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Introduction
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Developers usually release new versions of software after improving its features, GUI, removing some bugs or security weaknesses in earlier versions or for some other reasons. If you always trust developers in their products and like to keep all the software on your computer updated to the latest versions, you might find it difficult and time-consuming if you have many programs installed. Sometimes software will have automatic updates (such as Adobe Reader, Mozilla's Firefox and Thunderbird, Skype, iTunes, etc.), but this isn't true of all software. That's where Software Update Monitors (SUMs) are useful. A (sometimes) quick scan of your computer by one of these products will reveal which software is old and needs to be updated. So, if you would like to know which tools I recommend to keep your software updated (and which I use to keep my software updated), read on. Just a word of warning though, updated software may behave in a manner that is different to the version you have installed. Very rarely updates may have a bug that makes it unsafe to upgrade. If you have any doubts, please do an internet search for any problems related to the upgrade. |
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Discussion
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With the latest update UDN allows you to view the list of software it detected, allowing you to see which software you wish to request them to add to their database. While SUMo and UDC allow you to select to be notified of Beta updates, this is not yet possible with UDN and it currenly reads the version number of Beta software incorrectly. It only displays the latest version CleanSofts have on their database. If it is not detecting software you have installed, you can contact them via the "Contact Us" link and request that they add the software to their database. They typically reply within a day. In order to see all the software UDN detects, but may not display, open the "InstalledApps.xml" file found in "C:\Documents and Settings\<user name>\Application Data\cspa" and browse through it. Beware of the "Recommended" tab, not all recommended software is freeware (though most seems to be), so don't be surprised if you download software that requires a payment for all its fucntions to work. It is clear on the software's download page how much software costs (see the product details on the right-hand side of the page).
The advantage of SUMo is that it informs you of updates to software that is not limited to security updates (such as PSI) or availablity on CleanSofts.org (UDN) or FileHippo.com (UDC). It also lets you add or remove programs to the list it scans for updates by simply dragging the executable into SUMo's open window; a feature not available on any other software update monitor (UDN allows one folder of portable software to be added and UDC allows many such folders). Unfortunately some developers do not include version information in their binaries (for example Dia, LaTeX Editor and Sumatra PDF) which makes it impossible for SUMo to detect updates for them. This is a problem for most software update monitors and UDN handles them best. Unfortunately, when SUMo performs its first thorough scan it detects executable files that may not be the main executable files of your installed software. Experienced PC users should therefore take care to add the executable files that should not be checked for updates to the ignore list. Once this has been done, the unwanted executables will not appear in future scans. Warning: Should you decide to download SUMo, please download the lite version (find it on the download page, it is the link with the letters "RK" crossed out). The full version comes with a program call Relevant Knowledge, which is detected by some security software as spyware. You may read the developer's explanation for this here. The lite version is identical to the full version, only without the spyware.
