@cmpm
Adding using/testing the program would be essential.
Or have them tested independently by a number of resources.
I currently have 20 feeds for software.
They all test and run the software themselves and give a review.

Yes, that's part of the approval process... In addition to the testing I've done (over the past 9+ years) and continue to do to this day, I (we) also rely heavily on third party reviews. My top/favorite download/review sites are Betanews, Majorgeeks, Filehippo, GivewayoftheDay, Elite Freeware, DonationCoder, Confessions of a Freeware Junkie, Freeware Genius, MSFN, NeoWin, Snapfiles, Download.com and Softpedia... I've been frequenting those sites for years to discover software and read reviews to try to find the "diamonds in the rough". I also frequent developers' forums, security forums, user help forums, etc...  :)

@cmpm Recommendations based on what I already use......
or based on what someone wants me to use.
Either way, what I use is being monitored for sales.

Open source and freeware publishers recommending other freeware or open source software has nothing to do with sales. In that case, they do it because they love an app and believe their users could benefit or derive value from using it as well. :)

I don't believe it's spyware or adware...

 :up:

... but a way to sell.

Yes, for commercial software developers, using OpenCandy is a way to increase their distribution in an effort to acquire more paying customers. :)

@drapps From the publisher side (those who recommend) a few apps you can check out are MediaCoder, MediaInfo and Startup Manager to see the (high) quality of software they are recommending.

@cmpm What publisher is recommending these programs for instance?

In the case of those programs (MediaCoder, MediaInfo and Startup Manager) they cross-recommend each other (with the exception that MediaCoder doesn't recommend Startup Manager via OpenCandy).

Thanks. :)

Dr. Apps
Software Community Guru
OpenCandy

http://twitter.com/drapps

@cmpm: Is the software through OC inspected in any way.
Such as Softpedia and MajorGeeks and many others.
What are the standards set to be a part of OC?

The installer issue aside, I'm talking quality and safety.
As well as ad-free operation of the product as discussed.
And full disclosure of info collecting practices of the products included in OC's opt-in.

Excerpt from my long post

@drapps said

What happens when a developer wants to participate (as a publisher or advertiser) in the OpenCandy network

-I check the Hosts file providers to see if a potential developer that wants to participate in OpenCandy is on those lists.

-I check McAfee SiteAdvisor and WoT.

-I check the potential publisher’s and advertiser’s installers using Virus Total.

-I check antispyware forums to see if user’s have any issues with the software.

-I look at the company’s business practices in general.

In addition, our software guidelines (which we be available soon for all to see) were built on top of AND further enhance policies created by Download.com, StopBadware, and the Antispyware Coalition. As well as our own ideals…

I (and the rest of the OpenCandy team) don't want ANY software in our network that we wouldn't use ourselves (or recommend to our mother, father, sisters, brothers, best friends, etc..). That's a big part of what I do at OpenCandy, I make sure potential members of our network meet that quality/security/privacy bar. :) I accomplish that by going through the steps outlined above, as well as by downloading, installing and testing each piece of software myself.

Hope that helps. :)

Thanks!

Dr. Apps
Software Community Guru
OpenCandy

http://twitter.com/drapps

Ok, the demo video is up!

See here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Wr5DIbOAaA

Thanks! :)

Dr. Apps
Software Community Guru
OpenCandy

http://twitter.com/drapps