@jon Something that I've been wondering the past several months is if anyone has attempted to *objectively* addressed the question of quality of search results. I dont even know if one can objectively test one search engine against another much less the past versus the present. Do you know of any efforts to do either of these?

@jon This is actually why science was invented. People's subjective experiences are very often wrong. What we *think* we see often is at odds with reality. I'm wrong all the time because of my biases and preconceptions and this is why eyewitness testimony in a murder trial has to be supported with actual evidence.

Is the change you think you've seen been caused by AI?

@jon I dont think it's possible to quantify (beyond gut feeling...which is very biased and often wrong) what impact AI is having on search results. AI summaries can only be evaluated against what we know to be true. So there are difficulties there also without doing a well designed experiment.

I think the only truthful response anyone can give is "I don't know". But that's not an option in the survey.

@jon Do you mean to ask if the internet is filling up with AI generated content? Or whether or not AI summaries provide value to search results? Because AI summaries do not replace or change search results themselves, they are added to the results.

@algernon
As long as its easy and obvious how to do things like setting up a printer, adjusting mouse settings, etc. There's complete idiots, people that can get by if things are obvious and straightforward, and then the enthusiasts...a spectrum of users. I'm sorta new to linux but not an IT type guy...but I prefer doing things for myself. The easier the better.

What are some other distros aiming toward the idiot side of the spectrum that you'd consider unnecessary?

@algernon But what proportion of people have a Linux "IT guy" in the family? 0.5% or less?

Does anyone know of a resource that helps people be a good associate editor for a journal? I volunteered to be one, and was surprised to not be offered any guidance.
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