Re: Looking things up online

Moonchilde · ‎05-23-2010

@NYC Susan 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.
I agree. In certain situations, it's really good to hear from others.

But very often I see posts that ask for very simple, basic information. Not life experience, not something that welcomes different perspectives. Just basic facts. The question is posted, posters (who either knew the answer or googled) reply, and that's the end of it. There's no meaningful discussion because there wasn't much to it to begin with.

If someone tried to find the answer and was unsuccessful, that's different. And your examples are very different. I completely agree that in those cases opening up a conversation about it can be very positive.

ITA as well. Of course people want others' opinions and personal experiences, I totally understand that these forums fulfill that function for I'd say most of us.

But yes, "what's the phone # for Staples corporate" or "does Amazon sell knee socks" are veeery different questions than trying to get an opinion of something. It's faster to look it up yourself than to come here and ask.

Life without Mexican food is no life at all

Moonchilde · ‎05-23-2010

@IMissSuperPoke wrote:
@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!

First cousins to the comments on Amazon.

"I don't know, I don't own one."

"I wouldn't buy one of those if you paid me."

Sounds like the responses of 13 year olds.

Life without Mexican food is no life at all

Moonchilde · ‎05-23-2010

@NYC Susan wrote:
@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.

Some posters will always have motives that have nothing to do with what's stated in (any, not just this one) OP of a thread.

It isn't difficult to read and respond to the topic as stated in an OP. So when people respond completely inappropriately I have to assume they just don't GA*. Not just about that OP, but any OP. It doesn't give me a high opinion of their reasons for being on the forums in general.

Life without Mexican food is no life at all

NYC Susan · ‎03-13-2010

@Moonchilde wrote:
@IMissSuperPoke wrote:
@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!

First cousins to the comments on Amazon.

"I don't know, I don't own one."
"I wouldn't buy one of those if you paid me."

Sounds like the responses of 13 year olds.

Yes! I've seen those on Amazon too.

Last year I was interested in a chaise lounge for my terrace. The dimensions were listed, but not the height from the ground to the seat, so I posted and asked. Several people responded with the answer. But one "helpful" person actually wrote, "I don't know. I never measured".

These people seem to think they're being asked questions directly. It's mind-boggling.

Moonchilde · ‎05-23-2010

@Trinity11 wrote:
@Moonchilde wrote:
@suzyQ3 wrote:
Once again, @Moonchilde was NOT talking about people looking for opinions.

I'm not the only one (knew I wasn't, but it was confirmed this afternoon). KittyLou's thread has gone the same way. All sorts of ad hominem attacks and blatant mis-statings of her OP despite multiple clarifications, as with ths thread.

It's not a chat forum, it's a Fight Club free-for-all.

But that's okay. I'm not going anywhere ;-)

Thanks, @suzyQ3 😍
Since I mentioned opinions, I hope you know I meant no harm, @Moonchilde. I hate confrontation and derive no pleasure from it. If you were offended, I apologize. I misunderstood your thread and should have read more of the posts before responding...

Thank you, @Trinity11, I appreciate that.

Life without Mexican food is no life at all

Suziepeach · ‎03-10-2010

@sabatini wrote:

@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!

@sabatini.... Wow just wow!! My goodness gracious I am so happy you took his advice and went to the ER.. Who'd of thunk it was a poisonous bite? and that Workman's comp. paid for everything. You must've been thrown for a loop when you found out how serious it was..

Soooooooooo happy you're doing well now- stay out those sheds young lady!! Happy you did ask that one question!!

I am sorry to say I've learned the hard way to not ask advice or help on here, LOL .... Now mind you I do pay attention to experiences and advice being given to other's, on any subject.

But mainly the medical stuff bothers me but I keep that to myself.

Glad you're better and that one poster spoke up adamantly!!

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