Good Searching Advice for Engineers: Tips for Better Results

[FredGarvin]

I came across an editorial on internet searching in relation to the engineer. I think it applies very well to the entirety of PF, especially to those who may be a bit daunted when they are told to go to Google.

If you're like most of your engineering peers, you have a love-hate relationship with search engines. On the one hand, generic services like Google and Yahoo hold out the promise of fast access to free technical information. On the other, though, these sites rarely serve up the information you really need — at least not without a fight...

According to Kmetz, one of the biggest mistakes engineers make when searching for technical information is that they give up too soon. "You have to be persistent," he advises. And persistence means an iterative approach to searches.

The entire article is here:
http://www.designnews.com/blog/1130000113.html

I think this article is worth the read for everyone. I tend to do a fair amount of searching and have gotten to a reasonable level of success. However, I have had to try a lot of different things.

Hopefully some people who are frustrated with trying to find technical information can get a little insight in how to be more successful in their searching.

 

[Astronuc]

I definitely agree. Part of the problem is that there are so many sites with 'similar' information, but not quite right. One then has to sift through the chaffe to get the grains, or the dirt to get to the nuggets.

I try to be very specific with "keywords","and combinations" in order to narrow down as much as possible.

It also helps to know specific sites.

Thanks for the post Fred.

 

[ravenprp]

As an engineer, I can definitely relate to the struggle of finding accurate and relevant information online. It can be frustrating when search engines don't always deliver the results we need, but as the article suggests, persistence is key.

I completely agree with the advice to take an iterative approach to searching. This means trying different combinations of keywords, using advanced search techniques, and even exploring different search engines. It's important to not give up after just one or two attempts, as the information we need may not always be easily accessible.

I also appreciate the reminder to be specific in our searches. As engineers, we often need very specific and technical information, and using generic search terms may not always lead us to the right sources. It's important to use industry-specific terms and be as specific as possible when searching for technical information.

Overall, this article offers valuable advice for engineers and anyone else who relies on online research for their work. By being persistent, using an iterative approach, and being specific in our searches, we can improve the quality and accuracy of the information we find. Thank you for sharing this helpful resource.