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I'm not sure I follow. You have to update to keep the software working when you update? Why not just not update by not updating and just keep using the software

by bregma 6y ago

I'm not sure I follow. You have to update to keep the software working when you update? Why not just not update by not updating and just keep using the software that works?

forty 6y ago
The point they are making is that the software generally don't run in isolation. It might be true in some rare cases, but often computer are connected to network and need to read files that weren't created on the same computer. You can probably use a computer with software from 20 years ago, but don't expect the web to work well, and to be able to open files made with recent software for example.
- LocalH 6y ago
  >You can probably use a computer with software from 20 years ago, but don't expect the web to work well, and to be able to open files made with recent software for example. There's no real reason why this can't be the case, or at least graceful degradation. The sole reason is because it's all ultimately a battle for control of your computer. Thanks, capitalism
atoav 6y ago
Because ultimately you have no idea what you are doing, unless you spend your whole day tracking what is going on with the (often hundred) pieces that make up the software you are using. There might be an error in the software you are using that malware or hackers can use to run abitrary code on your machine. Unless you keep your software up to date or manually make sure the updates are not for security purposes, those who not update increase their exposed surface. Then imagine you don't update your software, but (because of security reasons) you update your operating system. Suddenly your (back then working) software finds itself in a changed environment. If you are lucky it works, but just as well it can stop working (or create new security holes because the software relied on something in the OS that changed). I know people who e.g. run 10 year old Audio programs or stuff. But they do so on a computer with a 10 year old OS that is not allowed to connect to the internet. This is a good strategy.

by bregma 6y ago

I'm not sure I follow. You have to update to keep the software working when you update? Why not just not update by not updating and just keep using the software that works?

forty 6y ago

The point they are making is that the software generally don't run in isolation. It might be true in some rare cases, but often computer are connected to network and need to read files that weren't created on the same computer. You can probably use a computer with software from 20 years ago, but don't expect the web to work well, and to be able to open files made with recent software for example.

LocalH 6y ago
>You can probably use a computer with software from 20 years ago, but don't expect the web to work well, and to be able to open files made with recent software for example. There's no real reason why this can't be the case, or at least graceful degradation. The sole reason is because it's all ultimately a battle for control of your computer. Thanks, capitalism

atoav 6y ago

Because ultimately you have no idea what you are doing, unless you spend your whole day tracking what is going on with the (often hundred) pieces that make up the software you are using. There might be an error in the software you are using that malware or hackers can use to run abitrary code on your machine. Unless you keep your software up to date or manually make sure the updates are not for security purposes, those who not update increase their exposed surface. Then imagine you don't update your software, but (because of security reasons) you update your operating system. Suddenly your (back then working) software finds itself in a changed environment. If you are lucky it works, but just as well it can stop working (or create new security holes because the software relied on something in the OS that changed). I know people who e.g. run 10 year old Audio programs or stuff. But they do so on a computer with a 10 year old OS that is not allowed to connect to the internet. This is a good strategy.