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Timothy Maxwell · Feb 24, 2003, 02:29 AM

What is the difference between these two services? Which is better?

NeXTLoop · Feb 24, 2003, 11:40 AM

What's the domain name for UpdateRadar?

dampeoples · Feb 24, 2003, 02:13 PM

I like Versiontracker (long as you don't read the comments) over MacUpdate, although I never heard of UpdateRadar, so I'd be interested in that URL as well.

Peter · Feb 24, 2003, 02:17 PM

I use MacUpdate cuz I have a menu item ... VersionTracker for actual downloading a program / searching for it etc

Angus_D · Feb 24, 2003, 03:06 PM

UpdateRadar is just a cocoa front-end to MacUpdate, I think.

tikki · Feb 24, 2003, 03:06 PM

UpdateRadar is at http://www.ricciadams.com/

its a great little piece of shareware. I'll take it + MacUpdate over Versiontracker anyday.

Adam Betts · Feb 24, 2003, 07:56 PM

I highly recommend UpdateRadar. It's a fine piece of software.

malvolio · Feb 24, 2003, 09:41 PM

Well, versiontracker consistently lists more apps than macupdates.
As for UpdateRadar, it seems rather redundant. Macupdates emails me notification of any updates I choose (for free).

goMac · Feb 24, 2003, 10:10 PM

I'd go with UpdateRadar. It is very well written and a good solution.

Timothy Maxwell · Feb 24, 2003, 11:30 PM

What is the difference between the free version of VersionTracker and the Pay Version?

KidRed · Feb 24, 2003, 11:45 PM

Originally posted by tikki:
UpdateRadar is at http://www.ricciadams.com/

its a great little piece of shareware. I'll take it + MacUpdate over Versiontracker anyday.

My problem with macUpdate is the user reviews are on a diffeent page. I like clicking on an app, getting it's info and seeing what people think all in one tidy page. At MacUpdate, I have to click on user comments then go back to get more info on the app. Too much work, I'll stick with VT.

tikki · Feb 25, 2003, 12:41 AM

Originally posted by KidRed:
My problem with macUpdate is the user reviews are on a diffeent page. I like clicking on an app, getting it's info and seeing what people think all in one tidy page. At MacUpdate, I have to click on user comments then go back to get more info on the app. Too much work, I'll stick with VT.

yeah, but at least at MacUpdate, I can easily get my download and go. I have to pay VT for that.

CharlesS · Feb 25, 2003, 05:10 AM

Originally posted by KidRed:
My problem with macUpdate is the user reviews are on a diffeent page. I like clicking on an app, getting it's info and seeing what people think all in one tidy page. At MacUpdate, I have to click on user comments then go back to get more info on the app. Too much work, I'll stick with VT.

Yeah, I don't know what I'd do without being to see all those reviews that read like, "I was tryeing to get this app, and while it was downlloading, my modem disconected! Then, StuffIt couldn't expand the .sit file!! This software not only doesn't work, it screwed up myy modem!!! ONE STAR!!!"

GENERAL_SMILEY · Feb 25, 2003, 11:24 AM

Originally posted by CharlesS:
Yeah, I don't know what I'd do without being to see all those reviews that read like, "I was tryeing to get this app, and while it was downlloading, my modem disconected! Then, StuffIt couldn't expand the .sit file!! This software not only doesn't work, it screwed up myy modem!!! ONE STAR!!!"

OMG!!!! that happened to you TO - was it coded in REALBASIC!!!

lexhair · Feb 25, 2003, 11:49 AM

Originally posted by Timothy Maxwell:
What is the difference between the free version of VersionTracker and the Pay Version?

The pay version provides you with an application which scans your applications folder and automatically checks it against the VersionTracker online database to notify you of updates and proceed with downloads. You can customize it to only update specific applications automatically.

Ricci Adams · Feb 25, 2003, 12:26 PM

Hello all,

I am the author of UpdateRadar - I just wanted to say that if anybody has any suggestions for the new 4.0 version (of which a public beta is currently available), please feel free to tell me

Have a great day!

Peter · Feb 25, 2003, 12:33 PM

I love your program, but cannot purchase it so I dont use it anymore ... would be neat if you could specify stuff like direcr download or if you can check Version Tracker etc...

ohm^n · Feb 25, 2003, 12:40 PM

http://www.myndlinksw.com

Check out Renew. It's a little different from UpdateRadar because it isn't focused on finding new applications, it lets you keep track of things you've already got installed, and lets you download straight to your disk without having to launch a browser. You might also find wareWolf useful. Its goal is a bit closer to UpdateRadar's, but it gives you a comprehensive list compiled from VersionTracker, MacUpdate and MacOSXApps.

-Matt

lexhair · Feb 26, 2003, 11:47 AM

Originally posted by dampeoples:
I like Versiontracker (long as you don't read the comments) over MacUpdate, although I never heard of UpdateRadar, so I'd be interested in that URL as well.

What is the deal with reading comments on VersionTracker? The links to read all comments are hit or miss (mostly miss). I used to use the reader's comments all the time to see if there were any show stoppers before I updated but it's become useless.

KidRed · Feb 26, 2003, 12:18 PM

Originally posted by CharlesS:
Yeah, I don't know what I'd do without being to see all those reviews that read like, "I was tryeing to get this app, and while it was downlloading, my modem disconected! Then, StuffIt couldn't expand the .sit file!! This software not only doesn't work, it screwed up myy modem!!! ONE STAR!!!"

