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April 3, 2007

Filehippo's Software Update Checker

I was complaining in a post from January that Google Pack could be a very cool package if it had an API that allows it to check a wide variety of software for updates. Google Pack only includes Google's software and a small list of other free applications like Firefox, Adobe Reader, RealPlayer.

Filehippo, one of the best sites where you can download high-quality software, launched Update Checker, a small utility that scans your computer for installed software and displays a list of updates. While the software doesn't require installation, it doesn't check for updates periodically and must be manually launched. Another inconvenient is that you have to manually download and install the updates.

The software is in beta, so it wouldn't surprise if it adds these features in the next versions.

28 comments:

  1. I think this is terrific! Who knew other companies could also produce free products solely for the benefit of people?! ;]

    GOOD JOB FILEHIPPO!!

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  2. But... It runs in linux?
    jejeje...

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  3. No, it's Windows-only (it even uses .Net Framework). All the software hosted at Filehippo is for Windows.

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  4. unfortunately need "frame..* something " to run properly...

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  5. Ubuntu does it automatically without installing any additional software.

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  6. That's really nice! 14 updates, who knew? I'd love to have this in my systray.

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  7. sudo apt-get update
    sudo apt-get upgrade

    No extra software needed.

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  8. Just set it to run as a scheduled task if you want it to go automatically.

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  9. Of course you can set up a a scheduled task, but the program only opens a web page with a list of updates. If the program at least downloaded the updates, the scheduled task would be more useful.

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  10. Try AppSnap. It does some of this and a lot more.

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  11. C|Net had a similar thing called "Catch Up" back in the day, run through an applet on the site instead of a small executable on the user's machine. It would then load a page with programs and drivers that had been updated with links to them on download.com. They discontinued this service years ago though, and I've been pining like a Parrot for the fjords for something to take its place.

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  12. Yes, Tim, I mentioned about this. It's really strange that Microsoft didn't consider improving their "Add & remove programs" with an (auto-)update feature a la Google Pack.

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  13. You can also try Appupdater. It will automatically install updates in the background.

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  14. there is also Update Notifier from cleansofts.org

    does the same thing but the results are displayed in the program, not on a webpage

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  15. well i downloaded the new toy from filehippo up date checker and it didnt work on my putter i already had 2.0 installed . it might work on some others but didnt on mine so i told filehippo about it

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  16. downloade avg 8.0 on here and it has corrupted files

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  17. You can download Radarsync, which does the same thing as filehippo but it's an app, also downloads the updates for you, and it also finds updates for your drivers. The software used to cost, but now its free. www.radarsync.com

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  18. Radarsync is a terrible software: don't even bother downloading it. The app doesn't let you select the updates you want to install, the download locations are usually inaccurate and you must pay to automatically check for updates.

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  19. None of what u say has anything to do with reality. It does let you choose what to install and it doesn't charge you for anything. Maybe it's been a few years since you've looked at the app, but it's definitely the best one out there these days.

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  20. Nope, I've just tried it and I uninstalled it after 30 minutes. Horrible application! (Not to mention that the application linked from the homepage didn't install in Vista and I had to install the 2008 version or something.)

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  21. From your application's help pages:

    "If you've purchased RadarSync -Paid, you can save yourself the hassle of
    remembering to update your computer by configuring RadarSync to check
    periodically for updates."

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  22. Amazing when people who are supposed to be literate can't read.

    1. the application is called RadarSync 2008. It's for vista, says so right on the home page.

    2. it checks for updates whenever u want. if you want it to sit in your system tray and check in the background every day or week, you can pay. otherwise u just launch it from the toolbar everyday like I do.

    Whatever. It's better than filehippo, which is a great app anyway as I said in my first post.

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  23. The application that I downloaded by clicking on the huge button from the homepage doesn't work in Vista. It opens a command line prompt which closes in 2-3 seconds. I had to find another version (radarsync2008.exe or something) that actually worked in Vista.

    I didn't claim Filehippo's updater is better, but at least that application is simple and works well.

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  24. Hi Alex-This is Asher from RadarSync Ltd. I came across your comments and if I may, I would like to tech support you on the download and installation problem you've mentioned in this great blog. Can you pls send me a message at http://www.radarsync.com/contact with some details on your PC, like PC vendor & model, OS and browser and mark it "Attention: Asher". I will take care of it the same day, I promise, and I'm really sorry about the troubles.

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  25. filehippo udc is out of beta now! http://www.filehippo.com/updatechecker/FHsetup.exe

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  26. and it su**c big time. 99% time 404 filenot found

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  27. FileHippo is simply GREAT, so is its update checker:) I've never had any problems with it and will go on using the application as well as the website content.

    Update Checker v1.036 --> http://www.filehippo.com/updatechecker/FHSetup.exe

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  28. Simply wonderful checker

    Check this one too: http://www.getfiles.in

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