September 17, 2009 2:00 PM PDT

Introducing CNET TechTracker 1.0

by Jessica Dolcourt
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About a month ago, we revealed CNET TechTracker beta, a new, free application for Windows computers that helps you make certain your installed apps are up-to-date. After receiving feedback from an army of volunteer testers, CNET now introduces the first general release of CNET TechTracker 1.0.

Here's a crash course on how it works. You download CNET TechTracker to your PC, where it spends a few minutes scanning your hard drive for all your software. After that, every time a new update arrives, you'll see an alert message pop up from the TechTracker icon in the task tray. You can also hover the cursor over the icon to see how many updates await, or click the icon to list them by name.

The TechTracker app saves the version details on a personalized Web page where you can download the most recent update for your outdated software, and see at a glance which other programs you have installed. It is CNET's editorial policy not to review our own software, but we'd love for you to review us. Give CNET TechTracker 1.0 a spin. Then, tell us what you like and what you think could use work. The TechTracker team is listening.

Jessica Dolcourt reviews the latest and greatest smartphone apps, in addition to a healthy dose of Windows software. E-mail Jessica and follow her on Twitter.
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The Download Dispatch

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CNET TechTracker,

Tech Tracker

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Add a Comment (Log in or register) Showing 1 of 2 pages (24 Comments)
by bradward747 September 21, 2009 4:35 PM PDT
Very nice. I also use filehippo's update checker.

I am sure this will be much easier for people to realize that they have out of date software. It helps that cnet has a huge software database.
Reply to this comment
by Black_Magic001 September 22, 2009 1:46 AM PDT
It's a very well done application. Fast database lookup to see what I need. Similar to FileHippo's tool, only more complete in the sense that it detected more of my applications.

All it needs to really impress me is a feature which can monitor a folder on my local machine (or a folder on a network machine) to determine if I have the latest version of my applications downloaded there... If it IS there, skip the download, possibly copy it to the local machine and offer to install. If it's not already downloaded, download it to that location.

This would mean my networked computers would be much easier to update.

I'll be using this, so thankyou very much.
Reply to this comment
by notev September 22, 2009 2:08 AM PDT
Right on the money!. Also - a simple choice for each specific app would be nice, for choosing whether I want to 1] auto-update the app, or 2] download the file & wait or 3] do nothing.
by gharvey50 September 22, 2009 2:58 AM PDT
I agree. If the program would download the file and give you the option of installing and/or not installing would be a great option. I like that it points out what needs updating but when you select the update feature it gives you the Microsoft site and you have to pick and choose from there.
by AySz88 September 22, 2009 1:55 AM PDT
There was a program you guys had a long time ago called "CNet Update" or "...Upgrade" something similar, that did the same thing. Glad to see it's back!
Reply to this comment
by gidea_ninja September 22, 2009 4:19 AM PDT
-catchmeup i think it was called
by gharvey50 September 22, 2009 2:59 AM PDT
Nice feature but it should download and ask if you would like to install. This would be a really geat feature.
Reply to this comment
by September 22, 2009 3:45 AM PDT
Iīm a Dolcourt reader since immemorial times - Congratulations. Couldnīt you add a driverīs update software as well, in order to break the Mafia of driverīs update softwares. Some drivers you never find unless you pay for it. Tks., Cnet
Reply to this comment
by kjeldc September 22, 2009 3:47 AM PDT
SecuniaPSI have been around for a while now. It's free and does the same
Reply to this comment
by Eirinn2 September 22, 2009 4:08 AM PDT
Thanks to the Tech-team and the beta-testers for this terrific programme. Have had it installed for 10 or so days now and think it's brilliant! I've recommended it friends and family.
Once again, thank-you.
Reply to this comment
by gidea_ninja September 22, 2009 4:18 AM PDT
i use filehippo.coma lot http://www.filehippo.com/
Its clean and easy.