For every idiot there 3 intelligent people tho. That's how I learned not to install that iTunes update that tore up your drive. They just save me time when I'm looking for an app I know nothing about.

tikki- What, 5 seconds is gonna kill you? I know its a little bit of a pain, but I don't notice much of a wait. Worth it because I don't download half as many apps because I've decided against it after reading the comments.

tikki · Feb 26, 2003, 12:55 PM

Originally posted by KidRed:
tikki- What, 5 seconds is gonna kill you? I know its a little bit of a pain, but I don't notice much of a wait. Worth it because I don't download half as many apps because I've decided against it after reading the comments.

I can get updates on the programs I use from MacUpdate w/o the 5 seconds.

Ricci Adams · Feb 28, 2003, 01:23 PM

I just wanted to announce that UpdateRadar 4.0 final was released yesterday.

Cheers,
Ricci Adams

tikki · Feb 28, 2003, 04:26 PM

Originally posted by Ricci Adams:
I just wanted to announce that UpdateRadar 4.0 final was released yesterday.

Cheers,
Ricci Adams

hooray. It rocks.

macupdate · Mar 9, 2003, 12:27 AM

Replying to the people saying that they prefer the VT review format over MacUpdate's review format:

Most of the VT reviews are 1-2 sentence blurbs that are generally unhelpful. With MacUpdate, users that post reviews have to click to a new page to post the review, making the MacUpdate user reviews much higher quality than the VT user reviews. With MacUpdate, you don't get users posting things like "yey! I got for post!!!!!!!"

As for VT's Pro desktop app and UpdateRadar, UpdateRadar is only $12 ONE TIME, whereas VT's is $49+ per year. Plus, UpdateRadar is much faster, and offer a cleaner interface than VT's desktop app.

-Joel Mueller
www.macupdate.com

Zimphire · Mar 9, 2003, 02:13 AM

MacUpdate has replaced Versiontracker on my Bookmarks bar. I am sick of clicking on 2 or 3 pages just to download a file. VT has went downhill ever sense they started that.

TheIceMan · Mar 9, 2003, 02:53 AM

Zimphire:
I agree. Wow, I never realized how much better MacUpdate is. They even offer screenshots (on some programs). Also, the reviews are DEFINITELY more informative and mature. The VersionTracker reviews are short 1-2 lines of nonsense. I'm not sure why, but it just is. Anyways, like you, I'm visiting MacUpdate from now on, instead of VT.

Zimphire · Mar 9, 2003, 03:08 AM

Originally posted by TheIceMan:
Zimphire:
I agree. Wow, I never realized how much better MacUpdate is. They even offer screenshots (on some programs). Also, the reviews are DEFINITELY more informative and mature. The VersionTracker reviews are short 1-2 lines of nonsense. I'm not sure why, but it just is. Anyways, like you, I'm visiting MacUpdate from now on, instead of VT.

Don't get me wrong, I see no problem with VT trying to make money from EXTRA services. I don't however think they should be hindering the basic services to annoy people to PAY for VTPro or other pay services. If their Pro services are that good, they shouldn't HAVE to annoy people into paying for them.

Adam Betts · Mar 9, 2003, 04:47 AM

Two things I'd like to see before start using MacUpdate.com:

1. Complete Website/Layout redesign.

2. Reviews in the first page. There may be some useless reviews but people are smart enough to ignore it and look for some useful reviews.

warpmoon · Mar 9, 2003, 08:58 AM

Originally posted by Zimphire:
MacUpdate has replaced Versiontracker on my Bookmarks bar. I am sick of clicking on 2 or 3 pages just to download a file. VT has went downhill ever sense they started that.

Do you know that you can download programs with one click at WT too?

Just click on the size of the program instead of the name...for example, here's a typical VT listing:

Netjuke 1.0b17 - Web-based audio streaming jukebox for MP3 & OGG 1.2M Freeware

Clicking on "Netjuke" would show you the standard product info page, clicking on "1.2M" would go to the download page and start downloading after a few seconds, and clicking on "Freeware" would let you go to the developers page (extra click needed in this case).

Timothy Maxwell · Mar 9, 2003, 06:40 PM

That's true. You can directly download from VT by clicking on the size label. Also, with VT, you can search for other categories of software. For example, you can search for all software for the Palm OS that is related to a particular program type. If I wanted to find all programs used for contact management I could use a key word that would bring up related software.

You could do the same for the PC or MAC as well.

macupdate · Mar 10, 2003, 02:13 AM

Actually, you can't direct download files from VT by clicking on the size unless your a paying member. It still brings you to an middle download page that has ads, and from there forwards you to the direct download link. MacUpdate doesn't have this. it's an immediate download.

Timothy Maxwell · Mar 10, 2003, 11:16 AM

That's true. It does take you to a web page that loaded with advertising. But it does begin the download immediately.

But, what about the availability of searching for other progarms outsided of the Mac platform. Does MacUpdate provide that ability?

tikki · Mar 10, 2003, 11:21 AM

Originally posted by Timothy Maxwell:

But, what about the availability of searching for other progarms outsided of the Mac platform. Does MacUpdate provide that ability?

MacUpdate.

Not ComputerUpdate.
Not PalmUpdate
Not WindowsUpdate