Manage updates with the Download AppPublisher's Description
From CBS Interactive:
CNET TechTracker is a free application from CNET that helps keep the software on your computer up-to-date and secure. TechTracker works by scanning the software installed on your computer and alerting you when updates are available. Keeping software up-to-date is important because updates often contain patches that make your computer more secure and new features that make your software better.
TechTracker leverages the CNET Download.com software catalog -- the largest catalog of software in the world -- to provide secure, spyware-free software updates. TechTracker makes it easy to keep track of all your software updates in one place and ensure you are running the latest versions.
Features:
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Receive notifications and easily install your latest software updates
- Choose how often TechTracker scans for updates
- Customize your applications list by hiding or skipping notifications
- See product ratings and software info.
What's new in this version:
- Bug Fixes related to TechTracker client crashes in Lion 10.7
More Popular Operating Systems & Updates downloads
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2,273 downloads
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739 downloads
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556 downloads
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All versions:
1.9 starsout of 171 votes
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Current version:
1.5 starsout of 18 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"Very useful; some glitches with product versions"
Version: CNET TechTracker 2.1.1
Pros
Keeps me aware of updates; consolidates updating
Cons
some glitches with product versions
Summary
Very useful
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"Saying that this is for mac may not be correct."
Version: CNET TechTracker 2.1.1
Pros
Very good at automatically updating your software!
Cons
Says that it is for mac? so why is the preview of Windows 7?
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"LESS THAN WORTHLESS!!! (IF THAT'S EVEN POSSIBLE.)"
Version: CNET TechTracker 2.1.1
Pros
It teaches you not to trust this company! Actually, it provides a potentially good target for a class action lawsuit! These are the only "pros" that come to mind.
Cons
Completely wastes your time and energy! It's a sham, a disgrace and sullies the names of those, including the company, associated with it. Were the use of profanity permitted, it would be completely appropriate.
Summary
It does virtually nothing correctly except succeed at frustrating any potential user.
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"I wouldn't even bother with this"
Version: CNET TechTracker 2.1.1
Pros
It's a nice way to stay informed of when app updates are available.
Cons
Basically everything else. It hardly works. It flat-out ignores settings to blacklist applications from being checked for updates or to automatically download updates. You might as well not even bother with blacklisting, say, stock Apple software, because TechTracker will simply "forget" you ever blacklisted it in the first place and it will indicate updates for things like iLife apps, Safari, and iTunes, and you'll randomly find it hogging bandwidth as it downloads these updates in the background. Not to mention how idiotic it is that it checks these particular apps for updates to begin with, considering Software Update handles them already, and unlike TechTracker, won't report updates if your version of OS X is incompatible with them. TechTracker also reports updates when you're already up-to-date, fails to catch some updates, and repeatedly tries to get you to upgrade software to versions that are either incompatible with your OS X version or require a paid license.
Summary
Basically, using TechTracker is more tedious than simply handling updates manually by yourself. It's a piece of garbage which has shown zero signs of improvement in its history, so don't count on it getting any better. It's obvious CNET put basically zero effort into QA and bug fixing, so why bother writing the software in the first place?
I have just discovered that TechTracker, and CNET's installer, occasionally and surreptitiously installs malware on your PC without your knowledge or consent (http://forums.cnet.com/7723-7598_102-568380/coupon-companion-adware/ ). I just discovered that I had adware called Coupon Companion installed on my PC since 1/30/13, the same day I installed Windows 7 and used CNET's services to download and install my software. As TechTracker, and Download.com in general, is infecting PCs with malware, be it intentional or due to sheer incompetence of the development team, I recommend anybody using TechTracker and/or Download.com to cease using these services immediately. CNET cannot be trusted.
Updated on Feb 27, 2013 -
"Crash prone"
Version: CNET TechTracker 2.1.1
Pros
Helps identify old software but applicaiton suffers from numerous issues that prevent it from being a truely good application.
Cons
Applicaiton crashes on my main PC. Numerous false positives.
Summary
SUMO is a much better application for identifying software updates.
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"*** Why does this app install itself?"
Version: CNET TechTracker 2.1.1
Pros
None, it's crap
Cons
Installs it's self, can't find it in apps, no response from Cnet, stay away or it will take over your computer.
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"Slows Computer Down"
Version: CNET TechTracker 2.1.1
Pros
Generally good information about outdated software
Cons
No distinction is made between updates (free) and upgrades (fee). They should be in different groups.But the worst thing about this is that Apple identified TTEngine, which is associated with this application, to be responsible for the slow performance of my very speedy computer. I even thought I needed to get more RAM, but it didn't help. Now I find that CNET Tracker is responsible. It's just not worth it.
Summary
Nothing to add to above.
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"I found that techtracker was ok but created some issues"
Version: CNET TechTracker 2.1.1
Pros
I really did find much good other than at first it seemed neat to see some activity, like updates for Adobe. But my Microsoft windows 9 really alerts me anyway or does updates automatically
Cons
My comuter ran really slow, took forever to get articles to come up when I click on one from my Google home page, or like anywhere else. I untintalled it and things seem to be working better.
Has anyone had this same problem and know why? Is it like constantly working to scan for updates and using too much of whatever? -
"It Don't work on PPC Machines, older versions do!"
Version: CNET TechTracker 2.1.1
Pros
It works good on Intel Machines!
Cons
The support peeps don't care it don't work on PPC machines!
Summary
Support your stuff!
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"poor but essential"
Version: CNET TechTracker 2.1.1
Pros
unfortunately essential to have for updates, not all apps are supported by this and other updaters
Cons
reports an annoying number of false positives
has got worse over time,
other app updaters always report this as not up to date, so it is clearly not using the APIs correctly in itself and in detecting
does it use the sparkle api, correctly or not?
plethora of update methods, download, smart install, standard install, go to app site,
does not recognise correctly that some apps are only/best updated by mac app storeSummary
getting a lot worse
