Software Update is pretty awesome for Apple software, but have you ever wanted that functionality for the rest of your apps? 19-year-old developer Louka Desroziers created a nifty little menubar app called LogicielMac Update that checks for updates to the applications installed on your machine. There are options to automatically download the updates and install them. You can also create an ignored list of apps that you don't want to update.The app gets most of its information from LogicielMac (logiciel meaning "software," and Mac meaning "best platform ever"), a Francophonic site similar to VersionTracker and MacUpdate. But fear not, English speakers, as LogicielMac Update is localized for English. (Update: Reader Mark noticed that his copy of Firefox was updated with a French-localized version ... so take note, Anglophones! Thanks, Mark!)
The only improvement I could see is showing the difference between free updates and upgrades (that you must pay for in order to get). I always hate it when I download an upgrade without thinking, wiping out my perfectly good old copy that I paid for.
LogicielMac Update is donationware, so show Louka some love if you like what he's made. The download is 1.2MB, and Leopard is recommended. If you've felt unsatisfied by other update managers, check it out.
Thanks, Michael G!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-07-2008 @ 7:29PM
Kryptinite said...
I've been looking for something like this.
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5-07-2008 @ 7:34PM
Tom said...
You mean like AppFresh?
http://www.tuaw.com/2007/11/25/appfresh-updated-for-leopard/
5-07-2008 @ 8:06PM
Kryptinite said...
LOL...AppFresh..so there's always been something. Guess you do learn something new everyday.
5-07-2008 @ 7:34PM
Justin said...
It's a good thing you noted that he was 19 years old, otherwise I would not have been impressed.
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5-07-2008 @ 8:36PM
dazonic said...
Hmm. Jealous? What a stupid thing to say. Well done, Louka, very impressive. I'll be donating.
5-07-2008 @ 8:47PM
Ryan said...
App Update widget. free. great devs. not another app for the app folder.
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5-07-2008 @ 10:10PM
Mike G said...
Yes, AppFresh and App Update are there, but LogicielMac Update performs much faster and is far more elegant in its conception than either of them IMO. Louka also created TotalTunes Control and it's clear he has a great future as a developer.
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5-07-2008 @ 11:36PM
Chad said...
Eh, I don't see much of a need for this. Most apps already have their own update function built in. Off-hand, I'm not aware of any apps that don't do this, as everything I use has the function.
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5-08-2008 @ 4:42AM
artifex said...
"I always hate it when I download an upgrade without thinking, wiping out my perfectly good old copy that I paid for."
You shouldn't have to think about it. Good software should warn you before applying upgrades that will require more money.
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5-08-2008 @ 11:38AM
Jack said...
Be warned: it looks great, but it doesn't work (for me, at least, on a pretty clean install of 10.5.2).
Sure, it can spot the apps that need an update, and it can download the .dmg files just fine - but the final step of deleting the just-downloaded .dmg images (rm style - completely gone) before you have a chance to mount it is not so helpful! At least, this is what it does if you set it to download to your Downloads folder, and uncheck the auto-installation option.....
The only time it didn't delete the file it downloaded was when - another bug - it downloaded a "click here to download" type .html document instead of the desired app.
Did you actually test it before making the recommendation, Robert?
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5-08-2008 @ 11:45AM
Robert Palmer said...
Not to the degree that you apparently have! Good work. I'm sure the developer will be eager to read all these comments and make improvements for the next version.
5-08-2008 @ 12:58PM
Jon K said...
Works great, except it updated Thunderbird with the new version in French.. I'd advise against letting it automatically run the updates.
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5-09-2008 @ 4:39AM
Mike G said...
In response: I have so far downloaded 10 app updates speedily and without issue.
Tip 1: Before installing updates it has always been my habit to move previous versions to a folder I named 'Old' which I added to the Finder Sidebar. This way I just slide outdated apps into that folder and avoid mishaps if there's any issue with the upgrade and I want to revert.
Tip 2: Deselect auto-installation in LMU's prefs so you maintain control.
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