So you need an informed opinion about a topic. Do you first look up other resources, or do you just come and post in the boards, knowing that there are a whole bunch of people who can give you as accurate an answer as anyone else.
I’ve been finding myself looking up other sources less and coming directly here more often. It’s so much easier, quicker, and in some cases, more effective, since I get all possible views on the subject, whether they’re factual (GQ) or not (IMHO). And I’m pretty much a newbie!!
So I was wondering how it is for the others, especially the “oldies”!
It depends on the subject. For factual information I would generally start elsewhere (purely to get evidence enough for me from scratch). If I can’t find the information quickly or easily enough I will then post here. It’s probably why I don’t start many threads in GQ - certainly not because I know the answers, but because I’m pretty decent at finding them out elsewhere.
For informed opinion on what the facts mean (analysis, interpretation etc) I would probably do both - post here while searching for articles, bulletins, reports etc.
Well I’m a newbie too and was pleasantly surprised at how knowledgable and helpful everyone here is. I’ve found myself coming on here more and more often lately for general stuff. It depends on what kind of question it is. If I just need a quick answer to a question not horribly complicated and that a lot of people might know the answer to, I just come here. It’s a lot easier than going through all this nonsense when I can just ask someone on SD. But if I seek something that’s a little more complicated, something I’m interested in and might enjoy looking up myself, or a subject that requires super-mega-research, I’ll look for answers on my own.
Hey, that reminds me, did anyone see that kid in GQ asking people on here for answers to his homework? Haha, that was so dang funny!
Normally I’ll google if I have an issue that needs some background information, however, I have often been just hanging out on the board when a question will pop into my head, so I’ll glurge it out here because I’m too lazy to open google.
And it’s easier to discern the creds of posters than those of many website authors. There are some posters in whom I have the utmost faith, and then there are others who’s responses I will take with a proverbial grain of salt. At least I know which is which here!!
;j
I used to research things a lot more, before I found the SDMB. Now, if I can’t find it immediately, I come here post and get an answer within 5 minutes.
I try to look up factual information elsewhere first. If I get conflicting information I might search the SD reports archive and use the SDMB search function to see if there were any reports or discussions on the topic.
Like Crusoe, for product reviews (after checking the Consumer Reports website), or for personal views, I’d probably come here pretty quickly.
I lookup stuff professionally on the web regularly and I never gather information from a message board…unless it’s something like “where’s the best place to eat in …” or “how do I setup this application?”.
There are plenty of reputible sites out there where I can gather the information I need. I’ll call on the SDMB when I want to resolve whether Capt Kirk would beat The Hulk in a fight or argue conspiracy theory.
Generally, it’s one of the last places (for GQ stuff), but not because I don’t trust the people here. I always try google first, and then if I can’t find anything (or can’t find anything reliable) after doing a thorough search, I’ll post my question. It’s just a tad embarrassing when someone posts a google link 2 minutes later, like I’m the video store customer from Clerks asking if a movie’s come out yet while standing right in front of its shop display.
For IMHO, MPSIMS, and Pit stuff, however, I come here first.
Good analogy, Sublight (didn’t you used to be all lowercase?)…
This is a great place to get info, because people in GQ and GD will provide cites to back up their claims. Now, you then have to decide whether you believe the cites…
I won’t come here first for info, but if I’m stumped (or am getting the runaround from someone in terms of info), I’ll come here. Also, one should factor in whether one’s question will be helpful to others who may not have had the wherewithal or inclination to search online for the answer. In short - will my question help others learn?
No, I’ve always had a big S (but I promise to stick to my diet this time). I used to sign my posts in all-lowercase, but quit doing that about a year ago, since (a) you can all see it’s me posting by looking at the left-hand side, and (b) it makes vanity searches easier.
It depends upon the subject matter. If it’s something that’d be a bitch to try and find out on my own, I’ll generally post it here as there’s a goodly number of Doper’s who have a wealth of experience and hobbies and they can either point me in the right direction or provide me with an answer. Or if it’s something that I don’t need any hard and fast answers to, I’ll post the question here as I can get a quick general answer that satisfies my curiosity without me spend hours or more digging through a billion or so google links to get the answer.
I generally don’t come here looking for specific factual information (GQ-type stuff). Occasionally if something strikes my curiosity, I’ll do a search here to see if it’s been asked, and what people said about it. Two recent examples: Who is this Harley Earl and why should I care that he’s come back to design a car? (Oh, he’s dead, and this is a gimmick? :rolleyes: to that.) Also, after watching “Iron Chef” for the last couple of years, I started to wonder what a “Rosanjin scholar” might be. Sure enough, a search turned up the answer and a brief (but interesting) discussion.
That doesn’t mean I don’t browse GQ daily, because I never know what marvelous little tidbit might jump out – something I didn’t know I didn’t know, but that I now can’t live without knowing.
However, I do come here first for solid analysis regarding some major event. When there’s a new legislative proposal, or an important upcoming sporting contest, or whatever, I am confident that the SDMB regulars will already be hashing it out. (Example: Was the CIA missile strike that killed that al-Qaeda guy an ethically questionable assassination or a legitimate wartime act?) In those discussions, I know I’ll get links to studies, treaties, statistics, and all sorts of other stuff that isn’t discussed in the major media, and I further know that the self-correcting nature of the board will ensure that bad data is ferreted out and abandoned, or at least marginalized.
Seriously: I don’t bother to read the op-ed pages any more. I get all the thoughtful opinion and analysis I need right here.
Doing a search through the SDMB would be the last thing I’d do, because of its size and the frailty of th’ hamsters. First, I’d check my bookmarked sites, then Google and/or use other search engines.
I tend to ask only questions here regarding software programs, other stuff like that, because I have faith in the knowledge base here and in the Dopers’ personal experience. But that isn’t too often.
I’ve only been here just over a year, but I’ve noticed that a lot of GQ material pops up again and again. So I do a GQ search before I would post a question there. I also google (to save myself embarassment). I tend to go to other sites for tv (televisionwithoutpity), movies (imdb), and music (allmusic). If I’m looking for lyrics, I do a google search, because there are enough people who post lyrics to songs.
I come here for advice (usually IMHO type stuff). Or, I’ll do an IMHO search (I’m sure the servers hate me, but aren’t I saving the board space in the long run?).
