Why do people treat forums as personal search engines?

Why do people start threads on forums asking very basic questions that can be answered by doing a simple search on their favorite search engine? Every forum I visit is littered with people asking the same simple questions over and over again. Is it because they don't understand how to search or Is it because they're too lazy? Or is it something else?

I've noticed that many of these people tend to be young. Are we raising a generation that's dependent on others telling them all the answers? A generation that doesn't know how to search for their own answers?

I get the feeling if I search, there's been a similar thread, but I feel like ranting/venting.

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Comments

Roguetadhg

Most places try to emphasis the search button.

hiddenknight821

I would say they're either being extremely lazy or incompetent (I really want to say "stupid" here but they have the potential to improve). I feel your frustration too. The young people with no IT experience, certs, and IT education are tolerable, but the rest of them are just annoying.

cyberguypr

That is my pet peeve with LinkedIn. You join a professional group where you expect to engage in advanced topics with fellow IT geeks and many of the posts are one liners such as "Give me all material for Exchange 2010", "Can you tell anyone server 2008 Vs 2012" or "please send me proxy server software full version". Most of the time the OPs have system admin or engineer in their title.

Don't get me wrong, I am more than willing to help newcomers and jr. level folks but you gotta do your homework first and then come ask questions. And they better be clear. We can't answer what we cant understand. Frustrating.

kriscamaro68

This is all to common now days. I try to remind helpdesk here at where I work to search google and actually look for the answers before coming to me. We also have an office in Japan that has an I.T. staff bigger then here at corporate hq and they don't even try to find an answer. The first thing they do is send me an email and submit a ticket in our system. SO FREAKIN ANNOYING.

tpatt100

There have been some really, really, really basic type stuff asked. Things like "Hi I was wondering if anybody can tell me what I need to do to get my CCNA. I think somebody once said something along the lines of "if you are asking something like that you are probably not a good fit for IT".

If I ask a basic question it is usually not an answer I am looking for, but looking for opinions based on personal experience.

sratakhin

Just you this link in replies - Let me google that for you
It's funny to watch someone's reaction when they see how simple it is

Roguetadhg

Tickets keep me employed. I could care less if the solution is "Rebooting". Or "I don't know what this is, transferring to programming". I get scolded a lot for trying to do more. *sigh*

petedude

cyberguypr wrote: »

Most of the time the OPs have system admin or engineer in their title.

To be fair-- sometimes these folks get busy, get tired or get put in high pressure situations where they need an answer quick. They could still do better in most cases, though.

cyberguypr wrote: »

Don't get me wrong, I am more than willing to help newcomers and jr. level folks but you gotta do your homework first and then come ask questions. And they better be clear. We can't answer what we cant understand. Frustrating.

Agreed. I've been guilty on occasion of not being clear, but I'm striving to improve that.

dave330i wrote: »

Is it because they don't understand how to search or Is it because they're too lazy? Or is it something else?

I've noticed that many of these people tend to be young. Are we raising a generation that's dependent on others telling them all the answers? A generation that doesn't know how to search for their own answers?

I think we're molding a culture where people want too many rapid answers, too many quick fixes, and are all too willing to use people before moving on. There is a certain amount of selfishness in these situations-- people can and should use the search, or go out and hit Google rather than wasting other people's time.

Alif_Sadida_Ekin

Hey, can you guys tell me which is more important? Certs or Degree?

:P

cyberguypr

Let me google that for you

veritas_libertas

Alif_Sadida_Ekin wrote: »

Hey, can you guys tell me which is more important? Certs or Degree?

LOL! Yes, that is my least favorite question that is thrown around on TE

tpatt100

Can anybody tell me what will get me paid more, CCNA with MCSE or CCNA with a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup?

Legacy User

If the person interviewing loves reeses peanut butter cups you just found a way in. lol

The 2 main ones I see frequent job boards. Certs or degrees which is better. How much will I make with a ccie and no experience.

Excellent1

tpatt100 wrote: »

Can anybody tell me what will get me paid more, CCNA with MCSE or CCNA with a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup?

This post just caused me to consume large quantities of chocolate and peanut butter. I hope you're happy.

Regarding the topic, I don't mind the people that are obviously at a loss how to go about delving into a given subject. For example, there are some things that are difficult to google search without having a fair bit of understanding in order to fine tune your search for something relevant. Asking advice on how to get the ball rolling is often easier and more productive than weeding through 5 million search results that are only tangentially related to what you are really wanting to know.

That's one side of the coin. The other, of course, is pure laziness. There are a lot of folks out there like that these days. In fact, most people are like electrons--they take the path of least resistance, in spite of the fact that it's to their own detriment to do so. The irony is, most people work harder at avoiding work than they would have if they had simply tackled whatever project they were trying to avoid head on.

Just my observations.

Patel128

So like if I get a CCIE isn't the min pay somewhere in the ballpark of 1.5 million dollars a year? Thanks!

Now don't get me wrong I like to help out people, but sometimes when even a 10 year old can google it and find the answer I draw the line.

Zartanasaurus

If no one asked and answered questions on forums, there'd be no answers to google for. *deepthoughts*

I don't mind people asking question, but at least ask the question in such a way that shows that you've put thought into it and you're trying to get past a part you're stuck on.

Threads like "how many questions on the Network+ test" or "where do I sign up to take the CCNA" always irk me because the answers are right there on the websites.

MAC_Addy

cyberguypr wrote: »

Let me google that for you

Did you notice the 8th hit on that page?

hiddenknight821

Lol, good catch, MAC_Addy. Although, the OP in that thread was doing right thing. I am okay with that kind of question as I am sure most of us are.

MAC_Addy

You're exactly right, but I just wanted to see how far I could get down the list before TE came up! :P

NetworkVeteran

kriscamaro68 wrote: »

The first thing they do is send me an email and submit a ticket in our system. SO FREAKIN ANNOYING.

Tickets are great. They let you know the issue is being tracked and provide an easy way to refer to it. As in, "I couldn't do X, because I've been blocked since Wednesday by ticket# 12345. I already asked them to mark it high priority and they expect to have a resolution by the end of the week."

bdub

Zartanasaurus wrote: »

If no one asked and answered questions on forums, there'd be no answers to google for. *deepthoughts*

This!

Because while I almost never ask questions in forums, I rely on all the people who have asked all kinds of questions related to everything from IT related topics to various things related to raising kids

But I will say that some peoples mentality does get annoying, I have family who are fairly competent people but instead of just searching for their own answers they ask me. The worst is when you dont get all the required info from them, you answer, only to receive new information that completely changes the answer/solution.

Raidersfan81

There's already a thread about this.

Iristheangel

How about this one: "How much money should I be getting paid if I have 4 years experience?" (Essential details omitted: No location given. No education level given. No certifications given. No information about what KIND of experience said person has)

paul78

Since we're all ranting - I'll add mine

What usually peeves me off after these types of questions is when there are responses and conversation and the OP never provides any additional followups or further acknowledgement.

Iristheangel

^^^^ THAT. Or they ask the same question phrased SLIGHTLY differently a few months later.

JDMurray

"How long will it take me to study for the XYZ exam?"

bermovick

12 parsecs.