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November 15th, 2006

Why I find computer updates a bit of a bore

I am thinking of retitling this blog ‘Dave’s Daily Problem’. Once again thank you for the advice on working from home. I hope to respond to a number of the comments and e-mails sent on the subject.

Today’s subject for debate and consternation: computer updates.

updates

Every blessed bit of software on the computer needs updating continually. Boxes pop up on an ongoing basis and various whathaveyous must be downloaded, installed, initialised (whatever that means), reconfigurated and rediscombobulated.

In some cases one gets to know that to agree to the update means it will redownload the whole programme and do so the same the next day and the next day and so on for ever. Zonealarm: I’m looking at you.

Other programmes new require a restart every time they download their updates, which is every time the computer is switched on. Literally. AVG Antivirus – are your ears burning? (Yes, I understand that it is good that antivirus programmes update daily – it is the continual demand for restarts that are frustrating.)

Other programme makers devise a version 2.0 that is so big and clunky it makes the computer crash continually whilst leaving out very basic functions that version 1.0 had meaning that every operation needs a lot more clicks than before. SmartFTP – this one has your name on it. (Anyone got a recommendation for a replacement ftp programme by the way?)

Most of the programmes that trouble me are free ones and so you are all entirely entitled to tell me not to use them if I don’t like them. But perhaps by writing this some maker of software somewhere will heed my message: Please try to keep updates to a minimum (especially after 11pm) as they are making us all a bit unhappy. Thank you.

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12 Responses to “Why I find computer updates a bit of a bore”


  1. jonah says:

    Sounds to me like you use a PC rather than a Mac.

    Quick tip: Sell your PC and buy a Mac. No problems with viruses, no need to download daily virus updates and loads less bothersome updates.

  2. Jack the Lass says:

    I use Zonealarm and AVG Free and haven’t had any problems – they obviously just don’t like the look of you.

    Although I must admit that I do get a bit irritated at the whole “restart” thing as well. But that’s probably more because my computer is quite slow at that sort of thing.

  3. Graham Chastney says:

    Big fan of FileZilla for FTP.

    Love the cartoon.

  4. Jude Stone says:

    http://www.apple.com

    I made the move about 18 months ago, and life is so much more straight forward now I don’t have to worry about virus checkers, ad-aware, mal-ware, pop up this, trojan that….

    Find someone nearby that has one, have a play for a day or so, and you’ll be soon be working out how to finance getting one!

    I love your work!

  5. Aaron says:

    I was reading this cartoon when XP announced the need to download and update and restart…good timing, Dave.

  6. Chris Clark says:

    AVG shouldn’t demand restarts…suggest you uninstall and reinstall.

    I use http://www.coreftp.com/ which is free and quite good.

    Aren’t computers grand…

    Do you think the Mac/PC thing is the Cathoic/Protestant debate in a parallel universe?

  7. David says:

    I also use filezila which I find to be excellent and reliable. Plus it is free in all senses.

  8. Pete C says:

    Hah, I think that one may be appropriate for WeBlogCartoons. :)

  9. jonah says:

    Mac/PC debate doesn’t parallel with the Catholic/Protestant divide because this isn’t about prejudice or historic wrongs.

    Its as cut and dried as PC’s suck and Macs rock. ;P

  10. ash says:

    i use Core FTP, which you can probably get on Download.com. I’ve not had any problems with it so far.

    Although, my college WiFi network will not allow me to FTP. damn fools.

  11. Paul says:

    I’ve never been prompted to re-boot after an AVG definitions update.

    And I find Coffee Cup free ftp does all I need and is small and simple.

    And on a PC…

    Paul

  12. Chris says:

    Another Filezilla fan here, I can’t fault it. When it comes to computers, I’m stuck in corporate Micro$oft world most of the time, but escape when I get home to my lovely penguin.