Download.com site feedback: VersionTracker Pro, a new CNET service
- 11/20/07 2:04 PM
VersionTracker Pro, a new CNET service
by peterbutler - 11/20/07 2:04 PM
Last year CNET ran a survey asking our users where we as an organization could provide more value to our audience. One of the most requested items was that we provide computer users a better way to keep their machines up-to-date.
In September 2007, CNET acquired VersionTracker Pro (trial versions for Windows and Mac) as part of the TechTracker network (VersionTracker.com, MacFixit.com, and iPhone Atlas). VersionTracker Pro is the industry-leading product for keeping your computer up-to-date. As we continue to develop the technology, we want to build the best product possible—and in order to do that we look forward to more feedback from you, our customers.
With this in mind, we have started a forum topic. Please direct all your communication regarding VersionTracker Pro to this forum. The team and other customers will be monitoring and contributing to the conversation.
Let us know how we can help provide you with a better experience.
What new features should we include in future versions?
What some of the forum members are looking for
by PudgyOne - 11/20/07 3:27 PM In reply to: VersionTracker Pro, a new CNET service by peterbutler
is catchup. It was a program that CNET used. It would look into your computer and tell you what needed updated.
It was similar to the Update Checker, found here.
I haven't gotten out my old backup disk, for my old computer, but I might still have the downloaded program the CNET used for it.
Is there any chance that CNET will be bringing back catchup?
Rick
Or alternatively...
by John.Wilkinson
- 11/22/07 6:38 PM
In reply to: What some of the forum members are looking for by PudgyOne
A freeware version of VersionTracker, either with limited features or perhaps an advertising banner embedded in the app like Microsoft experimented with during Windows Live Mail's early beta period. I never used Catchup back then, but a freeware option outside of the download.com Watchlist would certainly be appreciated.
John
What features would you be interested in?
by dsmedley - 12/19/07 4:00 PM In reply to: Or alternatively... by John.Wilkinson
VersionTracker Pro for Windows looks for both software and hardware updates. If you were to have a limited free feature set what would you want?
A few thoughts...
by John.Wilkinson - 12/20/07 4:58 PM
In reply to: What features would you be interested in? by dsmedley
First, the current free trial does not, in my opinion, give a proper representation of what the product can do. If you run the free scan the VersionTracker Pro Scan Results window takes focus, permitting you to see a short list of the obsolete programs/drivers but none of the details. I can't see the new version number, a download link, etc. to confirm it's a valid find or a list of what programs it is/isn't searching for updates to, nor can I test the functionality of retrieving the download, skipping the version, etc. I can see File, View, ListActions, Tools, and Help menus, but have no idea what functionality is contained therein because the menus have been completely disabled.
The description on download.com states the limitations are "1 free scan; purchase required to install updates" but based on the above I would say that's a vast understatement. Almost all of the functionality is hidden, giving the reviewer/user extremely little to make a proper determination on. If I were reviewing VersionTracker on that demo alone I would have to agree with the 1/5 star rating it currently possesses based on 161 user votes. Thus, my first recommendation would be to ease the restrictions on the demo version, at least adhering to the "1 free scan; purchase required to install updates" stated on the download page.
That said, in a free version I would ideally want to see a full list of product updates that are available, including the version installed and the latest version. However, I would expect the download option to be removed, eliminating the convenience as RadarSync (previously heavily advertised for by Cnet) has done in their free scan. Beyond that, I would not be adverse to seeing an advertising banner embedded into the application, a reminder upon launch to upgrade to the full version, and/or a limitation to the number of updates that can be found per run. Beyond that, though, I can't say as I have yet to be given the opportunity to test the program properly, as per the above-stated limitations.
John
Tracker Pro
by BonzMalone23 - 5/23/09 6:06 AM In reply to: What some of the forum members are looking for by PudgyOneIt is not correct in it's information. I called Dell to see if the suggested drivers are out dated and they said...NO.
VersionTracler Pro not up to par?
by sagotillo - 11/28/07 3:37 PM In reply to: VersionTracker Pro, a new CNET service by peterbutler
Okay, getting here from the Versiontracker Pro website is not easy, sign up to another forum, search for the forum etc. etc.
