Shortly after Windows 7 was released, Apple began airing a series of ads trying to lure away current Windows XP users. You see, in order to upgrade to Windows 7, you would have to do a clean install. That means backing up all your files, programs, settings, etc.

Apples angle? If you have to backup everything anyways – why not just move over to a Mac?

At work, we have finally begun the process of upgrading our access control software (Cisco ACS) from an antiquated version to a more recent one. The issue of upgrading has been forced because of necessary features and our version is nearing End of Life. In addition, we are moving the services off dedicated servers and putting them on VMs. I thought this would be fairly straight forward – it’s become anything but.

You see, there are 2 versions in between where we are and where we want to go. (Much like someone upgrading from XP trying to get to 7). Unfortunately for us, a backup from one version can’t be restored to a new version. Upgrading our production boxes also isn’t an option we want to pursue (because if it fails, we’re really hosed).

So our upgrade path? Build two new VM boxes with the old version. Backup our production boxes and restore onto the new ones. Upgrade the new boxes. Then upgrade them again (because you can’t do a full upgrade, it has to go step-by-step).  Of course, this whole process has to be done under a “lockdown” period – seeing as once we start, we can’t have users changing passwords or have new users created.

If you couldn’t tell it’s a lot of fun…

It’s led me to believe that software developers should be gifted with the ability to see down the road 5-10 years. They should be able to know exactly where they will be tomorrow, so they can better plan for today. I mean – really – how hard can it be?

Realistically however, I know that software progresses rapidly – and often requires a complete redesign every couple iterations. Software has to be re-written to take advantage of newer technology and hardware and scrap the old. Upgrade paths aren’t always the cleanest, and we should be prepared for that. However, wouldn’t it be amazing if software could be coded to evolve? No one would ever need an “upgrade” – unless of course your software evolved into something bad. Or somehow we became slaves to this evolution.

Maybe we’re already there. Perhaps now is a good time to move to a Mac.

When I turned 11 or 12, I received my very own phone for my birthday. However, it wasn’t the same type of phone an 11 or 12 year old would receive today. It wasn’t a cell phone – it wasn’t even wireless. It was a Dale Earnhardt #3 “car” phone.

It didn’t come with my own line – it was just a phone I could use on the house line (however, my parents did eventually give me my own line – because they got tired of me using it to get online with dial up modems). Nevertheless, I cherished the simple nature of what it meant.

This phone couldn’t text, couldn’t play the top radio single as a ring tone, couldn’t watch an episode of the latest sitcom, or browse through your favorite google search. It was a phone. It could make calls and it could receive calls.

Lately I feel as if the phone is losing it’s identity. Phones (especially cell phones) are no longer sold to make and receive calls – they are sold on the basis that you can tweet from the toilet, download an application so you can use your phone as a level, and browse the web at 25,000G speeds.

Now – do I appreciate the fact that my phone reminds me about meetings, lets me check my email, and allows me to reserve a movie on redbox.com? Yes – of course. If technology didn’t advance – I wouldn’t be employed.

I guess my beef stems from the countless people that I see driving outside of their lane because they’re updating their Facebook status. I get annoyed at the people that are too busy playing <insert trendy phone app> to realize they’re about to walk into someone. Or worse yet, when you’re with someone who feels inconvenienced because you can tell they’d rather finish their virtual conversation. A phone shouldn’t be the end all and be all of who someone is – what they think – or control their day to day life.

I suppose I should probably finish this post – my exit is coming up.