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'R.D.D.'
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indows Update for Dummies
This month we
continue focusing on computer basics. One of the last tasks
I perform after performing PC maintenance (i.e. after
verifying that there are no existing viruses or parasite
software installed) is running the Windows Update program.
For most of you, the link is located on the start menu ..
click START and look for the WINDOWS UPDATE link near the
top. If it is not there you can click on PROGRAMS and look
for it at the bottom of the menu structure along with the
other quick links. In a worst case, you can just point your
browser to
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com
Running the Windows Update program will initate a
program downloaded from Microsoft. Click YES (twice) to
allow it to install. Thereafter this Microsoft supplied
helper program automatically scans your current configuration
and determines what updates may be required.
Why bother? Well, as you probably know .. all Windows programs
are just works in progress. Whenever a critical problem is fixed,
a patch is sent out over the internet via Windows Update. Many of
these problems can be responsible for permitting some rogue program
or virus gain some level of access to our precious email or even data
files. Keeping your system updated helps prevent some of these
attacks from succeeding.
In addition, new features and utilities such as the latest DirectX
or Media Player are made available to us via this same facility. In
fact, the Windows Update update allows this feature to run in the
system tray, which lets you see a pop up whenever new updates are
made available.
FYI: Redhat Linux has a similar feature called Up2Date that allows
us to automatically check for and install updates. Actually, there are several
ways to update a Linux system, but I am using Fedora Core 4 and the default
method is the Redhat Network (RHN) updater which uses the YUM command. I click on
Applications > System Tools > Red Hat Network .. enter in my system password and a
series of screens walks me through the update process. It's just that easy, folks.
If I want I can run the command from a terminal window by right-clicking on
the desktop and selecting Open Terminal (I use Gnome, eh). then typing su and my password, then yum update .. Easy as pie.
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