What is the ruling on seeking knowledge and fatwas through encyclopedias recorded on computers instead of from scholars?

"Al-wijadah" (finding) is considered one of the methods of acquiring knowledge. It entails finding a book or a recording by a well-known shaykh and attributing what you found to him, and this is permissible. Recorded discs and tapes are considered an intermediary between direct listening and al-wijadah. However, a student of knowledge should not resort to al-wijadah or intermediaries except when direct acquisition is impossible, because direct engagement is superior and more complete due to the abundance of benefits a student gains from his shaykh, especially acquiring guidance and good manners. The Salaf used to criticize the "Sahafi" (one who learns from books) who took knowledge from books without scholars, and they said: "He whose shaykh is his book, his errors will be more than his correct opinions." It is preferable for a student of knowledge to combine both methods.