why updates?

G

Grimes

New Member
I looked at my recent updates and was astonished that there are 96 of them.
It seems to me that software that has 96 problems shouldn't be available for sale.
Each time I download a new update my system gets a little more crappy.

Its a lot like selling you a junk car that doesnt work and then giving you the parts one at a time to try and get it running properly.

Can anyone give me a good reason why all the updates/repairs?
Why dont they get it right BEFORE they sell it?
 

My Computer

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    AMD Athlon Dual Core Processor 4050e 2.10 GHz
Software development is a continuous process of development and innovation. Especially so with operating systems. 96 updates does not mean 96 faults, it means the technology and knowledge are developing, too, and Microsoft Windows has to meet the challenge.

Grimes said:
Its a lot like selling you a junk car that doesnt work and then giving you the parts one at a time to try and get it running properly.

Can anyone give me a good reason why all the updates/repairs?
Why dont they get it right BEFORE they sell it?
Click to expand...
The question above is about the same than asking why didn't they make Windows ready when Windows 1.0 was released on November 1985? Why do they update it now, every time when new technological innovations make a new feature possible and available, or when user reports show that users want a change in an old feature? Why these major updates called versions, why Win98, XP, 7? Why wasn't Windows ready when released in 1985?

Or your car metaphor: Why do they update the cars? Why do they put these new things like GPS and ABS and so on to the cars? Why should I update my car by changing the tires, why can't I always drive with tires I got when I bought the car? Why do I have to update my car by buying fuel, why can't I drive with the fuel I had when I bought the car?

Personally, I'm happy Microsoft thinks my needs and gives an update to my system for instance when it's clear some cracker has found a way to exploit it. With an update I can close the lid, make it impossible to use that crack.

Only a couple of days ago we had a good example about Microsoft listening consumer needs. Because virtualization technology is not possible in some PC's, Microsoft changed its former policy and published an update that makes it possible to use Virtual PC and XP Mode in every computer running Seven Professional or Ultimate. Also those with no VT. It's a major change, made possible through update system.

Kari
 

My Computer

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    HP Pavilion dv7-1199 Notebook
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    Intel Core2 Duo T9400 2.53 GHz
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Grimes said:
I looked at my recent updates and was astonished that there are 96 of them.
It seems to me that software that has 96 problems shouldn't be available for sale.
Each time I download a new update my system gets a little more crappy.

Its a lot like selling you a junk car that doesnt work and then giving you the parts one at a time to try and get it running properly.

Can anyone give me a good reason why all the updates/repairs?
Why dont they get it right BEFORE they sell it?
Click to expand...

96 updates is only the tip of the iceberg. A commonly used number in the industry is that there is 1 problem per every 1000 lines of code. And Vista is about 55 million lines of code - you make the math.
The good news is that the average user will never hit most of those problems because he uses only a very small subset of the operating system.
If you were able to show how "to get it right" the first time around, you would probably win a Nobel prize. After 35 years in operating system development, I do not have the faintest idea how that could be done.
 

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    Also 1xHP desktop, 1xHP laptop, 1xGateway laptop
Apparently these updates are not what they were meant to be or we wouldnt have hundreds of forums like this one full of people having problems "buying gas for their computers"
When the solution is worse than the problem you need to start over.
 

My Computer

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  • Manufacturer/Model
    eMachines/ ET1161-07
    CPU
    AMD Athlon Dual Core Processor 4050e 2.10 GHz
Have you really read these forums, with thought? The issues and problems are mostly caused by user, third party hardware or software, overclocking and tweaking, false beliefs and expectations and so on. And don't forget third party driver problems, which has nothing to do with Windows.

There are remarkable few threads for instance here and The Seven Forums where culprit, the guilty part, really is Windows. And quite a many Windows updates are drivers for third party devices.

Computing would be easier and the we would need less updates and versions, if we all had exactly the same hardware and software. As you know, that's never going to happen.

Kari
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion dv7-1199 Notebook
    CPU
    Intel Core2 Duo T9400 2.53 GHz
    Memory
    4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 9600M GT
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17" laptop display, 22" LCD and 32" Full HD TV through HDMI
    Screen Resolution
    1440*900, 1600*1050 and 1920*1080
    Hard Drives
    Internal: 2*Toshiba 320 GB MK3252GSX ATA,
    External: 1TB for backups, 1TB network drive for media
    Keyboard
    Logitech diNovo Media Desktop Laser (bluetooth)
    Mouse
    Logitech MX1000 Laser (Bluetooth)
    Internet Speed
    50 MB VDSL
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    Windows 7 Ultimate Retail Full in English, additional Guest-user accounts in Finnish, German and Swedish (Working languages English & Swedish, Family language German, my own language, mother tongue, Finnish. I really need Ultimate to get to use Language Packs!)
I can relate to what you are saying and I am glad microsoft offers new features on occasion.

However a new feature is not repairing something that never worked right. A new feature is for example being able to plug it directly into your tv and using your tv for a monitor.
To use the car metaphor,
buying gas/tires is maintenance. rebuilding a carburetor that NEVER worked right is a fix. A new stereo system/GPS is a new feature.
I dont mind selling a car that needs gas. I do mind selling a car that doesnt start or dies at every stop light.

