Upgrading Your Operating System :: Pain or Pleasure?
As you are probably aware, Apple is expected to release it's new operating system, Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard, later this month. There are many previews of this fantastic new software, including the one at Apple's website. I found the following article by David Sparks interesting because it provides a stark contrast and good insight into the difference found between Mac and Windows with regard to upgrading one's operating system:
I thought I'd do a series of articles as I begin preparing for the
Leopard upgrade. This is where my windows bias shows through. I was
talking to a very knowledgeable Apple friend, Gabe Wilson, and explaining how I was backing everything up and printing out copies
of all my license codes so I could do the "big upgrade." As he watched
me his face showed first dismay, then pity, then humor. Finally he
relieved me of my suffering. 
"Dave. It's a Mac. Don't wipe your drive.
Just upgrade."
Huh!?
I'm used to windows upgrades. When you upgrade a windows machine you first remove the hard drive then you drive a stake through it (preferably made of silver). Then you pour acid over it and proceed to make all the necessary incantations (which include multiple recitations of random letters and numbers in groups of four). Finally, you put in the install disk and pray to all that is nerdy that the rest of your PC components don't declare an absolute mutiny (which will probably happen anyway). You then spend the next two days attempting to convince Microsoft that you should be allowed to re-install Office on the new version of their windows software without spending another $500.
Tonight I listened to Steve Stanger confirm Gabe's sage advice and I'm sold. I'm not going to do the 3 days of reinstall but instead just going to click "update" and see what happens. If it doesn't work I can always do the "root canal" version of the upgrade later.
Source: "Preparing for Leopard - The Install" by David Sparks, published at his MacSparky blog.
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Thanks for posting this. I had no idea what option I was going to go with for upgrading to Leopard since I've only had my mac for a year. The thought of Erase & Install scares me (too much work) but I'm now at ease thanks to this blog and your Steve Stanger recommendation. Can't wait until the weekend.