When new software comes out like the new PHP 5, MySQL 5 and WordPress updates we warn people to upgrade, we put plans in place to upgrade servers and urge people to upgrade. These warnings are usually followed by complaints. We hear “Do you have to upgrade?” or “My script won’t work on a new version”.
What would you say to these complaints?
Personally I believe that software is like a living organism that needs to grow and change over time. Upgrading is a natural progression as bugs and security risks are found. I can only imagine hosting would be that much more difficult if new software was not released.
How does software upgrades make you feel?
LGR
September 8, 2007 11:28 pm
“How does software upgrades make you feel?”
Honestly I hate having to constantly upgrade software, but I know that it has to be done to keep a site safe and secure and that is what I tell my clients. No one likes the idea of having their site hacked.
Dr. Cossack
September 9, 2007 7:59 am
Software that doesn’t work in a new version of something (such as, say, a PHP script which isn’t compatible with PHP5) should be updated in order to work. There are no excuses to keep things the way they are now, especially since PHP5 has been available for three years.
I’ve started testing my own site since that PHP4 / PHP5 toggle script has been available, and I can say that everything is working perfectly so far. I’ll probably update in the next few weeks. I don’t quite understand why people are NOT moving forward, unless they rely on some old, critical script. The new software versions bring more features and usually more speed, so why not making the best of it?
Besides, to go back to the example of PHP, PHP4 won’t be available forever. Once it’s security bugs get no longer fixed, web hosts will be removing it quickly.
Matt
September 9, 2007 1:37 pm
I’m the kind of person who likes to live on the bleeding edge of technology, so I almost always upgrade.
Besides, unless your code is horribly coded, then you shouldn’t have any problem switching from PHP 4 to 5.
Yes, they should upgrade, and if something goes wrong, they shouldn’t say “it’s broken”, they should say “how can I fix this?” and try to fix it. Complaining won’t get you anywhere. Your script isn’t going to magically fix itself.
I would personally say to make their script work on the new version. Technology moves fast, and if you want to use it, you have to move with it.
Oh, and I’d like to see MySQL 5 as a default. :P Especially since there’s already an Alpha of MySQL 6…
Matt
September 9, 2007 4:55 pm
A lot of people are, probably, afraid to change/upgrade. They probably think “well, it works fine now, why mess with it?”.
Although, myself (and probably techy people in general) think more like “it works alright now, but let’s see if we can make it work better!”.