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I’ve been crashing my MacBook with a software update this week. Horrible stuff! But hey, that’s life. Well, actually it’s not! I’ve thought about this for some time now but this ‘accident’ literally has been the last stroke that broke the camel’s back. This article is not meant to be a conclusion to this problem but more like a starting-point for a discussion about this issue. The hint to a problem that might actually hit us harder than we might think: We have to stop wasting our time by updating software.
It’s an exponential thing
Well, let’s just have a look at an example. As I carry an Android-Phone in my pocket with several very useful apps it is nearly impossible to face a day without the phone reminding me of an app that needs to be updated. So as a consumer I’m really stuck in mess here. On the one hand I want apps that are up to date that include the latest security fixes and so on. But on the other hand I don’t want to waste my time updating a todo list application on my silly phone. And let’s face it: the app store model might become an even more dominant consumer application platform for all of us.
So this might soon be even an exponential problem. Because the same stuff applies to …
- Firefox extensions
- Adobe updates
- iPhone Apps
- Add your favorite time killer …
Time’s important
Don’t get me wrong. I don’t want to complain about this stuff but actually I’d rather draw our attention to an important issue while we’re currently facing this shift: We have to be more conscious about not wasting the time of our customers. We have to value their time. And in my opinion updating software shouldn’t even waste a single minute of my day.
A possible way out: The web model
Actually for me it all comes down to the web again. The web model seems like a possible way out of this update mess. I like this established approach of self-contained applications that care about themselves. I never had to worry about updating Mindmeister or Gmail. Actually that’s why I prefer the Twitter mobile website over a native client on my phone.
I still believe in a more ‘webbish’ OS-approach for the mobile space which Apple had in mind when launching the iPhone and Palm evolved even further with its Web-OS. Of course there are other things to consider here (e.g. offline support, access to hardware etc.). But I think some pretty smart guys (e.g. the Webkit Team) are currently working hard on fixing this by pushing the limits of the browser. In the meantime I’ll keep keep on updating…
True, updating is one of the things that make me shift more towards the web every time.
I do not understand though why almost no program has a function to automatically download updates without any indication. That would be so very useful (beyond being risky at times). Updating should not be a chore, it should be done automatically so the user can relax and just use it. Software that forces you to configure the system more than you use it is useless.
The web model is less error-prone (or faster fixed): One application serves every user – unlike the desktop, where one application serves only one user.
To make things even more obscure, problems may only occur on your install because a file was damaged; no one can help you directly (except by telling you to reinstall).
You (nearly) can’t break web apps by mistake, their contents and settings are automatically backed up and available everywhere and they are platform-agnostic.
Yeah, web apps kill.
Sidenote: Mac + Android? Seriously weird combination. ;)
Thankx, Jan-Christoph.
Actually Mac and Android is not a weird combination. The cloud syncing aspect was the factor that made me fall in love with Android.
That’s one of things Apple really needs to work on. And on my Android this really integrates smoothly.
And its open source ecosystem. Pretty nerdy, huh? :-)
Doesn’t the iPhone do cloud syncing as well – or what do you mean exactly? On Android, Google products are tightly integrated (I never tried the normal mail app) but isn’t that true for the iPhone as well, at least with MobileMe?
Talk about nerdiness: Ubuntu + Android over here. :-)
Mac ecosystem is what makes me wonder about the Android part and open source ecosystem is what makes me wonder about the Mac part.
Nevertheless, props for the Android. To achieve full nerd cred, start BootCamp and run the new Ubuntu version that is rolling out in a few hours. ;-)
When I bought my Phone this MobileMe integration didn’t really work well. But I guess Apple has been working on this issue. I hope so… Check this article for an interesting view on their long term strategy
http://www.antipope.org/charlie/blog-static/2010/04/why-steve-jobs-hates-flash.html
Ubuntu looks interesting. I tried it a few times from Live CD but never really considered switching. How’s the new version?
Yep, computer hardware for end users is basically going to get reduced to a input- + output-device (e. g. a touch screen) with broadband connection everywhere. Outsourced storage, outsourced processing power, outsourced problems: Maximum battery life.
Thanks for the link.
The new version is more polished, compatible and sports a new fresh and modern look (aubergine instead of brown, monochrome icons etc.). Sure, Canonical approaches proprietary vendors, but only for making the transition easier and faster.
The key themes for Ubuntu as of now are »light, fast and social«. That’s how Mark Shuttleworth describes [Maverick] Meerkats, the next development codename.
It is light because it reduces interface cruft, options and therefore decisions needing to be made by the user. Similar to Apple: Great defaults.
Startup speeds are decreasing more and more. They claim to have broken the 10 second mark.
The desktop is »social from the start« because it integrates more with instant messaging and broadcasting (Twitter, Identi.ca and the like).
As always, everything is constantly in development. ;)
You might want to read Marks original post at http://www.markshuttleworth.com/archives/336
But don’t forget the main advantage of Ubuntu: You are free. :)
I just read a related article on dropping desktop apps for compatibility and ease of use: http://www.kalzumeus.com/2010/06/04/the-most-radical-ab-test-ive-ever-done/
And earlier today I had a nice talk with a friend about compiling … :D