Re: Looking things up online

Irshgrl31201 · ‎03-18-2010

@NYC Susan wrote:
@Moonchilde wrote:
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.
I have wondered the same thing many times. I understand starting a topic in order to find out the experiences of others, or to ask opinions, share a personal dilemma, things of that sort. But very often threads are started by posters who easily could find the answer online. Very easily.

I'm quite sure that many posters who post helpful replies do exactly what the OP could have done in the first place. I know I have. While other posters were contributing, "I don't know" posts, I simply googled and found the answer. Not rocket science.

Something else I've noticed is back-and-forth bickering that could easily be ended if just one of them would google the subject they're arguing about. "It's the law in the state of NY", "No, it isn't." "Yes, it is." For heaven's sake, someone please just google and put an end to it!

As you said, if people are computer-literate enough to post here, they certainly should know how to do a simple search. You said it takes 30 seconds, but often it's even less time than that.

Haha! I have thought that myself so many times @NYC Susan.

Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.
JFK

NYC Susan · ‎03-13-2010

@itiswhatitis wrote:
@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.
Good point. However, there are those times when some chime in and have no idea what they're talking about. So....sometimes a book is needed.

That's one of my pet peeves about these forums. Especially when people give medical advice that is wildly incorrect and potentially dangerous. I think that almost everyone here is well-intentioned, but some are self-proclaimed experts who really have no idea what they're talking about.

I would hope that anyone posting a serious question would not use these forums as their only source of information.

Suziepeach · ‎03-10-2010

@NYC Susan, in reference to your post on medical advice.. many years ago someone came on board and was asking about the chest pain they were having.. Me, well, the medical and sensible part of me kicked in, and I said something like, "Please don't ask advice about that here, please call your Doctor or go to the ER."

Needless to say I was stoned & bruised for those few words- and furthermore was told, "How dare you say that to a poster, they've come here looking for help." .. Fine by me.. I don't say squat anymore... I sure learned my lesson.. how dare I LOL I didn't know there were so many qualified to give the same dam advise I gave them but no stoning to them, it was at me..

I hope that poster is okay..

Go VOLS
Rocky Top you'll always be home sweet home to me.. Good ole Rocky Top, Rocky Top Tennessee... Rocky Top Tennessee

NYC Susan · ‎03-13-2010

@Smoky wrote:
@NYC Susan, in reference to your post on medical advice.. many years ago someone came on board and was asking about the chest pain they were having.. Me, well, the medical and sensible part of me kicked in, and I said something like, "Please don't ask advice about that here, please call your Doctor or go to the ER."

Needless to say I was stoned & bruised for those few words- and furthermore was told, "How dare you say that to a poster, they've come here looking for help." .. Fine by me.. I don't say squat anymore... I sure learned my lesson.. how dare I LOL I didn't know there were so many qualified to give the same dam advise I gave them but no stoning to them, it was at me..

I hope that poster is okay..

I've been criticized for suggesting that posters go to the ER or speak to their physicians too. There are posters here who despise medical professionals and insist they know better. It's truly frightening. And there are others who refuse to understand that everyone is different. What was life-saving for one person can be lethal for another.

Suggestions are fine. Sharing experiences is fine. But too many people speak in absolutes, as though they know for sure what is medically appropriate for someone else. I generally back off from those threads now.

NYC Susan · ‎03-13-2010

@Irshgrl31201 wrote:
@NYC Susan wrote:
@Moonchilde wrote:
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.
I have wondered the same thing many times. I understand starting a topic in order to find out the experiences of others, or to ask opinions, share a personal dilemma, things of that sort. But very often threads are started by posters who easily could find the answer online. Very easily.

I'm quite sure that many posters who post helpful replies do exactly what the OP could have done in the first place. I know I have. While other posters were contributing, "I don't know" posts, I simply googled and found the answer. Not rocket science.
Something else I've noticed is back-and-forth bickering that could easily be ended if just one of them would google the subject they're arguing about. "It's the law in the state of NY", "No, it isn't." "Yes, it is." For heaven's sake, someone please just google and put an end to it!

As you said, if people are computer-literate enough to post here, they certainly should know how to do a simple search. You said it takes 30 seconds, but often it's even less time than that.
Haha! I have thought that myself so many times @NYC Susan.

NYC Susan · ‎03-13-2010

@dooBdoo wrote:

          I have to agree that not everyone knows how to refine a search, or they're not sure exactly what they want to search for.    Hey, sometimes it's hard to use the dictionary to find out how spell a word because we don't know how to spell the word!😜
          I do think I understand @Moonchilde's reason for asking. (And I don't understand replying to her OP with snark -- she asked in a civil manner, so why not reply in kind?).    The ones that stand out to me are the times when someone starts a thread about a person/place/event/etc. and another person says something to the effect of "who is that person" or "I've never heard of [name], who is that" -- those are examples when a simple search would've taken less time and effort than posting the question/comment took.
          Opening another tab and entering a name/place/event/etc. takes less time than that type of reply.

Yes!

And that reminds me of another pet peeve. (I seem to have a lot today! Not sure why - I'm not usually so cranky.)