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Related Products and Links
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Other Softwate Update Monitors: Many users have posted other SUMs since this article was first published, but of those I have only added CSPA's Update Notifier. I will briefly cover some of them and tell you why I did not like them. UpdateStar is a SUM that I did not like at all when I tried it in July. It was very bad at detecting software's version numbers and its database was out-of-date, much of the software I had installed was newer than the software in its database. However, since they have added a premium service and, perhaps, more people have started using it (and updating its database), it seems to be up-to-date for most software I have installed. Annoyingly some of the updates it informs me of are not available. The interface must be the most impressive of all the SUMs I have tested, but some of the download links do not work (UDC and UDN have the edge on it there) and it does not detect portable software. I will have to keep a close eye on the free version over the next few months and see how it performs. Software Informer was annoying to use. It informed me of updates that are not available, or it would inform me of an update for version I have installed because it interpreted the version incorrectly. Software-UpToDate does not support some very common programs (e.g. CCleaner, FeedDemon, Notepad++, Foxit Reader) and often does not have links to any page that could yield a file you can download. RadarSync used to be unpleasant, but they claim to have made major changes for their 2009 version. Fortunately it no longer wants to install a bunch of other software during the installation process. Now it only asks to install the Ask! Toolbar; simply deselect it if you do not want it installed. It still needs further work before I will recommend it. The interface is annoyingly small and you cannot embiggen it. It did detect that my graphics card driver was out-of-date, but it also told me that software like Inkscape was out-of-date (it was not) and it told me that my version of Notepad++ was both current and out-of-date at the same time! I often found that the version of software I had installed was newer than the version that RadarSync noted was the most recent. Be very careful if you decide to use it as a driver updater. Great care should be taken when updating drivers in general as a mistake could make some hardware work erratically, or not at all. Ensure you install the correct driver from the hardware manufacturer or OEM's website. Ketarin takes another approach at software updating. It keeps your install files up-to-date. Once installed, you have to point it to the download link of the software you wish to keep updated (or give it its FileHippo ID). This is quite nifty if you have to keep a database of install files updated for software you may not have installed on your own machine. There is a similar group of software that acts like a software manager, similar to the Synaptic Package Manager used by Ubuntu. They give you access to a selected group of programs, install them and keep them up-to-date. There are examples such as Appsnap, Appupdater and FreewareUpdater. I could not get Appupdater to work and Appsnap and FreewareUpdater only supported a limited amount of software (and could not detect software that was already installed). I feel these three programs belong in a different category and will not review them here. RSS Feeds: There are three website RSS feeds I like to check for updates. Kaldata has a great feed that lists updates very quickly after they have been released, while Freeware-Guide gathers a list of software updated in a day and displays the list in an RSS feed the following day. FileHippo and Softpedia also have RSS feeds for the latest additions to their databases. Here are the four feeds:
If you would prefer the RSS feed of individual programs without using that program's homepage, FileHippo offers individual RSS feeds. Related Topics: |
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1.1.6.141 
Unrestricted Freeware 
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Software updater, software update monitor, software update notifier, software monitor, software update checker, software update searcher, Personal Software Inspector, Update Notifier, Update Checker, PSI, UDC, SUMo |
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Has anyone ever tried CNET's TechTracker http://download.cnet.com/CNET-TechTracker-app/3000-18513_4-10912909.html... ?
See MidnightCowboy's response below. CNET writes:
And:
I'm not going to register to try their software. Besides, it is not well rated.
I use both UDC and UDN. Between the 2 of them, they cover everything.
I think even only UDN cover everything. The problem is their site is not made well (they don't change program size with new update, there are errors,...) The popularity of this site seems to fall down: http://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/http%3A%2F%2Fcleansofts.org. Filehippo.com seems to be perfect site, they don't have any error, etc.
I have found Clean Softs Professional Association's Update Notifier (UDN) to be very reliable and quick... when their site it up and running. It seems that every few weeks their site will be down for what seems days on end. There's never any explanation. The first indication is when UDN is unable to establish a connection. You can then try going to http://www.cleansofts.org from any browser and that will time out as well.
The product would be greater if they had some server admins on staff that monitored the health of their servers and acted when problems were keeping their web servers from working.
Other than that, I'm very pleased with the product.
You mean like right now? I'm thinking of switching to SUMo or Ketarin. Anyone ever heard of problems with these?
See the warning for Sumo in the text above
I think it could be more comfortable to use forum for each updater. I don't know why nobody use them. Maybe it has bad location in this article.
I think people are too lazy to register, or just simply do not want to.
The Opera Browser blocks Update Checker. Is there a way to configure Opera so it won't block UDC?
How did you find this out? I have Opera installed and my UDC works no problem. Are your connection settings in UDC right?
Usually it's incorrectly configured firewall permission which block this type of software
Nevermind. I removed it, installed Update Notifier. UDN is better and works with Opera, no problem.
