>I uploaded an application (and source) (AppLauncher) which checks a network directory for a newer version of the executable installed locally and if found, downloads it (and associated files). Then the application is launched. The applications are launched with an API call as separate applications. The application launcher can be exited without affecting spawned apps.

Boy, I could've used this about two years ago when I invented the same wheel from scratch :) Ah, well...perhaps you can save others from the same effort.