Fileforum.Betanews alternative

[Midnight Rambler]

Depended on http://fileforum.betanews.com/ automatic email alerts to track software updates on my program watch list but they've apparently discontinued that service.

Can anyone suggest a good alternative?

[Josh]

I've been looking for something similar. Unforunately, the only service which comes close to that, and actually surpasses it in terms of number of programs monitored, is the CNET TechTracker.

[Midnight Rambler]

Thanks for the TechTracker tip.  Since it works by scanning the software installed on user's computer and alerts user when updates are available, it seems to be a variant of Secunia PSI which has served me very well.

Beauty of F.B was that nothing needed to be installed.  User simply added programs to wish list on site and was notified of updates.

From the lack of responses so far, there appears to be no real alternative.  Guess F.B business model wasn't profitable.

[Josh]

They really have turned into an advertisement delivery engine vice a real content site. Most of the "reviews" of products appear to be from paying advertisers, not that they are this is just my opinion. They are posting reviews to products which go against the primary audience of the site. Example, they recently posted a review of a "registry optimizer", which any tech worth his salt knows causes far more issues than it helps.

If you find any alternatives, please let me know.

[Midnight Rambler]

Received multiple software update notices today from "noreply@betanews.com."  Couldn't believe it.  They're so darn handy that can't help but hope they're really back.

[Josh]

Has anyone run across a tool to replace BN yet? I use cnet tech tracker but would prefer email notifications on updates per application. A community-sourced tool/service would be preferable for accuracy.

[Cloq]

I have been using (local machine app) website-watcher by adding any app's (that I own/have) download page to the watch list. Only time I have to make a change is when the site author decides to spruce the page and changes the download page.

Works for me. 

[Midnight Rambler]

Has anyone run across a tool to replace BN yet?

Since March, BN has apparently resumed service fully as previously posted.  Are you reluctant to use them again?  An alternative, though not complete, is ChangeDetection.com.  Used them to monitor a vendor site but updates became too frequent so had to cancel change alerts.

[hpearce]

If you want a software advisor program, I highly recommend SUMO...  It has an extremely large database and has very few false positives in the results.  Nothing else I have seen comes close.

[Josh]

If you want a software advisor program, I highly recommend SUMO...  It has an extremely large database and has very few false positives in the results.  Nothing else I have seen comes close.

Testing the program now but I must say....I've never had to uncheck so many "great freeware 3rd party tool" check boxes during an installation program, EVER!

[Curt]

http://windowssecrets.com/newsletter/software-that-updates-your-other-software/#story1

>Software that updates your other software

By Fred Langa on July 25, 2012 in Top Story

The release of Secunia Personal Software Inspector (PSI) 3.0 prompts a test drive of the new version, plus six alternative general-purpose auto-update tools.

One surprise: Some of these automatic-update programs can worsen your PC’s condition<

One big review of Secunia, and six mini reviews of competitors. 
http://windowssecrets.com/newsletter/software-that-updates-your-other-software/#story1