Firmware, in generic terms, is "fixed software" in an electronic device. Your CD/DVD drive for example, has firmware. Your digital camera has firmware. Portable navigation devices (PND for short) has firmware. Even remote controls for televisions have firmware.

I’m the type of person that likes having the latest up-to-date firmware for whatever electronic device I use. But over the years I’ve had to train myself not to update if there isn’t any issue present with the way the device works.

Example: In one instance a few years ago I somewhat busted a CD/DVD drive I had because I updated the firmware. I found there was an update for the device, so I downloaded and applied it. After that the drive wouldn’t burn discs any longer. It would read them but not write no matter what brand of disc I used. It turned my DVD-R/W into a DVD-ROM. I tried applying a previous version of the firmware, but that didn’t work, so I had to junk it. $40 in the toilet. Lesson learned.

The only reason I bothered to update the firmware in that particular device is because it was available. Nothing was wrong with it, I didn’t need to do it, but did anyway.

Firmware updates for any electronic device serve two primary purposes. First, the update fixes a problem with the way the device works and/or second, the update adds in new features that weren’t there before.

If you spot a firmware update for whatever electronic device you use, but are not encountering any problems nor are there any features added in with the update, don’t apply it. If you do, chances are likely it will do more harm than good and in worst case scenario makes the device unusable.

As said above, I had to train myself not to apply firmware updates when I didn’t need them. I would look at the firmware version for my digital camera and it would be at 2.5a. But wait, now there’s 2.5b! My mind says, "I should really get this," but then common sense kicks in. "Hang on. There’s nothing wrong with my camera. And this update doesn’t add in anything I didn’t have before. No, I won’t do it." So I don’t.

This can be a temptation that’s tough to resist. After all, you want all your electronic stuff to have current software. Psychologically, having an old firmware version puts the message of, "I’m missing out on something" in your head. Trust me when I say that the vast majority of the time you’re not missing anything.

Whenever you see a firmware update for whatever electronic device you’re using, always read the release notes thoroughly. This documentation is always provided and is usually on the same page where the download is, or as a PDF or some other web page describing what’s in that particular version. If you see nothing in there that fixes anything or adds in features, don’t apply it, because having an update applied that breaks your stuff will ruin your day real quick. Every time it happens it’s money wasted that you have to spend all over again.

Have you ever had a firmware update go horribly wrong?

Let us know by commenting below.

Two days ago Mozilla released the latest version of the Firefox web browser, version 3.0.7.

I’m glad the update came so soon after 3.0.6 because that version was what I describe odd at best. It seemed to (for lack of a better definition) "hiccup" a lot, especially when you had a bunch of tabs open. And it was also more prone to crashing for whatever reason.

Since updating to 3.0.7 those weird little issues have seemingly disappeared as far as my personal experience with the browser is concerned.

I do strongly recommend grabbing the update if it hasn’t auto-downloaded for you yet. You can check your current version by launching the browser and going to Help then About Mozilla Firefox. If it’s still at 3.0.6, click Help and choose the option to check for the latest update.

You may have already downloaded it and didn’t know it. If you click Help and see a menu option Apply Downloaded Update Now, go ahead and do it.

If you’re a Mozilla Firefox user you will be getting an update shortly (if you haven’t already) to update your browser to v3.0.5.

The release notes for this version state there have been several security and stability issues addressed. So if your Firefox has been a bit on the buggy side and crashes periodically, an update to v3.0.5 should cure that ill in short order.

For Windows users, you can kickstart the update process by clicking Help then Check for Updates.

The little orange guy in Google Maps as most people know is the character you see in the Street Views function. The recent update to the Google Maps service definitely puts greater emphasis on this.

For example:

The Street Views icon (i.e. the orange guy) is now directly on top of the zoom slider…

…and yes it’s functional.

While zoomed in on a map you can click the orange guy, drag and drop and you’ll get the Street View. While dragging a thumbnail appears before you drop (nice touch).

Where’s the "Street Views" button?

Gone. You have to know to click on the orange guy above the zoom slider now. Yes that’s one step backwards usability-wise. However, being the orange-guy icon is so obvious it shouldn’t be a big deal for most people to find it.

Firefox users: You will be prompted soon to update your software to v3.0.2. If you don’t feel like waiting, just click Help and then Check for Updates… and you can upgrade right now.

So what’s new in 3.0.2 (hey, that rhymes)?

Quite a bit, actually.

There’s been some security fixes, "several stability issue" fixed (which hopefully means it doesn’t chomp up as much memory as before) and some Mac fixes as well.

You can read up on all the new/fixed stuff with FF here.

Giving credit where credit is due, the GOOG updated their Terms of Service for the Chrome browser. Section 11 now reads:

11. Content license from you
11.1 You retain copyright and any other rights you already hold in Content which you submit, post or display on or through, the Services.

For those not aware, it previously stated something that literally said GOOG owns everything you do in the browser – but no longer.

Much better.

Oh sure, we all know about updates for computers. Updates for Windows, updates for OS X, updates for Linux and so on.

But how about a software upgrade for your car or truck?

General Motors cars have had PCMs (Powertrain Control Modules) for a very long time. In fact, the first GM car to get it was the 1990 Geo Storm (why they chose that car and not a Cadillac is anyone’s guess..) This is a programmable module that’s inside your vehicle.

If your GM car or truck is a 1996 or newer, you can easily check to see if there are available updates for the PCM at http://calid.gm.com. It costs nothing to check.

All you need is your VIN.

How to use:

1. Enter your VIN and click the “Get CAL ID” button.
2. From the next screen select “PCM/VCM Powertrain/Vehicle Control Module”, then click the Next button at the bottom right.

You will see any available updates for your GM vehicle. Each choice next to “Module:” is clickable. You only have to click once on each section to see what updates are there.

If you like, you can print out the pages, bring it to the dealership and have the updates applied. Cost varies greatly depending on what needs to be updated.

Can you apply these updates yourself?

Yes but it’s not recommended. While it’s true all you need is a laptop and an OBD-II connector cable, you will need to acquire the update and use special expensive software. Furthermore, if you fail to update properly, the vehicle will literally not start.

Updates of this type are best left to the dealership.