Are there tools for binary update(security etc.) of applications?

[perryh at pluto.rain.com]

Luca Renaud <renaud.luca at gmail.com> wrote:

> I updated my system from FreeBSD 8.0 to 8.1 using the tool
> freebsd-update. As far as I know this tool only updates the
> core system and user land utilities, thus, all other apps
> are not updated.

Correct.

> I use the gnome desktop, and I regularly receive the warning from
> Software Updater that I have 240, or so, applications not updated
> etc., and if I want to update them.  My question is: update them
> through the ports system? (compiling them all?) or binary update?
> Are there tools capable of doing that using the command line?
> (binary update of apps not in the core system or userland
> utilities, but also important regarding security questions, for
> example).

Either portmaster or portupgrade can update using pre-built packages
from freebsd.org or its mirrors.  Portmaster (having no dependencies)
is likely the easier to install, unless you already have ruby installed.