There's probably a topic discussing something like this somewhere, but I didn't find anything.

Many of the new threads in the freebie forum are for freeware, a website that offers some sort of free service, or information on how to do or get some internet service etc for free.

I am sure many users find these useful, and I have no ill feelings torwards people who post these threads. But, I wonder if they are appropriate.

Some of the websites are just silly...

Free downloads at download.com! Woot!
You can look up phone numbers at yellowpages.com!
Free online encyclopedia at wikipedia.org!

Some of the pieces of software are already well known, have always been free, or only interest a niche.

FREE firefox extensions!
Free instant messenger!
Free physics calculator!


My personal feelings on the matter is that good software that used to cost cash (or a free alternative) is fine to be post (the free version of .NET for example), or really REALLY incredible freeware that is a new concept or something. Other software could perhaps be in a master thread or section, but having 5 threads for free this and that software is ridiculous.

I don't know if there is a solution for this (if there were a master thread [there are a few, actually] its likely that most wouldn't use it, and it would probably be too much to ask that the mods catagorize software and websites), and I don't know how many people would agree with me, but... Its getting really really annoying :|

Does anyone know if there is a page discussing this, or if a mod/admin posted the official "policy" on this?

Check out some previous conversations here

Thread 1 of Freebies Rant (http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?sduid=72058&t=225480)

Thread 2 of Freebies Rant (http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?sduid=72058&t=238393)

Ah, thank you.

Do you know if there was there ever any definitive decision made, or was it limited to discussing the problem and potential solutions?

Here is the thing. I started freebies rant 1 & 2 because I felt not enough information was in the posts. I do not mind having an occasional website listed as long as we don't get pages of crochet pattern web sites (I didn't say none for those of you who like crochet patterns).

Mostly it would be nice to put certain things in the title. Put businesses so the person who looks @ the post knows its for businesses. Or put e-mail, snail mail, fax. phone etc. in the title so people will know in advance that there is a different way of getting the item than the "normal" way of sitting @ your computer.

Freebie Title and Posting Suggestions
http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?sduid=86892&t=76737