4 ms·

> As a Windows developer and somebody who actually likes using Windows, I'm still shocked by how pathetic Windows Update is. Heh. My workstation in my cubicle

> As a Windows developer and somebody who actually likes using Windows, I'm still shocked by how pathetic Windows Update is. Heh. My workstation in my cubicle at the office is getting a hard drive replacement right now because some update left it stuck at startup, saying "Windows is configuring things. Please do not turn off your computer." (Or something to that effect.) I get it; if it takes longer than 15 minutes to fix, core IT is going to re-image the drive, but now I have to reinstall Visual Studio and SQL Server, and patch, and patch, and patch. And always be afraid that it will just happen again some day.

dragonwriter 12y ago
Seems to me that while the Windows Update hanging is a problem there, at least as big of a problem is that your "core IT" is only keeping base images of systems rather than images of complete-and-current builds with applications and current patches.
- TheRealDunkirk 12y ago
  Your IT/PC guys keep images with Visual Studio and SQL Server? Yes, please. It was a major hassle getting approved for the PARTIAL-admin account just to so I could install those things.
  - dragonwriter 12y ago
    > Your IT/PC guys keep images with Visual Studio and SQL Server? Well, I've known of shops where IT keeps complete role-specific (e.g., developer, etc.) or even individual-computer images rather than just generic base images. Or at least have IT track software installed per-user and handle rebuilds even if they use a generic base image. Where I work they don't, unfortunately, but I would never not call that out as a problem. Common practices and good practices are often not the same thing.
egeozcan 12y ago
Just a suggestion: Using Virtual Machines is a good idea for your development environment. You can backup regularly and experiment freely.
- TheRealDunkirk 12y ago
  And this would be where I would put my extra Windows licenses, or MSDN account, IF I HAD ANY. </dramatic cat stare>

dragonwriter 12y ago

Seems to me that while the Windows Update hanging is a problem there, at least as big of a problem is that your "core IT" is only keeping base images of systems rather than images of complete-and-current builds with applications and current patches.

TheRealDunkirk 12y ago
Your IT/PC guys keep images with Visual Studio and SQL Server? Yes, please. It was a major hassle getting approved for the PARTIAL-admin account just to so I could install those things.
- dragonwriter 12y ago
  > Your IT/PC guys keep images with Visual Studio and SQL Server? Well, I've known of shops where IT keeps complete role-specific (e.g., developer, etc.) or even individual-computer images rather than just generic base images. Or at least have IT track software installed per-user and handle rebuilds even if they use a generic base image. Where I work they don't, unfortunately, but I would never not call that out as a problem. Common practices and good practices are often not the same thing.

egeozcan 12y ago

Just a suggestion: Using Virtual Machines is a good idea for your development environment. You can backup regularly and experiment freely.

TheRealDunkirk 12y ago
And this would be where I would put my extra Windows licenses, or MSDN account, IF I HAD ANY. </dramatic cat stare>