It is clear that the signal to noise ratio of the WWW is getting worse. It’s much harder to find good content when using a good old search engine. And if it’s good it is usually hosted on Reddit or Stackexchange.

So remember, even if it’s easy too Google something (well, it isn’t nowadays), we want to create a fediverse of good content that helps people (I hope). So, it’s always better to write a real answer if you have the time and energy. Please help boost the SNR and reverse the AI fueled information degradation loop.

  • zout@fedia.io
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    9 days ago

    I used to be pretty good at googling stuff, but the last 1 or 2 years it just won’t work anymore. For instance, I had to charge a battery yesterday, and the power led started blinking when I put the battery in. I didn’t know if this meant either charging or faulty battery, so I googled it. Got pages of ads for this particular charger, but no answer. So google is just a big marketplace these days, and nothing more.

    Just so you know, a dremel battery is charging when the power led blinks.

    • catloaf@lemm.ee
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      9 days ago

      Did it not have a manual?

      Just yesterday I was looking for similar info on a thermostat. Given only the brand name and knowledge that it was a thermostat, I found the product line, tech specs, and manuals. (I didn’t find the answer I needed, but that’s because it was “the button can be programmed to do different things by the control system”).

      • zout@fedia.io
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        9 days ago

        It does, but google decided I needed to buy a new one, not download the manual.

        • catloaf@lemm.ee
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          9 days ago

          Usually both of those options are on the same page. If you have one, you have both, or at least a lead on their support site.