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9.21. Software UpdateFew operating-system ideas are simpler or better than this one: whenever Apple improves or fixes one of the innumerable software pieces that make up Mac OS X, the Software Update program can notify you, download the update, and install it into your system automatically. These updates may include new versions of programs like iPhoto and iMovie; drivers for newly released printers, scanners , cameras , and such; bug fixes and security patches; and so on.
Software Update doesn't run rampant through your system software, however. It's quietly respectful. For example, Software Update doesn't download the new software without asking your permission first and explicitly telling you what it plans to install, as shown in Figure 9-13. 9.21.1. Update Software TabFor maximum effortlessness, turn on the "Check for updates" checkbox and then select a frequency from the pop-up menu ”daily, weekly, or monthly. If you also turn on "Download important updates in the background," you'll still be notified before anything gets installed, but you won't have to wait for the downloading ”the deed will already be done. (If you've had "Check for updates" turned off, you can always click the Check Now button to force Mac OS X to report in to Apple to see if new patches are available.) 9.21.2. Installed Updates TabSoftware Update also keeps a meticulous log of everything it drops into your system. On this tab, you see them listed, for your reference pleasure . Tip: In your hard drive Library Receipts folder, youll find a liberal handful of .pkg files that have been downloaded by Software Update.Most of these are nothing more than receipts that help Mac OS X understand which updaters you've already downloaded and installed. They make intriguing reading, but their primary practical use is finding whether or not you've installed, for example, the 10.4.2 update.
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