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That's really more of a trivia question than anything - unless it applies to a problem you're having, then it's not really appropriate for Server Fault. In any case, then answer seems to be "because Microsoft wrote it that way". See here: msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/…
See the FAQ: You should only ask practical, answerable questions based on actual problems that you face. Please provide more background information about how you ran across this very interesting oddity in Windows name resolution, and how it applies to a problem you're having.
I don't think it is.. Adrain's not disagreeing that shopping questions should be closed, he's saying that Off Topic is the wrong close reason to use for them. - "Both should've been closed as NC for Shopping, not merely Off-Topic as that gives the impression that ALL questions about those topics are not welcome here."
I think the right close reason for shopping is Not Constructive - the close text for it makes a lot more sense on a shopping question than the Off Topic close text.
Definitely this. Just because it doesn't have the "production seal of approval" from Redmond, doesn't mean that it's not being tested, evaluated, and pummeled by professionals looking to put it through its paces.
