<<< Forwarded by Ian Winship, University of Northumbria
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-----Original Message-----
From: gprice [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 13 February 2001 09:44
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Searching is SO EASY
Hello from DC.
I feel reasonably secure in writing that we have all come across
patrons/users/friends/etc. that think finding whatever information they need
is always as simple and easy as going to a search engine, typing in a
keyword,
keywords if they're an advanced searcher (:, and waiting a few seconds for
THE
answer.
How sad.
A column from the Toronto Star(2/12/01)illustrates the point.
http://www.thestar.com/cgi-bin/gx.cgi/AppLogic+FTContentServer?pagename=thes
tar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=981930372881&call_page=TS_@Biz&call_p
ageid=971794782442&call_pagepath=Business/@BizColumnist Robert Cribb tells
the story about he contacted webhelp.com for
assistance with a couple of searches. The "help" consisted of either telling
him to go to Google and type in a word or simply doing it for him.
His conclusion:
"Whenever you need help finding information online, please send me $9.99
(U.S.) and I'll dig it up for you."
No mention of what a professional considers when searching:
*Info Quality, Authority
*That the info might not be "on the web".
*It may be "on the web" but not in Google.
*Is this the BEST possible answer.
I am sure you can keep this list going.
Finally, why use Webhelp.com?
From the FAQ:
"The value of Webhelp can be measured in a number of ways. It saves you
valuable time that you would spend searching the Internet for answers. Our
Web
Wizards are specifically trained to provide you quality information in
real-time. The Web Wizards are human search agents who interact with you in
real-time chat, helping to direct you to the Web sites with information you
are seeking. It is this human element of our search process that allows us
to
circumvent the over-whelming sea of Internet search results."
http://www.webhelp.com/webhelp/faq/faq_company.html
I would love to learn more about the Webhelp training program.
Here is a blurb from the FAQ:
"Our Web Wizards search the entire Internet. Their special training in the
business of finding things enables them to know exactly where to look. And
where they look depends on what they are looking for. The biggest advantage
to
you is that they'll do all the work of searching and save you a lot of time
and frustration."
cheers,
gary
Gary D. Price, MLIS
George Washington University
Virginia Campus Library
Gelman Library
Ashburn, VA and Washington, D.C.
[log in to unmask]
703-726-8235
703-726-8237 (fax)
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