Software updating when everything uses software
The latest beta of Windows 8 Release Preview is out and we are scrambling to see what works with it and what doesn’t. After many years in the software industry, I’ve come to expect that. Now, however, pretty much everything goes through many cycles of software updates. The results can be annoying. Or worse.
Two weeks ago, I took my Nissan LEAF in for its 6-month check-up. While there, the dealer did a software update. I’ve had no real problems with it and, in general, I love the car . However, after the update, the LCD display on my console is different. It now displays the time in the upper right. Unfortunately, that time is different from the one that displays beneath the windshield. I guess I need to read some manuals. Annoying.
This week, the Garmin Edge 500 bicycle computer I use had an available update and I updated it. Everything seemed to go fine on my 36-mile bike ride a couple days later. When I went to upload the ride to the Garmin Connect Web site, it told me I need to update my Edge 500 (to the same version) and claimed there were no new rides on the device. After some frustration, I managed to get it all working without losing the data from my ride. Very annoying.
It seems like I’m constantly updating my iPhone, my Xbox 360, my TV, my iPad, Windows on my PC, Mac OS on my Mac, and, of course, applications everywhere. Usually, the updates work fine. But, when the glitches happen, I am tempted to never update anything again. Very annoying, indeed.
In the meantime, it’s back to working on updating HDXPRT 2012!
Bill
