It is important to keep one's computer and the programmes that run on it up to date. Vendors like Microsoft regularly send out updates the purpose of which is twofold. First they carry out the essential changes to programmes to plug loopholes and security risks and to correct software errors ("bugs") that can creep in to any programme. Failing to update in response to these announcements can potentially leave you at worst open to hackers and criminals and at best unable to escape the annoyances that bugs periodically exhibit. Second, however, updates are issued whenever the vendor has developed some new feature or capability and telling its customers about these is part of their after-sales service. As an aside, it is important always to remember the distinction between updates and upgrades. The former are as described above; upgrades on the other hand are invariably newer editions of the programmes that usually cost money to adopt.
So far so good. However, time and again updates can be so infuriating in the way that they both interrupt what we are currently doing and, more annoyingly, how they can completely change the way our computer appears and behaves on the screen. Technology (and any product in fact) is subject to a process called "continuous improvement" which is why there are so many updates and newer versions of everything to be temptingly downloaded. Worse still, the default with Windows is to install updates and features automatically unless the user carefully monitors update processes. Even when an update is accepted, it often happens that the display settings and desktop layout (the User Interface [UI] as it is called) change significantly from how they looked before the update. Nothing is guaranteed to confuse users more than to change something they have managed to get used to and are familiar with. Imagine putting your car in for a regular service only to collect it afterwards and find that the pedals have changed and the speedometer now only works in kilometres.
Part of the problem is that software today - and Windows is typical - is so packed full with features that the average user would never need, and you have to put up with an unnecessarily large programme that needs regular download for updating. I always say that it is like being compelled to buy a Rolls Royce when all you need is a Mini to get to the shops. Why can't big vendors produce cut-down, simple versions for those who don't want and will never use all the "bells and whistles"?
The frustrations don't end there. You follow the instructions and let the computer carry out the update by restarting your machine whereupon it takes 40 minutes to carry out the update. And Windows always seems to know that you are just about to sit down for dinner or go out shopping. Grrr!
So far so good. However, time and again updates can be so infuriating in the way that they both interrupt what we are currently doing and, more annoyingly, how they can completely change the way our computer appears and behaves on the screen. Technology (and any product in fact) is subject to a process called "continuous improvement" which is why there are so many updates and newer versions of everything to be temptingly downloaded. Worse still, the default with Windows is to install updates and features automatically unless the user carefully monitors update processes. Even when an update is accepted, it often happens that the display settings and desktop layout (the User Interface [UI] as it is called) change significantly from how they looked before the update. Nothing is guaranteed to confuse users more than to change something they have managed to get used to and are familiar with. Imagine putting your car in for a regular service only to collect it afterwards and find that the pedals have changed and the speedometer now only works in kilometres.
Part of the problem is that software today - and Windows is typical - is so packed full with features that the average user would never need, and you have to put up with an unnecessarily large programme that needs regular download for updating. I always say that it is like being compelled to buy a Rolls Royce when all you need is a Mini to get to the shops. Why can't big vendors produce cut-down, simple versions for those who don't want and will never use all the "bells and whistles"?
The frustrations don't end there. You follow the instructions and let the computer carry out the update by restarting your machine whereupon it takes 40 minutes to carry out the update. And Windows always seems to know that you are just about to sit down for dinner or go out shopping. Grrr!
