Yeah, I have to say that I rather enjoy the whole, check this out threads. Sometimes I need/want/covet the item...other..blah. Regarless, I don't think ETS has a problem with it and I applaud the admins handling of the forums.

"...I find it annoying and lazy when someone asks for input about a specific piece of gear and then fails to provide a link to the equipment's description, sometimes they don't even spell it right which makes it tough to find even with a good search engine..."

EXACTLY!!!

When I happen upon a new, at least to me, piece of equipmennt that looks interesting, I will stick a link in, hoping that someone here already has it and can comment, or that it will be exactly what someone else is looking for.

If you go to the ETS homepage you will find all kinds of links to products that Doug has tested. That is how we learn...

It's interesting that every post other than the original one is in favor of members linking new products and/or websites they found useful. I would have expected at least one other poster would feel the same way as bat69. To me, this seems significant. I too enjoy hearing about products that other members have found helpful.

Now, having said the above, I ABSOLUT(vodka)ly PROMISE(spread) never to mention any brands, products, etc., and what's MORA(knives), if anyone ever DISCOVER(card)'s me doing so, no matter how much it HERTZ(car rental) me, I give you permission to SPRINT(cell phone) to the nearest moderator and report me.

I like reading about products for the preparedness minded, so I love being able to read the posts about some piece of gear that someone found, or better yet tried out and gave feedback on.

I think the admins have done a great job covering the forums and rooting out the people who were hawking things.

And by the way, here's a link to some indespensible prep gear I'm selling! j/k

Yes, -but sometimes in the course of Discussion, -and up to a certain Proper Point, -one's got to discuss Suppliers, Distributors, Retailers, et al. Within that Frame, -it is Not undue commercialism.