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Microsoft and Apple are unlikely to ever make this as easy as flipping a UI switch at this point. It'd be careless to provide a simple means of allowing a mains

by settsu 7y ago

Microsoft and Apple are unlikely to ever make this as easy as flipping a UI switch at this point. It'd be careless to provide a simple means of allowing a mainstream user to effectively disable the delivery of security patches.

Mirioron 7y ago
Is it actually true? Are the updates really for security and that these companies care about our security so much that they're willing to create a really bad user experience? My dad has an old machine now that is essentially unusable due to updates. The machine is used rarely enough that almost any time it is used some of the software (Windows, the browser or something else) wants to and automatically updates. The problem is that you cannot do anything for 15+ minutes when that machine updates. I guess it keeps him secure by discouraging him from using the computer in the first place.
- settsu 7y ago
  Ideally? No. Inevitably? Probably. An operating system is software. Most software eventually stops being updated. Microsoft has historically done a pretty reasonable job at delivering security patches to old versions of Windows but that eventually ends. Apple tends to EOL their OS updates relatively sooner but they will still sign security patches for older versions at times. Your dad's computer may continue to be technically operable but will inevitably become functionally obsolete. It's unfortunate but it happens. Automobiles that required leaded gas to run right might be a good analog here: you could/can keep them running, but at what cost. Leaded gas was a known health danger so the benefits in that regard were clear, but also look at the advances that have been made in internal combustion engines since leaded gasoline was phased out. Likewise, an old computer (namely one that is connected to the internet) becomes a risk and Microsoft does not have the impetus to continue supporting it. And this is the point when the suggestion to install a friendly version of Linux is made. But frankly I'm not sure I'd even go to that trouble before reviewing what your dad's needs actually are and considering other devices that may actually be a better solution for the time and money.

by settsu 7y ago

Mirioron 7y ago

Is it actually true? Are the updates really for security and that these companies care about our security so much that they're willing to create a really bad user experience? My dad has an old machine now that is essentially unusable due to updates. The machine is used rarely enough that almost any time it is used some of the software (Windows, the browser or something else) wants to and automatically updates. The problem is that you cannot do anything for 15+ minutes when that machine updates. I guess it keeps him secure by discouraging him from using the computer in the first place.

settsu 7y ago
Ideally? No. Inevitably? Probably. An operating system is software. Most software eventually stops being updated. Microsoft has historically done a pretty reasonable job at delivering security patches to old versions of Windows but that eventually ends. Apple tends to EOL their OS updates relatively sooner but they will still sign security patches for older versions at times. Your dad's computer may continue to be technically operable but will inevitably become functionally obsolete. It's unfortunate but it happens. Automobiles that required leaded gas to run right might be a good analog here: you could/can keep them running, but at what cost. Leaded gas was a known health danger so the benefits in that regard were clear, but also look at the advances that have been made in internal combustion engines since leaded gasoline was phased out. Likewise, an old computer (namely one that is connected to the internet) becomes a risk and Microsoft does not have the impetus to continue supporting it. And this is the point when the suggestion to install a friendly version of Linux is made. But frankly I'm not sure I'd even go to that trouble before reviewing what your dad's needs actually are and considering other devices that may actually be a better solution for the time and money.