Free software updates for all

Developers of Mac software, if you haven’t got Sparkle already, then make sure you grab a copy of it. This free little framework allows you add add update functionalities to your applications.

Sparkle offers developers a lot of functionalities and is easy to work with. It uses appcasts to deliver the latest release notes and lets you notify users of updates in many ways. The Sparkle name and logo never actually appear in your application’s update information and you won’t need to add any sort of code or extra programming in your program to implement it. Sparkle will also display detailed progress of an update to the user. The program is both 32 and 64 bit compatible

This latest version notably includes dual-mode garbage collection and can install .pkg files for more complicated applications. Sparkle is not limited to applications as it can also work with plugins, preference panes, bundles and any other sort of file that requires updates.

If there’s one thing missing from it, it’s a help guide for new users. The test app, framework and extras come unbundled so it would have been nice to have a little tutorial for simple setup. On the whole though, Sparkle is very easy to use and most developers will have no trouble with it.

Sparkle makes implementing updates to your application a breeze.

Sparkle is an easy-to-use software update framework for Cocoa developers. But this little framework’s got a lot of features packed inside! Check ’em out:

• True self-updating–no work required from the user.
• Uses appcasts for release information.
• Displays release notes to the user via WebKit.
• The user can choose to automatically download and install all updates.
• Displays a detailed progress window to the user.
• Seamless integration—there’s no mention of Sparkle; your icons and app name are used.
• Supports authentication for installing in secure locations.
• Supports DSA signatures for ultra-secure updates.
• Really, really easy to install.
• Sparkle requires no code in your app, so it’s trivial to upgrade or remove the module.