Any information on an application called MacUpdate Desktop 6?

I don't know about that App, not sure it checks like Apple & MS for updates, I haven't trusted MacUpdate site for quite a wile, they include adware in their free downloads, supposedly paid subscribers don't get the adware.

The free LibreOffice will take care of your problems...

https://www.libreoffice.org/

The MacUpdate Web site aggregates software update/upgrade information from thousands of vendors, providing the information in one location. Their subscription service provides a program that automatically looks for updates of the programs you have installed on your computer and downloads them to your computer if possible. If one of your programs is upgraded with a paid upgrade MacUpdate Desktop does not upgrade it for you. You must pay for it. Also it doesn't work for programs that are purchased from the App Store. If you want the newest version of iWork you need to pay for it and download it from the App store

Perhaps this is nitpicking but your wording is a bit vague. The only legal source of the Mac OS and Apple branded programs is the app store. The way you put it makes it sound like the only legal apps for the Mac come from the Mac store which certainly isn't true.

Sorry about that, my omission - next time I'll be more specific. The OP was inquiring about an Apple app specifically.

And I'll be more specific with this: I would not trust a source such as this since I would not know if they add little niceties (much like CNet) to any of their "offerings". I would also not trust a third party to allow them access to the contents of my hard drive - having to allow the app store is more than enough intrusion. But, at least, that is Apple, not an unknown third party.

Hello dazie44,

MacUpdate's biggest claim to fame is their adware installers. I'm sure there are people who will be happy to tell you all the ways that you can subscribe to MacUpdate or pay them money so that they don't install adware and other malware onto your system. But the easiest way is to just avoid them.

Updates to Numbers will come directly from Apple. I can assure you that Apple will not miss any opportunity to install newer, slower software onto your 5 year-old machine - and then tell you about the newer, more expensive machines they are selling.

If you need to open Excel documents, the best solution is always going to be genuine Microsoft Office.

GRanted in both cases. Just didn't want others who might visit to get the right idea. I don't know if the site in question is still up to its 'extras' or not. I always log in there and only saw that behavior when I logged out and downloaded something. I still use the site to see what's new but have made it a habit of going directly to the vendor site.

FWIW, checking their site also led me to "iOS" downloads. I did not try to purchase or download anything as I am not on my iPad, so I'm not sure if they redirect you to the app store or not - can't download anything directly from the vendor on an iDevice.

Since the only legal source for Mac OS or apps is the app store, I would not trust any other source. See the licensing agreement here:

http://images.apple.com/legal/sla/docs/macOS1012.pdf

they aggregate all sources. For apps only available at the App Store they do redirect.