Geniuses at Your Fingertips

Ron Force writes “They’re geniuses, and they’re at your fingertips
Long-forgotten public library reference desk stocked with answers, Doug Clark says.
This is the Information Age, when fact-seekers surf the cyberwaves via powerful search engines like Google, Alta Vista or the ever-popular Yahoo. Not this yahoo.
When Doug needs data, he puts down the computer mouse. He picks up the telephone and dials up Dennis, Jean or Louise.Google’s cool, sure. But my search engines would kick your fanny on Jeopardy.Which is why I’m taking today to sing the praises of this oft-overlooked informational resource:
The library reference desk…”

October 15, 2003 by Uncategorized 3

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3 Responses

  1. rteeter says:
    October 15, 2003 at 8:08 pm

    Nice
    Nice article. Worth the annoying registration.

    Reply
  2. crow says:
    October 15, 2003 at 8:27 pm

    Re:Nice
    I’ll have to take your word for it–it is way too annoying a form. You’d think newspaper sites would ask for a zip code first and then only demand more detailed information from people actually in their circulation area. It’s not like Houston is a suburb of Spokane by any stretch of the imagination. And they aren’t exactly a national presence on the newspaper scene either…

    Reply
  3. rteeter says:
    October 22, 2003 at 1:07 pm

    Re:Nice

    You don’t have to give them real information.

    Gender: F
    Birthdate: 1903 (they usually won’t believe you if you say you’re over 100)
    (Have you ever noticed that the sample is usually something really specific — and on the young side — like 5/15/1977? I assume that’s the Webmaster’s birthdate.)
    Zip code: Whatever the sample says
    You get the idea.

    Now, I suppose one of the trolls ’round here will question my commitment to truth, justice, and the ALA bill of rights!

    Reply

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