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Is it a good idea to install an OS as soon as it's released? [closed]

Is it a good idea to install an OS as soon as it's released? [closed]

Or is it better to wait some time so critical fixes are released? I'm thinking specifically about Windows 7, but this can apply to any OS.

Asked by: Guest | Views: 254
Total answers/comments: 4
Guest [Entry]

"I'd wait a couple of weeks at least to see what the reaction was. With Betas and Release Candidates people might be more forgiving in their assessment. Coupled with this is the fact that people won't really using it on a daily basis for ""real"" computing. So reports of reliability and usability might be skewed. Beta and RC users tend to be the more tech savvy users with spare machines and be prepared to rebuild those machines at a moments' notice.

When you've got the views of more ""everyday"" users you should be able to get a better idea of what the OS will be like for you.

You'll also be able to see how many bugs have been reported and how many patches have been released.

Unless you're developing software for release in 6-12 months (as your software will need to be able to run on Windows 7) you'd be better off waiting."
Guest [Entry]

"As with any important software, you don't take chances unless the new version has a [bugfix|feature] that you really need. This is a business decision. A developer might want to install a beta, but a production typesetting shop (to pick an example at random) needs stability first. Use cases which hold people's lives in hand are even more demanding.

How long you wait is also a cost/benefit problem. Are there new goodies that will make you more productive? How much risk of loss of productivity can you afford? The reputation of the author/team/manufacturer may factor into this decision. Also the ease with which you expect to be able to deploy later updates in the event that there is a problem.

If you have a heterogeneous environment, you can always ease the new system in around the corners to work out the kinks before you go for a full blown change over."
Guest [Entry]

"Specifically in terms of Windows 7. You'll most likely find the most stable 1st realese of an OS Microsoft has ever produced.
1) 7 is basically Vista 2 (in fact the build number is actually 6.x)
2) Microsoft has had Windows 7 out for the public for quite a while, so developers have already been making all drivers and software ready for 7 for months. Plus Vista code still runs on 7.

If your running Vista you'll be better off upgrading to 7. If your running XP or something else, check the system requirements first."
Guest [Entry]

"Generally, I'd advise against it, in the case of XP/Vista/7 I'd say jump on the band-wagon, XP is too old, and other people have too many issues with Vista - 7 is perfectly capable for day-to day stuff.

There are one or two games that are misbehaving but they're old.

Generally you're best waiting for a few months for consumer OS, the noise flying around Snow-Leopard confirms this.

The exception is probably the Linux family, if you wait 6 months for Ubuntu, the next version will be out. If you're running FOSS, just sit on the latest stable release, don't get behind."