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General discussion

Introducing CNET TechTracker Plus

Sep 7, 2010 8:53AM PDT

I?m Aaron Smith, and I?m the product manager for CNET Downloads. Today I get the pleasure of writing about something that the CNET team built -- a brand new software product called CNET TechTracker Plus. This is an upgrade from CNET TechTracker, our free application that keeps software up-to-date. Since we launched TechTracker about a year ago, it has become wildly popular. People recognize that keeping software up-to-date is important and that it improves security, fixes bugs, and gives you the latest features. With today?s launch of TechTracker Plus, we are going beyond updates to give you a more complete way to manage software.

TechTracker Plus lets you perform installs, uninstalls, updates, and downloads all in one place. We?ve also added some TechTracker Plus features to CNET Downloads web pages?these features streamline installs and are visible only to TechTracker Plus customers. Our goal was to leverage the power of the CNET Downloads software catalog ? the largest catalog of its kind ? for more than just software updates and downloads.

If you aren?t yet using CNET TechTracker for your updates, we?ve recently given it a facelift so now would be a good time to check it out (http://www.cnet.com/techtracker-free). And, if you?re ready to go beyond software updates, check out CNET TechTracker Plus (http://www.cnet.com/techtracker-plus)! We?ve released it with a special introductory price of $19.99. We at CNET Downloads are really proud of what we launched today.

It has been a lot of hard work, but completely worth it. I am honored to be a part of this team. We all sincerely hope that CNET TechTracker Plus makes managing your software easier.

Discussion is locked

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Same problem
Oct 22, 2010 10:56PM PDT

Hi
I'm having much the same problem as jimbo1177 and the help center just keeps you going in circles. What would help us is if the powers that be give us a dedicated address link which would lead all of the people who forked out $20.00 to the product that we paid for.
If the problem can't be fixed then reimburse us our fees!!
glyons48

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Technical help needed
Feb 16, 2011 4:59AM PST

Same problem here. I used VersionTracker for many years with few problems but Techtracker Plus has been a headache. I have gone over and over and over the technical forums but nothing works. If a techie will contact me, I will try try again. If not, the company that I purchased this software from said I can have a refund.
Waiting for Godet. Or Techtracker Plus helper.
Jerry
Snow Leopard 10.6.6
MacBook Pro
Model Identifier: MacBookPro6,1
Processor Name: Intel Core i7
Processor Speed: 2.66 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache (per core): 256 KB
L3 Cache: 4 MB
Memory: 8 GB
Processor Interconnect Speed: 4.8 GT/s
Boot ROM Version: MBP61.0057.B0C

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RE: Technical help needed
Feb 16, 2011 7:22AM PST

Hi Jerry,

I have converted your post into a proxy ticket in our support system so that we may better assist you; you should receive an e-mail to let you know that the ticket has been submitted, and another e-mail will alert you to our response, which you may expect within one business day.

In the future, you may submit support tickets directly through our support web site by following these steps:

1. Go to http://cnet.custhelp.com
2. Click on the "E-mail Support" tab.
3. Enter the e-mail address associated with your account.
4. From the "Category:" drop-down menu, choose the "CNET TechTracker" option, and the "TechTracker General" sub-option.
5. Fill in the subject line and the "Details:" section.
6. Click the "Submit Question" button, and please be sure to follow through to the final confirmation page!

Thanks,
Jen
CNET TechTracker Support

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TechTracker won't work on 64-BIT HP system (never has!)
Oct 11, 2010 4:32PM PDT

This is very frustrating, as it has worked on my
32-BIT Gateway. It just won't on my HP. Everything
seems to go to form, but the actual download you
want NEVER appears, after going through all the
steps.
I have the HP Pavilion dv7-1175nr

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All of us need a program like TechTracker Plus, but...
Oct 14, 2010 12:13PM PDT

Hello, Everybody!
I like TechTracker and I?ve been using the Plus version for several weeks, and it fails too often.
It uses to identify nonexistent updating needs, even regarding nonexistent software. In this moment it is identifying 6 out of date applications in my computer but 5 of them are not out of date, the latest version of 1 of them doesn?t exist yet (PhotoMorph 2.7) and the 6th one is not installed in my computer!
Please, TechTracker Plus users ?we need this software- let?s help by posting-threading feedback.
Touchito

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Choose Application after selecting download now.
Oct 24, 2010 5:11AM PDT

Just upgraded to TechTracker Plus. When I select 'Download Now' to update software, it asks me to choose an application. HELP!! What application am I suppose to select? Thanks. hopearl

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Got an answer?
Feb 24, 2011 8:54PM PST

I have the same problem - did you ever get an answer?

