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Don't reply "just Google it" (lemmy.zip)

submitted 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) by sith@lemmy.zip to c/fediverse@lemmy.world

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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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[-] pezhore@infosec.pub 57 points 1 week ago

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).

[-] ech@lemm.ee 32 points 1 week ago

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

[-] FiskFisk33@startrek.website 11 points 1 week ago

There is always an xkcd!

[-] douglasg14b@lemmy.world 5 points 1 week 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.

[-] toddestan@lemm.ee 1 points 1 week 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.