Here's how it goes: Someone starts a thread about a TV show they discovered, starring, let's say, John Smith. It will start with something like, "I'm totally hooked on New Show! I've always been a John Smith fan, and he's really good in this. Is anyone else watching?" And people will reply, "Yes, I love it too", or "I liked John Smith better in Old Show", or "No, I've been meaning to watch, thanks for reminding me", and a general discussion then takes place about this show, John Smith, other things he's done, similar shows, etc. But there will also be those posters who feel they have to chime in with:

"I've never seen it". or

"I won't watch it. I think it looks boring" or

"I don't watch TV".

Why on earth are these people replying at all? Clearly, the OP wanted to start a discussion about a TV show with people who might have the same interest. Why the insistence on raining on her parade and contributing literally nothing? (Rhetorical question. Rant over!)

NYC Susan · ‎03-13-2010

@VaBelle35 wrote:
Never mind, I just googled it and it came up. LOLOLOL

LOVE this! :-)

IMissSuperPoke · ‎10-02-2013

@NYC Susan wrote:
@dooBdoo wrote:

          I have to agree that not everyone knows how to refine a search, or they're not sure exactly what they want to search for.    Hey, sometimes it's hard to use the dictionary to find out how spell a word because we don't know how to spell the word!😜
          I do think I understand @Moonchilde's reason for asking. (And I don't understand replying to her OP with snark -- she asked in a civil manner, so why not reply in kind?).    The ones that stand out to me are the times when someone starts a thread about a person/place/event/etc. and another person says something to the effect of "who is that person" or "I've never heard of [name], who is that" -- those are examples when a simple search would've taken less time and effort than posting the question/comment took.
          Opening another tab and entering a name/place/event/etc. takes less time than that type of reply.

Yes!

And that reminds me of another pet peeve. (I seem to have a lot today! Not sure why - I'm not usually so cranky.)

Here's how it goes: Someone starts a thread about a TV show they discovered, starring, let's say, John Smith. It will start with something like, "I'm totally hooked on New Show! I've always been a John Smith fan, and he's really good in this. Is anyone else watching?" And people will reply, "Yes, I love it too", or "I liked John Smith better in Old Show", or "No, I've been meaning to watch, thanks for reminding me", and a general discussion then takes place about this show, John Smith, other things he's done, similar shows, etc. But there will also be those posters who feel they have to chime in with:

"I've never seen it".   or
"I won't watch it. I think it looks boring" or
"I don't watch TV".

Why on earth are these people replying at all? Clearly, the OP wanted to start a discussion about a TV show with people who might have the same interest. Why the insistence on raining on her parade and contributing literally nothing? (Rhetorical question. Rant over!)

The "I never heard of them" posts are worth ranting over, they don't contribute a thing!

NYC Susan · ‎03-13-2010

@Moonchilde wrote:
@Spurt wrote:
@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 consider your situation totally different, you did your research but after reviewin all the information you are looking for some practical advice based on someone's personal experience.........So maybe that's what people are leaving out when they post a question....that they did search but are all confused by many opposing opinions or solutions found on Google.........Maybe that's @Moonchilde answer!

@Spurt
When I'm in that situation, I say so - because I don't want people to think I didn't bother. But as I've stated numerous times in this thread already, this isn't the kind of question I meant. I'm talking cut, dried, 2+2 questions.

I understood that from the very first post. It was crystal clear. I'm not sure why it's so difficult for some posters to understand. It's about basic, simple, easily-answered questions. Not the experiences, opinions, or points of view of other posters. Totally different.

sabatini · ‎06-29-2015

@Smoky wrote:
@NYC Susan, in reference to your post on medical advice.. many years ago someone came on board and was asking about the chest pain they were having.. Me, well, the medical and sensible part of me kicked in, and I said something like, "Please don't ask advice about that here, please call your Doctor or go to the ER."

Needless to say I was stoned & bruised for those few words- and furthermore was told, "How dare you say that to a poster, they've come here looking for help." .. Fine by me.. I don't say squat anymore... I sure learned my lesson.. how dare I LOL I didn't know there were so many qualified to give the same dam advise I gave them but no stoning to them, it was at me..

I hope that poster is okay..

Though ITA that it's easier to look up info yourself, sometimes it's nice to hear what others have experienced themselves.

@Suziepeach, I smiled when I read your post because it reminded me of a time when I started a thread seeking advice. (Sorry you got lambasted, especially because you were right!)

Anyway, a million years ago, back on the old HSN Forums, I asked "What do you do for a spider bite?"

I'd been bitten by a spider while at work while scrounging for Easter decorations in a storage shed.

There were a lot of replies, but then papa2u (spelling? anyone remember him?) came on & blasted me! "You think you're tough? Think you can handle this yourself?! GO TO THE ER RIGHT NOW!"

Thank God he shook me to my senses! I did go to the ER, & it was a poisonous bite. I had to stay off my feet for 10 days & take a ton of antibiotics. Workman's comp paid for everything.

LOL!

Thanks, papa2u!

I sure was glad I asked that question!

Muddling through...