10 replies to this topic

[Nabusman]

Is it just me or can people actually find what they are looking for using the search function on MSDN local help that comes with Visual Studio 2005?

I can never seem to find what I'm looking for, I end up having to expand .Net Framework SDK/Class Library Reference/ and just looking for the stuff there...

Anyone have a better way of find stuff in this labyrinth?

Nabs

[Johnnyboy]

Hey Nabusman... I found that MSDN is very difficult to find anything if you don't know EXACTLY what you're searching.

I Basically went from the idea UP. Like, googling a concept I am trying to accomplish and then finding terms of functions, etc. that were used in someone else's solution, THEN searching up those specific functions on MSDN.

That is basically how I went about it.

[Nabusman]

I see, so its not meant as a platform for discovering methods, functions, etc but rather as a refrence in case a programmer forgets how to use some function.

Thanks I'll try that approach

Nabs

[Johnnyboy]

yes, I've never had any breakthrough success using it to find new things... only finding lots of details about a method, function etc that I already had an idea might be what I was looking for.

Stinks I know. Maybe someone else has had a different experience? Anyone?

[Frantic]

I've seen nothing that matches the information in the MSDN for any other language. It is huge and has all the information you need. Finding it is another story. I generally search google for it and end up on MSDN. Use Google :)

[CygnetGames]

I tried using whatever version of MSDN came with VB6, but I could never get the hang of it.
Like you have already said, if you know the name of a specific function then it's fine and will give you loads of info, but for finding out anything general it's useless.

I stopped bothering with it after a while and I've used google ever since.

[Crane]

I've never used or installed the local version. I've never felt the need to waste space (like 2 gigs right) when it is free and updated on the web.

[CygnetGames]

How long has it been on the web?
I was sure you had to pay for it when I used it (about 3 years ago).

[LogicalVue]

Lately, I've also found myself not using the locally installed copy of MSDN and instead just searching the web version with Google.

[CygnetGames]

Jordan said:

I think it has always been on the web.

Wow, well I didn't know that.
When I was at school 3 years ago, they didn't have the local version installed on their computer systems because they couldn't afford the monthly subscription, but they never told us it was on the web. They must not have known.