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Upgrading
Shouldn't Be A Degrading Experience
Welcome to article #2 of
the Mac Perspective. Before we get into
the topic for this issue, I'd like to thank Clay Ramsey
for giving me a call to confirm that somebody read my
first column and was inclined to respond. It reminded me
that I forgot to mention I would be delighted to hear
from you, too. Good or bad, I'd love to know your
reaction to this column. Did it help or hinder you? Was
it a waste of your time? Was it wonderful? And, of
course, send in your questions! How can I prove my
expertise without a challenge? Now, on with the show...
Upgrades,
Part I: Software
Upgrading: a rather broad
term which can apply to software or hardware. It is
familiar to anyone who has just concluded months of
research for the proper computer. Then they find the
system and software they ultimately have purchased has
immediately started down the road to obsolescence because
a new, more powerful, and (gulp!) CHEAPER model or
version was just released. I must admit, where hardware
is concerned, this could not be better exemplified by any
other computer than the Mac these days. Turns out, I have
as much to say about software as hardware, so this issue
is dedicated to software only. TOP END
Make
Your Pick and Buy It
"Software,"
"Applications," "Programs"--it's all
the same. For first-time users in this realm, at least
there is some sense of protection from the "to be,
or not to be" aspect of the upgrade dilemma because
most makers provide free upgrades to buyers within a
certain time after their purchase: usually three to four
months. So, setting aside how you go about choosing which
application to get, you don't have to worry about having
to fork over more dough (for a couple of months, anyway)
if a new version is released.
In fact, in these cases,
the decision to upgrade is made for you. The only things
to consider are the minor inconvenience of forgetting the
little bit you have already become accustomed to in order
to learn newer features and commands. It may SEEM like a
pain, but it is relatively small compared to users who
have invested years in learning the intricacies of their
programs.
Impending new upgrades
should not make you procrastinate your initial purchase.
Don't worry about the rumor of the hint of the allusion
of the proposed proclamation that an announcement is soon
to be made about the release date of the notice for the
next level. No matter what you do, you'll end up spending
more very soon one way or another. TOP END
Out
With The Old, In With The New
Upgrading is also a peril
familiar to the long-time system user like me. I think
the "knee-jerk" reaction to the question,
"Should I upgrade" is generally, "Why, of
course! How am I gonna keep up with the rest of the
rabbits in this race unless I have the latest, fastest,
bestest of everything?" But there are a lot of
things to consider.
For these advanced users,
software upgrade announcements might garner a response
something to the effect of, "Oh, God! Not again! I
just got used to the last version." You immediately
begin to wonder which of your favorite features has been
mutilated or done away with completely. And I can
certainly recall many old-to-new conversion nightmares.
For instance, PageMaker, at one point fairly early in the
game, changed its leading from a static method (adding 2
points to the font size, i.e. leading for 10 pt. type was
12 pts. and 100 pt. type was 102 pts.) to a proportional
method (multiplying the font size by a pre-set amount,
i.e. a multiplier of 120% meant 12 pt. leading for 10 pt.
type and 120 pt. leading for 100 pt.). The feature was an
improvement visually. The result, however, was a
disastrous truncation of the last few lines of text in
every article in a converted file. Yipes! TOP END
Know
Thyself
Some people might have a
reaction more like, "It's about time! This old
version could use a face lift." But, depending on
what you do with your computer, you may or may not need
to change. In my case, since I have a typesetting
business, I generally like to have the latest and most
powerful versions of software because solving my
customers needs demands more and more capability. But,
let's say your main computer use is a system of
established spreadsheets that were derived from a proven
manual method that has not changed in years. Why upgrade
to Excel version 21.1.a? How often do you make new and
different spreadsheets? Are you satisfied with the
results of your current version? These are more important
questions. Not everybody needs 3D, day-glo, revolving pie
charts and hyper-advanced, scientific, statistical
annotation functions. TOP END
Go
Fish
Another problem with
software upgrades is changes in the key commands and menu
layouts. Fortunately, this is one area where the format
on Macs is especially useful. Because you have the choice
on the Mac of using command keys OR pull down menus--and
the nifty balloon help on System 7 (if the software
company has made effective use of it)--learning new
things is much easier. I actually rate the quality of
software by how quickly I can adjust to its structure and
how far I can get in running it without opening the
manual. I am confident, based on my experience of a
general across-the-board consistency with other
applications, that I can familiarize myself with any new
version (or new program, for that matter) in an
afternoon. You just keep poking and prodding and
experimenting until you find the new stuff, learn where
they put the old stuff, and figure out what each command
does.