The infected file came from cleansofts
Thanks for the info. I downloaded the file and installed it onto my system without a problem (I use McAfee). I submitted it to VirusTotal as MidnightCowboy suggested and 3/41 of the virus scanners came back with a positive result. See this link for the details.
I then downloaded the file from the developer's website and got the same results.
Therefore, the problem is likely to be one of false positives considering how few of the virus scanners detected a problem. The NOD32 detection (a variant of Win32/Adware.ADON) is probably most accurate because the software does ask you if you would like to install a link to eBay. Many freeware developers have to add some sort of sponsorship to their software in order to make it financially viable. Personally I have no problem with this if it is done in a transparent and "opt-in" manner as is the case for Unlocker because the software is so good. Between it and LockHunter you will struggle to find payware that is better.
Bottom line: This is not CleanSofts fault and I would continue to recommend using their services. However, to be on the safe side it is a good idea to always scan files you download for infection.
I downloaded UDN. Installed it. No viruses. Then it recommended Unlocker (which is a clean and very useful tool which I know from earlier.) I downloaded it from the site UDN redirected me and when I tried to install it my antivirus found a Trojan in it! So beware of the usage of UDN!
It's quite possible that this was a false positive. All of todays anti-malware solutions have a rate of false positives, it's just that some are worse than others. You can upload such files to Virus Total for a multiple second opinion.
http://www.virustotal.com/
Sorry, should have tried it first. although download.com has a huge list of apps it's scanning sucks. I think i'll stick with softpedia's RSS feature.
Instead of softpedia try kaldata.net. The fastest page with updates.
Found the best one! it's called CNET TechTracker - http://www.cnet.com/techtracker/ and they have a huge list of apps from download.com
Registration is required for CNET. This is from their "privacy" policy.
We will make your personally identifiable information available to other companies or people...."
I can well live without this kind of intrusion when either;
a) I'm capable of checking the current status of my software myself, or
b) There are other software choices which don't sell my life history to someone else.
The best one is softpedia's rss update feature. If only someone created an app to scan for programs on your pc and update them using softpedia's website
But you don't have individual program rss so you have to get all programs updates even you are not interested in.
Thanks for the info Baskinghobo, I have added the Softpedia feed to the list of feeds. I agree that Softpedia could make a great updater with the resources that they have.
Strangely enough after years of testing, I use ALL the recommended utilities above. Each tool usually shows updates that the others may not. I run Update Notifier, FileHippo and SUMo almost everyday. Secunia PSI, I use on occasions to check for security vulnerability issues. The challenge for software updaters and the developers that make these tools, is that there are often various versions of programs that are available stable, alpha or betas.
1. Update Notifier is fast and accurate for the large catalog of software it discovers updates for.
2. FileHippo is also fast and discovers new beta versions too which are often missed elsewhere.
3. SUMo is very comprehensive but sometimes shows dubious updates for some components software. The KC Software developer is very responsive to any issues on their forum. I have well over 500 installed applications and SUMo does an excellent job discovering updates where other updaters fail or do not even detect the installed software in the first place. Like most applications it is not perfect but it is one of the better updaters out there.
Thankfully there is a LITE version of SUMo that DOES NOT contain the insidious Relevant Knowledge "SPYWARE" which is very hard to eliminate all traces from your system. Just when updating SUMo your updater software usually points to the infected version of SUMo so you are better off downloading it manually. Relevant Knowledge is a marketing company who makes and distributes the RK SPYWARE component to subtly gain end user information and browsing habits. Their so called "agreement to install" their SPYWARE is easily missed when installing other programs. The LITE version of SUMO is quite safe and retains full functionality but doesn't bundle the RK SPYWARE.
Out of apparent necessity KC Software fund some of their development by bundling that garbage with SUMo and some of their other utilities. Since many other developers don't compromise their integrity in this manner I find it hard that KC Software justifies this activity however, I am not a starving developer either.
