SUMo: Keep your PC programs up-to-date

Filed under: Utilities, Windows, Productivity, Freeware

SUMo: Keep your PC programs up-to-date

by Simon Kerbel Jan 18th 2008

If you're like us, you like to keep on top of the latest software updates, OS updates, and so on. However, it gets a bit unruly having to open each piece of software you have on your PC and running the "check for updates" option for each one.

Recently released SUMo 1.4 (stands for Software Update Monitor) will save you the work. SUMo automatically scans your PC for installed programs and searches for updates.

We had a little trouble downloading the SUMo program from the primary download site, and eventually had to end up using the secondary FTP site. Once downloaded and installed, however, it was simple as pie.

The first time you run SUMo, it will prompt you to scan your PC for installed programs. If you agree, SUMo will find all the installed programs and load them into the interface, where you can check for updates with one click.

If you don't want SUMo to locate all of your programs, you can manually select which programs to scan for updates by choosing the "add" button at the bottom of the page or by dragging and dropping the executable onto the SUMo interface.

If an update is available, choose the Get Update option, and SUMo loads a helpful web page with various download locations (yes, there are ads on the page as well; remember, if it don't make dollars, it don't make sense).
SUMo is free software, and Windows only.

Tags: freeware, sofware updates, SofwareUpdates, SUMo

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

kojo87 said 12:11AM on 1-19-2008

this is one of the best programs i've used. excellent tip.

Rdaical Dreamer said 8:49AM on 1-19-2008

Great utility, but the check for on-line updates uses way too much CPU for some reason.

brian said 9:06AM on 1-19-2008

Thanks very much, I just checked and 10 programs are out of date....whoops. I even missed 4 updates of a program.

Just shows you how i don't check on Updates often :D

Sue said 2:21PM on 1-19-2008

I use update star, which is also free, and ad free, developed by a team in Germany. It has a very attractive interface and works very well. http://www.updatestar.com/en/

Chris A said 1:59PM on 1-20-2008

It doesn't really point you to an update link. It just brings you to a page saying, "other users have a different version then you. Go google a download link yourself."

I like filehippo's update checker better. It maybe a smaller range of programs but at least they point you to an update download.
http://www.filehippo.com/updatechecker/

Featured Time Waster

Civiballs is a beautiful, soothing physics puzzle Time Waster

I have an absolute weakness for physics games, and while Civiballs isn't the strongest physics-based game, what it lacks in the physics department it makes up for a few times over in style and fun.

In Civiballs, you are presented with a few colored balls, and your goal is to get those balls into the same-colored urn on the level. The "civi" part of Civiballs is that there are 3 sets of levels to play, each representing a different civilization. While the civilization doesn't affect gameplay, the artwork for each level is beautifully themed to it's appropriate era.

To play the game, you are given only one tool - a sword with which to cut the chains that are holding the balls. The puzzle part of the game is in figuring out what order, and with what timing to cut each chain. Do it right, and all the right balls end up in the right urns, with no stray balls entering an urn (a no-no). Do it wrong, and you get to start over again.

Civiballs is not terribly deep on gameplay; the entire game can be completed in about 15 minutes. But if you enjoy this type of game, it will be a very enjoyable 15 minutes.

View more Time Wasters