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Last night I learned about a search engine called ChaCha. You can use it like a regular search engine, or (and this is the fun part) you can “search with a guide” and chat with a ChaCha search specialist and tell them what you want. They’ll provide links for you and ask if that’s what you’re looking for. It’s actually pretty cool.

Usefulness aside, I’ve decided to start a running feature called “ChaCha Ha Ha” in which I’ll be posting my chat logs with various search specialists. For this first one, I just wanted to find someone who would tell me a joke, which turned out to be more difficult than I had anticipated. I played around with this a little last night and the two people I talked to were pretty laid back. Apparently personality leaves on the shift change.

Status: Connecting …
Status: Looking for a guide …
Ring: …
Status: Connected to guide: linda(34978)
linda(34978): Welcome to ChaCha!
linda(34978): Hello I will be doing all your searching needs
You: hi Linda
You: what is your favorite joke?
linda(34978): Please take a moment and look at the first one while i find more
You: I have a luncheon today and need to crack wise while I rub elbows
You: okay, but I wanted to know what YOUR favorite joke is
linda(34978): Dont have one sorry
You: I find that hard to believe
You: send me to someone who does
linda(34978): Are these results sufficient?
Transfer: You are being transfered to another guide who can help you search even better!
Status: Looking for a guide …
Ring: …
Status: Connected to guide: Edwina(14710)
Edwina(14710): Welcome to ChaCha!
You: edwina
You: I would like to know your favorite joke
Edwina(14710): Hi~
You: hello
You: no, linda already gave me that link
You: I want to know *your* favorite joke
You: I appreciate your help, Edwina, but you are being painfully slow
You: Thanks, I’m done.
Status: Session ended.

Two people so far, and two people who were absolutely no fun. I am sure the links that Linda gave me had some jokes, but I just got the exact same links from Edwina. Also, she was really slow. Boooooooo, Edwina! Let’s try again.

Status: Looking for a guide …
Ring: …
Status: Connected to guide: Vicki(14664)
Vicki(14664): Welcome to ChaCha!
Vicki(14664): Hello, Glad you stopped by! How can I be of assistance?
You: you can tell me your favorite joke
You: I have already been given some links
You: but I want to hear *your* favorite
Vicki(14664): I don’t have one
You: *sigh*
You: fine
You: just a joke that you know, then
You: please
Vicki(14664): I honestly can not think of one, too early
Vicki(14664): Would you like any links or not?
You: not really, please transfer me
You: but I appreciate your help
You: get some coffee!
Vicki(14664): I am sorry, but you will need to begin a new search.
You: Thanks, I’m done.
Status: Session ended.

Vicki was kind of a jerk, but I can’t blame her. It was early in the morning and her job is not to entertain people, it is to do searches for them. Still, be a little nicer about it, Vick.

Status: Looking for a guide …
Ring: …
Status: Connected to guide: Rebecca(34845)
Rebecca(34845): Welcome to ChaCha!
Rebecca(34845): Hello
You: hi rebecca
You: your name always reminds me of Full House
You: Uncle Jesse’s wife
You: have mercy!
Rebecca(34845): One moment while I search favorite jokes for you.
You: please do not give me a link for myfavoritejokes.com
Rebecca(34845): Okay
You:I have already seen that one like three times
You: you morning guides are pretty dry compared to your late night counterparts
You: can you please tell me *your* favorite joke?
You: or just a good one that you know?
You: I have a meeting later and want to have a good joke
Rebecca(34845): I am not allowed to give my personal opinions, my apologies.
You: why not? are we in communist china?
You: and if you say it is your favorite joke, it is not an opinion
You: FACT: this is rebecca’s favorite joke
You: so let’s hear it
You: while I look at these results
You: some of these are pretty good in the second link
Rebecca(34845): Glad to hear it.
You: ha ha, pea soup
Rebecca(34845): Are these results sufficient?
You: I suppose so
Rebecca(34845): Wonderful. Have a terrific day!
Rebecca(34845): Please RATE ME. Thanks for using ChaCha.
Status: Session ended.

Rebecca (what is with all the chicks?) was very nice, but also very dull. Four search guides so far, zero jokes. Things are looking bleak, but I’m going to keep doing this until someone tells me a joke.

Status: Looking for a guide …
Status: Connected to guide: Holly(20345)
Holly(20345): Welcome to ChaCha!
Holly(20345): Hi there
Holly(20345): Anything specific?
You: hi
Holly(20345): What can I help you search for today?
You: jokes, Holly
You: jokes
You: I have a meeting later and want to have a good joke or two
You: the higher-ups enjoy a good joke, you know?
Holly(20345): Let me just give you some sites and you can choose
You: okay, I also have one related request
Holly(20345): sure
You: in addition to three relevant links, I would also like to hear a joke from you
You: if you don’t mind
Holly(20345): Why do fish like salt water?
You: I don’t know
Holly(20345): because pepper makes them sneeze
Holly(20345): Have a great day!
You: *ba dum ching*
You: thanks!
Holly(20345): Please RATE ME. Thanks for using ChaCha.
Status: Session ended.

Yay! Holly’s joke was terrible, but at least she had one. She is officially my favorite search guide at ChaCha.

That’s all for this edition of ChaCha Ha Ha. Feel free to have your own fun with the site, but keep in mind that they can and will ban you for inappropriate language.