| URL | versiontracker.com |
|---|---|
| Commercial? | Yes |
| Type of site | software update tracker |
| Registration | Optional |
| Owner | CNET |
| Current status | Integrated with Download.com |
VersionTracker was a website that tracked software releases. It began as a Mac OS software tracker, eventually expanding into Mac OS X, iPhone, Microsoft Windows and Palm OS software.
VersionTracker did not host the majority of the software listed - it merely linked to them.
Browsing and searching the database was free. Paid users had access to a streamlined download process and the VersionTracker Pro software application. VersionTracker Pro tracked software versions on the user's computer and compared those versions to VersionTracker's database.
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It competes against driver/program update sniffers DriverAgent.com, RadarSync, PC Pitstop, UpdateStar, driverguide.com, drivershq.com, SUMo, and to some degree with Download.com, Softpedia, Tucows, and other file download sites, as well as MacUpdate for Macintosh software updates.
GnomeFiles and Freshmeat are similar sites that cater to the open source and Linux communities, although most software for these platforms is automatically kept up to date by a package management system.
VersionTracker was created by Kurt Christenson, a Sacramento, CA native in 1995. It started as an Apple-only site but eventually expanded to include software related to the Microsoft Windows platform.
In August 2007, VersionTracker and sister sites MacFixIt and iPhone Atlas became CNET sites.[1] CNET's Download.com promotes VersionTracker heavily on its website, through ads and following file downloads, although without specifically referencing its ownership of CNET.
In June 2008, VersionTracker migrated all user accounts to CNET's account system. This migration temporarily disabled many paid VersionTracker users' accounts for a long enough period of time that some users were compelled to contact VersionTracker for a fix.
On September 7th, 2010, VersionTracker became fully integrated into the CNET site structure and has merged with CNET's Download.com service. The software update tracking features are all still available, but the old layout is no longer used. Daily updates for programs are listed, and users can download CNET's TechTracker utility for maintaining their installed software through the Download.com site. The VersionTracker URL now redirects to the CNET Download page, which will show either the Windows or Mac version depending on the current platform being used to view the site.
The old VersionTracker Pro utility (TechTracker's predecessor) has been known to have had the lowest rating of 1 star for a long time to this day, even after being heavily promoted by CNET.[2] The new version of the software has been heavily overhauled and integrates with the CNET account and website. There are currently no equivalent star ratings for the new version of the software.
The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) has various posts from former VersionTracker users who seem to be migrating to MacUpdate rather than using CNET, which no longer includes the wealth of information formerly available at VersionTracker after 15 years of user reviews.[3]