicates extensions to the format that are undetectable by
    implementations that do not support them.</p>
  </blockquote>
  
  <p>Would appreciate some clarification on the highlighted sentences above (emphasis mine).</p>