...and now that I'm back in front of my computer, allow me to respond.
First of all, I do not even remotely qualify as a "troll." I have been an active participant in the comment section from time to time, and mostly I have defended the site (as you are attempting to do) from misguided or un-constructive posts. Furthermore, I have generally appreciated the efforts by the moderators here.
Now having said that, I have two issues that I believe are both valid and worthy of remaining in the comments section.
1. Several people commented prior to my deleted posts that Starburn caused their other burning software to stop recognizing their CD-burners. As somebody who uses several different burning products (for various reasons) I find this to be a "dangerous" tendency for ANY piece of software to do, and in trying to evaluate whether I should download and install Starburn it is a point which DESERVES mention in the comments section. I shouldn't have to go looking for pros AND cons of a particular product elsewhere - it should be easily accessable in one place. This sort of thing is VERY different than technical problems somebody might have with the installation, which I agree can be better addressed in the forums.
2. My assumption that BuBBY is the one deleting my posts is a reasonable one, given that he/she has been in and out of this particular comments thread both yesterday and today, AND because he/she is the one who initially "voiced" the opinion that these sorts of comments didn't belong in the comments section (which clearly they do). As I mentioned already, NEITHER of my prior comments were either offensive in language or in tone (I will post one or both below if I have them), so I don't particularly appreciate those of you on your "high horses" from passing judgement without having all the information ... I wouldn't do that to you (and haven't here).
Now, since Archangel was kind enough to report his/her installation information, I would pose two questions in your direction: 1. Do you run Nero, Roxio, or any other burning software which was installed when you installed Starburn? AND 2. Do they still function properly? If the answer is "yes" and "yes," not only does that increase my confidence that Starburn is worth trying, but I would strongly encourage you to post the answers in the comments section, where you can answer those who don't come here but are wondering the very same thing.
Now, here is a copy of my first deleted post ... I welcome any comments on it but I still don't see anything in it that was either offensive or inappropriate, and I still believe that we ALL are owed an apology for it having been removed from the place it belonged ... in the comments section where others could "make their own minds up" (as stated above) about whether to take a chance on a particular product. Keep in mind that this comment originally appeared directly after BuBBy's opinion that everything not directly related to the software should go to the forums - my position is that my comments ARE directly related to the software ... see if you agree.
"Sorry, BuBBy, but I have to agree with several others who stated quite correctly that if there are technical problems with a particular product that are going to cause trouble for people, those issues NEED to be listed HERE in the comments section.
I don’t lurk in the forums, and I don’t feel the need to search them for basic (BUT IMPORTANT) info that will help me decide whether to take a chance on a given product offered for only one day. I agree that topics unrelated to the product itself should be taken to the forums, but today’s issues and questions regarding hijaacking web browsers and deactivating other competing products most definitely belong RIGHT HERE where I and everyone else can see them BEFORE making the decision to download and install the product.
I can tell you right now that I was very excited by today’s offering, but when I hear others claiming that this product messes around with other software I may have installed that puts up a HUGE red flag. Since nobody has been able to answer the repeated question of whether Starburn “knocks out” Roxio, Nero, and potentially other products I have no choice but to take a pass on it … It’s not worth the risk and aggravation to take a chance on it unless I hear conclusively that I have nothing to worry about.
I suspect most other GAOTD regulars would agree with me.
Regards,
Steve"
Now, was that so horrible that it needed to be censored? Was it offensive? Was it off point? The answer is "no," "no," and "no." Any reasonable person would (and should) consider the things I stated before trying any software, and there was absolutely no reason to pull this or the followup comment off the comments page. As it happens I no longer seem to have the followup so I can't post it here, but it was essentially similar, with the addition of my shock and dismay that the first one was censored to begin with.
Flame me all you want, but you can't change the fact that my statement above was reasonable, relevant, and above all, respectful, and I was NOT accorded the same respect from BuBBy (or whomever chose to delete my comments, though I'm quite confident it WAS BuBBy).
Respectfully,
Steve