Here are some more thoughts on "updates" right at the bottom of this page.
"Vista Updates not displayed in Installed Updates"
"How to remove the updates from 'uninstall updates"
"Windows Updates, and now other updates fail consistently"
http://www.vistax64.com/vista-perfo...t-change-automatic-updates-check-updates.htmlThese people will be glad there is nothing wrong with their computer and it is only a "new feature"
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    eMachines/ ET1161-07
    CPU
    AMD Athlon Dual Core Processor 4050e 2.10 GHz
But Grimes, nobody is being forced to install updates. That may be a little iffy when it comes to security updates. But you can go by the saying: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it".
On one of my Vista systems I have chosen not to install SP2 because it gave me problems on another system. However, on a third system, SP2 works fine. Go figure.
 

My Computer

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  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell
    CPU
    Q6600
    Memory
    4GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP w2207h
    Hard Drives
    2x250GB HDDs
    1x60GB OCZ SSD
    6 external disks 60 to 640GBs
    Other Info
    Also 1xHP desktop, 1xHP laptop, 1xGateway laptop
Grimes, this is pointless.

You have decided not to believe facts. You want to show how clever you are.

It's OK. I can accept that. Your playground, your game.

Next time you see me to join a conversation with you is when you first show me you are an adult.

I have no time to play with kids.

Unsubscribing, Kari
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion dv7-1199 Notebook
    CPU
    Intel Core2 Duo T9400 2.53 GHz
    Memory
    4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 9600M GT
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17" laptop display, 22" LCD and 32" Full HD TV through HDMI
    Screen Resolution
    1440*900, 1600*1050 and 1920*1080
    Hard Drives
    Internal: 2*Toshiba 320 GB MK3252GSX ATA,
    External: 1TB for backups, 1TB network drive for media
    Keyboard
    Logitech diNovo Media Desktop Laser (bluetooth)
    Mouse
    Logitech MX1000 Laser (Bluetooth)
    Internet Speed
    50 MB VDSL
    Other Info
    Windows 7 Ultimate Retail Full in English, additional Guest-user accounts in Finnish, German and Swedish (Working languages English & Swedish, Family language German, my own language, mother tongue, Finnish. I really need Ultimate to get to use Language Packs!)
Three things come to my mind:

1. All hardware is different, and how can an OS be "ready" for processors, video cards, ram, when it hasn't even been produced at the time of the OS's conception.

2. Software changes daily, if not more often.

3. People don't think before they do something.
Sure, if you install windows, and don't connect to the internet, or install anything, it would be just fine, although pointless. A paperweight with wallpaper.

Side note, not all updates are "problems". Some are improvements, some are compatibility, and some are not needed by all ( a la .NET).



Here are some more thoughts on "updates" right at the bottom of this page.
"Vista Updates not displayed in Installed Updates"
"How to remove the updates from 'uninstall updates"
"Windows Updates, and now other updates fail consistently"
These people will be glad there is nothing wrong with their computer and it is only a "new feature"
Click to expand...

The main point here is "their computer"....not "every computer with this OS".
If USER1 has a problem, and USERS 2,3,4,and 5 don't.........is it the OS's fault that USER1 has an issue? No.

there's a never ending cycle of software and hardware technology, it is not POSSIBLE to keep ahead of it.
If ya want it perfect before it's released....gimme a call around the year 2150 and let me know how Windows 8 is coming along......
 

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Sure, if you install windows, and don't connect to the internet, or install anything, it would be just fine, although pointless. A paperweight with wallpaper.
Click to expand...
You would not believe it, but such users exist. I have a neighbor who bought a $3000 system with laser printer, 3 in 1 printer and all the 9 yards. He never had any internet connection (in 5 years) and uses the system only to write letters with a little word processing program. The 3 in 1 printer he only uses as copier - it is not even attached to the PC.
I have tried to convince him a few times of the advantages of the internet, with no success. Go figure. At least he never got a virus.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell
    CPU
    Q6600
    Memory
    4GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP w2207h
    Hard Drives
    2x250GB HDDs
    1x60GB OCZ SSD
    6 external disks 60 to 640GBs
    Other Info
    Also 1xHP desktop, 1xHP laptop, 1xGateway laptop
Grimes said:
To use the car metaphor, buying gas/tires is maintenance
Click to expand...

Mate,

I do believe that you have been hoist by your own petard!:sarc:

  • Security updates are maintenance.
  • Compatibility updates are maintenance.
  • Definition updates are maintenance.
  • Systems fixes are maintenance.
  • Stability and Performance updates are maintenance.
  • Compromiseupdates are maintenance.
.....and so on, and so forth. The list is endless. In whatever you buy, if there is anything you need to do to keep it to peak performance, and in good running condition.......then maintenance is imperative. That's precisely what updates are all about, and there is no way, or indeed logic, in ignoring them.

I would lay odds that there is not one bit of software, either bought or free, that you have downloaded and installed, that hasn't been subject to one form of update or other. New Versions and Builds are all updates, and by simple progression......maintenance.

Your problem is that you have got yourself an 'earlier model' [probably at an all-time low price], that in it's current state is in dire need of some pretty serious maintenance, to bring it up to good working order.

So stop your whinging and get on with it......there's a good lad.
 

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    Acer Aspire Notebook 5633WLMi.[5630 Series]
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