[nl]

I'm a longtime fan of LowEndBox too. I've found some pretty good deals though there. If you bother to read the site you'll find that the author slams quite a number of hosts as being bad - or at least doubtful.

He also doesn't make money via affiliate deals (only banner sale ads). See http://www.lowendbox.com/blog/advertisement-situation-at-low...

I hope you'll find my account acceptable from the "shill" point of view.

[iphoneedbot]

@NL

I have bothered to read the site and he makes good points. Thats not the issue. The issue is with the "Title", then article starts with a reference to WebHostingTalk, then near immediately followed with a link his affiliate page -(very cleverly disguised) All of those three things separately are NO BIG DEAL; but all together on HN is very frustrating. The reason for that is because, I have grown to trust HN links and this makes me question that trust. I love HN because of the trust I have for the destination of the links. Post such as these challenge that trust.

[nl]

followed with a link his affiliate page -(very cleverly disguised)

You mean the page where he says So, here is a clearly marked affiliation link — do not click on it if you don’t want me to get referral rewards nor 10% off discount :)

I don't think you can get more ethical than that.

All of those three things separately are NO BIG DEAL; but all together on HN is very frustrating

I thought the information was detailed, useful, and I can personally attest to the trustworthiness of the site.

Personally I think this perfect for HN (and given that your account has been registered only ~250 days I think trying to lecture about how bad it is doesn't make much sense).

[iphoneedbot]

@NL

The problem is not the technical write up.

Affiliate Link

He said: I am still taking the “no affiliation sales” stance. He posted that on his page http://www.lowendbox.com/blog/advertisement-situation-at-low... Which contradicts http://www.lowendbox.com/blog/vpslink-february-sale-and-10-o...

The Ethical debate belongs at a different venue.. but you must concede that these are two conflicting policies. but whatever.. its no big deal. I have no problem with folks making money off affiliate marketing.

-Im not even saying that he has a bad site. or a bad guy. Im not even saying that his post was incorrect. what I am saying is: 1) Provocative Title 2) Immediately references to a sketchy forum 3) affiliate link + ads -- these are usually the signs of link-bait.

*Im not even commenting on the merit of the article or whether it belongs on HN or not.. Im just commenting on how painful it is for me to see it on HN.

[nl]

@NL

You are replying to my post and this is a threaded forum, not Twitter.

1) Provocative Title

If it bleeds it leads. And what would be a better title exactly?

2) Immediately references to a sketchy forum

WebHostingTalk is the biggest forum about webhosting in the world. It's pretty important if you work in that field.

3) affiliate link + ads

Welcome to the internet.

[iphoneedbot]

1) Provocative Title ---> As for a better title -- who knows.. the title: "Yes, You Can Run 18 Static Sites on a 64MB VPS" ---> it begs the question... "why wouldn't you be able to Run 18 Static Sites on a 64MB VPS?" -- So, you end up clicking on it. For this HN crowd - Im pretty sure that was going thru a lot of peoples head when they read the title.. (at least for me - but who knows)

2) Immediately references to a sketchy forum WebHostingTalk is the biggest forum about webhosting in the world. It's pretty important if you work in that field*

---> That's debatable. I've worked in the web hosting industry for a very long time and I almost never go to that forum unless, im baited to it.

3) affiliate link + ads Welcome to the internet. I've got nothing against affiliates, or ads... heck - affiliate marketing is a very important part of the internet marketing ecosystem. however, the very obvious absence of affiliates or ads on HN makes it a very nice place.

[chc]

I don't want to start anything, but your tone comes across as pretty hostile. That kind of disrespect is more anathema to HN and worse for the community than an affiliate link contained on a linked page.