Having undergone its third name change in three versions, UpdateAgent Online 3.0 represents the latest version of the automated software updating utility from Insider Software. Beyond the addition of "Online" to its name, which designates the difference between the CD and online editions of the product, version 3.0 adds a couple long-awaited features and updates the interface, making the utility more attractive than ever before.
UpdateAgent is a very simple and easy application to set up and use. You select which drives you wish to scan for outdated software, and UpdateAgent then downloads a database file (a few hundred KB in size) which it uses to compare the versions of your installed software with the latest versions. Scanning your drive is quick; a 4 GB HFS+ drive with 50,000 files took less than a couple minutes. Once complete, UpdateAgent presents you with a list of updaters that you should download or, if you must pay for the latest version, a text file that explains to you all the new features and other related information. Version 3.0 now adds the convenient feature of giving you a brief synopsis of the updater and what it adds/fixes right within UpdateAgent, so you will be able to quickly know whether the latest 4 MB download of Acrobat Reader is worth your time or if it simply fixes a few obscure bugs that don't affect you.
The interface of UpdateAgent has also been redone in version 3.0. Apart from the new look, UpdateAgent will also tell you when you last scanned your drive for updates, and breaks the preferences down into two categories: general and files. Under General preferences you can select the folder that the updates should be downloaded to and choose whether you'd like the archives to be automatically decompressed, as well as scheduling automatic updates (once a week at a specific time, for example). The Files option is new and allows you to create a list of programs that you do not wish UpdateAgent to scan for updates, as well compile a list of programs that would like UpdateAgent to check for betas (pre-release versions) of updates. It's difficult to see the logic from a convenience standpoint of being able to have UpdateAgent block out some programs, though, and it was easier in previous versions when you simply had to check a box and UpdateAgent would search for beta updates for all you programs, so you wouldn't have to manually add them to the list.
UpdateAgent Online 3.0 carries two price tags. $49.95 will entitle you to use UpdateAgent on your Mac for an entire-year, and for an unlimited number of times. The $12.95 access code allows you to use UpdateAgent once, which is convenient for users who don't frequently install software or don't need the updates the day they are released. Without an access code, UpdateAgent will simply scan your drives and tell you what updaters you need, although you won't be able to download any non-Apple updaters from Insider Software's speedy servers. The CD Edition of UpdateAgent includes quarterly mailings of 2 CDs full of updates for one year and a license to use UpdateAgent Online on all your Macs. This is convenient for network administrators, who will most likely be the only ones interested in this $199.95 option, despite being $100 cheaper than it was previously.
UpdateAgent offers an excellent service for anyone looking to have the latest, bug-free versions of their software; saving you the time of having to check company web sites or VersionTracker daily.
