1. Updating Software vs. Buying a New Version
a. In one case there is a totally new version
b. Updating involves fixing an old version
c. Sometimes the lines are blurred
d. Don’t ignore because not major change
e. Sometimes only way to fix is a totally new version
f. Usually no charge
2. Why do you need to update your software?
a. Virus checking changes
b. Plugging Security holes
c. Incompatibility cures
d. Providing additional drivers
e. Remedying Bugs
f. Adding Features
3. What kind of software should have the highest priority to be upgraded?
a. Antivirus software
i. New viruses come out all the time
ii. McAfee and Symantec add new changes a few times a month
iii. Even with latest version, can get bitten, e.g., Nimbda
iv. Sometime it repairs your files
b. Drivers
i. Video, Printers, CD Burners, etc.
ii. Better performance
iii. Won’t work sometimes if you change your operating system, e.g., Windows 98 to Windows 2000.
c. Operating Systems
i. Windows and others
ii. Fix bugs, security breaches, etc.
d. Browsers and emails
i. These are windows to the world
ii. This is how hackers try and get in and damage your data or steal personal information
iii. October 2000 Microsoft issued nine security changes
e. Applications
i. Standard, Word, Word Perfect
ii. Custom – case management, accounting, etc.
f. Sometimes even firmware needs to be updated
i. Flash the Bios
ii. Drivers for Gateway, Compaq, Dell, etc.
4. How do you tell what you need to upgrade?
a. Reading a version number
i. Help, About
ii. Explorer, Properties, Version
b. Checking a vendors web site, e.g., www.microsoft.com
i. Check the software for updates
c. Getting alerts, automated email announcements
i. Registration
ii. Sometimes have to sign up
d. Running into trouble
e. Automatic updating
i. Built into some software
ii. Individual pieces of Software, e.g., Norton’s Live Update
iii. Some diagnostics check all you software, e.g., Cnet’s Catchup
5. What are web sites that will help you upgrade?
a. http://catchup.cnet.com/
b. http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/
c. http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/search.asp?
d. http://office.microsoft.com/downloads/
e. http://www.corel.com/support/downloads/index.htm
6. Downsides to upgrading
a. Can introduce new bugs
b. Might change the way the program works
c. Features are sometimes removed
7. Plan your update
a. Updates can cause problems, can mess things up
b. Plan for the worst
c. Don’t be the first to use the update, wait till the dust settles, we all know about version 1.0, it applies to the updates
i. NT service pack 2 crashed CD players
ii. Office 97 SR-1 (service release 1) might prevent saving Word documents
iii. Updates themselves might fail
iv. Read the update notes and what the web reports are

d. HAVE YOUR SYSTEM BACKED UP
e. HAVE YOUR SYSTEM BACKED UP

f. Plan a fallback, like a year 2000 plan
g. Save copies of old software