If you obsess over keeping things up-to-date like I do then you've probably discovered what a ridiculous pain it currently is. Right now each operating system pursues updates differently and the only operating system I've used that has an integrated system-wide update application is Linux. Not only that, when it updates it does it while being quick, easy, and out of the way. As for Mac OS and Windows they narrow-mindedly only update their own system software. With Windows the update utility takes control of Internet Explorer so you can't browse at the same time, unless you use Firefox. Either way add-on utilities like WindizUpdate are real handy for improving the Windows Update experience. As for updating games, Windows obviously has the most advanced options since it's the only OS that actually has any real games to play.
As for software companies like Adobe, Real, and Google they all seem to love installing their own worthless update utilities due to the lack of foresight by Apple and Microsoft. In most cases these utilities are more problematic than they are helpful. I don't how many times I've been bothered in the past to update Adobe Acrobat, luckily Adobe fixed most problems with version 8. I practically have to update every bit of software on my Mac every time I use something. It's probably because the only application I use daily is my web browser.
MAC UPDATERS:
VersionTracker Pro
MAC UNINSTALLERS:
Uninstaller
Yank
AppDelete
AppTrap
AppZapper
WINDOWS UPDATERS:
delicious - Windows Update bookmarks (List)
AutoPatcher
Appupdater
FileHippo.com - Update Checker
SoftWire
SUMo
VersionTracker Pro
WindizUpdate
Windows Update
WINDOWS UNINSTALLERS:
Download.com (List)
BetaMarker (List)
Download Squad (List)
Absolute Uninstaller
Microsoft - Windows Installer Clean Up
Revo Uninstaller
Your Uninstaller!
WINDOWS DRIVER UPDATERS:
Driver Agent
Driver Detective (Shareware)
DriverMax
PitStop
ProSoft Driver Update
RadarSync
WINDOWS GAME UPDATERS:
Xfire
Comrade
Steam
GameShadow (aka Metaboli)
Isotx Crosus
APPLICATION SPECIFIC UPDATERS:
Adobe Update Manager
Apple Software Updater
Google Updater
RealDownload
Firefox Update Notifier
RELATED ARTICLES:
The Steam Platform
GamesIndustry.biz - Gathering Steam
