A useful resource for answering slackers' questions

What never ceases to amaze me is how many people take the time to write out an e-mail query to me about something they could have found out on Google in about .00021 seconds. David Pogue in "Have You Heard of This Thing Called Google."

Here's a resource for quickly answering questions that those asking them could quickly find themselves, but lack the confidence, skills or willingness to do so:

The URL is http://lmgtfy.com/

I've not yet decided if I should feel lucky that 99% of Blue Skunk readers only ask difficult questions that can't just be Googled.

Comments

[Cathy Nelson]

Ranks right up there with my phone call responses i need to record:

"Reboot you workstation then call me back."

"Make sure your network cord is plugged in."

"Unplug and let it rest for about a minute, then replug, reboot, and call me back."

Google is the reason we can't do schoolwide trivia contests anymore. Sigh.

[Caitlin]

The post title sums up the problem pretty well - it's not that people haven't heard of Google, it's that they are too lazy (or "busy") to do the search themselves. I used this sight a couple times, before resorting to simply responding: "Google It."

Cathy, I know how you feel. I spend too much time telling people to check their cables and then re-login to the network; these steps fix the majority of problems I get called about...Google can solve most others.

[Brian Crosby]

Doug: Maybe it's the same reason my students sometimes bring me a book they are reading and ask me what the photo on the page is. I have them read the caption underneath or the text on the page to me ... then they usually remark ... "Oh that's what that is ... cool!!"

The really sad thing is I've learned that I must debrief them after one of these experiences and make them realize I did not explain it to them, but that they found out themselves by reading. I often have them say. "I did? ... Oh yeah." And leave to sit down with a smile on their face. Just human nature I guess. : )