TurboTax for the Utter Dummy

The year is right there, Damarious!

Back in late 2011, the freelancing universe was rocked by an update to Google's search algorithm known as the Panda update (not for the cute, cuddly "bears," for a Google engineer named Panda). The stated reason for the update was to reduce the search rank of so-called content farms in favor of "fresh" content, mostly on social media (see where that got us...). In articles about the change, frequent reference was made to low-quality information from eHow.com; and today's DotD is a classic example of that substandard fare: the question, "Can Turbo Tax Be Used Every Year?"¹ as answered by Damarious Page.

Bicycle Wheels for Dummies

Where's that bolt, Charlie?

Back when people were just slightly smart-aleck with their co-workers instead of full-on obnoxious, you'd occasionally see a poster in someone's cubicle saying something to the effect of "Those of you who think you know everything are annoying to those of us who do." Yeah, sure: cute. You have to admit, though, that the freelancers who think they can come off knowing everything about everything tend to be annoying to people who actually do know a lot about something. Take, for instance, Charlie Gaston: she wrote a slew of articles for Trails.com about bicycles, even though she quite clearly didn't know much about them – maybe hadn't ridden one since she got her driver's license. Take, for instance, "How to Attach a Bicycle Wheel" at Trails.com...¹

Insulating Around Light Fixtures for Dummies

Recessed lighting, also known as can lights

It's quite common for the Antisocial Network's staffers to mutter under their breath as they surf the 'net in search of freelance dumbassery (a commodity of which there must be an endless supply). Many of the blog and content farm posts they turn up are of the same variety: some greedy character tries to research a question and ended up attempting to reword what they think is the most useful answer. Unfortunately, knowing jack about the question in the first place means that 1) they don't know what's a good answer and 2) they don't know what the terminology of the answer means. Heck, in some cases, they don't even know what the question means! Brenda Priddy, crafting consultant and prolific eHow.com freelancer, is a classic example of that type: witness her post "Light Fixture Insulation"¹ for proof.

ATM Cards for Dummies

ATM vs debit vs credit card

Most of the Antisocial Network's DotD nominees receive their awards because they try to answer questions on topics about which they know no useful information. A surprising number, though perhaps we shouldn't be surprised, arrive on this blog because of a combination of ignorance and greed; a combination that's especially true of people trying to answer questions on the Leaf Group of websites, formerly eHow.com. Take today's nominee, six-time winner and professional freelancer Alicia Bodine, who knew nothing about "How Do ATM Cards Work?" before taking this "assignment" at eHow (it now lives at PocketSense.com); and also knew nothing after completing it; the same as her readers.

Shimano 105 Derailleurs for Dummies

Barrel adjuster (yellow) and limit screws (red), Shimano 105

If you've ever put in more than a few miles on a "ten-speed" bicycle (not that any bicycle still has only ten "speeds"), you already know that having a badly adjusted rear derailleur (aka derailer) can take a lot of the fun out of a ride. Consequently, knowing how to fine-tune the little buggers can make your ride more efficient, and that will make it more fun. Derailleurs don't usually get out of adjustment, by the way: instead, shift cables stretch, and the drivetrain must be "tweaked" to allow for that stretch. Just how to do it seems to escape many people, including eHow's Matthew Ferguson, as he amply demonstrated in "How to Adjust a Shimano 105 Rear Derailleur"¹ at Healthfully.com.

Backflow Preventers for Dummies

backflow preventer for sprinkler system

Here at the Antisocial Network, we think there are some common, everyday repair tasks of which every homeowner should be aware, and – if at all possible – capable of performing. We're talking tasks on the order of changing a furnace filter or replacing the battery in a smoke detector, which we think even your grandmother should be able to perform. There are others that require a little more knowledge, but are in reality still pretty easy. Or they would be pretty easy if some PolySci major and MBA-holder didn't get hold of the instructions. Yes, we're talking about Tom Lutzenberger (again) and, this time, his eHow.com post "How to Fix a Water Backflow Preventer"¹ (since transported to HomeSteady.com)

Digital Television for Dummies

TV Digital television

About a million years ago – 2009, if you're really interested – the U. S. television broadcasting system went digital. Plenty of people found themselves confused by the switch, not least because the FCC kept talking about "digital," while people making money off the switch talked about "high-definition." Consequently, plenty of people had questions, and plenty had answers. Not all of those answers were good, though: some were like the post called "Can You Receive Digital Broadcasts on a Digital TV Without Box?" [sic] penned by George N. Root III and appearing at ItStillWorks.com.