Versiontracker Pro 4.5 is great, but inexact. The list of "my versions" is out of date and shows versions long updated. (4.2.2 wasn't much better)
In the new version sometimes the window that pops up showing latest releases (these are usually accurate) now do not always permit you click on the icon of the application to see its name. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.
Customer service is also flacky. I have a Versiontracker / Macfixit Pro bundle and often I do not get all the email alerts I have signed up for. I email tech support or fill out the web form and usually get no answer or an automatically generated reply.
I have a Macbook Pro Core duo 2, 2.33 ghz, 2 gb ram running OSX 10.4.10
Software matching issues and receiving MacFixIt Pro alerts
by smedleyd - 11/30/07 3:05 PM
In reply to: VersionTracler Pro not up to par? by sagotillo
Thank you for your note; I’m sorry you had a hard time finding the forum section, it’s new and we will be working to make links to it more visible. We are working hard to improve the software matching in 4.5 and we can use your help. When you have an item that does not match if you click on the report icon you can send a report directly to the content team who will work to solve the matching problem.
The problem you are having with getting your email alerts for MacFixIt Pro is a known issue that is a priority for us and we are working on.
Thank you
How do i get rid of versiontracker pro
by higgisf1999 - 12/4/07 11:08 AM In reply to: VersionTracker Pro, a new CNET service by peterbutler
I've tried to uninstall it but it will not let me do it.Can anybody help me.
Uninstalling VersionTracker Pro
by smedleyd - 12/5/07 3:32 PM
In reply to: How do i get rid of versiontracker pro by higgisf1999
Even though VersionTracker Pro allows you to uninstall applications, you can not uninstall VersionTracker Pro from VersionTracker Pro because you can not uninstall an application that is running. If this is what you are trying to do, please quit the application and uninstall via the Control Panel. For more detailed customer support go to: http://support.versiontracker.com.
Thank you
Uninstall Version Tracker Pro.
by mrjuke4859 - 3/3/08 12:20 PM In reply to: Uninstalling VersionTracker Pro by smedleyd
Not sure if this has already been done but here goes.
Delete the following from the Registry by going to the run prompt (usually Start >Run
1. Type regedit and press enter
2. In the left hand pane, find the "HKEY_CURRENT_USER" branch and expand it. (click the little + sign)
3. Locate and expand the "Software" branch
4. Scroll down until you find the entry "Tech Tracker"
5. RIGHT click on the "TechTracker" and TechTracker.com entries and select Delete
In windows exployer, Start >All Programs >Acessories >Windows Exployer >Programs then TechTracker and RIGHT click and delete.
This is in case you cannot uninstall for the windows Control Panel.
This is what I had to do in order to get rid of it in Vista.
Your uninstall advice seems incomplete
by purple_reading_giraffe - 3/3/08 12:47 PM In reply to: Uninstall Version Tracker Pro. by mrjuke4859This sounds like you have only deleted one registry reference and the shortcut in your programs menu. The main folder for the program is likely in your 'c:\windows\program files' folder as well, taking up space. I suspect there would be further registry entries as well, though your hack might keep it from auto-loading?
This might complete an incomplete windows add/remove programs uninstall - is that what you meant?
Please separate Mac and Windows forums as promised early on
by sagotillo - 3/3/08 2:21 PM In reply to: Uninstall Version Tracker Pro. by mrjuke4859Isn't it time to separate Mac and Windows in this forum?
I have a Mac and have issues but basically Versiontracker Pro / Macfixit are a very good and helpful source of information that have a decent piece of software for Mac.
Uninstall
by mrjuke4859 - 3/4/08 12:26 PM In reply to: Please separate Mac and Windows forums as promised early on by sagotilloIn Vista if you have your User Account Control turned off, which is usually on, then you can uninstall easier. Go to Windows Security Center and at the bottom click on User Account Control and at the bottom make sure the check mark is gone. It will tell you that this shouldn't be done, but to uninstall programs this must be done. About the Registry area, yup, I didn't get everything out. But now setting the User Account Control off I can uninstall programs. Hope this helped.
uninstall version tracker pro
by holymoly2 - 6/27/08 9:11 PM In reply to: Uninstall Version Tracker Pro. by mrjuke4859Thanks for the heads-up mrjuke. The damn thing is finally gone!
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