Maybe that is the reason why it sucks for the author. I use LinkedIn as my personal CV and have gotten a job through it. If I had to search for a new job it would probably be through LinkedIn, Stackoverflow and other smaller sites for remote workers.
LinkedIn is better than all other general career sites, much much better and I can always point people there if they want my CV.
If you add contacts you don't know indiscriminately, you're going to have issues. That's just asking for trouble.
But then, I haven't logged into my account in so long I don't even get spam from Linkedin anymore.
I take the exact opposite approach and only exclude recruiters. I figure by doing this my network is my legitimate business connections which I can use to further myself professionally.
Legitimately curious, how do you use these connections to further your career? Other than coworkers and people interested in hiring me and/or recruiters, and some bigger names, I didn't really see any other use to LinkedIn yet...
But, I have actually reached out to connections to discuss business opportunities. Since the connections live in the world where I have done business, they are more likely to know and trust that I can deliver on their business needs.
If, however, that person sees that they are connected to you via some other person they know and trust, I think they'll be more likely to take you serious.
Definitely better than any other career site, imho.
That's a little risky because LI sometimes shows an auth wall - a blank page with a login dialog. It looks like they don't show it every time, but I've seen it happen. I moved on without logging in.