The key here is to allow
yourself the time to play and remember to think
conceptually. I know everybody has a job to do. But don't
forget about taking 15 minutes at some designated point
in your day to explore without concern for a specific
result other than learning the new version. (It's called
time management--look into it.) This will make you more
proficient in a multitude of tasks for months to come.
That is, at least until the NEXT upgrade comes out and
you start again! TOP END
Think
"WHAT" and then "HOW"
Thinking conceptually
means to look at your task from the standpoint of WHAT
you want to do. Assume that there is a HOW and look for
it. Try something, analyze the result, adjust and try,
try again. Every word processor should be able to handle
basic tasks such as headers and footnotes, cut and paste,
multiple ruler formats, spell checking, automatic
pagination, etc. The way in which each performs these
tasks varies.
My best advice is to learn
to enjoy the exploration process. It is a reality. Get
used to it. Learn to love it. No matter how good a
program is, if the company is going to stay in business
it is going to improve its product. TOP END
Oops!
Wrong Upgrade
Occasionally, a software
company screws up and makes a new version which is
inferior to the old version. This happens only if the
specific function you consider vital to your job is
changed too drastically. If that's the case, go back to
the old version (presuming, of course, that you followed
the instructions and made back-ups of your files and
software in order to revert). It's better to be out a
little money but still productive than it is to be
crippled forever simply because you want to honor your
investment or are too proud to admit a mistake.
This applies in
interesting cases. For instance, I'm still running system
6 on my Mac Plus and SE. With the both maxed out at 4 Mbs
each, I still don't have the RAM to spare to the
memory-hungry System 7. Further, I don't need 7's font
handling since I use Suitcase; I have no need for
AppleShare (Public Folder works when I need to swap
files); and Balloon Help is targeted at novices. Also,
many software versions are not compatible on System 7
which would mean required upgrades to programs that run
just fine on System 6. TOP END
Don't
Sweat the Joneses
All this stuff reminds me
of what my grandparents referred to as the "do
without" philosophy they learned in the Depression.
Basing your desire on your needs is the ultimate test.
Are you really crippled with your existing set-up or
perhaps just a little bored? Is your desire to get the
latest version triggered by some societal "keep up
with the Joneses" impulse? Or do you feel the new
features which you have thoroughly investigated will
enable you to truly be more efficient and productive?
I have never encountered
the case where adopting a "wait and see"
attitude did not work in the computer industry. Listen to
what others are saying. Read the computer trade
publications. Let somebody else dive in and discover the
triumphs and pitfalls. Then act from an informed
position. TOP END
Moderation
Is A Virtue
You shouldn't allow
yourself to get too far behind in the upgrade game,
though. Sometimes the latest version of software will
convert the previous version's files but not files from
the version before that. (Some upgrades are more
forgiving. Microsoft Word Version 4 can open Version 5
files. Now, there's a neat trick!) And usually upgrades
are bearable when taken in small steps. Better to pay
$75-$150 from one version to the next than to skip now
and end up paying much more in one lump sum to convert
over several upgrade levels.
Like I said, there's a lot
to consider. But if you stay alert to your specific
needs, remember to have fun in the learning process,
remain flexible (including allowing yourself to go back a
step), and turn off the "gotta have it now"
impulses you can avoid the experience of software
upgrades leaving you feeling degraded. TOP
Bill Bricker
specializes in information architecture and computer
illustration. He designed the logo for Todd Rundgren's
Utopia reunion tour.
        
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