Software Solicitation and Web-based Answers?

Question

Super User is about computer software, hardware, and personal networking per the FAQ:

Super User is for computer enthusiasts and power users. If you have a question about …

• computer hardware
• computer software
• personal and home computer networking

The point that Super User is not about Web Applications is well-discussed.

Are questions that ask for software, that start with "I need software that does..." appropriate?

If so, would answers that suggest Web-based options okay?

For example, this question on file sharing/collaboration is relatively platform-agnostic, though many of the answers reference websites.

Answer 1

Answers must adhere to a different set of rules than questions, like actually attempting to answer the question. Answers directing users to web applications are OK. You can even leave out the software and hardware from your answer entirely, as long as the question satisfies the requirements for questions.

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The "product recommendation" part of your question has been discussed before. There's no really clear consensus, other than that asking for programs isn't a good idea. Answers that recommend products OTOH are fine.

My suggestion: State your problem ("I want to rename two bazillion files according to the following rules") instead of what your solution might look like ("please recommend a batch file renamer"). You might be surprised what your OS (e.g. command line) already can do, for example.