So I keep getting LinkedIn invites from people whose name I only barely recognize. I check out their profile and see they definitely are in the tech space, and I might like to know them, except I'm not sure who they are. I'd like to send them a message to ask how they know me, but of course I can't without upgrading to Premium. I'd like to accept them and then send them a message, but if it turns out I don't want to be associated with them, I can't EVER remove them from my network. So what do I do instead? I just Ignore EVERY SINGLE REQUEST I GET unless I remember the person clearly and thoroughly.<p>It's a great way for LinkedIn to not create connections for people, don't you think?
> if it turns out I don't want to be associated with them, I can't EVER remove them from my network<p><a href="http://help.linkedin.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/49" rel="nofollow">http://help.linkedin.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/49</a>
I feel your pain. I only setup an account there to issue takedown notices against people who would copy and paste articles I wrote into "groups" as their own work.<p>I could find zero way to do this without becoming a member.
I hate LinkedIn, but I've always found that to be a feature, not a bug.<p>I very seldom bother with LinkedIn, but on the rare occasions that I do, it's always because of a connection I don't want to miss out on. My boss from 10 years ago, for example, found me on LinkedIn and connected, and I accepted that connection with zero hesitation. He was a great manager, and literally made everybody around him better, and I'm more than happy to have my name alongside his.<p>That said, there have been people with whom I've worked alongside for years whose requests I let languish. Good friends, in many cases, and often competent workers, but, at the same time, not necessarily those I'd be willing to speak effusively on for a job recommendation.<p>In short, my criteria for a LinkedIn connection is whether or not I can answer the phone unprepared and sing to a potential employer about how amazing they are. For anybody I can do that with, accepting the connection is a no-brainer... for everyone else, it's basically a non-starter.<p>That LinkedIn makes it hard to remove contacts only solidifies that decision for me all the more.