Calguns.net  

Home My iTrader Join the NRA Donate to CGSSA Sponsors CGN Google Search
CA Semiauto Ban(AW)ID Flowchart CA Handgun Ban ID Flowchart CA Shotgun Ban ID Flowchart
Go Back   Calguns.net > GENERAL DISCUSSION > Technology and Internet
Register FAQ Members List Calendar Mark Forums Read

Technology and Internet Emerging and current tech related issues. Internet, DRM, IP, and other technology related discussions.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 02-13-2013, 6:30 AM
deephouse deephouse is offline
Veteran Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Somewhere in CA
Posts: 3,719
iTrader: 49 / 100%
Thumbs up "Just Google It" - BAD. "Search the forum Archive" - GOOD.

From a webmaster's perspective, I'm going to tell you why this is the dumbest answer to any question when posted on forums.

1. In short, Google ranks websites based on their content. So, the more information a site has on a subject (and specific key words) the more relavant it will become on search results.
Small example, most people wont search "Sig Sauer P220". If they're looking for something specific, that search may carry out to 5 or 6 keywords: "Sig Sauer P220 slide locking up". So in a lot of cases, this longer string of key words ends up being the Subject/Topic of the post.

2. You (the one suggesting to Google) are inviting the user to bounce off the site. Meaning, you're literally sending them off the site for that moment in time. They may find the answer somewhere else and no longer wish to participate in your forum.

3. From a online community perspective, the whole point of a forum is to ask questions and learn. My suggestion for a more positive experience would be to instruct the person asking to "STFA - Search the forum archive". Take it a step further and suggest a few keywords to search for.

Or better yet, provide them with a link to a relavent topic. We all know you've been around longer, and may have insight to keywords they may not have thought to search. This is also good for Google because it sees those links.

4. This is my own opinion, but I think sometimes people get up on the wrong side of the bed or didn't eat breakfast that day - but sometimes people are just looking for a quick answer and it doesn't hurt to simply answer them (assuming it's a quick question). The answer could have been a 1-word answer and in the amount of time it took you to type "Google" you probably could have given them the answer they needed. Not every situation, but again - that's just my opinion.

5. Realistically - People don't spend all day in front of the website on the forum. Sometimes the topic has been talked about before but it was too far in the past and the post is buried somewhere deep in search results. It never hurts to bring up a subject a 2nd time and talk about it. See reason #1. Maybe the situation and variables have changed.

Just my thoughts on the infamous "Google It" response....

Last edited by deephouse; 02-13-2013 at 6:33 AM..
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 02-13-2013, 6:36 AM
Zartan's Avatar
Zartan Zartan is offline
In Memoriam
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Mountain House, Ca
Posts: 6,269
iTrader: 9 / 100%
Default

Just Bing it
__________________
"If he won't walk, walk him...be nice"
-Dalton



WTS: 870 Barrel Clamp/Railed Mount

http://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/...af415fafe8.jpg
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 02-13-2013, 6:46 AM
ocabj's Avatar
ocabj ocabj is offline
Calguns Addict
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Riverside
Posts: 7,877
iTrader: 47 / 100%
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by MHShooter View Post
Just Bing it
This isn't Hawaii Five-0.
__________________

Distinguished Rifleman #1924
NRA Certified Instructor (Rifle and Metallic Cartridge Reloading) and RSO
NRL22 Match Director at WEGC

https://www.ocabj.net
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 02-13-2013, 7:02 AM
deephouse deephouse is offline
Veteran Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Somewhere in CA
Posts: 3,719
iTrader: 49 / 100%
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by MHShooter View Post
Just Bing it

LOL. or better yet: "Ask Jeeves"
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 02-13-2013, 7:09 AM
Spyder's Avatar
Spyder Spyder is offline
Honorary MLC
CGN Contributor
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: In a shack, in the woods
Posts: 16,091
iTrader: 126 / 100%
Default

Oh come on. Altavista is king.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 02-13-2013, 7:15 AM
Ralgha Ralgha is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 149
iTrader: 0 / 0%
Default

I have yet to find a forum with a search function that doesn't suck.

Best way to search a forum that I've found is to use Google and specify the site to search: "ar-15 bullet button site:calguns.net"

Works wonderfully.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus that ate your iPhone.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 02-13-2013, 7:18 AM
Ninety's Avatar
Ninety Ninety is offline
Veteran Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: ID
Posts: 4,061
iTrader: 8 / 100%
Default

I use "site:calguns.net mysearch" I haven't ever been successful using the search feature in the forum. I get many results none with what I'm looking for.
__________________
NRA Member
The Constitution does not bestow wisdom. It's up to the body politic to be wise. -Patriot
All that is required for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing.
-Edmund Burke
I'd much rather go to my grave never needing my gun, than go there wishing I had it.
- Phil Dalmolin

The Battle of Athens was illegal too.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 02-13-2013, 7:25 AM
NytWolf NytWolf is offline
Veteran Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,935
iTrader: 2 / 100%
Default

Seriously ...

I use Google to search a site. Granted, the search engines that some forums have aren't the greatest. It just so happens that Google allows you to search a site by typing in the url then the keywords.