One of my concerns with "techtracker" is that some time ago CNET had a similar program. I paid a monthly service for this. This was before i found filehippo. They also had something called catch-me-up. Loved that! it was awesome!
Anyway my concern is that its free now. It sucks us in and we rely on it for so long. Then they start charging.
Reply to this comment
by belleaulake September 22, 2009 5:52 AM PDT
It works like crap. It tells me for instance my Limewire is out of rev. I have a higher rev (5.2.13) than TT says is the latest ( 5.1.4).
Realplayer, TT show latest version to be 11, I have and have had version 12.0.0.196 for sometime.
Skype, first time it scanned it said I was out of revision, but I had a higher one than TT reported, then the next day it said i was fine without any changes. It still shows a lower rev than I have
Reply to this comment
by tecdoc01 September 22, 2009 6:07 AM PDT
Good app! There are several of these updates that are purchases that I don't want to make right now. It would be nice to have an option to not show chosen updates. Right now it shows 9 updates, and I don't want any of them.
Reply to this comment
by northstarvance September 22, 2009 7:53 AM PDT
The Beta version that I tried was fantastic. So many times, even though I use other programs to check if my apps are updated, I forget to go there. With Tech Tracker, it is right in the tray and in front of you so your programs or apps get updated much sooner! Great reminder and aid in expedient updating.
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by donneetee September 22, 2009 8:50 AM PDT
so far so good !
would be nice to be able to edit the list though (remove unwanted items - without having to uninstall them.
Reply to this comment
by bikerdad92 September 22, 2009 9:14 AM PDT
When I install up dates. The program doesn't update it self. Still shows the same things out of date.
Reply to this comment
by h161161 September 22, 2009 11:29 AM PDT
Ummmm.... I think I will wait for a lil more longe3r and see some more positive resultws before I jump the fence...
Reply to this comment
by beacher126 September 22, 2009 11:31 AM PDT
I tried TechTracker(Beta) and was not pleased with at all,it kept telling me that I needed to update some software and I would go through the process of updating,but it would continue to tell me that I needed to update the same software over&over. I figured it was just that it was the Beta version and it would probably be okay once the final version came out. Well,Not, It keeps doing the same thing with the final version and as such I uninstalled it. P.S. I know for a fact that all of my software is up to date so I don't know why TechTracker is telling me different. Guess it still has some bugs left in it. Hope they get fixed cause it would be a great program to have. you guys have always streered me right so here's hoping you can do it again.
Reply to this comment
by chessman261 September 22, 2009 3:48 PM PDT
is it free or do I have to pay for it?
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by techsavvytigress September 22, 2009 11:19 PM PDT
Hate to put a damper on things, but this program was a complete DISASTER for my system. I only had it for 12 hours and it nearly wiped out my computer. It kept saying I needed to download updates for programs I already updated via it's 1st review of my system.(by the way, it didn't download updates; it downloaded the entire program via a CNET link). Then Ad-Aware SE issued 2 separate warnings for some kind of infection acquired during the download of one of the recommended updates, for which I had already updated. The second infection was considered "severe" and required a complete restart to insure it's compete removal, which initiated Bootvis to give me a clean boot. I had to do a System Restore to get my computer working normal again. So, for me, NOT SO HOT!
Reply to this comment
by belleaulake September 23, 2009 7:40 AM PDT
Just an additional comment, I did log the concerns...errors I found on each particular line, and got a response that they would be looking into the problems I had. Been aabout a week now, and Im going to delete this program, because it seems to drag my system down at startup. It seemes to scan for about 20 minutes and I still get the same stupid responses
Reply to this comment
by hnoii September 23, 2009 2:41 PM PDT
I just gave TechTracker a test run. It was fast and easy. I experienced no problems, save that fact that the program 'Wise Registry Cleaner' is not recognized as being updated in spite of my new installation (I repeated it just to make sure).

But the other dozen or so programs were listed as out-of-date. I used the TechTracker scan results to easily get everything else in good, current order. TechTracker is a good idea, and it performs as promised. Thanks!
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by tovalues September 27, 2009 12:19 PM PDT
With me, TechTracker is very precious. Thank you very much.
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Showing 1 of 2 pages (24 Comments)

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