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RE: Got an answer?
Feb 25, 2011 2:13AM PST

Hi HHecht,

I see that you submitted a support ticket about this issue earlier this month; unfortunately, it was routed to the wrong queue, so you did not get an appropriately helpful reply. I sincerely apologize for that confusion. I have moved your support ticket to the appropriate queue in our system, so you should receive a reply very shortly (and you will get an e-mail to notify you when we reply).

Regards,
Jen
CNET TechTracker Support

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wanting to buy--to worried about TechTracker Plus weaknesses
Dec 21, 2010 3:28PM PST

Sorely tempted to purchase with the holiday special at $19 but the program seems to still have too many flaws.

For example I have a legit s/n for Cyberlink DVD I think version 6. But TechTracker tells me there is a version 7 available. Yeah, sure, but not one that will work with my serial number. So there needs to be more distinctions made between types of software. Downloads need to be flagged as trialware, freeware, etc. and the appropriate recommendations should be made.

Another problem: beta vs. release. FileHippo does a much better job at distinguishing different versions. I'd like a check box that indicates I'm interested in the latest beta releases both for "all programs" or the option to indicate only certain titles should always take a new beta release.

Keep working on the app -- it's really needed. I'll buy later when it's improved.

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A couple comments...
Dec 21, 2010 10:34PM PST

Differentiating between minor updates (6.1, 6.2, etc) verses major updated (6.0, 7.0, etc) was one of my suggestions a while back. In cases where I do not wish to upgrade to the next major release, I generally just choose to hide the product from the list. Most of the time the old version stops receiving minor updates when the new version comes out, so the 'flaw' is minor but still something I'd like to see addressed.

However, both that and the beta vs RTM issues are blocked by a significant limitation of CNET Downloads: CNET only offers the latest version supplied by the manufacturer; it does not offer old versions. If, for instance, the developer wanted to make MySoftware 2.0 beta available on CNET Downloads, the developer would need to either replace MySoftware 1.5 or create a separate product called MySoftware 2.0 beta. Either way, TechTracker users would consequently be limited; MySoftware 1.4 users would either be prompted to download MySoftware 2.0 beta, unable to choose the latest release version (1.5) or be prompted to download 1.5 without being notified that 2.0 beta is available.

That means a fundamental change to CNET Downloads must occur before TechTracker can offer the functionality we desire. I asked about such before and was told that it would be considered for future development with a solid chance of the functionality being added to the site. Until then, though, I wouldn't expect too much advancement in that direction with regard to TechTracker.

John

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with so much gear-lock one wonders what's going on at CNET
Dec 22, 2010 12:42PM PST

Even simple things like subscribing to responses on these threads aren't handled well. I get an email telling me someone has responded but I've got to hunt to find the right page... some basic dog-food tests aren't being done it seems.

I think all these "obvious problems" that don't get addressed in so many CNET products likely indicates they've have some real management problems there.

As much as I love the power of CNET and download.com -- the longevity and the usefulness of the site -- my expectations of the organization have recently become quite low.

I'm betting on start ups like filehippo to spend my attention.

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In the case of the tracked threads...
Dec 22, 2010 9:22PM PST

It's a limitation encountered when CNET moved off of Jive forum software onto their own in-house system. There wasn't enough time to add the functionality required for linking directly to a reply within the tracked thread notifications due to some other major changes occurring CNET-wide at that time, so it was postponed. However, that, along with a host of other enhancements, will be coming early next year with Phase II of the forum overhaul. I too find it an annoyance, but it's soon to be remedied.

Regards,
John