For example:
Quote:
www.calguns.net glocks reliability 1911"
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 02-13-2013, 7:26 AM
ke6guj's Avatar
ke6guj ke6guj is offline
Moderator
CGN Contributor - Lifetime
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: 909
Posts: 23,728
iTrader: 42 / 100%
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by deephouse View Post
From a webmaster's perspective, I'm going to tell you why this is the dumbest answer to any question when posted on forums.
but most of us aren't the webmaster of the forum we are hanging out at, so we have a different perspective.



Quote:
2. You (the one suggesting to Google) are inviting the user to bounce off the site. Meaning, you're literally sending them off the site for that moment in time. They may find the answer somewhere else and no longer wish to participate in your forum.
I don't care if they go elsewhere to find the info. if they are too stupid to do a proper search before asking a repetitive question that can be found with a 5-second Google search, we are probably better off with them not here.
__________________
Jack



Do you want an AOW or C&R SBS/SBR in CA?

No posts of mine are to be construed as legal advice, which can only be given by a lawyer.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 02-13-2013, 7:43 AM
Laythor's Avatar
Laythor Laythor is offline
Senior Member
CGN Contributor
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: San Jose
Posts: 991
iTrader: 5 / 100%
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ninety View Post
I use "site:calguns.net mysearch" I haven't ever been successful using the search feature in the forum. I get many results none with what I'm looking for.
best answer.

let's see how easy that works:

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=site%3Acalguns.net+just+google+it

the google search algorithms are much more efficient then the built in search. by constraining the search to one site you remove the OP's concern of people looking at other sites. I suppose he's worried about the loss of ad revenue.

Providing a link to an asked question is a very good suggestion. I know a lot of people just roll their eyes when someone asks an obvious question. At least half of those questions can be answered with a link to the cal wiki, or a copy and paste of the relevant answer in the wiki.

Keeping that in mind, part of the "fun" of being on a message board is the well execute troll of an often asked question, so asking it to stop completely would be an effort in futility.

Last edited by Laythor; 02-13-2013 at 7:48 AM..
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 02-13-2013, 8:25 AM
opie4386's Avatar
opie4386 opie4386 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: chula vista
Posts: 1,336
iTrader: 18 / 100%
Default

that's how I found this place.

When I say I'm going to google something I look for

-forums with the most pertinent info. On said search topic.
-forums with the most in depht detail.

So practically I use google as a forum search tool. I stay away frome all the yahoo answers, junk topics, politicaly motivated answers etc.....

In doing so I found this place, the high road, .44mag.com etc.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 02-13-2013, 8:54 AM
The Gleam's Avatar
The Gleam The Gleam is offline
I need a LIFE!!
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 10,423
iTrader: 0 / 0%
Default

Get thee to a nunnery, go: farewell.
__________________
-----------------------------------------------
Quote:
Originally Posted by Librarian View Post
What compelling interest has any level of government in knowing what guns are owned by civilians? (Those owned by government should be inventoried and tracked, for exactly the same reasons computers and desks and chairs are tracked: responsible care of public property.)

If some level of government had that information, what would they do with it? How would having that info benefit public safety? How would it benefit law enforcement?
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 02-13-2013, 9:32 AM
billofrights's Avatar
billofrights billofrights is offline
CGN/CGSSA Contributor
CGN Contributor
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: SFV
Posts: 2,342
iTrader: 4 / 100%
Default

The problem with going to google is people don't even know what exactly to look for, hence the forum. When I first came to CG I had no clue about AR legality or flowcharts for feature bans and so forth. It's easier to ask seasoned users "hey, so if I want to I can buy a rifle like this?" than read through 50 pages of search results, every thread filled with jargon-heavy posts that you need to further search. "Wait, what's a BB now? Or an 80%?"

Be nice to the newbs that are here to learn. Many, like myself, were looking to find a community of helpful individuals to educate them on a new world they're just now stepping in to. Your friendly interaction can either make them a grateful member, or a member somewhere else where they're more welcoming.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 02-13-2013, 9:42 AM
Zartan's Avatar
Zartan Zartan is offline
In Memoriam
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Mountain House, Ca
Posts: 6,269
iTrader: 9 / 100%
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Spyder View Post
Oh come on. Altavista is king.
AHAHA! Good one
__________________
"If he won't walk, walk him...be nice"
-Dalton



WTS: 870 Barrel Clamp/Railed Mount

http://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/...af415fafe8.jpg
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 02-13-2013, 10:14 AM
deephouse deephouse is offline
Veteran Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Somewhere in CA
Posts: 3,719
iTrader: 49 / 100%
Default

@Ralgha - true, most do suck. But just gotta know what you're looking for. Advanced search works better in most cases.

@Nintey - true, forgot about that one.

@Ke6guj - true, most aren't webmasters. But then again, most (may) not be well seasoned firearm experts...hence the question being asked.

@Billofrights - and that's my point basically. Everybody starts somewhere.
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 02-13-2013, 10:17 AM
deephouse deephouse is offline
Veteran Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Somewhere in CA
Posts: 3,719
iTrader: 49 / 100%
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Spyder View Post
Oh come on. Altavista is king.
LOL. I remember when some considered AOL "The Internet".... and that search was TERRRRRIBLE.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 1:10 PM.




Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Proudly hosted by GeoVario the Premier 2A host.
Calguns.net, the 'Calguns' name and all associated variants and logos are ® Trademark and © Copyright 2002-2021, Calguns.net an Incorporated Company All Rights Reserved.
All opinions, statements and remarks made by Calguns.net on this web site and elsewhere are solely attributable to Calguns.net.



Seams2SewBySusy