Published by Ana Etxebarria
6.45 AM The alarm clock of my BB goes off. As every day, I turn it off, I stretch and as soon as I am able to open my eyes I look to check what’s new. Mhhhh! The App World icon tells me that there are 4 new updates. A new version of Foursquare, WhatsApp, Twitter and of BBM. What is special about these versions? Well, as far as I know, nothing much, but experience tells me that either I update them, or I will be bombarded by those annoying messages informing of the availability of a new version. So much to my regret, I start the update process. Of course, as usual, during the first update the BB freezes and there is no other way to revive it but by removing the battery. Once rebooted, I choose to live with the new version messages and before I starve to death, I decide to go get breakfast.
9.00 AM I arrive at the office. As I start my computer, I fetch some water, turn on the heater, check my agenda …, but just as I prepare to open my Outlook, an update message informing me that Acrobat Reader update is available appears on my screen. The truth is I do not know how many updates Acrobat releases, but my perception is that there is at least, one a week … So after the BB experience a while ago, I choose to upgrade later. I do not feel like it now. I am rebellious. But what is this new shield like icon at the bottom right of my screen? Should I click it?, it won’t be yet another update, will it? … Well, quite right, ladies and gentlemen, on this occasion it is Microsoft kindly letting me know of the availability of new automatic updates. This is wearing me out, really..
17.00 PM It has been days since I last synchronized my iPad. I will do it now that I seem to be a little calmer. I open iTunes, connect the USB, and what is the first thing I see on the screen? Bingo! A new version of iTunes available. Well, I do NOT want it, thank you very much!, Very kind of you! Enough is enough, what a day … And now whaaaat?, another screenshot?, This is not happening, arggggghhhhh !!!!! Now, this time, very politely, and totally free, I am offered a new version of the iPad software … I am not exaggerating one iota.
I give up, I throw in the towel. I cannot put up with it anymore … Let them do whatever they want. Go ahead, update the software! Do so daily if you wish! But please, I do not want to know about it. Do it silently. Do not ask for my permission. At the end of the day, if only at their persistence, they always win…
The moral of my post is the following: If today I had accepted all the kind offers of available updates for my gadgets, I would have upgraded 3 different machines, 7 software programs and an Operating System. There! Not to mention the 52 updates that according to the App Store are available …
Don’t you think that something that is very positive in theory, is becoming a torture and a nightmare for users? What do you think?
Panda Security specializes in the development of endpoint security products and is part of the WatchGuard portfolio of IT security solutions. Initially focused on the development of antivirus software, the company has since expanded its line of business to advanced cyber-security services with technology for preventing cyber-crime.
5 comments
Unfortunately updates are necessary, particularly security patches. The more apps and machines we are using, the more updates we have. Maybe we should be more selective and think twice before installing any new software? Below the License agreement, there should be a warning: “I will update every now and then. Will you dare install me?” 😉
What drives me crazy with updates is that of an Adobe product I have. It always tries to finalize update installation when I’m logged in as a simple user and never as admin user. So it always fails. Gosh!
So true, Ana! Yesterday I received the so dreaded message : “Updates found” in my Android phone and not one of them could be completed succesfully and in a timely manner 😉 So, why bother! I always end up cancelling them..
Good content however the windows updates should be controlled by your admin and you shouldn’t have to intervene here. In an ideal world it should happen transparently but of course we dont live in one. I do however back Mel by checking if you actually need the software and if you do, well be prepared to update 🙂
One of the biggest complaints we get here are that the Panda versions DO NOT update automatically or at least prompt for it (apart from a nag box on the retail). We have people running 2008 retail and Adminsecure 2007 that have no idea there are new versions out with better security and stability. I welcome regular updates 🙂
Just read this piece of news…. Apple issued an update to Lion yesterday. Not a big deal, just 49 vulnerabilities. WOW!!!! so some updates REALLY seem to be necessary 🙂