Software reviews - what upgrades are worth the effort?
There are two types of software upgrades you need to be aware
of:
1. Upgrades to your existing software
version (to find out the version you are using, open the software,
then click on Help/About (it may be listed as Microsoft Word
2002 (10.4524.4219) SP-2 or WinAmp Version 3.0C). You’ll
see information there about what version you are using.
These upgrades are usually needed, as they fix a problem with
the software or make it run better. If you find that
an upgrade to your version is available, you should download
and install it.
2. Upgrading to a NEW Version (from
Word 2000 to Word 2002) Software upgrades generally
do two things: Offer you new or improved features, and fix
bugs present in existing versions. Whether you upgrade will
depend on your need for the new or improved features, depend
on whether you experience problems because of software bugs,
and, of course, depend on your budget.
When exploring a software upgrade to a NEW version, consider
these questions:
- Will the upgrade offer
you capabilities you need and don’t currently have?
Because software has advanced so much in recent years, new
or improved capabilities these days are often pretty obscure.
Perhaps the upgrade would allow you to calculate how many
words in a document start with uppercase letters or something
equally as obscure. But do you really need that capability?
- Do you have to share
files with friends or co-workers? Before you upgrade, consider
whether you’ll still be able to easily share files with
people who use a previous software version. In most cases,
you’ll still be able to share files, but you probably
won’t be able to take advantage of new features that
previous versions don’t offer. If you won’t be
able to use the new features, you probably shouldn’t
upgrade—at least not yet.
- Are you affected by
software bugs? If you are affected by software bugs in the
version you’re currently using, you might consider upgrading
if the new version adequately corrects the problems. But,
keep in mind that new versions may not fix all bugs and that
they will undoubtedly introduce new ones.
- Would you benefit from
more user-friendly features? Many upgrades these days boast
more user-friendly features and wizards that can help you
accomplish your goals more easily. These user-friendly features
can help you get started, learn new skills, answer questions,
or offer easier ways to do things. These features are ideal
if you’re a computer novice or just getting started
with new tasks or projects.
- Can you wait and see?
If possible, wait for a few months before you upgrade. By
doing so, you can find out from others whether the upgrade
is worth it and why. Also, brand new software versions are
usually quickly followed by updates or “service packs”
that improve them even more (or fix the really nasty new bugs).
If possible, wait a few months—or several months—and
make sure you get what you need with the least amount of hassle.
In general, we recommend that you do some research about new
software versions before rushing to buy them. Find out about
features and bug fixes, and find out what people are saying
about the new versions. As for us, well, we’re pretty
slow to upgrade. Being geeks, we’ll eagerly try almost
anything new that we can get our hands on. When it comes to
the software we use to get real work done, though, we take
our time, do some research, and make sure it’s what
we need.
We normally recommend upgrading your software only under certain
conditions:
- There are new capabilities
which you NEED to be more productive
- Your clients are using a later
version and it makes it easier to have the same version for
sharing files
- The vendor stops supporting
the old version and you need support
- The Boss says so
