I'm on 10.6.8 and - since I'm reportedly not upgrading the kernel - I really wonder why I need to restart the computer after installing this update.
I mean, is Mac OS X a serious Unix system, or is it like that other toy OS ? 😕
Mac mini, Mac OS X (10.6.8), Intel Core 2 Duo 2.66GHz
Often, after updates are applied to your computer operating system or software, you will be requested to restart your PC. This is usually because a key operating system file needs to be updated, but the file in question is in use while the operating system is working.Read more: Why Do You Have to Restart the Computer After Updates? | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/facts_6878589_do-restart-computer-after-updates_.html#ixzz27 Nvlu65d
Why is a simple restart a problem for you?
I'm talking about my Mac, not my PC. The latter runs Linux and, incidentally, it never needs restarting after updates.
In fact, no respectable Unix(-like) system needs that, with the exception of a kernel update (and some of them not even in that case).
Why a "simple restart" is a problem for me, you ask? Because I have to quit my GNU Screen session on the Mac and then bring it up again after the restart; and I have to log out from the Mac on all my other boxes that are logged into it via SSH and/or VNC around the building. That's why.
A restart is simple only if your computer usage is simple.
I'm talking about my Mac, not my PC. The latter runs Linux and, incidentally, it never needs restarting after updates.
Mac OS X is NOT "Linux"! It origins are the Carnegie Mellon MACH micro kernel with the FreeBSD UNIX APIs and base utilities, along with some Open Source packages (as long as they are not GPL3 licenced). On top of that Apple has built a very extensive GUI infrastructure. Also the device drivers are specific to Mac OS X, so it is not possible to use kernel based drivers (including file systems) from other Unix distributions (not even FreeBSD) with top of Mac OS X. Kernel extensions must be written expressly for Mac OS X
If you wish to use Linux, your Mac hardware will boot it.
BobHarris wrote:
Mac OS X is NOT "Linux"!
How did you get the impression that I thought Mac OS X was Linux?
I transposed Mac and PC order from the first sentence, so when you said the later, I though Mac. My mistake.
As for doing on the fly kernel updates, it is not that easy (speaking as someone that works on Unix file systems for a living). And since consumers (not 24/7 servers) are the vast majority of Apple users, it most likely is not a priority.
This is all just guessing, as Apple rarely tells us its inner thoughts.
Message was edited by: BobHarris
BobHarris wrote:
As for doing on the fly kernel updates
The 004-2012 security update doesn't upgrade the kernel on 10.6.8, but it still requires a reboot. That has been my point since message 1.
Enough rebooting! - Security Update 004-2012
