###What minimum standardsQuestions that solicit product recommendations are off-topic on Server Fault. However, there are legitimate cases where a good answer may include a product recommendation.
What details about the product must be provided by an answer that includes a product recommendation? What expectations does the Server Fault community have for recommending software? The help center doesn't seem to provide any guidance on this.
Note: This question has attracted answers which debate the pros & cons of including product recommendations in answers. However, SaaSthis question assumes it's possible cases exist where such recommendations are allowed, and products in generalis asking what minimum information the community expects from posters in answers?these cases.
I'm active on Super User and we have theHere's an example from Meta questionSuper User's How do I recommend software in my answers?answer which provides some basic expectations such asto this same question:
- Title of the the product with a link to the download/main page
- Give a brief overview of HOW to use the product OR in cases where it's too long, link to the product's manual pages
- Give any personalized information to the OP regarding how the recommendation solves his/her question.
What are the expectations for Server Fault? The help center doesn't seem to provide any guidance on this.
Note: Questions asking for product recommendations are off-topic. However, a good answer to an on-topic question may include a product recommendation. It is specifically regarding these answers on which my question focuses.