4. Secunia PSI to me is a really interesting piece of coding. It is a quasi update notification and software risk assessment tool. The vulnerability information it provides about installed, patched or updated programs is quite an eye opener. It now does an assessment of the security issues associated with your installed browser(s). This little gem helps me remove and update my system to minimize as many risks as possible and at the very least makes me aware of what programs are a potential risk to my systems security.
Thanks for taking the time to write down your thoughts. I also use SUMo, UDN and UDC on a daily basis. I have set them to start automatically once a day (for when I know I will be at my PC) using the Windows Scheduler so that I do not forget to run them. I use PSI less though. Once a month, or fortnightly perhaps.
It's not possible to keep updated the complete software of a PC using a single Updater because each of them misses some major updates of a software or doesn't include in its list important programs contained in each PC. Therefore I use Sumo, UDN, FileHippo and ma-config.com although sometimes I have to look on the Internet or on the specific Web site the last version of a software.
I regard free online scanners as a form of freeware too. It is worth mentioning that Secunia offers the same scan as an online service and that F-Secure also have one called F-Secure Health Check. F-Secures scanner wont start unless you click the link to their terms of service - which they don't tell you.
Online scanners are a nice alternative for people who have limited room for software on their PCs.
Secunia's online scanner: http://secunia.com/vulnerability_scanning/online/
F-Secure Health Check: http://support.f-secure.com/enu/home/onlineservices/fshc.shtml
From some responses that I have seen, Secunia's Online Scanner, is not as much updated as the offline PSI Secunia.
Anupam Shriwatri
IMO Sumo is committing some serious offenses:
1. Their website still advertises "Best Free Software Update Monitor by Tech Support Alert" (including the seal) even though they no longer hold that honor.
2. The "optional" software included in their installation (RelevantKnowledge) is MALWARE, see scorecard @ WOT: http://www.mywot.com/en/scorecard/relevantknowledge.com. What's even more worrying is that when you google "RelevantKnowledge removal", the first 3 hits also appear to be malware sites preying on people who want to remove the malware.
I don't think Sumo should be considered "freeware" anymore and, therefore, should be removed from this category altogether.
PS - Simply submitting a post with the words "RelevantKnowledge" triggered this site's spam filter!
Thanks for doing the research into this issue. The article did give a warning regarding RK and that users should choose the "lite" option. I have tried to make it even clearer.
I do not think this is reason enough to remove SUMo from the review, as the developer does link to a download that does not include RK. If SUMo was available only with RK, then I would remove it as one of the recommended applications. Furthermore, WOT rates the site as trustworthy, so I feel is is still safe to refer readers to it.
The matter of the website still advertising the Top Pick award is a grey area. On one hand, SUMo was awarded the prize so the developer has the right to show it because he does not claim SUMo is currently the Top Pick. Users that click on the logo can check for themselves whether or not it remains the top pick.
FWIW, it's also possible to just download the zip version. it comes with sumo.exe (the actual app, not the installer) and a whole bunch of SPK files. not sure what those are, but i just extracted sumo.exe and left the rest alone - it works fine. it writes its database to %appdata% so it's not fully portable, but it's certainly stand-alone...
The SPK files appear to be the language files.
I have updated the article to include the warning about the full version and that users should install the lite version instead. McAfee detected the RK software as spyware on my PC.
What the guy below has said about the latest version of SUMo containing adware is true. However, I decided to do a bit more investigating before deciding to write SUMo off completely.
The "full" version of SUMo v2.6.0.75, released 10 May 2009 (sumo.exe, 1,554,720 bytes) will present you with a licence agreement for (and option to install) an application from "Relevant Knowledge". A statement from SUMo's producers regarding this can be found here at their site.
The executable "rkverify.exe" is written to %Current User%\AppData\Local\Temp\is-2NDCN.tmp when sumo.exe is run, but if you deiced not to install RK then that file gets deleted, and nothing else untoward appears to happen.
