Google Answers: Good service, but depends on the value you put on the answer.
Written: Oct 24 '03 (Updated Oct 24 '03)
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Some of you who doubt my expertise with ASPs (considering my selection of Earthlink as ISP, sometimes I do) might wonder how I found Spamcop. Well, it was through Google Answers.
Summary of the service
Members ask questions, and set a dollar amount ($2 to $200) they are willing to pay for an answer. Google charges a 50cent listing fee. A Researcher answers the question. If the answer is acceptable, you pay the set amount and the Researcher receives 75% of it. Seems simple enough.
How do you like it?
Obviously, if you aren't willing to pay enough for a Researcher to be willing to take the time to answer your question, it's not going to be answered.
OK, my questions:
I asked an astronomy question for $25, which I now realize may not have had an answer, but did get some interesting comments, and the virus filtering question I referred to above for $15, for which I got pointers to 3 services (including SpamCop, which I remembered for their spam reporting service) and 6 other references.
How do I become a member?
You first create a Google account. This requires giving them a (real, repliable) E-mail address (that you actually have access to). After an exchange of hostages (E-mails, secure web access) you assign a password to the account. (I don't remember whether they E-mail you a random password, and you then log in to change it, or whether you select the password, and they send you a URL to connect to to confirm your identity.)
You then create a google advice member name. All real identities are supposed to be suppressed in the questions, answers, clarifications, and comments. Only your member name will appear. Real E-mail addresses and names may be removed from "published" entries.
You also give them credit card information for billing.
Security: Only the actual login screen and profile edit screens are secure. Apparently, when you log in, they issue a 14-day cookie or a session cookie (depending on the options you set) to confirm your identity.
How do I become a Researcher?
I don't know. I tried. I don't even know if they're accepting new Researcher applications at this time. If I recall correctly, they asked for an essay on how you search the Internet using google, emphasizing appropriate keyword choice in your field of expertise..
How do I browse or search existing questions and answers?
That's easy. (This is google, remember.) It doesn't even require login. You can search all questions, or by topic. (I don't think much of their topic hierarchy, but you can't have everything.)
Details of the service.
(Most, but not all, of this is from the FAQs.)
1. The member chooses a topic, asks a question, sets a value and a time limit (1 to 30 days). (Questions about Google Answers are unacceptable.)
2. At any time the question is unanswered, and not expired, a Researcher can "lock" the question for 4 to 8 hours, or until he answers it.
3. At any time the question is not locked (and possible not expired), any member can leave a comment.
4. At any time the question is unanswered and not expired, the member can post a clarification.
5. At any time the question is unanswered, not expired, and not locked (unless by that Researcher), a Researcher can post a request for clarification or answer the question.
6. Once the question is answered, the member can accept and rate (and, optionally, tip the researcher) or reject the answer (or possibly request clarification of the answer).
If the answer is accepted, the member's account is billed, and the researcher is paid. If the answer is rejected, the matter may go to a dispute resolution process. I've never had an unacceptable answer to my questions, so I haven't researched that issue. I have seen some answers that I consider unacceptable.
Summary Obviously, this service depends on the reliability and cost-effectiveness of the Researchers. To determine whether this might be effective for your questions, you'll need to browse other questions, answers, and prices in the category to see whether the value you would put an answer is near the value the Researchers would put on it.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
Arthur.Rubin
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Member: Arthur Rubin
Location: Brea, CA, USA
Reviews written: 97
Trusted by: 109 members
About Me:
Expert in mathematics, computers, income tax, with a wide variety of interests.
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