The Explorer: Automatic Update Services -- Yea or Nay?

The only downside is that the service works only for Dell systems, and can only tell you about files that relate to the system as it was when initially purchased; the Dell service can't and won't track any hardware or software you've added to your PC since then.

The Ideal Service?
There are other update services, too; and we can talk about them in the attached discussion area. But as far as I know, the ideal service doesn't yet exist.

Here's what I think that mythical ideal service would be:

It would be a combination of all three of the services I highlighted above: a single authoritative, reliable, and timely source for all OS, applications, and hardware (driver) updates; capable of alerting you by e-mail (so you need not run any monitoring tools); capable of working with any brand or model or version; capable of adapting as your system configuration changes over time; and -- like the services above -- it'd be free.

If you know of any such service, or of any services that come close, or if you've had experiences eithergood or bad with any update services, please join our discussion and let us know.

Maybe the ideal update service is out there. If not, maybe we can pool our knowledge and at least come close! Join in the Discussion!

To discuss this column with other readers, please visit Fred Langa's forum on the Listening Post.

To find out more about Fred Langa, please visit his page on the Listening Post.