Big Sur updates have far exceeded those of Mojave or Catalina, and are set to total well over 40 GB. Prospects for security updates are no better, with a high carbon footprint.
Software Update
In Big Sur, Apple is trying to change our update habits, getting us all to update early, and run only the latest release of macOS. Its campaign uses installer behaviour, mass psychology, and boot security.
Although updating each M1 Mac requires 1 GB of direct download from Apple, there are great economies in running your own Content Caching Server. And why Apple doesn’t want to offer standalone Big Sur updates.
Not only has Apple not provided standalone updaters for macOS 11.2, or for Mojave and Catalina Security Updates 2021-001, but it has removed the Big Sur 11.1 installer. It’s just like iOS now.
Can you use Big Sur’s Content Caching Server to save and retain updates which can substitute for ‘delta’ and Combo standalone update packages?
This morning, Apple has reinstated Big Sur upgrades on its software update service. However, users may still encounter […]
Why you should reconsider whether you let your Mac automatically download and install ‘silent’ updates, and what you can do instead.
The update to MRT 1.68 has caused problems with many Macs. Even if their cause is discovered, fixing them is usually long and complex. That silent security update is causing a denial of service.
Apple is proud of high adoption rates of its OS upgrades. But 10.15 and 10.16 inevitably prevent many from using them. It’s time for Apple to understand that, and make 10.16 a macOS release we choose to use.
Why you need to update to SilentKnight version 1.7, to address changes in Software Update introduced by Apple.
The Eclectic Light Company 