Software update Sunday

Keeping software up-to-date is really important. There are security flaws that get patched, performance and battery improvements that can save both time and energy. Not to mention new features, bug fixes, etc. So why set aside a specific day to get everything up-to-date rather than just doing the updates as they come in? Simple: Software updates, as easy as they are, can still go wrong and/or introduce unexpected results.

Software updates are easier to do today than they’ve ever been. Both mobile and desktop software can be updated with a single click. And in some cases they can be set up to happen automatically. It is a marvel when compared to how updates were delivered just 5 and 10 years ago.

Most of the time these updates happen without a hitch. However, other times updates can completely take away features, introduce brand-new ones that you may not want, or conflict with other applications you have.

A good example of this was when I installed Mac OS X Mavericks the moment it was released. This was unheard of not too long ago. Doing major operating system upgrades would require a huge effort and planning. Mavericks works well enough, but it completely killed some of my configurations that I rely on every single day to get my work done. I’m not talking about simple shortcuts or preferences, but actual configurations that allow me to work. It took me a few hours to get back up and running.

It was a rookie mistake, really. I should know better. I do know better. That is why I’m going to change my habits.

I’ve decided to hold off on major software updates during the week to any devices or applications that I use for work. Each Sunday I’m going to set aside some time to do software updates for my computers, phones, tablets, set-top boxes, CMSs and anything else that I have laying around. And I’m going to do the same for my wife’s devices as well.

This way we’re still making sure everything is up-to-date, but if something goes wrong I can fix it during a time when I don’t need to be working. I’ll come back in a week and let you know how this goes.

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