I have a new full-time job… and I hate it!
Have you heard? I have a brand new job. It's not the most fulfilling but it consumes hours and hours of my time.
I'm referring to the incessant hours I now spend updating apps and other software. A typical work day goes something like this:
- Log into my computer. Oh, there's a new version of iTunes. Better download and install it before I forget. [20 minutes]
- Oh yeah, and my Java is out of date. But I just made the coffee fresh this morning? [2 minutes]
- What? There's a new version of Adobe Air? What's that for again? [2 minutes]
- Well, while all this is updating let me jump over to my iPad for a few minutes. Huh? 12 apps need updating?!? [10 minutes]
- Ok, forget that, I'll just play a game on my phone. This app is out of date? Along with 23 others? What's changed in all of these apps? [20 minutes]
- Alright, back to the computer. At least those updates are done. Ooh, but I didn't see that new version of Adobe Reader. Didn't I just update this a few days ago? [5 minutes]
- Ahhh, finally I can relax for a few minutes and surf the web in Firefox. Aw crud, forgot about Firefox's new monthly updates. [5 minutes]
- Well, at least I'm safe surfing the web. But wait... what's this? AVG Antivirus has a new 2012 version? [20 minutes]
- Ok, I give up, I'm shutting down my computer. "Configuring updates: Stage 1 of 3 - 0% complete. Do not turn off your computer." [30 minutes]
Think this job stinks? So do I. But do you want to know the worst part? I don't get paid a dime to do it.
5 comments for this blog post so far...
October 18, 2011 at 7:24 am
Nancy Ann Gazo
You must have the same job that I do. Gotta tell ya, though, Apple’s updates are a bit quicker than that-who-will-not-be-named...(!)
October 19, 2011 at 1:21 am
Lynn
i go the route of skipping updates most of the time unless it sounds really important. on some random day, i decide to be good and then i’ll update. my computer is slow enough as it is now!
October 19, 2011 at 6:40 am
asudduth
@Nancy - have to disagree (although it depends on the updates) - it seems more Apple updates have pre-reqs of other updates, and after update, reboot, you realize there are more updates. Microsoft has fixed this issue in recent versions of windows it seems. (But, your mileage may vary—I’ve seen both companies do a bad job with updates)
@Lynn very. bad. idea. You never know which vulnerability an attacker could use to compromise your system. (not to mention an update could have performance tweaks that would imrpove your “slow enough” computer)
You know, I personally prefer the Microsoft updates as I know they are always the 2nd Tuesday of the month, however regardless of Apple or Microsoft Mr. Noobie’s post isn’t about these Operating System (OS) updates… its really about the third party application updates that exist in BOTH platforms (Acrobat, Flash, Java, etc) and mobile platforms for that matter. Once or twice per month OS updates aren’t a big deal… but with all the 3rd party apps sometimes you are updating 2+ times a week! (or day? ;))—all the updates need to start being pulled into the OS’s updating architecture—and happen automatically.
October 19, 2011 at 6:42 am
asudduth
p.s. Patric - your tasks listed above in the “I have a new full-time job” post total ~2 hours. If you have a full time job that requires 2 hours a day, maybe thats a job I want ;) Oh wait, you did say without pay.
October 19, 2011 at 9:11 am
Patric Welch
@asudduth - You mean there are full time jobs where people work more than 2 hours? :)
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