No it's not just you...I see it also. I think most of the time it's people not getting the quik answer to their question or the link leads them to a manual they do not wish to purchase. And then there is those who just do not comprehend the literature they are reading because the project they took on is not within their capabilities. I imagine some might just have slow internet connections and they get frustrated. I think some people just feel more comfortable getting experienced working knowledge. I myself GOOGLE almost EVERYTHING! Can't help it!

Good luck!

It's not just you. And it's not just this site.

I don't understand it either.

i have started using this : Let me google that for you

This keeps people happy i guess

Of course, while Google is my homepage and i also google for everything, i wonder whether we are not losing our innovative edge

Fire

the only thing i can say is there must be a problem with where they come from, ie no google it may be banned,

or their english is so bad they cant do the search,

but yes there is a lot of what i would call pointless questions where all they need to do is type the question directly inot google.

i suppose we could start asking them why and see what why they dont goggle it

You are NOT the only one to have noticed it!

I would suggest to adopt the same attitude in order to oblige people to make their work before asking for help. Even if in some countries google is not available they have other research engines at their disposal so that this in not an excuse.

If we consider that the OP has NOT made the first steps to obtain the answer to his question we should ONLY give the direction where he/she has to search but not give the answer.

Such an attitude is beneficial for the OP since he can find even more than we can supply in a short comment, provided we do not believe to know every thing better.

I give a recent example: somebody asked about the meaning of the numbers and letters in a bearing code. I recommended to have a look in a manufacturer catalogue since catalogues from suppliers as INA, SKF, FAG, TIMKEN, KEYDON and others have ALL details. Such docs he could have found with any kind of search engine. The reaction of the participants was first that I got an "off-topic" comment and second that informations (partial) were given. The OP will start the same way again and again he will get a partial answer. If he creates the reflex to look in catalogues he will not depend any more on a delayed answer and which cannot be always correct (as I noticed several times participants want to "participate" so that they give even answers which are not related to the question or answers which are a proof that the question was not understood).

A lot of that goes on.

In some cases it may be that they can't comprehend whatever the first page of google chucks at them, or it may be that they seek validation from first hand knowledge of <whatever>. Could be other reasons. It's probably a bit charitable to think that's the case with many, especially when the question and background to it's asking is incomplete.

It's really a case of walk on by, or chuck 'em a biscuit if so inclined. My pet nark is the ones who ask the same question multiple times (and the ones who don't even search CR4). Depending on how the mood takes me it's either ignore, drop in a link to help them on their way, or indulge in some mild fun.

A lot of people don't have English as a native tongue, and Google is not the only search engine. It leaves me wondering how some people get as far as registering with CR4 and asking whatever question it is.

Unless the questioner elaborates, it's yet another of life's mysteries. Read with mild amusement, engage in whatever fashion takes your fancy, or simply bang forehead on desk.