Links can be very helpful. When someone has researched a subject by googling and found the required answer out of five million hits, it doesn't make much sense to send someone else off to repeat the search. Besides, there is a lot of information on web sites that isn't even indexed, and unless a poster got lucky it would never be seen.

I haven't seen this happen here often but at times people will seem annoyed with a question and answer, "Do your research." I don't know about others but this IS part of my research. First hand advice from those who have been there. That is invaluable.

I think we're talking about two different things,rbnwdln. If you do some "research" first and ask for somewhat specific opinons or advice giving some guidelines as to what you're looking for, that's one thing, but coming here and saying "I'm going to Europe, what should I see, where should I stay, and what should I do?" is NOT doing research. It's being lazy.

"If I were looking for a place for stand up comedy, I would read what Degas had to say etc..."

Yeez, its sitdown comedy, I rarely type standing up.

Dekoder, you can't fight us. Join us :)

(several hours ago I came back from a brunch with other Fodorites - yes, we do socialize and love it!)

As for searches... if you stay here, just give yourself some time, you'll agree with me - one can answer the same question only so many times, sigh.

<I think we all know how to search the internet> well you're wrong about that

<most people know how to use a search bar> wrong again

<If you like to socialize, maybe an internet travel board isn't the best location> make that 3 for 3

Seriously now, what could be more helpful then when I need a hotel in Paris, and have specified my arrondisement and price range, than people who post a link to a specific hotel they like which fits my criteria? that's priceless information that cannot be found with a google search.

As for the search bar, it has serious limitations, unfortunately. Although there are often previous threads on a topic, it seems to be at times impossible to find them with the search function of this forum.

Having only joined us in February, dekoder, you have no idea how long we waited for clickable links. We whined, we cried, we begged the folks at headquarters for links for years and years! When they finally lit up those links we rejoiced. WE LOVE LINKS!

How do you post a link anyway? If I write a web address on my e-mail it automatically turns into a link but it doesn't seem to do that here. Tell me the answer in a way that assumes I know nothing about computers.

<< ...but it doesn't seem to do that here. Tell me the answer in a way that assumes I know nothing about computers. >>

...sure it does.

Just type any WorldWideWeb address.

www.whichbudget.com

It is a link, without your doing anything further...

dekoder: I could not disagree w/ you more on all three of your gripes. For all of the reasons mentioned in all of the above posts.

Maybe it's <u>you</u> who doesn't know how a forum/internet community (yes, we are a community) should work . . .

tledford, it doesn't actually look like a link until your reply actually posts.

Thanks Rex- I guess it doesn't look like a link until you post the message.

www.whichbudget.com

I’m new to this board, and I really like the links. I’m guilty of providing several links myself in an effort to hopefully help someone. No one is forced to use a link.

However, what I like best are the valuable opinions of the other posters. Experienced travelers—thank you for your patience with us newbies. It isn’t always laziness or lack of effort on our part that makes us ask questions you’ve heard a million times. I know how to search the web for everything—and I have—but sometimes the vast amount of info on the web and in guidebooks becomes overwhelming. Your opinions and advice help us sort it all out. Thank you! :)

You know what the best thing to do when something really bothers you on-line? Ignore it. There are several posters on this board that I ignore, and if I see a question that annoys me, I just move on and don't say anything. I mean, why bother?

Yes, this is a community, but though there are real people behind the posting, and the information is real, this place is virtual. All you have to do is scroll down or click somewhere else. It gets easier, but comes in helpful when things are bothering you.

Mon Dieu! How are you coming along with that Da Vinci thing, dekoder? Look, some of the folks here have been posting since God was a young boy in short pants. If they want to help someone out by furnishing a link, I see no problem, and have sometimes done the same, as finding some specific things on the Internet, particularly in foreign languages, is not always as clear-cut as it seems. And I've yet to see the original poster take someone who's responded with a link to task for furnishing one.

Just as I simply refuse to believe there's such a thing as a stupid question, I refuse to believe there is a reply that has no value at all.

As odd as this may seem to you, this board has spawned many a friendship or two or several dozen, for a number of people.

Hon, if you're that annoyed, you may want to look into Paxil or Valium or something. Life's too short to go through it sweating the small stuff.

BC

It's not perfect, but this is by far the best travel forum I've ever found, bar none.

And I like the links. No search engine is perfect, so if someone makes me aware of a site I didn't know about (which happens all the time), great. If I already knew about it, no problemo.

Hooray for bookchick!
I have problems typing, so I often give urls or get permission to cut and paste.

Just like surfing the web, reading all the tour guides, even going to college - you have to sift through a lot of useless (to you) information for a few tips so invaluable it's all totally worthwhile.

Unlike the web, tour guides, college, finding the gems here is a dream...