Does anybody else hate the fact that there is a "look it up" box right there when you go to answer a question?

i am with you it is werid and stupid

Sometimes a quoted reference or cited links are important to adequately answer the question or to give the asker some confidence that the response is accurate.

For instance, I answered this question,

"Who burned the White House in the War of 1812"

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/?qid=10060420230...

It took some significant research to find a good response. If I didn't include some of the quotes and some links, then how would the asker have any assurance that I wasn't just making stuff up?

However, I'm not a fan of the search bar and I'm afraid that it will encourage people to cut-n-paste entire articles without citing the reference. So in that sense, I agree that it shouldn't be there. The link to Yahoo's front page is already at the top and Google, Dogpile, Wikipedia, etc are always available. If people are going to research an answer, then I don't think they need the little prompt in the middle of the answer page.

I really don't like the search box in the middle of the question page. It just gets in the way. However, I do see where it can be convenient on the answering page. A lot of times a source is required to back up your answer. Sometimes you want to make sure you have a date right or want to make sure you spelled a name correctly.

Yes, the people who just copy-and-paste Wikipedia or elsewhere are very annoying sometimes. Anything over a couple of paragraphs is not Fair Use and could even be a violation of copyright. However, the people who know how to use the search feature appropriately shouldn't be punished for those who abuse it. I just hope it makes users come up with better answers than "thanx 4 da 2 pts" or "i dont no." :P

I agree with you one hundred percent. I feel the same way. But I think this may be in response to the new msn answers beta site (msn answers/encarta answers) which boasts more than a million guaranteed correct answers via use of a search engine. Of course they are eliminating the 'human' factor which is what yahoo answers is based on. So if yahoo answers can incorperate both techniques then they will remain ahead of the pack. I think this is the basis for that.

Very!!! Even though sometimes I will use those sources just as a backup, like if its a health question, I will want them to have medical explanations along wiwth my two cents! But yeah they made it way too obvious for people to just type in a search. Let the person do that instead of asking the question then!!!

I personally do not care for the answers to my questions that

just give me web sites to look at. I like getting personal opinions

and hearing from other people's personal experiences. When I look for answers to my questions, those are the answers that I pay the most attention to. I can do my own web searches.

Although, you have to appreciate the fact that Yahoo Answers is always trying to improve the site.

Hi Joe it's me again, Just wanted to come over here and cheer you on.... btw, yeah that is annoying... I posted something about an iud and they copied and pasted like I couldnt have dont that....

It annoys me, too.

I do look stuff up, but I am able to manage it on my own, thanks!