Many recent Mac OS X apps automatically check for updates and keep themselves current, but for those who always want to run the latest versions, managing apps that don't do this can be a real hassle. While there are options like VersionTracker or desktop applications like LogicielMac Update, they all pale in comparison to the combo I'm introducing today.

iusethis.com #

iusethis.com is a social network where you can register and share the Mac OS X apps you use.

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After signing up on the site, you can use an app called imakeprofile to automatically scan the apps installed on your Mac and register the ones you primarily use to iusethis.com. If an app you use isn't listed yet, you can also add it yourself.

Once registered, the service fetches information on the latest versions, allowing you to see if updates are available. You can also read reviews and see who else is using the app. On top of that, it includes simple social networking features like a Twitter-style Follow function, so you can keep track of what apps other people are using.

By the way, here is what the apps I use look like.

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There is also a Facebook app available, catering to the urge to shout, "Look at the apps I use!" It will likely support OpenSocial before long, too.

AppFresh #

AppFresh is a software update tool that works in tandem with iusethis.com. It automatically checks for the latest versions against the iusethis.com database and lets you know which ones can be updated. You can download and install updates right on the spot, or choose to just download them. It also supports Growl, notifying you when downloads and installations are complete.

Summary #

By leveraging the collective intelligence of users drawn in by the fun of a social network, AppFresh and iusethis.com solve what is otherwise a tedious task for app developers and site admins. It might just be the ultimate combo for keeping track of updates across a comprehensive range of applications.

Note: In many cases, apps automatically check for updates using a protocol called AppCast, which includes the app's resource URL in an RSS 2.0 enclosure.