Another FUBAR Apple Update?

Probably about a month ago now, Apple released the OS 10.2.8 update which it promptly withdrew because the update induced Ethernet access problems (and a few other problems as well) to Macs in certain configurations. Frankly, I never had any problems on any of my machines, but knowing that the update was causing so much havoc made me nervous. When would I stumble on some problem the update had introduced? Since then Apple has released a re-worked update that seems to do the job. I’ve installed the new patch on all my machines, and they all seem to be doing just fine.

I recently updated QuickTime from 6.3 to 6.4 using Apple’s Software Update. Today, I learned that the update is apparently causing some problems with Final Cut Pro 4.02. Well, that’s exactly what I’m running. I haven’t yet seen any problems with FCP 4, but then I haven’t tried to edit using mixed media types which is when the problem occurs (hang). For now, I’ve decided not to roll my systems back to QuickTime 6.3 until I see some problems, even though Apple has provided a 6.3 re-installer. But following on the heels of the last botched update, I have to question—as I have done before (even though my complaints had mainly to do with hardware)—Apple’s Quality Control. The company doesn’t seem to be catching some pretty elemental things before rushing products out the door. Don’t they use their own hardware and software? Apple seems to be getting as bad about missing things as Microsoft, and Apple only has about one-thirtieth the market that MS does to deal with.