Punishment for "Just google it?" replies? March 14, 2004 7:57 PM Subscribe
If quonsar can be banned for a week , what happens to the people who continually post about google to askme ?
http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=google+askme+ban
posted by mischief at 8:06 PM on March 14, 2004
posted by mischief at 8:06 PM on March 14, 2004
A sidebar about this broke out a couple of threads down. This is what I had to say about the matter:
On Google-nazism: I'm not the worst of them, but I count myself among their number. I do so chiefly because I fancy myself capable of smelling -- most of the time -- a poorly-researched question that truly could benefit from "this is the search term you were missing." Occasionally I misstep, but every Google results link I offer is in a spirit of goodwill, not one of belittlement. A backhanded attitude is uncalled-for even in the feeblest of honest questions.posted by majick at 8:12 PM on March 14, 2004
Awright, look.
a) quonsar has been un-banned for a week. He's not around, and that's his deal. Enough about quonsar for a while, ok?
b) Matt's at SXSW. I'm not trying to appoint myself his proxy, but could we please try not to implode for three days while he goes off and relaxes?
c) the current Google thread is, in my opinion, an excellent question with good, enlightening answers. These are valuable tips for anyone who ever wants to find information online (which, as it happens, is what AskMe users are doing).
d) I understand that "meta" is in the name of the place, but could we please not bitch about the bitching about the bitching about the bitching every single day?
posted by gleuschk at 8:19 PM on March 14, 2004
a) quonsar has been un-banned for a week. He's not around, and that's his deal. Enough about quonsar for a while, ok?
b) Matt's at SXSW. I'm not trying to appoint myself his proxy, but could we please try not to implode for three days while he goes off and relaxes?
c) the current Google thread is, in my opinion, an excellent question with good, enlightening answers. These are valuable tips for anyone who ever wants to find information online (which, as it happens, is what AskMe users are doing).
d) I understand that "meta" is in the name of the place, but could we please not bitch about the bitching about the bitching about the bitching every single day?
posted by gleuschk at 8:19 PM on March 14, 2004
They either get ignored or get thanked. And so ends another MetaTalk discussion.
posted by The God Complex at 8:19 PM on March 14, 2004
posted by The God Complex at 8:19 PM on March 14, 2004
Seeing as action has already been taken against people who have been deemed to have been spoiling askme , its surely no longer just a discussion.
posted by sgt.serenity at 8:22 PM on March 14, 2004
posted by sgt.serenity at 8:22 PM on March 14, 2004
sgt. serenity, maybe you could link to some examples? I'm sure we can imagine all sorts of hypothetical examples and different contexts where it is (or is not) appropriate, but it would be easier if you linked to egregious examples.
posted by subgenius at 8:54 PM on March 14, 2004
posted by subgenius at 8:54 PM on March 14, 2004
Matt's at SXSW.
This explains much about this weekend here.
posted by y2karl at 9:06 PM on March 14, 2004
This explains much about this weekend here.
posted by y2karl at 9:06 PM on March 14, 2004
Maaaatt we ate all the ice cream and shat the bathwater.
[again]
posted by scarabic at 9:29 PM on March 14, 2004
[again]
posted by scarabic at 9:29 PM on March 14, 2004
".....The gentlemen didn't haggle and paid in cash. He wanted to take the quonsar home at once.
`One moment,' the merchant said. `Because you haven't bargained with me I want to tell you something. Look here, he is a quonsar of course, and quonsars are no good, you know that don't you?'
`And you said he was an excellent quonsar.' The gentleman said indignantly.
`Sure, sure,' the merchant said, `And that's true as well. He is an excellent quonsar, but he is not good. He will always remain a quonsar......."
posted by troutfishing at 5:43 AM on March 15, 2004
`One moment,' the merchant said. `Because you haven't bargained with me I want to tell you something. Look here, he is a quonsar of course, and quonsars are no good, you know that don't you?'
