CNET TechTracker forum: New versiontracker sight

I'm reminded of the saying: If it ain't broke, then don't fix it. But, you couldn't leave well enough alone, could you? Now, VersionTracker is suffering pretty much the same syndrome that afflicted MacFixIt.

My main complaint is that new layout looks cluttered and various extraneous elements intrude on the content. The old VT was easy to use, loaded quickly, and had a clean, tidy appearance.

Also, navigation is not intuitive. For example, the previous means of switching between different iterations of the Mac OS (e.g. Classic, all 10.x, 10.6 only, 10.5 only, etc.) was simple as pie. Now, instead of clicking one button or tab, we have to go to the sidebar and click multiple times to narrow the parameters.

These issues aren't enough to drive me away completely, but I'll certainly be using it less often (and, as a consequence, using MacUpdate more often).

We're definitely sorry to hear you feel that way! Of course, nothing happens over night, but we're listening and want to make the best site we can for our customers. We'll continue to refine the page over time to improve it, and we'd love to hear your feedback on what you like and what you don't.

Let us know!

If you want to know how to improve the user experience all you have to do is look back at the original VersionTracker Pro. I tried my copy today and saw it was dead so I downloaded Techtracker. What a let down. I doubt I will be spending the extra bucks to get the "Plus" version. Why did you guys have to "fix" it. VersionTracker worked great.

If there's something from VersionTracker (like the dashboard widget) that you'd like to see back, let us know! We're listening and want to provide the best features and services to our customers.

Many thanks for being loyal VersionTracker users for so many years. We know how much the site meant to people, and will work hard to make you feel the same way at CNET Downloads.

Sincerely,
Aaron Smith

First of all ScifiterX, thanks for a great list of suggestions! I'm taking note of all of them (some of which are already on our list).

This is exactly what we need to hear from users who care about software and want the best, easiest way to browse the latest releases.

Thanks again for providing honest and constructive feedback about what we can do to make things better.

-Aaron

I see the VersionTracker redirect new goes to http://download.cnet.com/3151-20_4-0.html?tag=vtredir which displays the content of http://download.cnet.com/windows/3151-20_4-0.html. This is argueably a step in the right direction but it would actually serve the users better to extend that same idea to http://download.cnet.com/3151-20_4-0.html so it loads the contents of http://download.cnet.com/windows/3151-20_4-0.htm or http://download.cnet.com/mac/3151-20_4-0.htm based on browser info much like the way http://download.cnet.com loads http://download.cnet.com/windows/ or http://download.cnet.com/mac/ or http://www.versiontracker.com loaded http://www.versiontracker.com/mac/ or http://www.versiontracker.com/windows/.

I agree with the many criticisms mentioned so far. Add to this my frustration at the horrible window which always pops up that causes Safari to hang and the spinning rainbow ball of eternity to thwart any attempt to do anything else in Safari. The window text begins with "VERSIONTRACKER.COM IS NOW OFFICIALLY INTEGRATED WITH CNET DOWNLOADS - THE LARGEST CATALOG OF SOFTWARE IN THE WORLD.

The team who brought you VersionTracker is part of the team that now brings you CNET Downloads; we are the same people who have been with you for years......."

No matter how many times I've checked "Don't Show This Message Again", it pops up. I've trashed all my cookies for the site, but still this horrible window pops up and grinds away at my time and patience. Also windows popup with flash ads right in front of the main content with the option to skip this ad. What gives with this perpetration?

Well you're not the same people I've been with for years. The people I've been with for years (with MacFixIt and VersionTracker) had respect for me and the other readers, kept the pages simple, fast, informative and intuitive in exchange for viewing numerous ads that were well placed and didn't interfere with the core purpose of the page. Fix this or bring back back the old page or you'll lose a lot of previously loyal readers including me.

"No matter how many times I've checked "Don't Show This Message Again", it pops up. I've trashed all my cookies for the site, but still this horrible window pops up and grinds away at my time and patience. Also windows popup with flash ads right in front of the main content with the option to skip this ad. What gives with this perpetration?"

Alas, cookies are there for that: throw them away and you will look to cnet as a first time user coming
to their page.
I do exactly like you, clean away cookies when I quit my browsers. I do not like any BigBrother keeping
track of what I'm doing

cnet should take care of this and stop the annoying window..but it's not my problem anymore
at least till some friend will tell me the page has been redone the way we liked it.
I come here just for this thread when I see a new post, hoping in a miracle

Tips for cnet: just go back to the page we were used 3 years ago and please do the same with MacFixit
Thanks, a lot, if you could do that

If it was only that, check those:

Forum feedback: Bye, bye versiontracker.com

http://forums.cnet.com/5208-7598_102-0.html?messageID=3371403#3371403


If nothing is done soon I'm leaving for MacUpdate as well.

"Just a quick note to let people know that the issue with the popup message reappearing after checking the "Do not show again" box has been fixed."

Yeah....maybe on the planet Aaron....but not here. Those damn popups keep coming up, no matter how many times I click the Do Not Show Again box. Whoever told you this was fixed lied to you. It aint fixed.

Hi Coyne,

I'm sorry to hear you feel that way. If you're encountering problems with TechTracker's accuracy, we definitely want to hear about it!

You can quickly provide feedback about errors you find about specific software applications by using the Feeback link for the software in question. This link should appear next to the software name on your TechTracker My Software page, right next to the link that expands the Info & Settings pane.

I hope that helps. Thanks for trying out TechTracker!

-Aaron

this was my default page...
my goto page...
the was the site I would send my clients to, for TRUSTED updates

now, it's just another clutter filled, small print page that ... I will not recommend or go back to

why did CNET buy this site ?
were they buying a profitable biz ... or killing the competition ???

Hi Cowicide,

Rest assured, we are in the process of migrating all VersionTracker user reviews and ratings into CNET Downloads. It's going to take a little time to get them moved over, as we're dealing with two completely different systems.

We know how important your reviews are, and we're working to keep all of them around and available.

-Aaron

I've been a VersionTracker reader for literally years. I was well aware of Download.com and made the choice to go to VT... Like many VT readers I suspect. Now they've officially put the bullet in VTs head, you're going to make me go to MacUpdate? Hopefully they will blossom to fill the void.