To be on the safe(er) side you can indeed install a "lite" version, as you can with certain other software made by "KC Software". This can be accessed by clicking on the RK with a red (crossed out) circle icon. "sumo_lite.exe" is 1,298,953 bytes, and there is no mention or sign of RK or rkverify.exe during installation.
I run NIS 2009 and Prevx 3, with MBAM and SAS on demand. Prevx and MBAM decided rkverify.exe was suspicious, but NIS and SAS did not. Prevx trys to completely block (and remove) anything to do with SUMo, even the lite version. Prevx is very through but it does tend to be trigger happy however.. a bit like Gizmo's spam filter!
The latest version of SUMo made my NOD32 Virus scanner give an alert:
adware.agent.NMA.
This also happened in the past with Videoinspector from KC Software, who also make SUMo.
What you could do with Videoinspector then, is what you can do with SUMo now, which is to download the adware=free "lite" version of SUMo.
The "Lite" version can be download by going to KC Sofrware's download page on their website, and scrolling down to "alternative FTP server". All of KC Software's files, including the lite-versions can be downloaded from there.
I think the analysis on this page is somewhat off, because I think the author did not set the evaluation criteria properly to match the purpose of using this specific type of software.
You look for an update tool for one of two reasons:
1) You are an average user, and concerned about security holes.
2) You are an advanced user, and like keeping up with the latest updates and features on all software.
I have used all the update software listed on this page for a while now, and here is my judgement:
If you are in group (1), your clear choice needs to be Secunia PSI. That's the only one that properly identifies what is a security risk and what is not and how it can be resolved.
If you are in group (2), then SUMo needs to be your choice. It is the one with the widest coverage of software.
I agree it is not the easiest or prettiest to use. And sometimes it misses very minor updates for a few days (e.g., 4.0.0.226 vs 4.0.0.206 for Skype doesn't show up yet, it was released yesterday. Update Notifier finds it).
But, what is the purpose of having a fast and pretty output if you are really trying to find updates on ALL the software on your computer? In my case, Update Notifier only detects 28 programs on my computer, whereas SUMo detects a total of 110 products. Now some software is listed multiple times (i.e., the actual software is listed, then the scheduler is listed and also a DLL is listed) so there is some bloat. So, say it's 75 instead of 110. But that's still three-fold difference, and these are not portable installations or custom folders. They are simply programs that Update Notifier does not detect.
Here is select apps on my system that Update Notifier completely misses:
- Adobe Acrobat (I have both the full Acrobat v8, and the reader v.9. Update Notifier only detects the Reader).
- Genie Backup Software
- Paint Shop Pro
- Process Tamer (DonationCoder)
- Shell Extensions Manager (NirSoft)
- Ultramon
- VirtualDub
- Attribute Magic Pro (Elwinsoft)
- WordWeb Theasaurus
- Taskbar Shuffle
- X1 Desktop Search
Add to that all the Beta software I maybe using and Update Notifier becomes pretty much useless.
I haven't been able to figure out who Update Notifier is the "best" fit for. Maybe there is a different type of target audience that I can't think of for whom this is more appropriate: users that want to update some software but not all, AND want to make sure all apps on their screen are pretty?
Update Notifier is newer than SUMo but it is growing all the time and users can easily email the request that a piece of software be added by clicking Contact Us at the bottom of the UI screen.
I work for them as a volunteer with to add updates and new software as well as improving the program myself and they are moving quickly in the right direction.
I agree with you about some advanced users relying on Secunia PSI, I use it myself alongside Update Notifier and it works well, but it lacks several things I think are needed to make the UI less cumbersome when having some plugins in many locations and many softwares on a pc.
However, you left out the novice user who needs something very simple that sits quietly in the system tray and gives easy timely notices of important updates and can be configured easily to ignore beta and other software that isn't desired to be updated.
I used several other similar programs and I found this one to be the best for novice and average users and that is why I support it.
They are also very eager and pleasant responders to user emails which makes them better that arrogant dissimilar developers I have encountered (and sometimes never even got a response from) that make other programs.
