Like it or not this IS the future. I personally want someone else to keep track of all my downloads and licenses so I can set up a new computer profile with one password and no saved files.

There will be a day soon when you will only be able to update your software (Lion?) through the App Store. Isn't that what the memory farm in North Carolina is all, about: saving everyone's profiles and downloads and the ability to stream all purchased audio/ video to any device?

Some people complain that Apple doesn't search your computer to find and update all prior purchases- but do you really want someone else searching your computer? That sounds MicroSucky to me and I would rather have them just remember what I have purchased/ downloaded than have big brother picking through my private property.

If you don't like the App Store I guess you could switch to Linux which seems to be the platform of the current rebels, but I am personally glad that Apple has forced the world to go wireless and digitized music and video.

And yes, MacUpdate will continue to exist because there will continue to be non-App Store apps, and the user reviews on this site are so valuable.

I have been using this software since it was Red Snapper, and I find it to be indispensable. I do a lot of online financial transactions and this allows me to keep exact records of purchases/transfers.

The developer has been very good in responding to questions and finding old licenses.

The only downsides are that 1) it only works in Safari and 2) Apple no longer supports input managers in Snow Leopard, so you will need to reset Safari to 32 bit.

Am currently using 2.3.5 on Tiger, but planning to upgrade to S.L. soon.