Software Updates
Mac Tip#66/07-Aug-2002
There are some good reasons to keep your software up-to-date. For one thing, software is very complex and programmers can’t take every single possible circumstance into account.
Updates fix bugs
That means that sometimes we find a specific piece of software misbehaves under certain circumstances or if you use it in combination with certain versions of certain other software.
A software update can allow the programmers to offer fixes for these problems when they come to light.
Software Updates add features
Software also grows, changes and develops, adding new features, increasing security, speed and reliability. And sometimes the equipment we use changes in such a way that the software also must change.
So it’s a good idea to try to use the most up to date version of any software we have. This is a massive task though and could give us a big headache if we had to do it all ourselves.
Use the built-in Software Update
For the last year or two Macs have had software built-in which allows the machine to find out whether it’s running the current version of Apple’s software or whether the version it has is outdated.
If you have a permanent Internet connection (such as a cable modem) you can set the Software Update to check daily and automatically install any updates it finds. If you have a dial-up connection you can choose to check manually when it suits you.
OS 9 and OS X handle this slightly differently. First connect to the Internet and then you can check for updates.
Mac OS 9 Software Update
Under OS 9 go to Control Panels (under the Apple menu) and call up Software Update and click the Update Now button.
After a few moments you’ll receive a message about whether you need any updates. If you do, then you’ll have the opportunity to check some boxes to download whatever’s relevant.
Note also the checkboxes which allow you to schedule update checks and to allow the computer to just go ahead and install any updated software it finds. Note that the check can only occur if your computer is switched on and able to connect to the Internet.
Mac OS X Software Update
Under OS X first check which version of the OS you have (under the Apple Menu’s “About this Mac”). The current version of OS X as I write is 10.1.5 (Puma).
If your version is much earlier (eg 10.1.2) you might be in for a 45Mb (two or three hours) download which is just not realistic on a regular modem. In that case, see your vendor and ask for the updater on CD.
Those using a high-speed connection such as a cable modem should find this update takes only a few minutes to download.
If your Mac is basically up to date already then go to System Preferences (under the Apple Menu) and click on the Software Update pane. Make your choices from the various radio buttons about whether to update manually or daily / weekly / monthly and then click the Update Now button.
If there are updates available they will soon be returned to you as a list. Check the boxes for any updates you do want to install and follow the onscreen instructions.
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