Also with the potentially beta software, like me, they try to hide beta so the novice and average user. Also they have a limitation in their database that only allows one version to be listed, but that is going to change soon as well.
I hope most people will be like the review and find that this is the best software for most people's uses but will get better for the nitch users like this commenter.
That should be potentially dangerous beta software because and user not understanding that it isn't finished yet can loose data or even ruin a OS install.
I agree tuxter - well put!
I have all 4 working and all appear working as standalone - useful in my pc technicians work!
Thanks for your comments tuxster. I appreciate the time you took to write them. Comments like yours and Peter Wills' challenge me to make my article better. I'll take some time to respond.
You claim there are two groups of people; average users concerned with security and advanced users who like to have the latest updates. I think you have created a false dichotomy here, as Peter notes. There are users who are not aware that their installed software may pose a security risk. I would hazard to guess that most PC users think that an anti-virus package is all they require to keep them safe. A look at our list of reviewed security software and Gizmo's Guide to Securing Your PC just goes to show how many tools are available to keep a PC as secure as possible. Typically these types of users do not update their software for security reasons. Instead they want the new features that typically come with newer software and probably update infrequently.
I understand your views on SUMo and you make a very good point. It has the ability to detect more software than any of the others (although it does have its restrictions, see this unresolved bug, and UDN is able to find version numbers that SUMo sometimes cannot) as it is not dependent on a database of downloadable software, instead only a database of the software its users have installed. This is why it was my first choice for so long. However, recently I was helping my mother set up her new laptop and I started to wonder which updater I should install. At that stage SUMo was still the top pick here, with Update Notifier having the same rating, but not the "Top Pick" award. I then began to think about which updater I was using more often, or preferred to use if I only had time to run one. I installed Update Notifier onto her laptop because it was something that was easy to use. SUMo is great for an advanced user who can make out what all the data means. And the fact that it allows for Beta software is a plus, but it can also be dangerous for an inexperienced user as Beta software may not yet be stable or secure.
You criticise Update Notifier for the lack of supported software (it probably does detect it, check your InstalledApps.xml file, but it is not yet supported) and I agree with you. I perhaps do not make this clear in the discussion (and will change it accordingly), but I do mention it in the Quick Selection Guide. I have contacted the CleanSofts team (see Emil's post for contact details, also possible from the GUI) in the past to request the addition of freeware that was missing and they typically get it supported within a working day. I have also contacted the developer of SUMo (make sure you select SUMo) when it was showing false updates, when I found bugs or when I thought of features I would like. He also replies within a few days. The developers of this type of software depend on its users for feedback regarding their databases and bugs in their software. The more feedback they get, the better the service you get from their software.
I can understand why you prefer SUMo, but I had to decide which update monitor I thought was best for the average user. SUMo is great for advanced users that know where to find their updates and may want to test Beta software, but Update Notifier is so fast, easy to use and good at its job that I feel it is a better choice as "Top Pick".
Hi FrankO, thank you for taking the time to respond to my concerns in detail. I sincerely appreciate the effort you have put into reviewing these software and providing this free service to the users.
I do concede that there are probably more groups of users than the dichotomy I presented. But I do think those are the two primary user groups. It is a fact that most users may not realize the security holes they have in their system, but isn't that also part of the education pages like yours and others supposed to provide? If you were to push those users towards an update program such as Secunia PSI vs. Update Notifier, you are actually helping them identify these security holes, and probably helping all users by preventing worms, trojans, and other backdoor agents from spreading. For that novice user, it isn't that critical that they get the latest release of 7-zip. But it is critical that they plug-in the security holes.
I think the real problem isn't actually that we disagree on our evaluation of these software, but the site's requirement for you to rank these in a linear fashion. You really should be able to identify multiple "top picks", each for a different purpose. At the very least you could have a "top pick" for a novice, a "top pick" for an average, and a "top pick" for the expert user. As you mentioned as well, your top pick choice would change depending on who would be using the software, so why not indicate this clearly in the reviews?
