trying to believe

This video cracked me up this morning. I feel that guy’s pain.

I’ve had a love/hate relationship with the Adobe Updater for some time now. I realize that using CS3 won’t get any better without updates, but I hate how the Updater interrupts my workflow when it needs to run an install.

I shouldn’t have to close my browser(s) in order to install Adobe program updates, especially if said update is not Acrobat-related. I shouldn’t have to close down apps that aren’t applicable to the program that’s being updated. I shouldn’t have to wait ages and ages for updates to install themselves.

Of course, if it really bothered me enough, I’d simply disable the Adobe Updater altogether and check for updates when it was convenient for me, but then, I probably wouldn’t keep my software as current as I’d need/want it to be.

How could Adobe Updater work better?

• You should be able to schedule when it checks for updates. “Every week” is too ambiguous. Usually, I’m in the middle of something when when Adobe Updater prompts me to upgrade. (Every Tuesday at 3am would be just dandy for me.)
• You should have the option to choose whether Adobe Updater will automatically upgrade your software or await feedback from you. (Currently it downloads the updates and prompts you to install them OR you you have to explicitly tell it to download the updates when you’re ready for them. I want it to go ahead and install the updates too, if that’s my preference.)
• You shouldn’t have to close down applications in order to install the updates. If I don’t close down the applications I have open, force a reboot in order for the installation to complete.
• If updates don’t work or timeout, direct me to the Adobe website where I can manually grab the available updates.

What do you think? What do you like or dislike about the Adobe Updater? What do you think could be done to improve it?

This is an absolutely AWESOME video. Seriously.

How Hillary Can Still Win

I submitted my registration to attend the 2008 Webmaster Jam Session this October 3-4 in Atlanta, GA. I attended last year’s event in Dallas, TX and loved it. The fact that it’s so close to home made it a no-brainer for me to attend it again. This time, at least one or two coworkers will be coming along as well.

If you’re on the fence about going, let me put it to you this way: I got more out of this two-day conference than I have from other high-profile events I’ve attended. Last year’s event featured speakers such as Jared Spool, Molly Holzschlag, Michael Lopp and many more. Topics range from SEO, Typography, CSS, Usability, etc. Fact is, you’re bound to find more than a few sessions that will appeal to you. Oh, and did I mention that registration is only $199? Yeah. Seriously.

If you’re going, or thinking about going, let me know!

I caught an early preview of Iron Man (My Rating: 10/10) last night with my two brothers, Robbie (one of my brother’s friends) and Josh Wilkerson over at the Regal Cinemas Exchange 20. (8:10pm on DLP) The movie was, in a word, awesome. I’m not going to spoil the movie, as many have probably not seen it yet but here some general thoughts I had on the movie:

• Robert Downey, Jr. was born to be Tony Stark. Seriously. They could not have chosen a better actor to play the man. He nailed it.
• While much of the tech was unrealistic, they still made it all seem very plausible. (Think Batman Begins.)
• Gwyneth Paltrow was great as Pepper Pots.
• I will be seeing it again. It’s one of the best comic-based movies I’ve seen.

Beer is cheaper than gas, originally uploaded by frotzed2.

Sad, but true.