Web Watch Product Information
WebWatch is a tool for keeping
track of changes in selected Web documents.
Given an HTML document referencing URLs on the Web, WebWatch
produces a filtered list, containing only those URLs that have
been modified since a given time.
The input file can be e.g.
- the bookmark file of Netscape; or
- the exported (to HTML format) hotlist of Mosaic; or
- any other, standard HTML document, edited locally or
retrieved from the Web.
The time used for filtering
- can be given as a global setting that applies to all URLs, or
- WebWatch can derive it automatically, using the time of your
last visit to the document, as recorded by your Web browser in
your local HTML (bookmark) file.
WebWatch generates a local HTML document that contains links to
only those documents which were updated after the given date.
You can load this document into any Web browser and use it to
navigate to the updated documents.
WebWatch stores its arguments in a parameter file. Once you
have customized the program to your needs, using its graphical
front-end, you can have it run in unattended mode, periodically.
WebWatch supports the use of proxy servers.
WebWatch saves time several ways:
- you don't need to check every URL you monitor just to
learn that nothing has changed. "We watch the Web so that you
don't have to." WebWatch's output indicates for you the
documents that have changed and need your personal attention;
- WebWatch takes its input from a file. In a single run you
can check all the documents you are currently tracking. There
is no need to sit in front of your browser clicking and
checking each document separately;
- WebWatch retrieves only the "header" of a document, to
check its "Last Modified" date. The size of this header is
usually quite small compared to that of the entire document.
With WebWatch, your connect time, and ultimately the load on
the network, is significantly reduced.
If you are a content provider, you should encourage your
subscribers to use WebWatch. If they put your server on their
list, they will be alerted by WebWatch when you change your
content. You can be "dormant" for a while, preparing the "big
one," without worrying that you drop off the beaten path.
WebWatch, unlike humans will loyally and dutifully check the
date on your documents, day in, day out. Or you can publish
time sensitive data without worrying that "once a week" users
will not see it for six days. Also, the load on your server
and network connection will be reduced, since WebWatch fetches
only the header of each document.
If you are a connectivity provider, your customers will
appreciate if you point out to them this productivity
improvement tool. The load on your server will be less, you can
accomodate more customers.
Availability
The Windows version comes in two flavors:
- you can
download the 32 bit
version to be used on 32 bit versions of Windows (NT and Win 95) and on 16 bit versions
Windows (WfW, or W3.11), running Win32s;or
- you can
download the 16 bit
version to be used on 16 bit Windows (WfW and W3.11) if you do not
run Win32s
If in doubt, try first the 32 bit version. If it doesn't run, install the 16
bit version. Or, consult our
Frequently Asked Questions page.
Before you download
the program you may want to take a look at a brief
description
of it, with screenshots and excerpts from the help file.
Other platforms
Watch this place for announcement.
Send us e-mail
if you want to be notified when other
versions become available. Please indicate the platform you
are interested in.
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