Perhaps, Gizmo and the editorial team could take this suggestion into consideration?
I appreciate your thought-provoking views. You make a good point here and I will attempt to make it clearer to which users the various software is aimed. Feel free to give me further feedback if you feel I could improve the article.
We currently say this in our advice to Editors:
"Software category reviews are comparative reviews of a particular class of software such as "Registry Cleaners." Consequently, reviews should include at least two products (ideally 3) with recommendations. Sometimes it makes sense to say something like: "FamilyClean" is best for beginners, but more experienced users will appreciate the extra features of "FancyClean". For skilled users only, "ScrubUp" is outstanding."
But I stress we only offer advice. Our Editors are volunteers and we attempt to give them as much freedom as we can in line with our wiki spirit.
Your very welcome post reveals one of the reviewer's principal dilemmas; which criteria to use.
What about for example, average users who like keeping up with the latest updates and features.
There are no easy answers. All we ask of our Editors at Gizmos is that they test each product as best they can, and report honestly on their findings and experiences. We totally accept that they are usually unable to test on multiple platforms, and on a variety of setups, but nevertheless we feel that our cumulative advice is useful and that our volunteers perform magnificently. Our reviews are modified (sometimes) and reconsidered (always) in the light of user comments such as yours.
Hi tuxster
Contact with the authors of Update Notifier: editors@cleansofts.org and tell about missing programs. I am sure they will add your software. I did it many times.
As a long time computer user (since 1980) and Internet user since 1994 I have a problem with an otherwise reputable site such as yours recommending such software update programs without appropriate cautioning that such use could lead to problems which did not exist on a user's computer before the update software was used.
The old adage that "if it ain't broke don't fix it" certainly holds true for computer hardware and software. I learned this from experience a long time ago. And as no two systems are exactly alike for a variety of reasons, what may work for one user may cause chaos for another. This is why I believe that not all updates should automatically be applied.
Advanced computer users would normally tend to seek out updates to their most used applications and utilities themselves and would generally tend to avoid using third party update utilities.
In the hands of inexperienced and perhaps even intermediate users such update utilities could be a nightmare. Whilst they do have their place I would avoid using them other than simply to find updates and would recommend to all users that they only be used provided they offer the user a choice as to whether to install an update or not. At least this gives the user the chance to Google to find any update issues related to the new version.
Just my two cents worth.
Peter Wills
You may be right Peter but there are three issues here I think --
- These applications mainly seem to notify the user that there is an update available. The user has a choice whether to install it or not. To me this seems an extremely useful tool as it simply cuts out a lot of legwork - but perhaps I have missed something?
- By implication you are stating that software should never be updated. I don't think this is the right solution for the average user, but you are free to disagree of course.
- Due to the brevity required here, there is no way that software can receive what I would call 'comprehensive' coverage. It's soundbites, on a page. That's what the visitors want and it's been demonstrated time and time again - they want it short and sweet. Because of that the editors have a struggle deciding what to include or leave out. So in just about every review you could find more material that might have been included - but there's no space. Don't blame the editor for that.
chris.p
Hi Chris
In my post I did state that I would not recommend using such programs unless they did give the user the option to install the update or not so I was clearly not dismissing them altogether.
If you read into my comments an implication that you should never update then so be it but I did not intend them to be interpreted that way and I don't believe they actually do read that way.
I'm not suggesting that such programs should be left out, merely that a cautionary note by editors of articles is desirable in some instances and I believe this is one of them. I note that Franko agrees with me.
Peter
Thanks for the comment Peter. You make a good observation and I have added a warning to the introduction. None of these updaters force an upgrade on you. They only inform you of updates and the user may choose to ignore them. I use the ignore or filter functions for some software I have installed.
I look forward to further comments from you Peter. Join our forums. It would be great to have your input there too.
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