I don't know how I managed to avoid earlier versions of the Flyz Screensaver, but I just came across version 1.1.2 on VersionTracker and I am pleased to see they've "fixed a bug that was causing the flies and maggots to accumulate at the bottom-left corner of Intel Mac screens" and "increased the maximum number of flies to 40." W00t!

If you like being grossed out, or like grossing out others, the Flyz Screensaver might be an appropriate download for you. Flyz is "an infestation of ewwey, gooey, flies and maggots, making a mess of your Mac's screen." And if that's not appealing enough, perhaps the price tag (free, although there's an enhanced version for $5) will lure you in.

Of course some people already have a similar effect without having to download anything at all!

Oh, how I long for the days when Flying Toasters was enough to keep us entertained when our screens were idle...

I could've sworn we've blogged this, but a peek at our extensive archives turned up nothing: App Update, like Widget Update, is a widget that acts like Software Update for all your non-Apple apps. It allows you to specify any extra directories where you store your apps if, like me, you put them wherever you want, and it can ping Apple, MacUpdate and VersionTracker to see if any updates are available. App Update even has limited support for checking on Quicktime Components, Frameworks and Preference Panes, and it can be automated, with Growl support rounding off the list.

App Update is free, really handy and available from DashboardWidgets.

Thanks Alex

VersionTracker has announced a new bundle offer included with purchases of VersionTracker Pro subscriptions. For the first 350 who purchase, renew or extend a VersionTracker Pro subscription, they will receive a free license to the new DivX Pro (a $19.99 value), which we blogged last month. DivX, as you might remember, is a fairly popular video codec used on the internet and compatible with other devices such as DVD players and PDAs. VersionTracker Pro, if you need a refresher, is "an automated, simple and cost-effective way to inventory and keep all your software current and secure". It is a service and software package (also a widget, of course) that allows you to view new versions of just the software you use, manage the downloading and install of new packages, and more. VersionTracker Pro costs $49.99/year for up to three Macs.

If you're interested, we recommend you run (don't walk!) as they only have 350 DivX licenses to hand out on a first-come, first-serve basis.

If you're just getting started with Boot Camp, you may want to head over to VersionTracker to check out their new Boot Camp Resource Center.

You'll find a collection of troubleshooting and opinion articles from MacFixIt, as well as some links to basic Windows software compiled with the Mac user in mind. Of the three software categories -- Essentials, Gaming, and Drivers -- Essentials looks to be most useful. It has links to virus protection tools, spyware, browsers, an image viewer, a screenshot app, and other basic apps for Windows. The other two categories are pretty sparse, but at least it's a place to start.

Über-blog Boing Boing is reporting today that VersionTracker.com has been contacted by lawyers representing Macrovision (who makes copy protection technologies found in many commercial DVD's) threatening them with legal action unless they remove download links to Mac the Ripper, software used to rip a DVD to your Mac's HD.

"We have been contacted by Macrovision, who claims this violates their property and are threatening to sue us if we don't remove the links to it. We are checking with our legal advisors to find out what our options are. -VersionTracker Editors"

VersionTracker and MacFixIt have launched new MacIntel resource sites. The sites offer similar info, but are organized slightly differently. VersionTracker's Mac Resource Center has a growing list of MacIntel compatible software, along with MacIntel troubleshooting tips and news items. MacFixit's site looks like a rearranged version of similar posts, emphasizing Macintel troubleshooting. There's already some interesting information on both that's worth checking out. VersionTracker and MacFixIt are members of the TechTracker Network.