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CNET finally pulls the plug on VersionTracker
I was never a big fan of CNET's VersionTracker software -- and judging by the one-star rating on Download.com, I wasn't alone. Still, with more than 18 million downloads logged, the app was clearly popular, if not well-liked.
Yesterday, however, marked the end of the VersionTracker era. The official Download.com page now sports a big, red alert that the program's 15-year run is over; it will now join other golden oldies like Bonzi Buddy and AOL floppy disks in the digital dustbin.
CNET's TechTracker has stepped in to fill the void, though I'm curious how many people actually find apps like this useful anymore. All of my core applications -- programs, Chrome, Firefox, iTunes, CS5 -- update themselves, after all, and I've had no need to update drivers since re-installing Windows on my system. What say you, Download Squad readers?
[via Switched]
Yesterday, however, marked the end of the VersionTracker era. The official Download.com page now sports a big, red alert that the program's 15-year run is over; it will now join other golden oldies like Bonzi Buddy and AOL floppy disks in the digital dustbin.
CNET's TechTracker has stepped in to fill the void, though I'm curious how many people actually find apps like this useful anymore. All of my core applications -- programs, Chrome, Firefox, iTunes, CS5 -- update themselves, after all, and I've had no need to update drivers since re-installing Windows on my system. What say you, Download Squad readers?
[via Switched]
Comments
9
Subscribe to commentsSpankySep 8th 2010 12:08PM
You go to Filehippo, you install filehippo's update checker, and you're done. You never need to worry about those remaining apps that don't update on their own.
KEEP IN MIND - many of the beta versions of software don't update automatically. For those of us that live on the beta edge, we need filehippo and it's ilk.
JennSep 8th 2010 2:20PM
Agreed! File hippo is great. They even have a portable version!
rokicSep 8th 2010 12:08PM
Windows 7 has the best updater (from a windows-user POW) for drivers. Most of other apps and plugins already have some kind of an auto-updater. Heck, I can't even remember when I had to manually update an application. I would say that most of those downloads were from inexperienced users who were visiting download.com for the first time
King MustardSep 8th 2010 12:11PM
Not had many problems with FileHippo.com's Update Checker.
zpg006Sep 8th 2010 12:22PM
Versiontracker.com was one of the first Macintosh software directories that I was aware of. It, along with Macfixit, was a daily browsing destination for many Mac users. So at least in one respect it does mark an end of an era.
Over time I have migrated away from VT to places like MacUpdate and word-of-mouth blogs to find the newest software and with prevalent auto-updating features in new software there really is less of a need for these websites.
AntonSep 8th 2010 1:07PM
FileHippo and Secunia Personal Software Inspector is the two tools i use. Both of them will notify me as soon as a new version of a software is available. And since java by default only check ones a month and flash i believe also doesn't check daily you can be running an old vulnerable code for a while before you know about it.
JamusSep 8th 2010 1:53PM
I was never a fan of VersionTracker after the CNET acquisition, but I have been a fan of AppFresh.
Don't try looking for it on VersionTracker or MacUpdate, because they refuse to post competing apps. It has been pretty darn handy when you have some older drive images you have to roll out and want to update all the apps on it at one time rather than hope they get updated as users use the system.
MedlirSep 8th 2010 5:49PM
I use both FileHippo's Update Checker, and SUMo from http://www.kcsoftwares.com/?sumo to do update checks on a lot of apps.
F-ZeroSep 8th 2010 5:26PM
never even got round to using tech tracker. it installed, then required some cnet.com account to login..screw that. filehippo ftw