Need a tool to help with maintaing a website

[vulturesrow]

I have been asked by a friend to help administer a large website that includes a ton of links that need to be continually monitored to make sure they are up to date. Doing this manually is unthinkably tedious. I am sure something could be whippped up in short order if I had enough programming/scripting skill (seem my Python vs. Perl post). I am sure a tool like this must exist, can anyone provide me with a lead?

Thanks,
VR