#1087 – Should I Just Use AI for Searching?

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#1087 - Should I Just Use AI for Searching?

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This Week on Ask Leo!

Should I Just Use AI for Searching?

Should I Just Use AI for Searching?
My answer may be controversial.

AI or search engine? Both promise answers, but in very different ways. From accuracy and freshness to bias and even energy use, each has trade-offs you need to know. Before you pick one over the other, find out why the smartest choice might be both.

Read: Should I Just Use AI for Searching?

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How Do I Remove Myself From a Computer?

How Do I Remove Myself From a Computer?
It's harder than you think.

Leaving a job and worried about what's on your work computer? From browser history to email accounts, traces of you remain. Learn what you can (and can't) erase, and the smartest way to protect your privacy before you walk out the door.

Read: How Do I Remove Myself From a Computer?

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Can I Tell If Something

Can I Tell If Something's Been Pasted Instead of Typed?
Not usually, but then again…

Is pasted text the same as typed text? Usually yes, but not always. Hidden clues, formatting quirks, and even spyware can reveal the difference. Learn when copy/paste is truly invisible, when it's not, and why it matters if you're tempted to take shortcuts.

Read: Can I Tell If Something's Been Pasted Instead of Typed?

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Where

Where's My Disk Space Going?
How to find out.

Running out of disk space can be frustrating, especially when you don't know what's eating it up. I'll show you how to track down the culprits with a free tool so you can see exactly where your space is going.

Read: Where's My Disk Space Going?

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TEH Podcast

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Where's My Disk Space Going?

Running out of disk space can be frustrating, especially when you don?t know what?s eating it up. I'll show you how to track down the culprits with a free tool so you can see exactly where your space is going.

Watch: Where's My Disk Space Going?


Can I Tell If Something's Been Pasted Instead of Typed?

Is pasted text the same as typed text? Usually yes, but not always. Hidden clues, formatting quirks, and even spyware can reveal the difference. Learn when copy/paste is truly invisible, when it?s not, and why it matters if you?re tempted to take shortcuts.

Watch: Can I Tell If Something's Been Pasted Instead of Typed?


Can Your Video Chat Be Intercepted and Recorded?

Your video chats are usually private and encrypted, but nothing is foolproof. The real risk isn?t hackers; it?s the person on the other end, who can record everything. Learn why interception is rare, where the real danger lies, and the one rule to follow if you?re unsure.

Watch: Can Your Video Chat Be Intercepted and Recorded?


Should I Just Use AI for Searching?

AI or search engine? Both promise answers, but in very different ways. From accuracy and freshness to bias and even energy use, each has trade-offs you need to know. Before you pick one over the other, find out why the smartest choice might be both.

Watch: Should I Just Use AI for Searching?


How Do I Remove Myself From a Computer?

Leaving a job and worried about what?s on your work computer? From browser history to email accounts, traces of you remain. Learn what you can (and can?t) erase, and the smartest way to protect your privacy before you walk out the door.

Watch: How Do I Remove Myself From a Computer?


 
Posted: September 16, 2025 in: 2025
Shortlink: https://newsletter.askleo.com/9288
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I'm Leo Notenboom and I've been playing with computers since I took a required programming class in 1976. I spent over 18 years as a software engineer at Microsoft, and after "retiring" in 2001 I started Ask Leo! in 2003 as a place to help you find answers and become more confident using this amazing technology at our fingertips. More about Leo.