17
votes
Accepted
Are how-to's on-topic?
A question asking how to accomplish a task with some specific software, as opposed to looking for some software to accomplish that task, would be off-topic. Such questions would typically be on-topic ...
14
votes
Is software identification on-topic?
I think we should discern between two things.
Some questions formulated this way, such as Wiki software being used by Gnome, or Which tool does Canonical use to build Ubuntu releases, in fact may be ...
- 1,124
11
votes
Accepted
Can I ask if a particular software will fit my needs?
tl;dr: No, but you can make it on-topic.
It’s off-topic to ask if a specific software is suitable in a specific case. We want to answer with software recommendations, not with "yes" or "no".
But it’...
- 7,779
11
votes
Including cloud-based services for software recommendations?
In my opinion, it makes sense that cloud-based software (SaaS) recommendations be on-topic on this Stack Exchange website.
- 36.8k
11
votes
Accepted
Are questions for service providers welcome at our site?
As stated in most of the above mentioned question implicitly or even half-was explicitly: SR is about recommending software, not providers/companies. So asking for a service provider (be it VPN, DNS, ...
IzzyMod
- 18.5k
10
votes
Where do questions about software development software belong to?
If you are looking for recommendations for software development tools and libraries, Software Recommendations is the right place. (Note that recommendations are off-topic on Stack Overflow and most of ...
- 7,779
10
votes
Accepted
Are recommendations for programming tutorials/resources on topic?
No, they are not.
While such content is valuable, it needs its own set of criteria for distinguishing good questions and good answers. We focus on stuff that can be executed on computers, "software", ...
- 3,020
10
votes
Accepted
Is asking for Wordpress plugins on-topic?
I don't see why Wordpress plugins should be an exception here. For reference:
Would plugin recommendations about Minecraft be on topic? → OK
How should we treat questions about plugins and such “...
IzzyMod
- 18.5k
9
votes
Accepted
Is it okay to ask for algorithms on this site?
Asking for libraries is part of the scope of this site — we field all software recommendation questions (in the sense of “what software can solve my problem?”), whether the software is intended for ...
8
votes
Is software identification based on icon on-topic?
If your question is “what software has this icon?” then, going by the reasoning in the previous thread, no, it's off-topic. This isn't an icon identification site, this is a site where we recommend ...
8
votes
Is software identification on-topic?
I think such questions should be off-topic here.
Answers wouldn’t recommend anything.
Instead of asking "Which wiki is used on wiki.gnome.org?" one could ask "Which wiki could I use to create a site ...
- 7,779
8
votes
Is it okay to ask for algorithms on this site?
I do believe libraries are, assuming the question meets quality standards.
Algorithms, in my opinion less so. They're a how to solve a problem (more what you'd ask on the trilogy [Stack Overflow, ...
- 8,127
8
votes
Accepted
Is asking for lists of software welcome?
Definitely not:
Questions provoking list-type answers are frowned upon at all SE sites
Our help center lists several list-type questions as explicitely off-topic – a.o. "there is no actual problem to ...
IzzyMod
- 18.5k
8
votes
How to handle dreamware requests?
Since we require a large amount of information in questions for them to be acceptable here, it makes sense that many questions would be unanswered. Often, software that does exactly what people need ...
- 4,235
8
votes
Accepted
Are mobile app recommendations on topic?
Not at all, Android apps are software for phones. These types of questions are on topic at Software Recommendations. Please make sure your question meets the Question Quality Guidelines and use the ...
- 7,504
7
votes
Is asking for sample, illustrative code on-topic?
I would feel no except in the context of describing something that's part of the answer - for example, illustrating how a specific language/compiler combination solves a specific issue, or likewise ...
- 8,127
7
votes
Accepted
Are site recommendations allowed?
No, site recommendations are definitely not in scope.
However, there is an Area 51 proposal to make a tutorials site. It is currently in definition, so it needs some love (I.e. upvoting of questions ...
- 7,017
7
votes
Accepted
Are kernel side software recommendations on-topic?
Kernel-side software is on-topic just like user-side. For that matter, operating system recommendations are on-topic (even if it's hard to write a good one).
I don't know why you perceive that ...
7
votes
Should we split the forum? One for developers and one for end-users?
There is already Code Recommendations on Area51.
This is the sort of thing that you are suggesting.
I would say that there should be no split. The site seems to be working pretty well as it is.
- 1,738
7
votes
Accepted
Are Virtual Machine images (virtual appliances) recommendations on-topic?
I'd say yes – as basically this is just an additional requirement (supplementing the OS part – as with an appliance, the OS part becomes obsolete). Of course this assumes that your question otherwise ...
IzzyMod
- 18.5k
7
votes
Accepted
Asking questions about potentially "bad" software?
helping someone with a task that could turn out to be, somewhat of a malicious task, is that something we should answer here in our community?
“That could turn out to be (…) malicious” is not a ...
7
votes
Accepted
Are questions about software technologies acceptable?
I'd say NO. This site recommends software, i.e. things "ready to use". While this includes libraries for developers, they again are "ready to use" (for them). Our recommendations are based on ...
IzzyMod
- 18.5k
6
votes
Would icon and font library questions be on topic?
If you're talking about a library dealing with icons and fonts (i.e. a programming library), the answers given in the more generic Is it alright to ask for programming tools? apply: Yes, if put ...
IzzyMod
- 18.5k
6
votes
Accepted
Software comparison: off-topic?
I agree with your assumptions: questions like "How do X and Y compare" is off topic on SR. But as usual, there might be a "gray zone".
Taking e.g. your second example about the ...
IzzyMod
- 18.5k
6
votes
Accepted
Is this question about Wattpad / Goodreads on-topic?
I would say yes, it is on topic.
Although you would have to add details such as which platform you wish to run the software on and whether you want to pay for it or not.
The simple wording you have ...
- 1,738
5
votes
Are hosting recommendation requests on-topic?
As consensus seems to have been reached, I post this as CW so we can explain the rationales for our choice and give examples.
Hosting isn't fine
As a general rule, we do not accept hosting questions. ...
5
votes
Are "Name the program showed in this screenshot" questions on-topic?
According to What is required for a question to contain "enough information"? it lacks details. This site is about recommending specific software for specific needs. "Looks nice" might be an ...
IzzyMod
- 18.5k
5
votes
Should we split the forum? One for developers and one for end-users?
I'd vote no to splitting the site. As of now, we aren't having any trouble handling both "user-oriented" and developer recommendation requests. From what I can see, this will be quite scalable, as ...
- 4,235
5
votes
Are Virtual Machine images (virtual appliances) recommendations on-topic?
Personally I'd see the availability of Virtual Appliances as a requirement - much like you'd ask for say "Properly documented installation notes" for a webapp.
You'd then be able to put various ...
5
votes
Are recommendations for programming tutorials/resources on topic?
Short answer
No.
TL;DR
As Gilles already pointed out in his comment: SR is about recommending software matching specific requirements – and not "general resources", tutorials, howtos, or websites. ...
IzzyMod
- 18.5k
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible