Comments on: Let’s Talk Software Update Practices

By: Brian

Brian — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 23:29:36 +0000

It would be nice if Apple would open up an API to “Software Update” that would allow developers to list their updates in a “Third Party” section.

By: Paul

Paul — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 14:19:15 +0000

Couldn’t agree more - the update experience on TextMate & even CSSEdit are great - one app that drives me nuts to update is MailSteward - great app, but it has updates every other week and it is a hassle to update -

By: Jason Guthrie

Jason Guthrie — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 00:24:42 +0000

This has been my biggest complaint with some of my favorite apps and widgets - like iStat widgets. I HATE being redirected to a website to download the update myself. Maybe I’m lazy, but I don’t think so. Software should make life easier and more productive, right?

By: Dave M.

Dave M. — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 17:16:31 +0000

This is also an Application being developed that will monitor all your currently installed applications and let you know when one of them has updated. It will then automate the process of installing the update if you so desire.

The application is called AppFresh. It’s beta now. However, it looks really promising.

By: Alex Decker

Alex Decker — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 17:06:43 +0000

There is a widget called App Update, that scans your applications and searches Versiontracker and MacUpdate for new versions of your apps. That just might be what your looking for…

You can find it here:

http://blog.gkaindl.com/downloads/app-update

- Alex Decker

By: Lonnie

Lonnie — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 16:19:10 +0000

You’re preaching to the choir man! I think all mac users hate to see the browser open after hitting the install/update button. We need to start a TAB Sparkle movement!

By: Paul Nowak (from Apple Blog(.pl) too :))

Paul Nowak (from Apple Blog(.pl) too :)) — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 15:52:54 +0000

@Andrew - I had to take a nap while commenting and Andrew was first But hey - it shows how well know is sparkle

By: Paul Nowak (from Apple Blog(.pl) too :))

Paul Nowak (from Apple Blog(.pl) too :)) — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 15:46:48 +0000

There is update fremawork called “sparkle” for cocoa apps.

I think it does what you’d like to see:
- True self-updating–no work required from >the user
- Sparkle is a module that developers can stick in their Cocoa applications (five-step install!) to get instant self-update functionality
- Extracts updates from .zip, .dmg, .tar, .tbz, and .tgz archives

http://sparkle.andymatuschak.org

Hope I help

By: Andrew Creek

Andrew Creek — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 15:40:12 +0000

In my opinion every piece of software on the mac should update using sparkle. I’m sure there are technical reasons why some apps don’t use it.

But in my experience it is always a great add-on to any software.