Is Googling a skill?

Posted Thursday, April 6th 2006

Google. The topic of many discussions, blog posts and rants on the Internet. The source of all that is good, and a success story for some. A centralization of all that is evil for the paranoid. Like it or not, it has a huge online presence, and there isn’t anyone that hasn’t heard of, or interacted with Google in one way or another. Chances are, you found this page through Google.

One of my lecturers, during my Research Techniques module, told us how lucky we are to have advanced search engines to help us in our search of resources to use. At first, I thought nothing of it, but when he started describing what he had to go through - rummaging through libraries, academic and industry publications and various conference proceedings by hand, in order to find whatever he needed - that’s when I realized that indeed, we are lucky to have search engines.

And when I look back at, I’ve used search engines extensively throughout my BSc and now, my MSc education. I’ve actually become quite good at looking for information that I can use in my reports & assignments, as well as my BSc dissertation and my MSc thesis.

And my question is - should searching for information, or in today’s world, Googling, be considered a unique skill?

Knowing how to use a search engine properly, can be extremely important. If you’re having some sort of a problem, chances are, someone else has had the problem, and a solution is most likely available. You just have to look for it, but you also have to know HOW to look for it.

How many of you have actually used Google’s Advanced Search? Or how many of you know about the existence of various Google operators that you can use to really make the best of your search?

Let’s imagine a pretty simple scenario. You’re a student, and you’re working on some sort of programming project, that involves some sort of web scripting code. You’re rummaging through books, trying to find something that can remotely help you. But instead, what you should do, is just point your browser to Google, type in what you need, and there it is. Someone is bound to have done what you’re trying to do, and the code is out there. All you have to do, is find it, modify it as necessary, and use it.

The same applies for any problems you might encounter at work. Instead of bothering your fellow employees, at least with trivial questions, you can always first try hitting Google. You might just find the answer you’re looking for, and you’ll end up looking good in the process, because you solved a problem without asking for help, or, didn’t have any problems to begin with. It can save loads of time.

I’ve been asked stupid questions over and over again. And more than once, I’ve told morons that have asked me to those questions, to Google them. So don’t be a moron. Spend some time with Google, figure it out - it will be extremely valuable.

Oh, and Happy 2nd Birthday to Gmail!