How to determine and print jQuery version?
You can use this:
$.fn.jquery
//or if you're using .noConflict():
jQuery.fn.jquery
It's updated automatically when jQuery is built, defined here: http://github.com/jquery/jquery/blob/master/src/core.js#L174
Make sure to use $.fn.property for properties that don't depend on an object, no reason to create an unneeded jquery object with $().property unless you intend to use it :)
alert( $.fn.jquery )