Discussion on:

Computer geeks make the best researchers

I seem to go in cycles of reading a lot of online tech news some days and writing comments in forums and blogs other days.

But I use Google everyday just to do my job. I'm not an expert at all the ways you can use it to do searches, but I think I'm pretty good. I mean how hard can it be?

Read the post: http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/techofalltrades/?p=129

How about you? Is Tech Republic a part of your daily routine? I listed a lot of tech sites in the article. Do you visit many of them? What others are your favorites for tech news and interaction with other techs?

I'm especially curious about other tech forums out there. My son, who is also a bit of a computer dude, lives in ars technica. I'm more of a Tech Republic kind of guy. What other tech forums do you like?

but still visit Ars Technica regularly and keep it bookmarked. I have consumed a lot of valuable information there. My other favorite, though not as often visited lately, spot is the forums at GRC. I spent a whole lot of time there many years ago and gathered a lot of valuable home user security information there. Had I not, my bet is that viruses would have driven me away from the PC as something I enjoy.

Am I a good searcher? Yes and no. I have yet to get nesting down pat. But I am good with keywords, and usually get what I am looking for on the first results page.

It's been a while since I visited Steve's site. Thanks for reminding me. I need to check it out and see what he's done lately. Used to sell a lot of his product in the late 80's. Sounds like he has moved from a disk drive expert to a security / AV expert. Can't wait.

yup.
after watching two people spend three hours between them trying to find information on something it only took me one search query, and the top three results had exactly what they were looking for. total time 1 minute.

Keeping up with everything going on from the latest security advances to virtual servers. From Windows 2008 Server and Vista Business to Macs. Wireless and VoIP is a time consumer.

I probably spend a good 2 hours on forums and blogs, another 2 or 3 hours on reading. Probably spend another 2 hours going over log files and an actual hour average per day fixing something that broke.

BUT, when the network has a problem, I've worked 16 hour days, especially if a server needs to be restored from backup.

On average I probably use 5 or 6 different sites.

Microsoft Technet Discussion Groups, Microsoft Small Business Discussion Groups, Techrepublic, Overclockers Cafe, Official SBS Blogs, I spend some time on the SMB Univeristy at Cisco Systems, PC Mag, Cnet, Znet, Gamespot, MCP Magazine, Windows IT Pro, PC Gamer,

My humble opinion is that we are a lot more curious and the subject matter is not always that important. As a networking person I lurk at NetworkingWorld , Wi-Fi Planet, and the DesignLine websites. For other than techy stuff I like Slate and the BBC. For local I use MinnPost.com

But you're never a Geek.Computers and the Internet are word of mouth,self taught,hunt and peck.If you can erase the hard drive and install an OS then you're Top Dog.

lol

I think it was on that podcast spotlight... so given that now we all wonder....

you need to get Sonja to interview you...

I do so want to hear if BALTHOR sounds like he types!

S/He used to post all his/her post titles in all caps. S/He has
graduated to mixed case. Makes you wonder if the meds are
kicking in!

Every time I get a difficult problem, I sit back and meditate on the fact that someone has BALTHOR for a user.

There is ALWAYS someone worse off than me!

I either look up a post from BALTHOR or try to determine
how s/he would resolve it. Then after the momentary agony,
I go and figure it out... LOL