How to Deal With Software Bugs
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Finding bugs (or imperfections) in your software isn't necessarily something to lose sleep over. It is almost an expected occurrence. So, what should you do if you download a beta -- or, God forbid -- spend money on a software package only to find that it has a major flaw? Many times, the company will provide a patch that can be downloaded over the Internet and should remedy the situation. If, however, you can't get any information from the company and fear that you've gotten hold of some buggy software, there are many places online where you
can turn.
CNET has a great article about bugs in its digital life section. It covers everything from why they exist (answer: humans are imperfect) to the 10 highest impact bugs of all time. Of course, it also tells you what you can do about them, which is nice.
BugNet is a great place to start if you are searching for specific bug information. Need help fast? Turn to the Monthly Top Ten List or do a site search for immediate results. You can find more of the latest bugs to beware of in the BugNet Alert section.
The euphemistically named Annoyances.org page contains a list of Microsoft Windows 95 "annoyances" and workarounds for most of them. You can, for example, learn how to make it easier to add external devices, restore Windows 95 after a crash and delete memory-hogging splash screens. If you are looking for help with a particular Windows 95 nuisance, you can search the site.
Another great site for help with Windows snafus is WinFiles.com Bugs and Fixes, which, although it is not operated by Microsoft, still may be the best resource out there. Find out about the most recent bugs and software by subscribing to the free e-mail newsletter. Keep your data safe and ensure that you've plugged up any security breaches in Internet Explorer with help from attack-proofing procedures. Service Packs and Hotfixes address whole groupings of problems for various operating systems with giant patches. Unless you are experiencing the problems specific to the service pack or hotfix, Microsoft suggests that you not download it.
Windows NT users can collect comfort and information at NTBugtraq. Although the site is primarily a gateway to a mailing list, you will find a list of bugs and fixes as well.
Though many believe they are superior to PCs, Macs are not immune to bugs. Much like the other sites, MacFixIt has news on late-breaking bugs and is searchable. In addition, the site has links to the Macintosh Bible, which is a must-read for all Mac owners.
Mac users can pride themselves on the fact that Apple itself has good troubleshooting resources online. The Apple Support Page has a number of excellent features, including software support, a troubleshooting guide and Tech Exchange, where you can post queries that will be answered.
CNET has a great article about bugs in its digital life section. It covers everything from why they exist (answer: humans are imperfect) to the 10 highest impact bugs of all time. Of course, it also tells you what you can do about them, which is nice.
BugNet is a great place to start if you are searching for specific bug information. Need help fast? Turn to the Monthly Top Ten List or do a site search for immediate results. You can find more of the latest bugs to beware of in the BugNet Alert section.
The euphemistically named Annoyances.org page contains a list of Microsoft Windows 95 "annoyances" and workarounds for most of them. You can, for example, learn how to make it easier to add external devices, restore Windows 95 after a crash and delete memory-hogging splash screens. If you are looking for help with a particular Windows 95 nuisance, you can search the site.
Another great site for help with Windows snafus is WinFiles.com Bugs and Fixes, which, although it is not operated by Microsoft, still may be the best resource out there. Find out about the most recent bugs and software by subscribing to the free e-mail newsletter. Keep your data safe and ensure that you've plugged up any security breaches in Internet Explorer with help from attack-proofing procedures. Service Packs and Hotfixes address whole groupings of problems for various operating systems with giant patches. Unless you are experiencing the problems specific to the service pack or hotfix, Microsoft suggests that you not download it.
Windows NT users can collect comfort and information at NTBugtraq. Although the site is primarily a gateway to a mailing list, you will find a list of bugs and fixes as well.
Though many believe they are superior to PCs, Macs are not immune to bugs. Much like the other sites, MacFixIt has news on late-breaking bugs and is searchable. In addition, the site has links to the Macintosh Bible, which is a must-read for all Mac owners.
Mac users can pride themselves on the fact that Apple itself has good troubleshooting resources online. The Apple Support Page has a number of excellent features, including software support, a troubleshooting guide and Tech Exchange, where you can post queries that will be answered.
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