MacFreeware Update: An Auto-Updater for Freeware
If you’re like me, you’re frequently bored, have obnoxious siblings, have a never-ending to-do list, and have more Mac Applications than the stars in the sky. My applications folder is an unorganized mess. This folder does not resemble my personality, as I like everything up to date and orderly. MacFreeware Update helps me keep my applications as updated as possible.
MacFreeware Update waits in your menubar for the chance to be used. There are two ways of updating with this program. 1) You can activate a daemon to check for updates every hour, day, week, or month. 2) You can select the “check for updates” button located on the main window.
Aside from what this application actually does, it has a wonderful interface and is very user friendly. There is really no need for any explanation on how to use the program, because there is only one button that actually needs to be pressed in order for the searching to begin. The button with the user icon on it displays the programs “credits,” the application button lists the programs that will be checked for updates, and the cog displays the program’s preferences.
So far, 380+ 3rd party Mac applications can be checked for updates. After you run MacFreeware Update, it displays your apps that have new versions available. Check/uncheck the programs you want updated, and MacFreeware Update will do the rest. By selecting the question mark on the main window, you get instructions on how to add programs to the update list (you must have Property List Editor installed).
Although MacFreeware Update is always being updated, it still has a bug or two. Developers “package” applications for download in different ways. Some are compressed into .dmg files, others .sit files, and sometimes, they are compressed into .zip files. Because of the way some applications are compressed, they can not be auto-installed (for example most disk image files). As of right now, the only solution is to install these programs manually. Besides this, and a minor interface glitch, MacFreeware Update is an amazingly useful and usable program.
If you would like to keep your 3rd party programs updated, download MacFreeware Update today.
personally, i really like the application update widget (free) that scans multiple sites and covers commercial and freeware quite well…
@dave
yea me 2 its free and it is similar except with less settings but still small and all i really need