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ZDNet Discontinues AppWatch

Posted by michael on from the apt-cache-search-still-operational dept.

Adam J. Richter writes: "Citing "today's economic climate", ZDNet has discontinued AppWatch.com, a software release tracking site similar to freshmeat.net, but covering only free software (usually GPL compatible) and having an automated update detector, making it very current with low noise. AppWatch was originally an independent site created by developer John D. Rowell. Before anyone flames ZDNet, consider that it may be that even a 100% share of ad revenues would not have been sufficient to retain John and his staff in comparison to other opportunities. John and an assistant were originally working on AppWatch for free, and ZDNet did a good thing by arranging so that they could get paid for it, probably saving the site at the time. Both parties were doing something positive, and the fact that they had to stop does not mean that they have done something negative. I, for one, hope to see AppWatch.com continued in one form or another."

3 of 61 comments (clear)

  1. Projects die. Software doesn't. by YKnot · · Score: 2, Insightful

    When a project is discontinued, there's only one right thing to do: Release the source. This way others can pick up where you left. Maybe others have the time and the energy to take over what you couldn't afford to continue. The problem with commercial investments in spare time projects is that source code immediately becomes valuable and is less likely to be disclosed.

  2. Re:What else do you need? by Vapula · · Score: 3, Insightful
    Redundancy...

    Relying on only one source is risky... Freshmeat could turn commercial and ask for a subscription in order to consult their services, or could dissappear... an that don't even take in account the fact that they may have hardware problems and be out of service for several days or weeks.

    The whole point bout a technology such as internet is that it allows tu implement redundancy easily (mirror or alternate sites/programs providng the same service).

  3. AppWatch is better organised than Freshmeat by Flammon · · Score: 3, Insightful

    AppWatch is like Google for finding free software; the search results are usually very accurate to what is intended.

    Freshmeat is more like AltaVista, there's a ton of stuff, but the search results are not pertinent.

    I hope AppWatch can continue operating without ZD or they will me missed.

    --
    ayottesoftware.com