Updates - New Poll

[Rik]

I'd just like to know if members find the update information useful, or whether we should drop it.

Thanks.

[AvengerUK]

I think (or will think when i install nod32...) its usefull from the point of view of checking its updating itself properly, i.e. for example some firewalls could block it from doing so...

[Rik]

So which way did you vote, Avenger, as there's only two votes cast, and one of them was my yes - for the reasons you state.

[AvengerUK]

I forgot to vote rik! - Done it now

[Rik]

That's a relief, I thought I'd worded the question badly and made you vote No when you wanted to vote Yes.

[siege2]

I have just noticed this thread

[Rik]

Better late than after the close, Siege.

[Rik]

With a neutral vote, 5 for, 5 against, I've decided to keep the updates thread running as a potentially helpful prompt for members.

If anyone is running any other AV, spyware or fiewall software, your posts would be welcomed.

[RobMc]

I missed the poll sorry. 

Personally I find the NOD32 updates are getting in the way (can't see the wood for the trees). After all, if you want to see the latest version you should have it can be found here. I feel that the update thread would be very useful if it limited itself to program updates as these aren't always obvious. Even when a product has a built-in facility for updates, I tend to be a bit cautious and don't like to have them automatically "phone home". As far as MS windows updates are concerned I think that it would be useful to post the Microsoft Security Bulletin link rather then the contents of what is included, we don't all have XP 32bit, there are other windows flavours, linux and Mac OS users too. I'll do my best to keep the Open Source programs that I use up to date (starting from the next update I get).

Rob.   

[Rik]

I note what you say, Rob. I do think that NOD 32 updates are obscuring things in some respects, but by having the posts there, anyone can quickly check whether or not they have the current file. I would clean out older entries as we go, but that docks a users' post count, and I don't want to do that. Unfortunately, only staff can modify posts after 30 minutes, so we can't have a 'whiteboard' post where each update scrubs out the older one.

I'll think about ways in which it might be better handled from next month. I think the MS info is valid given it applies to the majority of users, though, but anyone is welcome to post other information. My general position with updates is that it's better to have too many rather than too few, but I'll keep an eye on the situation, and see what we can do to improve presentation.

[RobMc]

... if you want to see the latest version you should have it can be found here.

Probably bad netiquette to quote yourself in a post but hey

All I was saying is that the information about the latest nod32 update can be found directly from the eset website and that this is better than 40+ posts in the updates topic per month.

Rob.

[Rik]

I understand, Rob, but we run the thread as a service to visitors here. Leave it with me to see if I can find a better way...

[RobMc]

I wonder how many people really find the nod32 part of the Updates thread useful. I guess none.

I can't understand how trawling through that thread to find out the arbitrary time that someone first got an update to NOD32 is in some way a service to visitors? Surely people who are interested in NOD32 have purchased it and then expect to get support from eset. Their webpage detailing what the latest available version is isn't difficult http://www.eset.com/support/updates.php.

I think it's absolutely pointless to include updates to virus definitions that are published daily or even more frequently in a thread for updates. If you really think there is a need to publish virus definition updates in the idnetters forums, how about a thread for program updates and another thread for "data" style updates such as virus definitions. As it stands the update thread serves no purpose other then to see who can post a nod32 definition first, as such it almost belongs in the games Section.

Rob.

[Rik]

I hear what you say, Rob, and I understand your issue with the thread. OTOH, it could be argued that update information can always be found on other sites, and equally that other sites exist where the information contained in the various ADSL stickies can be found.

The forums exist as a service to members, to try and provide as much of a 'one stop shop' as we can. Of the posts in this thread, as distinct from votes, there's one for, one against - the vote count is also equal.

In that situation, someone has to make a decision what to do, and unless Adam feels strongly otherwise, then I plan to continue the updates thread.

Having said that, I have listened to what you say, and I do feel you have a valid point, so I am looking to improve presentation from next month, splitting 'major' software issues, eg program versions, Windows updates etc, from 'minor' updates, such as virus definitions. Hopefully, that will allow those that want to check they have current versions a place to do it, while maintaining a separate and smaller thread for those who want to check or post about program updates.

I hope that you will find this compromise a reasonable one.

[RobMc]

I hope that you will find this compromise a reasonable one.

Absolutely, I kind of suggested that so it would be perverse of me to not consider it a reasonable compromise  . I see you've already split the threads, that was mighty quick work  . I do hope it works out this way. I'll do my best to keep programs I use up to date and you never know we might come across useful programs we didn't know about.

Rob.

[Rik]

we might come across useful programs we didn't know about.

That's the hope, Rob. The more members post, the more we learn from each other. The issue, as I said, is in presentation - and I'm still learning the job.