You can update your system, and I know I myself have posted numerous times about it.
You need to download the new version and do what you will (cvs merge, or copy over old dirs). All the packages that have been upgraded will show on APM as updated.
Of course, dealing with upgraded adp/tcl code is sometimes problematic, but doable. I have been upgrading sites since before AD had versioning and remember cvs is your friend (well when it isn't a pain in the A#$.)
