GOOGLE,GOOGLE,GOOGLE

I read a ton of posts on CT and I really enjoy 98.6% of them and learn from most of them, but I have a gripe. Seems every time someone asks for advice (and yes I know every dead horse has been beat on here) the first comment is GOOGLE it or GOOGLE is your friend or ask the GOOGLER. Well I do use Google and I use it a lot, but I don't know who puts that stuff on there and I don't always know the right terms to search in fact neither do a lot of the people asking for advice on here. In case some of you missed it there are experts on this site not just people who can read the GOOGLE, but people with experience and specific knowledge about coins, series of coins, errors, varieties, etc. etc.. I for one would rather ask a question or read a post on CT and get feedback from someone who actually has naturally toned proof Roosevelt dime and has been collecting them for years to give me information than to read something written on google by an eBay sellers hawking his wares. Now don't get me wrong GOOGLE is good and has it's place but it will never take the place of interaction and conversation with an actual person. So if the only advice you can give a new collector or someone who has inherited Grandpas collection is Google is your friend, how friendly are you being? I know some of you are too busy to comment and others are tired of reading the same question over and over but lets try and give people a break. Besides if all the information you have is what Google tells you do you really need to reply to newbys question anyway?

 

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Your point is well-taken, and sometimes the "GOOGLE cop-out" is going too far. However, in defense of some of the members who have read the same questions hundreds, maybe thousands, of times, there are two search functions right here on CT that some of the people seeking answers apparently ignore.

One of the reasons that I often steer people in one direction or another, rather than giving them a direct link, is to encourage them to use the gray matter between their ears. You'd be surprised how often I've received comments resenting this approach. It leads me to believe that some of these people are just plain lazy.

Chris

 

I googled "reverse proof Roosevelt dime" and I got a link to CT where I learned that it's the most significant coin of the century.

 

Interesting question - I actually find this board says "google" it less that some of the other forums(not coin related). As a matter of fact one work related forum I would not be surprised if the first answer is "Search this forum first". Now when it comes to cointalk I think each thread needs to be looked at - in several cases a simple google search or a search of cointalk would get the answer or more information. And then there are a bunch of threads where the need explaining based off what they know and have read. In those cases just saying google it does not work - but sometimes it takes a few replies to really figure out what they are really looking for.

What is funny is the older generation will at times play do you remember - then try to pull something from their memory first. While the younger generation just googles the answer. In either case sometimes you learn more the harder you work to get the answer - before you just ask the question. Just my humble old opinion.

 

Yep! Us "older generation" folks had to walk 5 miles uphill both ways to get to the public library if we needed information.

Chris

 

Decade, year, month, week or day is more appropriate.

 

In the snow! Snowing is an important part of that. Or rain.

 

Some just have to be the first post to respond or don't know themselves but still have to drive up their post count, because high post count = I'm smart

 

A few weeks ago an YN messaged me to ask where they could find an NGC submission form. I answered back 'Google' it. His reply was, 'I already have and I can't find anything'. So, I searched, found a link right away, and messaged him back with the link in under a minute. Needless to say he was a tad embarrassed that I came up with a link so quickly.

Now this YN is no dummy........and he's computer literate as most young folks are today......point is, sometimes folks don't enter the proper search terms to find something. And yes, guilty as charged for quipping 'Google it' or Google is your friend, but I only say that (write that) when it's the most elementary of questions. Answers to questions that a blind man could find in an unlit room with his hands tied behind his back.

 

That response to a Google query, in itself should substantiate the "open-ended" quality of that search engine. LOL

JMHO

 

You know, I've Googled various coin topics and more often than not I end up here. I really need to renew my subscription...

 

We are lucky to have so many great tools in front of us.
Beats the heck out of the way it used to be.

 

Yeah, there's plenty of tools on this forum.

 

In the old days we used to have to go to the library to research such stuff. It would take up half of your day. And have to dealing with some prim and proper, dower of a women, help mate........married one.....she's a 'live wire'.

Heck, the point is we can find stuff in the comfort of our own homes without venturing out into society. Ain't that a peach?

 

If I don't want to Google, Google, Google... I Bing it!

 

I appreciate all the old timer replies about the library. I still go there on occasion myself if for no other reason nostalgia I reckon, but I ain't walking even if it were downhill. LOL I have grown lazy I guess doing my research on the web but I can still pride myself with the fact I can use the Dewey decimal system and find a book by looking at the index cards. I guess when you get older there's not a lot to brag about anymore. You guys are a great bunch and I hope I didn't offend any of you by my little GOOGLE rant. CT is the most informative sight I use regardless of the topics I might Google for information and I hope it stays around with y'all contributing for many years. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and passion. Oh yeah and the great pictures as well.

 

That's because you know darn well that the way back would be uphill. As for answers with references to search engines, well, if I was mean and rotten, I would simply post a LMGTFY link. A Roosevelt Dime example: http://www.lmgtfy.com/?q=roosevelt dime Nicely animated too ...

Usually I don't tell people to use a search engine instead of getting answers here. If somebody asks "Hey, I have this weird coin, it says HELVETIA, where is that from?", it may be tempting to reply that, according to all major search engines, the answer is Switzerland. So it will be either a short helpful reply or none at all.

Now if you ask for advice about whether a coin has been cleaned, or about its possible grade, or say that you somehow got 100 coins but could not identify the following five, or or or ... we're mostly nice and friendly, as you saw.

Christian

 

Had to Google that Christian.