There’s more of a connection than you think.
I always really resent the harassment that comes along with impending Windows updates. Obviously I’m not alone on this, but I can’t entirely understand it, either. I may not like it when my iPhone harasses me to update, but it doesn’t bother me nearly as much, doesn’t feel nearly as intrusive – and through much of my life, I’ve never been a Steve Jobs cheerleader.
Maybe it’s because mobile operating systems are so different than those found on laptops. We have different expectations of them. When I have to stop using my phone for 10-20 minutes to update iOS, I don’t have to worry about saving a bunch of stuff or fret about remembering to reopen all the right programs and browser tabs. On my laptops, of course, these are very real concerns. How can you expect me to shut down the computer when I have 42 Chrome tabs open, three excel sheets (which have been open so long I don’t remember what they really are) a few half-finished Word documents and, on my work computer, like four dozen emails and chats open between Outlook and Skype for Business?! How can I just shut down all of those operations – what if we come back and nothing’s the same? I literally never shut down the computer. I never shut off my iPhone either, but I’m not ever expected to.
How can you expect me to shut down the computer when I have 42 Chrome tabs open, three excel sheets (which have been open so long I don’t remember what they really are) a few half-finished Word documents and, on my work computer, like four dozen emails and chats open between Outlook and Skype for Business?!
From a user sanity perspective, it’s pretty obvious why mobile operating systems are more pleasant to use (and, on the darker flip side, why they’re so much more addictive).
Nonetheless, I’ll tell you what I was reminded of, for the millionth time, the other day: you can close all that shit on your laptop, walk away, and come back, and it’s all gonna be fine. If you haven’t touched those spreadsheets in three weeks, you’re probably in the clear to save and close them. The search function in your file folders will save you if you realize you need to open them back up again. Chrome tabs can be saved in various ways and there’s no reason to have 44 emails and chats OPEN at the same time. That’s positively neurotic. Seriously, it’s okay. Shut the fucking thing off and walk away with a smile.
You can close all that shit on your laptop, walk away, and come back, and it’s all gonna be fine.
That’s what I did the other day. It was time to bite the bullet. So much so that I decided to update Windows not merely on my work computer, but on my home computer at the same time. Risky, I know. But I just knew it was time and figured I would better just embrace it. Let’s do it all now. Let’s do it live.
And you know what? It made me feel so fresh and so clean. I can’t see a god damn thing that’s changed (never mind improved!) with this new version – just like last time – but I did it. Deep breath. Let’s take a moment. Let’s begin again.
Christopher J. DiLoreto 