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Ask HN: Is StackOverflow Dying?

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Re: Ask HN: Is StackOverflow Dying?

#11

Post by superasn »

Yes I've switched to chatgpt for all my programming questions nowadays because of many reasons:

1. It understands the versions more clearly, it won't generate the code for Bootstrap 2 when my question is about Bootstrap 5

2. Asking follow up questions is easy. So the code didn't work. I tell it that and instantly it tells me what I need to do to fix it (leave missing config file, etc) or gives me an alternate.

3. Its answers instantaneously except when their site is down.

4. Its more customised as the answer is not a generic question posted an year ago.

5. It spans multiple domains of knowledge, so if lets say I get an error curl.so not found, it can tell me what I must run on the command line to fix that on my system too.

6. Its so much faster because there are no stupid questions. It's just like typing on google vs SO where you need to proof read and make sure its not a duplicate.

Re: Ask HN: Is StackOverflow Dying?

#14

Post by Normal_gaussian »

jeff_vader wrote: post #8

Not sure about stack overflow, but search result quality feels to be in decline. Lately I deliberately try to rely on official documentation more (i.e. have it bookmarked and browse it for answers) instead of trying to look something up in search engine. Which honestly is a good idea anyway.

I had an interesting conv. with my extended in laws about this last week. Basically everyone 20+ telling the mid teens that there was a golden age of google where it could answer questions "like telepathy".

It was interesting to hear a diverse (in occupation) non-tech group lamenting the search decline. I felt so validated!

Re: Ask HN: Is StackOverflow Dying?

#16

Post by jakewins »

pasc1878 wrote: post #7
rezonant wrote: post #3

Personally the only websites I see displacing SO on Google results are sites that reuse SO content and game Google to get ad revenue.

This is the main use I have for browser addins that block sites in search results.

Which add on do you recommend? I’ve often thought, after clicking on some search result that instantly leads me to a full page splash, “I want to never see that domain again”

Re: Ask HN: Is StackOverflow Dying?

#17

Post by bruce343434 »

superasn wrote: post #11

Yes I've switched to chatgpt for all my programming questions nowadays because of many reasons: 1. It understands the versions more clearly, it won't generate the code for Bootstrap 2 when my question is about Bootstrap 5 2. Asking follow up questions is easy. So the code didn't work. I tell it that and instantly it tells me what I need to do to fix it (leave missing config file, etc) or gives me an alternate. 3. Its…

I would be interested in knowing why you are getting downvoted. Much of your experience rings true, except for me chatgpt tends to generate bogus code (though pointing me in the right direction).

Re: Ask HN: Is StackOverflow Dying?

#18

Post by l33tman »

For physics, I noted that physics.stackexchange.com, which worked fine 10 years ago, was only filled with noise now and no answers. Then I realized people who usually answered stuff there moved to Discord servers and other sites. Maybe something similar happened to SO? It's like the gamification model that fuels the desire to post answers on those sites got old and boring..

Re: Ask HN: Is StackOverflow Dying?

#19

Post by norman784 »

pasc1878 wrote: post #7
rezonant wrote: post #3

Personally the only websites I see displacing SO on Google results are sites that reuse SO content and game Google to get ad revenue.

This is the main use I have for browser addins that block sites in search results.

Google and DDG should add a Kagi feature, where you can set the priority of the sites or even block them.

Re: Ask HN: Is StackOverflow Dying?

#20

Post by Normal_gaussian »

moonchrome wrote: post #10

I've noticed this trend for years, basically : - for reference I land on official documentation - for issues I usually land on GitHub issues and source code - for random stuff I still hit SO - like some SQL problem, CSS, algorithm implementation - for design stuff I land on blog posts Personally I see stack overflow value reduce with good reference documentation and GitHub issues/open source dev discussions. The fact…

I find repo issues generally horrendous to browse/sear h. In particular 'stale issue' bots killing off well written issues with reproduction.
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