`And you said he was an excellent quonsar.' The gentleman said indignantly.
`Sure, sure,' the merchant said, `And that's true as well. He is an excellent quonsar, but he is not good. He will always remain a quonsar......."
posted by troutfishing at 5:43 AM on March 15, 2004
There is an eye-opening number of previously silent members asking and answering questions in AskMe (which I read as a sign that the green pages are a lot more friendly/forgiving than the blue or the grey), while, in contrast, there is a relatively small but very vocal number of people who post here in MeTa, many of whom would like to see certain restrictions and standards imposed on AskMe, each according to his own views. I reckon that if it became an accepted norm to offer comments in the green about the appropriateness of a question or the value of an answer, we would eventually end up with, again, pretty much only the most vocal and aggressive members participating, and what a bore that would be.
I also believe that one person's simple Google search is often another's pit of frustration, usually according to the specialized skills and knowledge of the given individual. Personally, I have sometimes spent hours searching unfamiliar terrain in order just to come up with the magic term that will finally allow me to access somebody else's "easy answer".
posted by taz at 7:40 AM on March 15, 2004
I also believe that one person's simple Google search is often another's pit of frustration, usually according to the specialized skills and knowledge of the given individual. Personally, I have sometimes spent hours searching unfamiliar terrain in order just to come up with the magic term that will finally allow me to access somebody else's "easy answer".
posted by taz at 7:40 AM on March 15, 2004
What taz said. For something that is part of MetaFilter, and an extension of MetaTalk, AskMe is remarkably useful, successful, and friendly. And once again Matt is doing a great job at keeping it on track.
posted by y6y6y6 at 8:02 AM on March 15, 2004
posted by y6y6y6 at 8:02 AM on March 15, 2004
if someone was asking something obscure and had a hard time coming up with the exact phrase that would match what they wanted in google, then i see no problem is educating said person on what proper phrase would have returned a valid result.
however, if someone is to lazy to google their question and would rather have other people do their work for them, then they deserve all the ridicule that can be given to them. laziness is something that shouldn't be tolerated. don't want to be berate? then do some damn work yourself.
posted by Stynxno at 8:20 AM on March 15, 2004
however, if someone is to lazy to google their question and would rather have other people do their work for them, then they deserve all the ridicule that can be given to them. laziness is something that shouldn't be tolerated. don't want to be berate? then do some damn work yourself.
posted by Stynxno at 8:20 AM on March 15, 2004
Remember in the days of usenet how we would beat up anyone prefacing a question with "I'm working on a paper at school..."? Well, a fairly good number of AskMe questions, fall in that category.
posted by mischief at 8:46 AM on March 15, 2004
posted by mischief at 8:46 AM on March 15, 2004
laziness is something that shouldn't be tolerated.
I don't understand this. We don't ask them if they've tried to get their answer from the library. If someone comes to AskMeta before doing other research, how are we harmed?
If you don't feel like answering a simple question, don't; someone else will.
posted by timeistight at 8:58 AM on March 15, 2004
I don't understand this. We don't ask them if they've tried to get their answer from the library. If someone comes to AskMeta before doing other research, how are we harmed?
If you don't feel like answering a simple question, don't; someone else will.
posted by timeistight at 8:58 AM on March 15, 2004
I agree with sgt.serenity.
However, that is nice, sebas.
posted by rushmc at 9:07 AM on March 15, 2004
However, that is nice, sebas.
posted by rushmc at 9:07 AM on March 15, 2004
"There is an eye-opening number of previously silent members asking and answering questions in AskMe (which I read as a sign that the green pages are a lot more friendly/forgiving than the blue or the grey)..."
"however, if someone is to lazy to google their question and would rather have other people do their work for them, then they deserve all the ridicule that can be given to them. laziness is something that shouldn't be tolerated. don't want to be berate? then do some damn work yourself."
You guys talking about the same site?
