Whenever you buy a computer program, there is usually a telltale sign of the version or model of the software you just purchased. Maybe it's located alongside the name of the program or somewhere on the shrink-wrapped box. It reads like this: SuperDuper Filemaker v 1.3 or maybe SuperDuper Filemaker Version 2.
No matter what you find, the version number indicates how many upgrades or revisions the program has gone through. The higher the version number means the latest version of the software. When a program is first released, it's usually given a Version 1 designation, small upgrades and fixes to a program that will read Version 2.2
When you buy a program, one of the first things you do is install it to see if it works. But inside the software box is a bunch of paperwork, such as a registration card, a program manual and maybe some promotion material for other products. Obviously, the two most important pieces of information are the manual, which tells you how the software works, and the registration card, which you fill out with some demographic information and send back to the software publisher to get updates on new software and any changes or bugs. There are many programs which also allow online registration.
Now in case you don't fill out and mail that registration card, the software maker will not notify you of program upgrades, fixes and patches.
But if you don't register, how will you know of program updates? No need to worry.
There is a Web site called Versions (http://www.versions.com/) a free service which keeps you informed via e-mail of upgrades and new software releases.
In order to use Versions, they require that you register with the site. It's a simple and painless process. Once the administrative work is out of the way and you access your account, you have a few options to choose from. The two main options are product and developer searching.
When you conduct a product search, you enter a keyword in the search field and then pick the operating system you use and a product category, such as word processing, graphics, games, utilities and more.
For example, I chose Microsoft Word for Windows 95. In addition to information about the program, such as a short description, what operating systems it works with, how much disk space the program takes and the price, I was given the option of adding this product to my TrakList, which are computer programs I want to keep tabs on.
By agreeing to add Microsoft Word for Windows 95 to my TrakList, I can choose, through a series of checkboxes, to get e-mail when the developer announces an upgrade, releases an upgrade, offers a special or sale price, announces a bug fix, announces a new product or releases a new product. I can agree to get e-mail about all of these, or pick and choose the ones I want.
So just sit back and wait for the information to come to you. |
