As a member of many academic and hobby mailing lists I'm regularly struck by requests to the list for information that could have been uncovered by a web search. Today for example there was an 'urgent' request on a list for info on Terrence Malick's use of Walt Whitman, from a Cultural Studies professor. A web search on the two names brought up a number of good articles. Anyone know whether this is widespread, or have any explanation why Internet users would email others for information rather than search the web? Cheers, Marj Dr Marjorie Kibby, Senior Lecturer in Communication & Culture The University of Newcastle, Callaghan NSW 2308 Australia Marj.Kibby@newcastle.edu.au +61 2 49216604
It's funny that you mention this today. I just sent a query to another list for videotape resources for a course I'm teaching in the fall. I could have done a google search, but I wanted to hear what other teachers had to recommend--where they go to find materials and what they use. My thought (accurate or not) was that people would know of resources I wouldn't easily find online. I also am curious what my colleagues use in their classes for materials. Another side benefit is that I started small dialogues with a number of the people who sent me recommendations after the request went out to the list. From a social network/social capital perspective, it is beneficial to query and start these conversations. I "met" some people I didn't know, and a few asked me to keep in touch . . . . The social net widens. It's an interesting question, though, how widespread it is to email a list of experts rather than do a google search. Best, ~Jenny -----Original Message----- From: air-l-admin@aoir.org [mailto:air-l-admin@aoir.org] On Behalf Of Marj Kibby Sent: Wednesday, May 14, 2003 6:34 PM To: air-l@aoir.org Subject: [Air-l] Internet information sources As a member of many academic and hobby mailing lists I'm regularly struck by requests to the list for information that could have been uncovered by a web search. Today for example there was an 'urgent' request on a list for info on Terrence Malick's use of Walt Whitman, from a Cultural Studies professor. A web search on the two names brought up a number of good articles. Anyone know whether this is widespread, or have any explanation why Internet users would email others for information rather than search the web? Cheers, Marj Dr Marjorie Kibby, Senior Lecturer in Communication & Culture The University of Newcastle, Callaghan NSW 2308 Australia Marj.Kibby@newcastle.edu.au +61 2 49216604 _______________________________________________ Air-l mailing list Air-l@aoir.org http://www.aoir.org/mailman/listinfo/air-l
Jenny said Another side benefit is that I started small dialogues with a number of the people who sent me recommendations after the request went out to the list. From a social network/social capital perspective, it is beneficial to query and start these conversations. I "met" some people I didn't know, and a few asked me to keep in touch . . . . The social net widens.
like jenny i have also benefitted enormously from the social network/social capital perspective of asking questions on different lists. Since many of the subsequent conversations take place off list then perhaps this side of it is not immediately apparent.
Marj said Today for example there was an 'urgent' request on a list for info on Terrence Malick's use of Walt Whitman, from a >Cultural Studies professor. A web search on the two names brought up a number of good articles.
even though a web search brings up a number of good articles I like to ask colleagues and list members just in case I miss the 'perfect' article. I also feel that it is valuable because not all articles are reviewed, so it is beneficial to ask the opinion of someone who has read it regards denise Denise Maia Carter, CASS, University of Hull, Hull , HU6 7RX Email:denisecarter@denisecarter.net Web: http://www.denisecarter.net
interesting question. in my research (with eric von hippel) on user-to-user technical support for apache web server - we found that most information seekers had already invested significant time in prior searches before posting their questions on the newsgroup. having not found the answer they were looking for they then went to the newsgroup and posted a request for help. interestingly those on the newsgroup were not there to help - rather they were there to learn. most information providers just gave them information that they had at hand. the question-answer transaction had asymetric costs and benefits. information providers spent less than 5 minutes composing the answers and information seekers reported about 3 hours in time savings from those answers. so i think most people post for help in the hope that someone will have *exactly* or close to exactly the solution they need. so in your instance getting the right list (may be even vetted by an experienced person) from a person would be more valuable than just getting a gazillion hits via google. best, K -- =============================================== Karim R. Lakhani MIT Sloan School of Management MIT Free/Open Source Software Research Project e-mail: karim.lakhani@sloan.mit.edu voice: 617-851-1224 fax: 617-344-0403 http://spoudaiospaizen.net/ http://opensource.mit.edu | http://freesoftware.mit.edu http://userinnovation.mit.edu
participants (4)
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Denise Carter -
Jennifer Stromer-Galley -
Karim R. Lakhani -
Marj Kibby