Stynxno, has it ever occured to you that in the same amount of time it takes to 'berate' someone for what you judge as laziness you could actually provide an answer? If you don't want to do the work for someone, then don't -- last I checked participation was optional.
AskMetafilter is a wonderful resource and chugging along just fine -- it will likely continue to do so if people would just stop trying to fix what isn't broken.
posted by cedar at 9:07 AM on March 15, 2004
"however, if someone is to lazy to google their question and would rather have other people do their work for them, then they deserve all the ridicule that can be given to them. laziness is something that shouldn't be tolerated. don't want to be berate? then do some damn work yourself."
You guys talking about the same site?
Stynxno, has it ever occured to you that in the same amount of time it takes to 'berate' someone for what you judge as laziness you could actually provide an answer? If you don't want to do the work for someone, then don't -- last I checked participation was optional.
AskMetafilter is a wonderful resource and chugging along just fine -- it will likely continue to do so if people would just stop trying to fix what isn't broken.
posted by cedar at 9:07 AM on March 15, 2004
Oh, by the way, I agree with sgt.serenity here. Sometimes you just can't find the right magic Google words. I think there is a thread on AskMe right now about using Google. I consider myself a pretty decent Googler, but there's some sweet Google tricks in that thread.
Perhaps link it from the Submit a Question page?
posted by sebas at 10:11 AM on March 15, 2004
Perhaps link it from the Submit a Question page?
posted by sebas at 10:11 AM on March 15, 2004
cedar: i don't berate them, i ignore them. however, if others want to point out their laziness, then i support them.
if you actually looked at my ask.metafilter post record rather than making generalizations based on what i blow out of my ass on metatalk, you'll notice that i haven't posted a google link to answer someone's question.
timeistight: we aren't harmed but this whole thread is about someone bitching about people pointing out that the person asking the question is being lazy. again, i don't post google links because i think it's a waste of my time but some others obviously enjoy doing it. i say let them.
posted by Stynxno at 10:14 AM on March 15, 2004
if you actually looked at my ask.metafilter post record rather than making generalizations based on what i blow out of my ass on metatalk, you'll notice that i haven't posted a google link to answer someone's question.
timeistight: we aren't harmed but this whole thread is about someone bitching about people pointing out that the person asking the question is being lazy. again, i don't post google links because i think it's a waste of my time but some others obviously enjoy doing it. i say let them.
posted by Stynxno at 10:14 AM on March 15, 2004
Stynxo: "if you actually looked at my ask.metafilter post record rather than making generalizations based on what i blow out of my ass on metatalk, you'll notice that i haven't posted a google link to answer someone's question."
I see, I should read over your posting history rather than taking your words at face value? Will there be a quiz?
Basically, it sounds like your saying that while your too nice a person to 'berate' people for their 'laziness' you would encourage others to do so. My, what a bold stance.
"... then they deserve all the ridicule that can be given to them..."
This is a little different than posting a link to Google. Myself, I would just as soon not see anyone subjected to ridicule... at least in the green. There is something inherently distasteful about suggesting those who pose questions that don't meet your standards be ridiculed. We don't all have your mad Google skillz and unless a question is a blatant troll (in which case the fickle finger of user #1 will mete out justice) maybe we would all be better served by providing a quick and concise answer. It really doesn't hurt to be nice.
posted by cedar at 11:11 AM on March 15, 2004
I see, I should read over your posting history rather than taking your words at face value? Will there be a quiz?
Basically, it sounds like your saying that while your too nice a person to 'berate' people for their 'laziness' you would encourage others to do so. My, what a bold stance.
"... then they deserve all the ridicule that can be given to them..."
This is a little different than posting a link to Google. Myself, I would just as soon not see anyone subjected to ridicule... at least in the green. There is something inherently distasteful about suggesting those who pose questions that don't meet your standards be ridiculed. We don't all have your mad Google skillz and unless a question is a blatant troll (in which case the fickle finger of user #1 will mete out justice) maybe we would all be better served by providing a quick and concise answer. It really doesn't hurt to be nice.
posted by cedar at 11:11 AM on March 15, 2004
"however, if someone is too lazy [...] then they deserve all the ridicule that can be given to them."
