Software update question for iTunes and Safari

Question

Preface -
I only use the software update in the Apple to check for new software, then download it manually and install it following all the directions so carefully specified here by many of you good folks.
So, first some the rhetorical questions - How much does SU check? Does it look at other Apple apps running at the same time? Does it check OS (it must!)? Does it look to see if what it suggests needs to be updated is compatible with what is there?)
Background information -
I have Safari 3.2.3. Since Safari doesn't work for me and I never use it, I have not updated it. Several of you told me not to bother updating Safari since v4x probably wouldn't work if 3 doesn't (what doesn't work is I can't quit without force quitting and there appears to be no fix).
The latest SU tells me new versions of iTunes - 9.0.3 - and Safari - 4.0.4 - are available. I am running iTunes 7.7. According to the download page, iTunes 9 has to have Safari 4.
The questions -
So, why does SU tell me updates for iT and Safari are available without specifying that I MUST do both updates and do them so that Safari 4 is in place before I update iTunes (or iTunes will die?) Note - I never visit the iTunes store; I just use iTunes to transfer to my iPod my own CDs which I've copied onto the computer in lossless.
Since, I never use Safari anyway, will it cause any difficulty if I DO do the update to 4 and just let it sit in a folder unused as 3.2.3 sits there doing nothing? OR does iTunes USE Safari to access the library of CD track info when it makes suggestions for labeling tracks on CDs I've downloaded to my library?
I hope this makes sense, I fear I am rambling on here...
Thanks in advance for your help,
Mrs H

Answer 1

Dear Kappy,
First of all, thank you for tackling my issue with Safari. I have to begin by saying it was intermittent, but Mr H and I have just stopped using Safari. I just tried it and it was fine - but I don't know how long that will last.
And, by the way, we have the same issue occasionally for all three of our Tiger Macs - I have reinstalled OS, done the combo reinstall - OS plus Safari (I believe that's the term - combo?; it's been a while and I can't remember exactly what I was instructed here to do - but I did it).
You probably won't want to read all of this, but since you have been so kind as to jump onboard my Safari issue, here are the links to the 2 _very long_ threads, (part one and two), describing my issues with Safari:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1986914&tstart=0
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2037950&tstart=0
Plus the third installment:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2097007&tstart=0
Klaus1 was ever so patient and the final advice, I believe, was - just don't use Safari. It was a memory hog - using what looked like even more than 100% of memory - which made no sense - and it just wouldn't allow me to quit without force quitting. Everything else works just fine...or so it seems to me and has done so for ages (except that we've been gone for several months so I can't count that...)
Do you suggest doing this first?
Kappy wrote:
My guess is you have corrupted preference or cache files. Perhaps clearing out cache files and deleting related preference files may fix the problem.
I'm sure I was instructed to do this and have done so, but I'll gladly do it again. How to delete pref file? and will they rebuild?
Then can I do this suggestion of "deleting the latter 2" mentioned below, without learning how to open a new account - I used to know, but have gone brain dead on this... - or should I do this too? And, deleting them - will they rebuild?
Possibly in the /Home/Library/Safari/ folder or a problem with the /Home/Library/Preferences/com.apple.safari.plist file or /Home/Library/Caches/com.apple.Safari/ folder. Start by deleting the latter two.
Should someone move this discussion over to Safari?
Thank you again for offering your help here,
Mrs H