I am generally skeptical of new tools online. But I was recently invited to join a new community which exists solely for answering questions, and I must admit that I am in love. Nerdy, internet-y, crazy electronic love.
If you haven't checked it out already, you should do yourself a favor and go to www.vark.com . Once you've signed up, you enter categories of questions you'd like a shot at answering for other askers. Computers, cameras, cupcakes; whatever you're into, no alliteration required. These are the areas that Aardvark might look to you to reply to someone else's question. Next, you choose your favorite method for getting questions and giving answers. For me, AIM was the most straightforward: after following some simple instructions, I had added Aardvark as my newest online buddy.
Aardvark is way better than any of my real buddies, though. (Sorry, guys. You've been replaced.) If you have a question, you trigger an IM to Aardvark and ask it with as much relevant detail as you can think of. Aardvark then disperses your question to various people within your network, and you get answers back via the Aardvark bot.
For example, my first Aardvark question came up while I was planning a wedding. Four solid hours of wine resera...
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