topic Re: Looking things up online in Community Chat

Looking things up online

Moonchilde — Sat, 03 Jun 2017 20:06:32 GMT

We all see people ask questions on these forums (and all over the internet, really) that could have been answered by a 30-second google. Sometimes it takes longer to post asking the question than to google the answer.

Yes, there are always people who actually do the looking-up for these "requests", so the questioners invariably do get their answers.

My question is - other than sheer laziness and "I don't want to bother, I'll ask a stranger & get them to do it" motivations, why would you not look it up yourself?

I'm not talking a complicated question you'd need specialized knowledge to find out, but really basic things. How to contact a business. How difficult is it to type the name of the business, go to their website and get the info you need? Very occasionally a PITA (depending on how user-friendly the website is), it's straightforward and quick 95% of the time.

It's my opinion that anyone who buys online at QVC, maneuvers these forums, can find the latest news online and report it here, and can post links, is equipped to do a google search. So for simple questions, why wouldn't you? Just about anything can be found out fairly quickly and fairly easily online. It's not usually something one really needs to ask someone else to do for them. So why do they?

I do understand physical handicaps, but if you made it here...

So, am I (seriously here) missing something? Why would a person continually ask/expect others to do this and not do it themselves? Everyone has to learn. We all started sometime.

Re: Looking things up online

Preds — Sat, 03 Jun 2017 20:14:17 GMT

A connection? An idea? A conversation started? Maybe not sure exactly what they need to ask in order to Google it.

Re: Looking things up online

chickenbutt — Sat, 03 Jun 2017 20:15:21 GMT

Hey Moonchilde!

Ya got me. I'm a total Google-maniac. If I have a question about something - even something I read on a board or whatever, I look it up. Easy peasy, as some would say.

But then I've always been a doer, and not a follower. If something needs figuring out I will do the best of my ability to figure it out. If I cannot figure it out or find an answer on my own, I might (just might, because I hate asking anybody for anything) ask somebody.

Re: Looking things up online

Mz iMac — Sat, 03 Jun 2017 20:15:50 GMT

Re: Looking things up online

SahmIam — Sat, 03 Jun 2017 20:17:26 GMT

IMHO, often asking someone how to do XYZ gives up info that is more helpful than ANY book or site can provide. I read all the books on childbirth but GIVING birth gave me insight that NO book could.

Same thing when applying for Social Security for my son; I did research and I called and I ordered pamphlets and OMG.... I was lost. I asked here and so many offered advice, help, insight that they had gained having gone through it themselves.

That's the answer for you; We ask here because of the insight from those who have actually gone through it themselves.

Re: Looking things up online

Winkk — Sat, 03 Jun 2017 20:17:54 GMT

I've often wondered that too. I Google all the time. I usually only post when I want opinions.

Re: Looking things up online

Noel7 — Sat, 03 Jun 2017 20:17:59 GMT

There are other facets to that...

If someone does know the answer or something about a certain subject, they can be accused of looking it up because no one actually knows things. At least that's how a few people think.

Re: Looking things up online

Noel7 — Sat, 03 Jun 2017 20:20:26 GMT

I think there are some people who don't know how to google. Sometimes it does take some skill knowing how to refine a search.

Re: Looking things up online

Marp — Sat, 03 Jun 2017 20:21:17 GMT

@Moonchildeasked: "My question is - other than sheer laziness and "I don't want to bother, I'll ask a stranger & get them to do it" motivations, why would you not look it up yourself?"

I strongly suspect that for some the answer is as simple as the often overwhelming search returns and inability or unwillingness to read and evaluate what is found.

Some would rather have others do the work then present a synopsis.

Some have done the searching but didn't find the answer(s) wanted so the question is thrown out for others in hope of getting the answer wanted.

There are likely as many answers to the question as there are posters.

Re: Looking things up online

LilacTree — Sat, 03 Jun 2017 20:24:10 GMT

I am an avid researcher. If I post a question it's usually because I wonder how others would handle something, or the experiences they have had with something . . . not to ask what something is because I always know that before I post.

Opinions and experience with certain issues cannot be found on the Internet. One can read "comments," but I'd rather have the comments of someone I know, then comments from strangers six years ago.

Re: Looking things up online

Cwoldie — Sat, 03 Jun 2017 20:26:13 GMT

You can just ignore those people who are too "lazy" to look it up.

i personally wouldn't put the time or thought you put into your post worrying about it.

Re: Looking things up online

proudlyfromNJ — Sat, 03 Jun 2017 20:27:31 GMT

Probably a few different reasons. I can see a couple. As one poster said, for a view from someone here who actually had the experience. Also, to start a conversation. Goodness knows we need some. This forum is becoming duller than dirt.

Re: Looking things up online

goldensrbest — Sat, 03 Jun 2017 20:28:14 GMT

@LilacTree wrote:
I am an avid researcher. If I post a question it's usually because I wonder how others would handle something, or the experiences they have had with something . . . not to ask what something is because I always know that before I post.

Opinions and experience with certain issues cannot be found on the Internet. One can read "comments," but I'd rather have the comments of someone I know, then comments from strangers six years ago.

Yes,i want to know what others think,experiences and that is important.

Re: Looking things up online

CareBears — Sat, 03 Jun 2017 20:31:32 GMT

I am the Queen of Google, I have even been asked to look up long lost friends of people in my life who have hit a road block trying to find them, with a little initiative and some time you can find almost anything you want!

Re: Looking things up online

Nightowlz — Sat, 03 Jun 2017 20:32:33 GMT

Believe it or not there are people that have problems using a search engine to find info they are seeking. My dad & MIL are 2 of them. Now my younger sister emails me all the time for info. She's too lazy to do it herself. I don't mind looking it up to help others. Sometimes I may ask just for conversation.

Re: Looking things up online

Zhills — Sat, 03 Jun 2017 20:34:05 GMT

@LilacTree wrote:
I am an avid researcher. If I post a question it's usually because I wonder how others would handle something, or the experiences they have had with something . . . not to ask what something is because I always know that before I post.

Opinions and experience with certain issues cannot be found on the Internet. One can read "comments," but I'd rather have the comments of someone I know, then comments from strangers six years ago.

I love research. I think some folks don't really understand how computers work and what they can do for you. They learn enough to read email and get QVC! Also, I think a lot of people are on a phone or tablet. I do not like using my 7" screen to read something I am really interested in. Even email.

I don't get reposting the news. Between TV, Radio and the internet, WHO didn't hear it already?

Re: Looking things up online

Noel7 — Sat, 03 Jun 2017 20:34:57 GMT

@Cwoldie wrote:
You can just ignore those people who are too "lazy" to look it up.
i personally wouldn't put the time or thought you put into your post worrying about it.

@Cwoldie She didn't say she was worried about it, she said she wondered why people don't look things up themselves.

That shows curiosity, not worry.

BTW, most intelligent people don't have to put time and thought into a post, it's just there spontaneously.

Re: Looking things up online

Noel7 — Sat, 03 Jun 2017 20:33:25 GMT

@proudlyfromNJ wrote:
Probably a few different reasons. I can see a couple. As one poster said, for a view from someone here who actually had the experience. Also, to start a conversation. Goodness knows we need some. This forum is becoming duller than dirt.

You said it, @proudlyfromNJ

Re: Looking things up online

Nightowlz — Sat, 03 Jun 2017 20:37:41 GMT

@Zhills wrote:
@LilacTree wrote:
I am an avid researcher. If I post a question it's usually because I wonder how others would handle something, or the experiences they have had with something . . . not to ask what something is because I always know that before I post.

Opinions and experience with certain issues cannot be found on the Internet. One can read "comments," but I'd rather have the comments of someone I know, then comments from strangers six years ago.
I love research. I think some folks don't really understand how computers work and what they can do for you. They learn enough to read email and get QVC! Also, I think a lot of people are on a phone or tablet. I do not like using my 7" screen to read something I am really interested in. Even email.

@Zhills That's a big part of the problem.

When my MIL first starting using a computer she thought the email in the subject line was the full email. She was not opening her email only reading the subject line.

That would work if my sister was emailing her. That's where she normally puts all her text??? Sometimes I have to copy & paste so I can read it without hovering my mouse over it.

It's a good thing DH can get on my dad's computer remote from our house when he's having problems because we can never figure out what he's talking about.

Re: Looking things up online

Moonchilde — Sat, 03 Jun 2017 20:38:50 GMT

@SahmIam wrote:
IMHO, often asking someone how to do XYZ gives up info that is more helpful than ANY book or site can provide. I read all the books on childbirth but GIVING birth gave me insight that NO book could.

Same thing when applying for Social Security for my son; I did research and I called and I ordered pamphlets and OMG.... I was lost. I asked here and so many offered advice, help, insight that they had gained having gone through it themselves.

That's the answer for you; We ask here because of the insight from those who have actually gone through it themselves.

@SahmIam, I don't mean people asking others for their personal knowledge or advice. I'm not talking about going to a website to learn to ride a bike (for example), but rather asking "where can I buy ABC shampoo" when a 10-second google will tell you. You can ask "what do you all think of ABC shampoo?" and get feedback and advice and maybe where to buy gets thrown into the conversation. But I'm talking asking flat out simple, not complicated and not subjective questions.