Brett Shaver’s has an interesting blog post at:
https://www.dfir.training/dfir-training-categories-k2/item/152-and-now-a-quick-word-from-our-sponsors
In summary, Brett discusses views within the community that think it is inappropriate to ever post a link to your product or service, especially in a forum reply.
Well, obviously we agree with Brett’s view that this just doesn’t make sense and why we encourage “Trusted Contributors” and others from including links to their products and services if it helps answer a question or provides value to the conversation. And if it doesn’t, but you can answer a question, please include a link to your site in your signature.
This is why we believe in Real Names create a Real Community!
And why we encourage you to customize your profile picture even if it is your company logo.
We understand that you are taking time out of your busy schedule to help others.
Here is the comment I will be leaving on Brett’s blog article…
Brett,
“-Vendors should not be able to comment on their tools in forums/email lists/etc…”
I think this article really fits well into our thinking as the ‘New Forum in the community”.
Often the vendors and blog owners are the best ones to answer questions which they may have already solved. Often this results in a link back to their site or mention of their product.
As you put it…
“If someone has a problem to solve and publicly asks for a solution to that problem, then those who have potential solutions should feel safe in public recommendations, whether as a user or developer of a solution.”
I see this all the time with many of the current forums where people are afraid to use a name that describes them or their product or include links in their signature to their product for fear of getting backlash from the community. Replying with insightful answers takes time and effort. I think that it is amazing that many in our community reply simply because they care and want to share their knowledge, but if that person has a product or service, we as a community could benefit from, shouldn’t they be able to mention it within the reply if it adds value?
This is the theory behind our forum, Computer Forensics World, which we are rebooting. We want industry leaders and experts to be available, take time out of their busy days helping clients, writing books or simply working, to offer advice and assistance to those that have questions in the forum. In exchange, we are more than happy to see a link to a product or service that will help or simply a link in the signature to the persons’ personal blog.
Of course, I understand I will now feel this…
“and within seconds of the vendor response, the vendor gets bashed”
But did I add value to this conversation…even if I included a link to my forum? 😉
What are your thoughts? Please comment below… and leave a link in your signature if you think it helps the DFIR community! 😉
Recent comments