Somehow I missed this sentiment in the Ask MetaFilter business plan. In fact it seems 100% in opposition to the Ask MetaFilter business plan.
Any AskMe question could be answered by the person posting it if they wanted to do enough work. I thought the point was to provide a place for people to ask questions they didn't know the answer to, and get answers from those who did. I had no idea it was suppose to be a gauntlet-like test of one's character.
posted by y6y6y6 at 11:48 AM on March 15, 2004
Somehow I missed this sentiment in the Ask MetaFilter business plan. In fact it seems 100% in opposition to the Ask MetaFilter business plan.
Any AskMe question could be answered by the person posting it if they wanted to do enough work. I thought the point was to provide a place for people to ask questions they didn't know the answer to, and get answers from those who did. I had no idea it was suppose to be a gauntlet-like test of one's character.
posted by y6y6y6 at 11:48 AM on March 15, 2004
This the thanks I get -- even after putting that stupid banner on my site. Back to jail with you, I say. Back to jail!
posted by cedar at 11:50 AM on March 15, 2004
posted by cedar at 11:50 AM on March 15, 2004
Stynxo: "if you actually looked at my ask.metafilter post record rather than making generalizations based on what i blow out of my ass on metatalk, you'll notice that i haven't posted a google link to answer someone's question."
I see, I should read over your posting history rather than taking your words at face value? Will there be a quiz?
yes, there was a quiz and you failed.
it's Stynxno! 2 n's!
since you obviously can't take the time to spell my name right, i will ignore you.
on preview:
I had no idea it was suppose to be a gauntlet-like test of one's character.
well, now you know.
posted by Stynxno at 12:00 PM on March 15, 2004
I see, I should read over your posting history rather than taking your words at face value? Will there be a quiz?
yes, there was a quiz and you failed.
it's Stynxno! 2 n's!
since you obviously can't take the time to spell my name right, i will ignore you.
on preview:
I had no idea it was suppose to be a gauntlet-like test of one's character.
well, now you know.
posted by Stynxno at 12:00 PM on March 15, 2004
Google often gives a variety of answers, then AskMe members may hash out which are best. Often there is no definitive answer to a question, in which case AskMe may provide a place for anecdotes of personal experience that go beyond Google's results.
It's not b&w.
posted by Shane at 12:26 PM on March 15, 2004
It's not b&w.
posted by Shane at 12:26 PM on March 15, 2004
I would just as soon not see anyone subjected to ridicule... at least in the green
No, that's what MetaTalk is for.
As with any skill, searching for information (Google, library or otherwise) is not something that we are born with, but develop through being taught, trial and error or some other method. An excellent way to help people develop this skill would be to post the Google search as part of your answer, rather than making caustic remarks like "you could have Googled this", which merely add noise to the signal without providing anything useable. Remarks like this (without accompanying information) are no different to making wisecracks in AskMe or personal attacks on people based on their opinions in MeFi and should be treated the same way.
In short, sgt.serenity is right.
posted by dg at 2:37 PM on March 15, 2004
No, that's what MetaTalk is for.
As with any skill, searching for information (Google, library or otherwise) is not something that we are born with, but develop through being taught, trial and error or some other method. An excellent way to help people develop this skill would be to post the Google search as part of your answer, rather than making caustic remarks like "you could have Googled this", which merely add noise to the signal without providing anything useable. Remarks like this (without accompanying information) are no different to making wisecracks in AskMe or personal attacks on people based on their opinions in MeFi and should be treated the same way.
In short, sgt.serenity is right.
posted by dg at 2:37 PM on March 15, 2004
You are not logged in, either login or create an account to post comments
posted by sgt.serenity at 8:01 PM on March 14, 2004