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I’m not a sysadmin, but I’m remarkably bad at remembering boring things I don’t care about. I generally forget things like how to create systemd units or sshd config options a couple minutes after completing the task.

I don’t think it’s a big problem nowadays. As long as you know how to quickly get the information you need, it’s probably not that much more inefficient.

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Agreed.

90% of stuff I don't know off the top of my head I do like this:

1) connect to a server/repository which already uses that in some form

2) copy/paste relevant parts.

3) add new parts by using existing parts as a reference

4) fill in holes with man page/docs/internet search engine

If I had to start from scratch I'd probably fail the basic syntax with pretty much anything.

The important thing is to know that you forgot implementation details, but know where to look them up.

https://www.xkcd.com/1168/

I've started notice that things I know sometimes become out of date. The search can then confirm old ways or inform new ways of doing the thing.

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