My mothers intepretation of how Google works...

oliegirl · 11-16-2005, 06:38 PM

Anthony had some homework last night that involved looking up some answers to questions on the internet...he spent the night at my parents so my mom did it with him. They used Google and AskJeeves (I know, a crappy sight, but my mom likes it)...

This morning I am talking to my mom and ask how it went, she is telling me about their work and mentions that Anthony asked "how does the website know the answers to all these questions?" I ask what she said and she tells me "well, I told him that someone at the website thought of ALL the questions that someone might ask, and put them in the computer with all the answers, so when someone asks the question, the answer is already there". I pause and then say - "you do know that isn't how it really works, right?" and she responds with a surprised "Really?"

My mother honestly thought that this is how search engines work. She scares me sometimes...

Buccaneer · 11-16-2005, 06:50 PM

Actually that's not too far off. There always have been answers to many questions. It's just over the years, the medium has changed of where to look and of course, more effecient methods have come about.

gottimd · 11-16-2005, 07:01 PM

I always thought that when you type in the question, there is a guy like Quiksand at the other end of the computer who has almanacs, encyclopedia's, etc and answers the questions for you. No?

jeff061 · 11-16-2005, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gottimd

I always thought that when you type in the question, there is a guy like Quiksand at the other end of the computer who has almanacs, encyclopedia's, etc and answers the questions for you. No?

Funny thing is that Google actually has a service like this. The more you pay the longer and quicker they get your answer.

gottimd · 11-16-2005, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeff061

Funny thing is that Google actually has a service like this. The more you pay the longer and quicker they get your answer.

What doesn't google do? Why can't it go to work for me?

flere-imsaho · 11-16-2005, 07:11 PM

I remember when Yahoo had volunteers who would help to fill out the links they listed under their categories.

Buccaneer · 11-16-2005, 07:13 PM

I remember when we had to pay scribes to look through rolls of papyrus. It's not different today, we're just lazier and far less patient.

gottimd · 11-16-2005, 07:13 PM

I remember when Al Gore invented the internet.

jeff061 · 11-16-2005, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gottimd

What doesn't google do? Why can't it go to work for me?

http://answers.google.com/answers/

. I think it's actually been around for awhile, I stumbled accross it a couple years ago.

Rizon · 11-16-2005, 07:55 PM

Everyone knows there is a gnome in each computer that answers these questions.

And that the actors on TV shows can see you watching them.

cthomer5000 · 11-16-2005, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gottimd

I remember when Al Gore invented the internet.

http://www.snopes.com/quotes/internet.asp

(that gore shit really bothers me)

Taco · 11-16-2005, 09:31 PM

I thought Google used pigeons...
http://www.google.com/technology/pigeonrank.html

Huckleberry · 11-16-2005, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oliegirl

Anthony had some homework last night that involved looking up some answers to questions on the internet...he spent the night at my parents so my mom did it with him. They used Google and AskJeeves (I know, a crappy sight, but my mom likes it)...

This morning I am talking to my mom and ask how it went, she is telling me about their work and mentions that Anthony asked "how does the website know the answers to all these questions?" I ask what she said and she tells me "well, I told him that someone at the website thought of ALL the questions that someone might ask, and put them in the computer with all the answers, so when someone asks the question, the answer is already there". I pause and then say - "you do know that isn't how it really works, right?" and she responds with a surprised "Really?"

My mother honestly thought that this is how search engines work. She scares me sometimes...

Is Anthony your son? Because if not I'm shocked that nobody has run with the post-ellipsis portion of your first sentence.

Cuckoo · 11-16-2005, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cthomer5000

http://www.snopes.com/quotes/internet.asp

(that gore shit really bothers me)

Yeah, gottimd... Jeesh. He didn't invent the internet. He just claimed he did.

oliegirl · 11-16-2005, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Huckleberry

Is Anthony your son? Because if not I'm shocked that nobody has run with the post-ellipsis portion of your first sentence.

Yes, he is my son, and you are sick!

Subby · 11-17-2005, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oliegirl

Anthony had some homework last night that involved looking up some answers to questions on the internet...he spent the night at my parents so my mom did it with him.

