"Ugh, Another Update?!"

It's been a long day at work, you are tired and all you want to do is get home and mess around on the internet to look at funny memes. That brilliant blue hue flashes on and you are bathed in light as your choice of software displays it's startup logo. The song of your operating system booting up reassuring you that your punching bag of a computer is preparing to let you search the night away. What's this though? Another update?! You just ran updates the other day!! How dare this work horse of a machine tell you that it needs something to do it's job better. How dare this pile of plastic and metal tell you how to feed and water your virtual family member. The nerve of it all.

Like most of you, I have been forced into a digital social life due to COVID-19. This means that I've spent countless hours on video conferencing software with my partner, friends, and family. Being an individual with quite a lot of tech knowledge I have found myself being the go to person for tech issues. Instead of a bat signal, my illuminated call to arms has been the phrase "Why is my computer not working?!" paired with a side eyed glance waiting for me to offer up my expertise willingly. My first question will always be...

"When did you last update your computer?"

The range of responses usually boils down to an embarrassed look as they find a coy way to admit that it's been more than an acceptable amount of time. In most cases I can actually hear the weak and wounded pleas for help from your poor computer. So if you are reading this, and find yourself with an embarrassed smile or a gentle nod as you look down at that icon in the corner of your screen pleading for you to install the 50+ updates...this article is for you.

So why so many updates? What is this thing even updating? What does it all mean!?

Well let's talk about cars for a moment. Most people have them or at least know the basic concept. You drive it around and it works great, but once in a while you need to change the oil, you need to rotate the tires, parts get worn out, things break. It's part of owning a car. Everyone knows this. Without these maintenance chores, your car would

likely stop working and you may have to spend way more money and time getting it back in working condition. Plus in today's society, life would be exponentially more difficult without a working car, especially if you are used to having one. Now take that mindset and apply it to your computer.

Those updates include a lot of stuff your computer needs! Components update to run better and communicate more efficiently with other components as those get updated. Security updates are needed to protect it from the wild wild web. Tools and features are installed to make your life way easier. These are all parts of those neglected updates you keep putting off.

"But why so many?!"

Cause computers are complex tools! Think of all that they do. Each one of those parts need its own fine tuning and upkeep. Sometimes when one gets updated, the others need updating to match that parts update too! If you get a new stereo system for your car, you may need to get new speakers with it too or else it's a mute point! (get it?) Besides, who wants to listen to that new banger with those old busted speakers? Update your stuff!

"Why can't it do it on it's own?!"

It can when you let it! Sometimes though, your computer needs your permissions cause it will take some time or it may need a restart. After all, it doesn't want to interrupt you! Imagine if your car decided to change it's oil mid drive. Yikes.

"So many security updates!!"

Absolutely! Do you have any idea how hard it is to secure all these components? It's near impossible to get them perfect. Is every aspect of your car totally safe? Can you promise me there is absolutely no way for anyone to break into your car? Heck no techno. All those vulnerabilities you hear about in the news are fixed by those updates. So if anything, do yourself a favor and protect yourself with a handful of delicious security updates. Hackers love it when people don't update their systems cause it makes their job super easy! In fact, one of my number one suggestions to keep a system secure is to make sure it has all it's current updates! Keep them sly hackers at bay and run those updates!!

One final thing that I think is worth pointing out is that when people think about their computer, they think of that big device like a desktop computer or laptop. I want you to look around your home though and point out all the computers you actually surround yourself with. Take a real good look. Have a Roomba? That's a computer that vacuums (also a DJ in some circles). Have a smart light bulb? That's a computer that lights up. Have a smart fridge? That's a computer that keeps your food cold. Even back to the car analogy, have a car that was built in the last 10ish years? Yup you guessed it, that's a computer that has wheels and takes you places. All these devices need updates and most of them do it on their own but sometimes, they just can't and need a helping hand.

So see that flashing light notifying you of new updates on your phone, laptop, smart toaster, router, TV, etc... It's trying to help you stay connected to your friends and family. Well maybe not the fridge but you get my point. The least you can do is give it some attention and install those updates. I promise you, your device will work so much more efficiently and securely when you do.

Plus your friends will think you're the coolest person in the world for having an updated device. It's the new hip thing to do and all the kids are doing it these days. Totally not peer pressuring you but you don't want to be THAT person do you?