[This article is a synthesis from multiple articles published in
Larry's Final Cut Pro Newsletter. Click here to subscribe.]

One of the joys of software is that it continues to grow and improve. One of the problems with software is that not all upgrades work as promised.

From this conundrum comes the question: "They've just upgraded [insert name of software here]. Should I upgrade?" Or, much worse, "I just upgraded [software] and now nothing works. What should I do?"

So, let me take a few minutes to talk about upgrades, since I've gotten a lot of questions about this recently.

Here's the basic question you need to ask yourself: "When was the last time someone demanded that you edit their project using the latest version of any software?"

Right. It's never happened. People ask you to edit their projects - on budget and on deadline. You could use linear tape-to-tape, for all they care. Your clients don't care about the process, they care about the results.

So, you should ask yourself: "If my clients don't care when I upgrade, when should I upgrade?"

And the answer is: not immediately after the software is released. Wait a while. Final Cut Studio does not live in a vacuum. There is more than just an operating system involved. QuickTime and hundreds of third-party plug-ins and hardware also need to make sure they work together properly.

Because of how Apple develops OS X, developers don't have access to the final version of the code until it is released. Yes, there is lots of testing prior to release, but the software continues to evolve and Apple has been known to change things at the last minute to fix a bug or improve performance. For this reason, developers can't finish testing or certifying their products on the new OS until it has been released.

For example, when Leopard was released, there were problems with both AJA and Blackmagic Design capture cards. Without question, Apple, AJA, and Blackmagic immediately started working to figure out what the problems were and fix them. However, those fixes take time.

When Leopard was released, Final Cut also had a variety of problems, including issues with Motion templates. These, too, needed time to fix.

If your goal is to always run the latest version of any software as soon as it's released, then nothing I write here will make any difference. However, I suspect that the goal of most editors is to edit and deliver their projects on time. Deadlines, to us, are more important than software version numbers.

Keep in mind, as well, that at its core, Final Cut is a QuickTime editor. Never update QuickTime without also upgrading Final Cut Studio. Final Cut was originally designed as a QuickTime editor -- QuickTime winds through Final Cut like blood winding through our arteries and veins. To upgrade one without upgrading the other is a recipe for system problems.

QuickTime needs to support all the latest iPods and iPhones. It is the core technology behind iTunes, the iTunes store and all the iLife applications. It is also the foundation upon which Final Cut is built.

Because all these competing demands for QuickTime are not, necessarily, compatible, the best rule of thumb to follow is: if editing with Final Cut Studio is your principal reason for using that computer, then NEVER upgrade QuickTime beyond the version of QuickTime that is current at the time your version of Final Cut Studio was released.

Upgrading QuickTime out-of-sync with Final Cut is the surest way I know of to break Final Cut. Generally, you upgrade Final Cut and QuickTime together. When in doubt, don't upgrade QuickTime.

LARRY'S FIVE RULES OF UPGRADING

This article gives me a chance to restate some general cautions regarding updating:

1. If your system is working, don't upgrade immediately
2. Never upgrade in the middle of a project
3. Upgrading QuickTime does not provide any new features inside Final Cut
4. Upgrading the operating system does not provide any new features inside Final Cut
5. Never upgrade QuickTime without upgrading Final Cut at the same time.

Whenever a new software version comes out, you MUST ask yourself the following question: "Which is more important, keeping my system running smoothly or the features in this new upgrade?"

If your system is dead, or not working properly, upgrading is something you should consider to fix the problem. If you system is working, however, adopt a more cautious attitude.

STEPS TO UPDATING YOUR SYSTEM

The best way, though not the fastest, to upgrade to the latest operating system is to totally erase your hard disk and start clean. Apple calls this a "Clean Install." Yes, it takes a long time. Yes, it's a pain to reinstall all those applications. But this is a WHOLE lot easier than trying to fix what went wrong after upgrading the operating system without first erasing your hard disk.

Here are the steps I suggest you do your updates:

1. Update the operating system
2. Update QuickTime
3. Update Final Cut Studio
4. Update any 3rd-party software and plug-ins

Systems which already have the operating system and QuickTime installed, to which you are installing a fresh copy of Final Cut Studio, have the least problems.

Systems which are being upgraded from an earlier OS to the latest OS, along with upgrading QuickTime and Final Cut, have the most problems.

LARRY'S UPDATE PHILOSOPHY

On systems on which I can afford to have problems, I upgrade immediately. This allows me to learn what's good and bad about the latest software.

On systems which I can not afford to go down, I use the following schedule:

• Dot release upgrades to current software -- wait a minimum of 30 days after release to make sure the release does no harm.
• Releases of major updates to QuickTime or Final Cut Studio - wait a minimum of 90 days to make sure all 3rd-party software and hardware is compatible with the new version.
• Major releases of operating system software, QuickTime, or Final Cut - wait four to five months after release to make sure all 3rd-party software and hardware is compatible with the new version. Never, ever, upgrade to a dot zero release.

Key question: When was the last time a client came to you waving a checkbook and demanding that you edit their project using the latest version of anything? If they aren't in a tearing hurry, perhaps you shouldn't be either.

Larry Jordan is a post-production consultant and an Apple-Certified Trainer in Digital Media with over 25 years experience as producer, director and editor with network, local and corporate credits. Based in Los Angeles, he's a member of both the Directors Guild of America and the Producers Guild of America.

The information in this article is believed to be accurate at the time of publication. However, the author assumes no liability in case things go wrong. Please use your best judgment in applying these suggestions.

The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. This newsletter has not been reviewed or sanctioned by Apple or any other third party. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners and are mentioned here for editorial purposes only.

Links to my website home page or this article are welcome and don't require prior permission.