update notification program?

originally started on the winxp board by mistake.... sorry

does anyone know if a program exists that will send out email notifications when a specified program update or upgrade is discovered?

i have read recently of a program called BigFix, but my understanding is that it confines itself to windows operating system updates.

i want something wherein i can input all of my security apps, for instance, like my AT and AV and FW and spyware programs like Spybot and Ad-aware...

(Spybot, as a matter of fact, is now providing email notification)

... and this program would then crawl the web and promptly notify me via email when a new update or upgrade became available.

would that rule, or what?

does such a service or application exist?



mark

 

*cough* Lazy *cough*

I'm Shocked, mortified appalled and a whole heap of other huge marmalade words, Mr. Mark.

Daizy

 

so you like the idea

 

Loveeeeee it!

 

mr.mark:

At one time there were several of these types of programs that were freeware, CNET's Catch-Up was probably the better known, but all of them, including CNET, subsequently ended their service.

In my reading on BigFix I agree that it appears primarily to find updates for Windows, though the description at the following link says "It scans your system to see what software you have installed (and unlike M$'s Windows Update it detects almost everything) and then allows you to check whether updates have been issued ". georgedillion - Bigfix.

The only program that I'm currently aware of is McAfee's Oil Change. This is an annual subscription service. You can read more about it here .

HTH

 

hi rod

thank you for the tips on those programs. they are, imo, overkill, in that they scan my system to see what i have. i want a service that i can tell what i run and it informs me of the presence of updates and upgrades.

the bigfix does other stuff, too, which, for my purposes, is more overkill.

sigh

so far the best "service" seems to entail visiting a forum or newsgroup comprised of motivated, like-thinking individuals who are on the ball and like to post update notifications as fast as they become public.

but i'm still hoping to find a service that will simply send me email when my software needs updating.



mark

 

the more i look at BigFix, the more interesting it looks... like i ought to at least test drive it for awhile. <g>

i wish i could get my hands on this list they refer to....

"The program simply checks the list of fixes posted by software creators to the BigFix, Fixlet Central and Tucows sites to see which updates and 'fixlets' are relevant to your machine. "

 

I don't know but. . .

maybe this might be something like what you are searching for, Mark.

HTH


Mike

 

hi mike

thank you for the response.

i am hesitant to play around with attune... for one thing, Spybot calls it a threat, and it does look somewhat invasive.

but i could be wrong.

tell me, do you use the program?

and do you run an anti-spyware program like Spybot or Ad-aware? if so, how do they react to attune?



mark

 

Attune

Hi Mark,

No, I don't use Attune. It came with my Gravis joystick CD but I didn't install it. I only offered it because I remembered it supposedly sorta doing what you were asking for.

I tried SpyBot for a while when Ad-Aware didn't offer any new Reffiles for several months. I went right back to Ad-Aware a day or so after version 6 came out. I'm not putting SpyBot down at all. I'm just more comfortable with AA. Especially since you can download and install any new Reffiles right from the program.

I did look at Big Fix for a bit yesterday. Intriguing concept, to be sure. However, I'll hold off using it until I see some feedback here at BBS.

Good luck in your search and keep us all posted with what you find.


Mike

 

will do, mike

if more vendors would just offer email notification of updates and upgrades (like Spybot), all this would be a moot point. i personally don't want to use auto-update features, because, for one thing, i want to retain the right to decide if i want the code loaded. so timely email notification would rule.



mark

 

Hello mr.mark,

You are right to be suspicious of attune. I downloaded it more than a year ago before I knew better and took it off almost immediately. Attune scans your system and reports whats there to the companies on it's client list. Much too intrusive for my taste!

Regards - Charles

 

hey charles

thanks for posting of your experience with attune.

we're fortunate to have anti-spyware programs like Spybot and Ad-aware to clean up after these weasels, are we not?



mark

 

Hi mr.marks,

You have that right! Couldn't live without them now!

Regards - Charles

 

If I'm not mistaken Fred Langa in today's newsletter gave a qualified recommendation to Big Fix for the use which you are requesting.

 

i skimmed the newsletter last night and failed to notice that... thank you for mentioning it. i'll pay closer attention this time

 

BigFix works great though it doesn't do too much more than the Windows Update website. I'd much prefer to see CatchUp back up and running again.