rant: the lack of search skills, and what you can do about it!

crypticlogin

Diamond Member
Feb 6, 2001
4,047
0
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I've noticed this more now than before, but a significant chunk of the posts have to do with "I can't find something.. please help." More often than not, their answers can easily be found with a search engine using the words they use in their post. Then there is the question about finding someone's address or phone number. Or how about "I need more info on productX by companyY."

Then you realize these same people have web access to post which usually doesn't exclude them from hitting up the search engines, websites designed for finding specific information, companyY's website for info on productX, etc. Unless the question is really obscure, your question's already been answered somewhere at sometime by somebody. The following are only a very small selection of tools you can use:

Google
Google groups
Whois Search
The Whitepages
Internet MOVIE database

Now get going and answer your own damned questions! :|
 

notfred

Lifer
Feb 12, 2001
38,241
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I TOTALLY agree with this rant.

Things like "Will American Express Pricematch on an AMEX blue card" Should be answered on American Express' website.

Also "Need a new alternator - how much do they cost?" is easily answered by a quick telephone call to the dealership.
 

kranky

Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
21,019
156
106
For a while, when I responded to posts like that, below the answer I would say "Found on google by searching for hairy thunderer, took 5 seconds." (of course, using the appropriate search words)

Every time the poster would respond that they tried that but it didn't work, or the site I found didn't get returned for them, or some other excuse. I finally decided they must not be able to spell, which would explain a lot of the difficulty using search engines.

 

killface

Golden Member
Aug 17, 2001
1,416
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I whole heartedly agree. Someone a few weeks ago wanted to know the TIME. Honest to god. He wanted to know what friggin' time it was. I see numerous instances of these types of posts.
 

Amused

Elite Member
Apr 14, 2001
57,391
19,708
146
Searching is EASY. Hell, the tips and hints on how to do an effective search are located on every search page I've ever used.
 

Bulk Beef

Diamond Member
Aug 14, 2001
5,466
0
76
Can somebody tell me where my other black sock is? I lost one in the laundry some time ago, and it's been driving me crazy. Also, the remote for my VCR is missing.

TIA
 

Ameesh

Lifer
Apr 3, 2001
23,686
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whats really funny is a friend of mine claimed she couldnt find movie show times on the internet. LOL :D
 

crypticlogin

Diamond Member
Feb 6, 2001
4,047
0
0


<< damn your a riot, you should do stand up with carrothead and gallagher >>


That would be an insult to Carrothead and Gallagher. :p

Well, thanks for reading my rant and I'm glad to hear there are a few others in agreement.