The associated benefits of backward compatibility are the appeal to an existing user base through an inexpensive upgrade path as well as the network effect as it increases the value of goods and services proportionally to the size of the user base .
The network effect is particularly important .
The associated benefits of backward compatibility are the appeal to an existing user base through an inexpensive upgrade path as well as the network effect , which is particularly important , as it increases the value of goods and services proportionally to the size of the user base .