I frequently get asked “what ___ do you recommend”, and I often
don’t have an answer. It’s not because I don’t have some ideas, I
almost always do. It’s just that the word “recommend” carries an
implied endorsement, and I don’t take that lightly.
So what does it mean when I actually take the plunge and say I recommend something?
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To be recommended, I need personal experience with the product or
server. That experience comes in either of three forms:
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On rare occasions, when a reputation is so strong as to
warrant it, I may make a recommendation based on that alone, but I’ll
likely be clear about it.
Mostly, though, it’s that first one: I use the product, and my own
experience with it leads me to believe it’s worth your time, effort and
occasionally money.
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Do not confuse ads with recommendations. The ads you see
running in the site (identified by “Ads by Google”, “Sponsored Ad” and
such) are ads that have been purchased and do not imply any
endorsement on my part.
Ads can be purchased by just
about anyone, and I simply don’t have the resources to vet them
all.
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My recommendations, on the other hand, cannot be purchased;
they’re based entirely on what I outlined earlier. You can tell what
I’m explicitly recommending because it’s either in an article in the
Recommendations category or one of
its sub-categories, or because the recommendation is in the body of an
article I’ve written and uses the word “recommended”.
Some of my recommendations are for products created by business
acquaintances and friends. My relationship with them might cause me to
evaluate their product sooner than others, perhaps, but does not impact
my final decision whether or not to recommend their product to you.
Each is evaluated based on my opinion of its merits.
Now, I do have to cover my behind: In no case should my
recommendation be considered a guarantee of any sort. As stated above
all the information on Ask Leo! is taken entirely at your own risk, and
my recommendations are no exception. I can’t know without a doubt how
any given product will work on the unique combination of hardware and
software that you have, and whether or not you’ve used it properly. My
recommendations are in good faith, but ultimately there’s really no
getting around that only you have the final responsibility for what you
might do to your machine.
If available, I may use affiliate links in directing you to a
product or service I recommend. This means that should you purchase a
product using a link that I’ve provided, I may receive some portion of
the purchase price for having directed you to the seller. This does
not affect the price you pay. I also don’t make
recommendations simply because a product has an affiliate program; I
make my recommendations in good faith and, I believe, objectively. In
fact, I typically first identify a product that I want to recommend and
then see if an affiliate program is available. Remember, you
can always locate the product yourself bypassing such a link if that
concerns you.
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I value your experience: if you have experience,
good or bad, with one of the products I recommend, I’d love to hear
about it. Use the Ask Leo! Form to submit your
comments. I’m always open to updating my recommendations.
