Can you spare a moment to help a DUer with their research project? (And help DU!)

[EarlG]

This discussion thread was locked by EarlG (a host of the Announcements group).

Last edited Thu Feb 6, 2020, 12:48 AM - Edit history (1)

UPDATE 2/6/2020

The survey is now closed. Thank you very much to everyone who took part! We appreciate it.



ORIGINAL MESSAGE


Hello everyone,

One of our veteran members, Lithos, is studying for a Master's degree in Computer Science. His current class is in Human-Computer Interfaces, and he asked us if we could help him with some research.

Lithos has created a short survey to collect information about how DU members use the site's search functionality, and plans to write a report for his research on how the search functionality could be improved. He also hopes to conduct some brief one-on-one interviews with willing DU members, in order to gain further information.

The survey and interviews will help Lithos complete his research project, and in turn, he will share the results of that project with us so that we can improve our search functions in the future.

This is of course completely optional -- if you don't feel like taking the survey, you are not obligated to. But if you wish to take the survey, you will find it here:

Survey is now closed

If you do take part, we will collect some demographic information about your account along with your submitted survey but ONLY information that is already publicly available (for example, your post count, or whether you are a star member). NO private information will be shared with Lithos.

Lithos is also asking for volunteers to take part in some short one-on-one interviews about how members use the search function. This will be done via DU Mail, so if you wish to take part, simply contact him by sending him a DU Mail Message.

Once again, this is completely voluntary. If you would like more information, please visit this thread where Lithos has posted an FAQ. We appreciate your assistance, and thanks in advance to anyone who chooses takes part.

-- The DU Administrators

[pansypoo53219]

1. luddite. apple user. math free idiot. not sure i am worthy help.

[Mopar151]

38. DIY Racer, R&D Machinist, Working supervisor, manufacturing engineer

and, at the end of my career, full Gimp, runnin ' a bridgeport/prototrak, from a stool manning the "re-engineering, rework, and howdidja do THAT!" spot.

Please don't call yourself a Luddite. The Sons of Ned Ludd may have feared the power loom, but it was bigotry fueled and funded by fear.

[Mopar151]

46. Oh, Yeah - have major interest in the project!!!

Basically, I've spent decades in technology watching well dressed mental defectives belittle workers (like "toolmakers", "master machinists", "industrial electricans" and the 75 known species of medical techs and specialists) by bullying them like the "mean girls".
Odd Girl out explains most of it, very well. My addendum to the science?

Around the time that puberty hardens muscle, the beaten down male victims of bullying develop lethal capability, and incredible motivation to acquire same. Testosterone, isn't the cause, but it's a hot cam and tuned exhaust for hard muscle and not takin no more shit!
So, the bully faces a choice: give up the sport he loves *, or undergo a "sex change" in his bullying style. Can't be a "good man" if you'll volunteer to cut off your own nuts, in order to keep yelling " NO BALLS FOR YOU" anytime they see a "pride" flag. So, the sportsmen who wish to continue, embrace the femininine style of brutality to enforce their vision of masculinity.

(Authentic language warning for bigotry, irony, and sarcasam) "So, ta beat up FAGGITS, you got to be worse of a FAGGIT! What the fuck, that's so unfair!!!!" ) Get ahold of yerself, there, III (Trey). Stop proclaiming that gay-bashing is love, when it's really misanthropic BDSM. Now, get yourself cleaned up and squared away. The goofy kid you were "on about" last semester, did his "Aggie" time on a hay crew, and if he sees you in the wrong light, you'll wish he'd gone to advanced karate.

[pansypoo53219]

50. i am old school forever. i mostly look at estatesales.com + watch classic dr who.

used to play sheepshead on yahoo.

[Mopar151]

55. The arc of the universe bends to QUALITY.

Got no time to jump start the shuttle next week. Let's check up on that.

[lpbk2713]

2. I don't think I use "search" enough to give a reliable response to the survey.

Thanks just the same.

[Lithos]

6. Hi, I'm actually curious how you find things on the site without using "search" as well

One of my questions in the interview is:

Q7. Are there any challenges you have with finding posts on DU? If so, what are they and what did you do to overcome it?

It sounds like you have a major challenge with accessing via mobile device.

[MoonlitKnight]

34. I just read what is next

I don’t go searching. I read based on the title and try to take a look through all of the latest and skip those that do not look interesting.

My question is how do you know what you are searching for? Do you see news elsewhere and are on a quest for a posting on DU? It seems like searching for tweets.

[Lithos]

35. That's a fine answer

Everyone's use is different - there are no bad answers here.

When I'm talking about finding something - it could be trying to find a post or content you know about. An example might be finding the results of one of the photography contests, or one of the editorial images that EarlG makes from a few weeks back. Or, maybe finding a post you wanted to reply to. People do this differently and I'm trying to understand what works and what does not work. And if there are work-arounds what do they do?

[Beartracks]

37. On a Kindle, the Search button/field doesn't even show up.

Kind of frustrating. (Safari browser, if that's important.),

========

[Mosby]

52. You have to select desktop view.

Three dots in the top right corner.

Eta this is for the built in silk browser.

[Beartracks]

54. Oh, wow. LOL Thank you!

===========

[applegrove]

3. I search using google as i am on my cell phone and the search function doesn't render on my tiny

screen.