I sense the creation of a "Can a Child-Molestin', Google-Newbin' Grannie Ever Be Called Hot??" thread coming on.

Or maybe that's just the triple grande peppermint mocha talking.

sterlingice · 11-17-2005, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buccaneer

I remember when we had to pay scribes to look through rolls of papyrus. It's not different today, we're just lazier and far less patient.

(I thought it was funny, even if no one else did

)

SI

Ksyrup · 11-17-2005, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sterlingice

(I thought it was funny, even if no one else did

)

SI

I sent my LOL by carrier pigeon. It hasn't arrived yet.

Buzzbee · 11-17-2005, 12:21 PM

Smoke signals for me.

flere-imsaho · 11-17-2005, 12:25 PM

I have to invent language first before I can send my LOL.

jeff061 · 11-17-2005, 12:28 PM

Would the outcome still be LOL?

Buzzbee · 11-17-2005, 12:34 PM

Nope. For Flere it would be DUD.

DaddyTorgo · 11-17-2005, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Subby

Or maybe that's just the triple grande peppermint mocha talking.

Starbucks thanks you.

Buzzbee · 11-17-2005, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Subby

I sense the creation of a "Can a Child-Molestin', Google-Newbin' Grannie Ever Be Called Hot??" thread coming on.

Or maybe that's just the triple grande peppermint mocha talking.

I read that as triple grandma pepperment mocha.

Too much grandma in this thread.

ISiddiqui · 11-17-2005, 06:46 PM

Wait... Google doesn't work by relying on the massive brainpower of midget slaves?!!

jeff061 · 11-17-2005, 07:02 PM

Corret. They are nano slaves.

11-16-2005, 07:01 PM	#3
gottimd Dearly Missed (9/25/77-12/23/08) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: DC Suburbs	I always thought that when you type in the question, there is a guy like Quiksand at the other end of the computer who has almanacs, encyclopedia's, etc and answers the questions for you. No? __________________ NAFL New Orleans Saints GM/Co-Commish MP Career Record: 114-85 NAFL Super Bowl XI Champs In memory of Gavin Anthony: 7/22/08-7/26/08

11-16-2005, 07:13 PM	#8
gottimd Dearly Missed (9/25/77-12/23/08) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: DC Suburbs	I remember when Al Gore invented the internet. __________________ NAFL New Orleans Saints GM/Co-Commish MP Career Record: 114-85 NAFL Super Bowl XI Champs In memory of Gavin Anthony: 7/22/08-7/26/08

11-16-2005, 09:31 PM	#12
Taco High School JV Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: New Zealand	I thought Google used pigeons... http://www.google.com/technology/pigeonrank.html __________________ CFL - Durham Bulldogs WOOF - Des Moines Monks

11-17-2005, 12:21 PM	#19
Buzzbee College Starter Join Date: Jun 2002	Smoke signals for me. __________________ Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it. - Lou Holtz Last edited by Buzzbee : 11-17-2005 at 12:21 PM.

11-17-2005, 12:28 PM	#21
jeff061 Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: MA	Would the outcome still be LOL? __________________

11-16-2005, 06:50 PM	#2
Buccaneer Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Colorado	Actually that's not too far off. There always have been answers to many questions. It's just over the years, the medium has changed of where to look and of course, more effecient methods have come about.

11-16-2005, 07:11 PM	#6
flere-imsaho Coordinator Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Chicagoland	I remember when Yahoo had volunteers who would help to fill out the links they listed under their categories.

11-17-2005, 12:25 PM	#20
flere-imsaho Coordinator Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Chicagoland	I have to invent language first before I can send my LOL.

11-17-2005, 12:34 PM	#22
Buzzbee College Starter Join Date: Jun 2002	Nope. For Flere it would be DUD. __________________ Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it. - Lou Holtz

11-17-2005, 06:46 PM	#25
ISiddiqui Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Decatur, GA	Wait... Google doesn't work by relying on the massive brainpower of midget slaves?!! __________________ "A prayer for the wild at heart, kept in cages" -Tennessee Williams

11-17-2005, 07:02 PM	#26
jeff061 Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: MA	Corret. They are nano slaves. __________________

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