Comments for The one skill you should hone.

Comment from Leo Notenboom on 2007-02-10

2007-02-10T19:29:51Z

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I expected a little disagreement :-).

I *totally* agree with you that basic file management is way, WAY up
there on my list of recommended skills. Many of the questions I get
would, in fact, be resolved by a better understanding thereof.

There are a couple of reasons I prioritize search skills above it,
though.

I consider search a "gateway skill". It's a skill that can be used to
find information about or learn other skills. So, to use your example,
should I determine I need to get better at file management, having a
good ability to search for that information will make it easier for me
to locate it on the web.

It's also a general pupose skill. As I said, I agree that it's way high
up there and imporant, but in all honesty, not everyone needs to
understand file management, nor would absolutely everyone benefit from
it. Search skills are independant of any particular field or endeavor.
At some point or another everyone searches for something. Be it how to
use a program, how to fix a leaky roof, or where to have dinner next
week, I believe that more effective search skills would more positively
impact more people.

Thanks!

Leo
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A comment on: The one skill you should hone.

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Comment from Sam on 2007-02-10

2007-02-10T18:02:53Z

Not what I was expecting.

Though I found this article personally helpful (thank you), this is not the "One computer skill I wish people would hone."

I would have to give that title to:
Basic FILE MANAGEMENT (such as Windows Explorer).

My biggest frustration in trying to help friends is their ignorance of what windows (and other programs) do with their files ... "where's it stored at, how do I find it, how do I copy it, how do I back it up, what's a folder, what's a file, etc. etc. etc."

I used to teach a drafting class that used an easy-to-learn CAD software (Solid Edge). The students who understood Windows Explorer breezed through the other software; Those who didn't ... well...didn't 'breeze.'
Understanding "File Management" seems to be the foundation which makes all other computering more than a "just-get-by" experience.

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A comment on: The one skill you should hone.

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Comment from Harry on 2007-02-10

2007-02-10T17:55:08Z

I found you reference to "Using Search Engins - A Tutorial very valuable. It will improve my future searching.
But should not be surprised - I learn something everytime I read you material.

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A comment on: The one skill you should hone.

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Comment from Leo Notenboom on 2007-02-05

2007-02-05T16:50:10Z

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What I'm suggesting is way more fundamental than that.

Effective searching, to me, means first understanding if "any day now"
is even the right thing to search for to get to your desired results.
Understanding where "any day" alone might be more appropriate, or "any
day now someone will heed the call" might be better.

And then knowing how to refine the results.

And that's all before thinking about quotes, no quotes, or other search
engines syntaxes and tools.

- -Leo
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A comment on: The one skill you should hone.

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Comment from Greg Bulmash on 2007-02-05

2007-02-05T08:51:24Z

Very astute. Searching is definitely a skill. An additional skill is learning some of the advanced search syntax at search engines like Google.

For example, if you were searching for stuff with the phrase "any day now", just entering:

any day now

... would get you a list of search results where the text of the pages contained those three words, but not necessarily that phrase. By putting it in quotes, you tell Google to search for that exact phrase and you cut out a huge number of irrelevant results.

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A comment on: The one skill you should hone.

Tech Questions? Get Answers! - Ask Leo! ... by Leo Notenboom
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