[dweller]

4. i don't even know where the search button/function is

i've looked, but since i'm on my phone, not sure where it is
so i quit looking
🤔

✌🏼

[dewsgirl]

12. This is my issue, I recently learned you have to change

the format, I think we both use the mobile format, therefore it's unavailable.

[Rhiannon12866]

40. You can replicate Advanced Search on your phone

I figured out how. You can go to any Forum and click on Search This Forum, then change the Search parameters to whatever you want/need.

[a kennedy]

5. I'm a DuckDuckGo searcher user.......

[Maxheader]

7. Bravo!! Computer Science...

When your ready to start looking for a job go here...https://www.cjhunter.com/

Compared to permy/direct positions, contractors make more by a factor of 3...at least..

Luck!!...

[blm]

8. Done

[defacto7]

9. There are times I have wanted to use the search feature

and I did when I used my desktop more,
but if you're on a cell phone it's really tedious. First I have to switch to desktop mode just to access it, then zoom my screen in on the search function, do the search then switch back to moble mode which isn't exactly easy when the screen is compressed. The search just isn't there on the phone so I only use it in extreme circumstances.. whatever that is.
I'm glad to take the survey but as you can see I'm limited by my device.

[Rhiannon12866]

41. I've managed to use Advanced Search on my phone.

You can go to any Forum and click on Search This Forum, then change the Search parameters to whatever you want/need. I'm not great with computers or my phone, but that works for me.

[defacto7]

45. You know, I didn't notice...

I just look for the search box on the main page. Well there you go. Live and learn.

[dewsgirl]

10. I use DU mobile version, so I really don't use the search function.

It would be great if you could integrate it into the mobile platform.

[Lithos]

11. How do you find things without an explicit search?

I am curious about how people do that as well...

L-

[dewsgirl]

15. I use Google search, for example I'll search Trump disses

National Anthem Democratic Underground, it will pull up the most recent posting. Or I can change my settings, which personally I can't stand on my phone, I find it very hard to use.

[tblue37]

28. I go to the Google search engine offsite. nt

[tblue37]

30. I responded to the survey. Lithos also asks questions that are relevant to those who

don't use the search function at all, so he needs your responses, too.

BTW, it's a quick & easy survey.

[flor-de-jasmim]

13. I haven't used the search capability more than 2-3 times. Sorry.

[cojoel]

14. I earned an MS in CS in 1982

I particularly remember a session with some IBM representatives who were showing off the then brand-new IBM PC to small groups of students at a time.

Much has changed since those days...

[dweller]

16. look in a specific forum/group where it may be relevant

and flip through pages of posts, get lucky, or get tired and give up
pretty futile

✌🏼

[TheBlackAdder]

17. Done

[lunatica]

18. I tried to use the search function one, unsuccessfully

so I’m pretty sure I won’t be able to help.

[EarlG]

21. This is part of the point of the survey

Lithos asks questions about whether you can use search successfully, so even if you can't, it will help him to know that.

[lunatica]

25. OK

[cornball 24]

19. Dummy me! I was not aware there was a "search" feature on DU. Thus, unfortunately, I

cannot participate in a survey.

[EarlG]

20. Some of the questions ask whether you use search or not --

so even if you don't, it's still useful data. Thanks.

[Quixote1818]

24. I mainly use it to make sure I don't dupe someone else's post. Nt

[Rhiannon12866]

42. +1!

I use it for that as well.

[c-rational]

22. I also use the mobile version on my tablet 90% of the time. Did not even know there was a search

function available. Not sure what help I could offer.

[Quixote1818]

23. Done nt

[keithbvadu2]

26. I use it. Sometimes have to play with word selection to find applicable topics on DU.

I use it.

Sometimes have to play with word selection to find applicable topics on DU.

[happybird]

27. Shoot...

I somehow accidentally submitted mine only halfway finished. I’m sorry. Should I do a new one or ??? Didn’t even get to the Search questions, which I assume are most important.

[Poeraria]

29. This methodology WAY skews your sample.

Stop.
Go back.

[Ptah]

32. How should it be done?

[Poeraria]

33. If the research question is, "how DUers react to..."

Then your methodology is sound.

[Docreed2003]

31. Done! Good luck with the survey!

[NRaleighLiberal]

36. Hi Lithos! Happy to help - done!

[murielm99]

39. I tried to use the search function a few times

and gave it up as a lost cause. Sorry.

[Rhiannon12866]

43. Thanks, EarlG, I'd be happy to help

Since I'm on MIRT, I use Advanced Search all the time, if that helps, and it would be nice to give back to Lithos who has given a lot to DU.

[greatauntoftriplets]

44. I just did the survey.

Always happy to help Lithos (as well as you guys).

[jcmaine72]

47. I think this was the first online survey I've completed in years.

Then again, this was the first online survey in years I've been asked to complete by an individual, and not some company or other asking me all manner of personal questions pertaining to my finances and shopping habits.

At any rate, I hope I was able to help with your research. Best of luck to you!

[11 Bravo]

48. Done. The only nit I might pick would be that I had to sometimes ...

select only because "seldom" wasn't an option.
But in any case, I'm glad to help, and I wish Lithos all the best in his endeavor.

[Stand and Fight]

49. Done. n/t

[napi21]

51. I don't use the search function very often. My prime reason if to check to see if something

I want to post in Breaking News has already been posted.

[Mike 03]

53. Done. nt