Hacker News new | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submit login

Sure, you can keep throwing those hyped VC/MBA-style retorts all around, or you can acknowledge the simple reality that when it comes to the task of finding answers to questions on SO, traditional search technology outperforms LLMs on every parameter:

1. Cost: it's much easier to build and serve a traditional search index for questions/answers at scale

2. Speed

3. Quality: with search engines you don't just get one answer (you get a spectrum of answers). You have access to the "source" of those answers, which often include additional data that can help you choose the most appropriate solution to a problem.

In this specific case, the "horse" is the LLM - and the "car" is the traditional search engine with modern indexing technologies. But please, don't let simple textbook facts about technology take you off your trip.




I'm quite good in understanding the difference.

But LLM can already do things Google can't.

LLM is not just a search engine.

It's an explainer, rubber duck etc.

Instead of 'google define x' I just say ' explain x' in my dialog with the machine.

And it will only become better and better.




Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: