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Don't reply "just Google it" (self.fediverse)

submitted 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) by sith to c/[email protected]

275 comments fedilink hide all child comments

It is clear that the signal to noise ratio of the WWW is getting worse. It's much harder to find good content when using a good old search engine. And if it's good it is usually hosted on Reddit or Stackexchange.

So remember, even if it's easy too Google something (well, it isn't nowadays), we want to create a fediverse of good content that helps people (I hope). So, it's always better to write a real answer if you have the time and energy. Please help boost the SNR and reverse the AI fueled information degradation loop.

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[–] [email protected] 91 points 4 days ago (3 children)

So many times I google something obscure, the top result is the same question asked on some forum with a single reply, "just google it"

[–] [email protected] 56 points 4 days ago (4 children)

The only thing worse than someone saying just Google it is an op replying to their own post saying, never mind fixed it! (Without actually saying the solution).

[–] [email protected] 31 points 4 days ago (1 children)

"What did you see, DenverCoder9?!?!"

[–] [email protected] 10 points 4 days ago

There is always an xkcd!

[–] [email protected] 5 points 4 days ago

No I think someone saying Google it is still worse.

The former is being intentionally unhelpful.

Your example is being unintentionally unhelpful.

Intentional malicious behavior is far worse than negligence.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 days ago

The fun one that is at least a bit forgivable is "I found the solution! I just followed ". It's especially fun when you keep finding multiple postings that look hopeful at first but then end up just linking back to the same dead link.

The lesson here is that it can be helpful to future internet searchers (or even your future self) to copy the relevant information or briefly summarize it instead of just dropping a URL. Especially when linking to something like an company's official support forum or posting as many companies will pull that stuff down eventually.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 4 days ago

yeah i really hate that

[–] [email protected] 18 points 4 days ago (1 children)

and worse, it's a thread from 17 years ago and apparently nobody else except you has had the issue since.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 4 days ago (1 children)

You ever revisit an old problem, search it, find someone with the exact problem and as you read it think "yes... YES! This person has my exact same problem! Wait, the tone sounds familiar..."

Only to realize you found your own post from an old throwaway account? With no replies.

Because I have. It's soul crushing.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 days ago

No, because I went back and answered my own question.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 4 days ago

or it's a reddit post that once contained the answer but has been deleted in protest.