Preparing for Big Sur - Important Dates and Industry Changes
2020 has been a year like no other. We are getting so familiar with expecting the unexpected that few developments seem to shock us anymore. In all the chaos that has been 2020, there remain some constants and some developments that may still inspire awe and excitement. For one, Apple’s never ending revolution/evolution loop is coming around to revolution yet again as we wait for new Macs built with Apple processors. This should unlock performance and energy efficiency gains on the Mac platform the likes of which we have never seen. Like clockwork, we can expect a new macOS, macOS 11 Big Sur, to power our future and refine the Mac user experience.
As always, Carbon recommends restraint and careful consideration before jumping to Big Sur. Remember, there is no award for being the first to install a new operating system. Consider the stability of your workflow and the compatibility of your applications. Give 3rd party vendors an opportunity to release compatibility updates. Let others struggle with “early adopter syndrome.” Big Sur is a major release and there are wide ranging impacts to many workflows that need to be considered.
Carbon’s Managed Services customers are protected from inadvertent installation of Big Sur through restricted software policies. For self-managed or unmanaged customers, consult your Carbon technician regarding when it makes sense to move to Big Sur. Don’t blindly accept the update without careful consideration. We are all dealing with enough variables right now, you don’t need to create more by rushing to install an OS upgrade on your Mac. Discuss the move with your Carbon service technician. Carbon takes into consideration your applications, workflow, hardware refresh schedule and budget to ensure smooth operation and uninterrupted workflow. Workflow remains key to ensure efficiency and survivability during this prolonged period of economic uncertainty. Don’t add more uncertainty to an already uncertain time.
BIG SUR macOS 11 RELEASED; HIGH SIERRA 10.13 DROPPED FROM SUPPORT
Apple provides security updates for the current OS and the two prior releases. When Big Sur macOS 11 is released, Apple will drop support for High Sierra 10.13. This does not mean that systems running 10.13 will stop working. It means that those machines will receive no additional security updates from Apple. Systems running 10.13 or earlier should be upgraded or replaced to ensure security compliance. Apple’s operating system support matrix is easy to figure out. Each operating system has three years of support.
macOS 10.13 dropping from support once Big Sur is released - get ready to upgrade your machines to a supported version - Safari 14 already not available for 10.13
macOS 10.14 will drop from support in Fall 2021 - Apple application support (like Final Cut) and Apple service support (iCloud features) likely to fade sooner
macOS 10.15 will drop from support in Fall 2022
macOS 11 will drop from support in Fall 2023
MICROSOFT OFFICE 2019 DROPS SUPPORT FOR HIGH SIERRA 10.13 – NOVEMBER 10, 2020
When Microsoft releases the November service pack for Office 2019 (volume license, O365 subscription, and App Store versions), version 16.43, they will drop support for macOS 10.13. To benefit from future updates to Office 2019, users will need to upgrade their Macs to 10.14 or higher. Microsoft is following Apple’s lead and will support the current OS and the two previous. Remember, 10.13 will no longer be supported. If you have older software, consider giving yourself another year of 32 bit app support by upgrading to 10.14.
MICROSOFT OUTLOOK NEW LOOK – October 2020
Microsoft Outlook version 16.42, expected to be released in October 2020, will present users with a new user interface for Outlook. The intention is to be ready to look at home in Big Sur. For many of our customers who anguished over the migration from Mail.app to Outlook… Well, you will have change once more. But change does not always mean failure. It just means you need to adjust a little. And 2020 is the year of needing to be flexible. In addition, let’s add a UI change you your primary groupware tool to the mix. To review the changes, please click here.
MICROSOFT OFFICE 2016 END OF LIFE – OCTOBER 13, 2020
Office 2016 will enter End of Life status on October 13, 2020. No additional updates will be provided for this product line. Once again, the products will continue to work on existing systems but no additional security of functionality updates will be released. Only customers with perpetual licensing agreements would still be on this version. Customers subscribed to O365 should be using the 2019 version. If you are still using Office 2016 or earlier, contact your Carbon technician to discuss upgrade options.
ADOBE CREATIVE CLOUD NOT FULLY BIG SUR AND APPLE SILICON COMPLIANT
Adobe does not yet support Big Sur. See this link for current status. However, with the Adobe MAX conference starting on October 20th, I think it is safe to say that we will see some updates on compatibility. A larger concern however, is the lack of support for Apple Silicon, even in the Rosetta translation layer. As with previous years, I believe the best advice remains to wait and see. Don’t upgrade to Big Sur only to discover your Adobe product suite will not work. Be smart. Protect your workflow.
Oh, and for anyone still holding on to Adobe Creative Suite do not upgrade to Big Sur. Actually, do not upgrade to Catalina. Oh, wait, don’t upgrade to Mojave. Applications from Adobe CS 6 and older are not compatible with Catalina and above and they struggle on Mojave. Yet, for those holding on to CS6, we hate to say it but, let go. It is time to upgrade. CS 6 was last updated in 2012.
ADOBE DROPPING SUPPORT FOR TYPE 1 FONTS (POSTSCRIPT) – 2021
This announcement has no immediate impact and is not related to the release of Apple’s new operating system. This, however, is a long-term deadline that will have a significant impact for many of Carbon’s customers. It is best to be aware of this coming change and begin preparing for it now.
Customers should start the process of converting to OpenType or TypeKit fonts now. Begin the phase out of the legacy Type 1 fonts. Carbon knows your fonts. We know many of you are still using fonts from the 1990s. Adobe has not released a Type 1 font since 1999. We are talking about fonts that are 20 years old. It is time to let go. It is also a time to consider the cost of compliance. Fonts are a licensed product and can cost a significant amount. Talk to Carbon and we will ensure you are compliant. To see the announcement, click here. To track Extensis’ guidance on the topic, click here. And remember, using conversion tools to wrap legacy Postscript fonts into OTF wrappers is not the solution. Changing the format does no change the encoding. Replacing the fonts with modern versions is the only proper solution.
ADOBE DISCONTINUING FLASH PLAYER - DECEMBER 31, 2020
This is a welcomed retirement. At the end of 2020 Adobe will stop supporting and distributing Flash Player. If you still have it installed, consider removing it from your machine. If you visit a web site and it tells you Flash is out of date, it is likely a malware attempt. Do not install anything claiming to be Flash.
Please contact your Carbon Technician if you have any questions or concerns about the pending release of Big Sur. Remember, workflow disruption is possible. Don’t jump to the new release until you review your entire environment. Reach out to your favorite Carbon technician and discuss your needs and workflow.