Why ask a question here when sites like Wikipedia exist?

Question

There are so many research sites and everyone on here obviously has, pretty much, unlimited access to the web, so why not find your own answers?

This question applies to the people on this forum and as such can't be answered on any other site.
As for wanting real answers from real people:
Who do you think mans other sites?

There is a resource covering everything from relationships to the brightest star in Cygnus. From pinhead hobbyists to ancient Sanskrit texts. Unless you're asking about things specific to the people on this site, there is nothing that cannot be answered as well elsewhere.

Answer 1

Oh, that's so boring...why bother with facts when you can ask a question here, and get all kinds of wild and wacky opinions that have nothing to do with fact? What's the fun in just getting a real answer??!! :)

Besides, I don't see Wikipedia having answers to questions like, "I think my boyfriend is cheating, should I break up with him?"
:)

Answer 2

Wikipedia doesn't deal with opinions and that is what constitutes most of the questions on this site, including your own.

If it is a factual question, then why not let other people who are keen to show off do the work for you and access all these sites.

Answer 3

This site has a kind of social/human interaction side to it whereas Wikipedia is more like an encyclopedia. Different people respond differently to these two sources of information. For instance I doubt Wikipedia gives personalised relationship guidance or careers advice or religious discussion.

Answer 4

Some people like to know the opinions of others before they find out the facts or mabye they don't like sites like Wikipedia because they give you sooo many different things that what you are looking for. I find that it is a waste of time!

Answer 5

This is an excellent question, but I think most people find this to be quicker than searching for themselves. Also if one isn't quite sure how to go about finding what they need to know, often a person here will give them the site to go to. Besides its fun to talk with others and find out their opinions.

Answer 6

I use the internet for researching answers to questions I have but I also use this site occasionally.

Yahoo Answers is just another research tool that provides quick responses....

P.S. Wikipedia's slogan is "the free encyclopedia that anyone can edit."

Answer 7

Now shhhh! How else can us industrious ones earn our points?

Wikipedia is easy to access, by the way, but since it is specifically free to use, anyone of much importance (i.e. with really useful information) tends to keep away because they don't want to give up their copyright to it.

Answer 8

You can't ask silly/ personal questions on wikipedia. You can't ask your question on wikipedia

Answer 9

It is not merely about question and answers, people expect and receive a lot more than this from this site. People like to ask crzy questions and expect crazy answers - but they know that no one is crazy.

Answer 10

Easier to have people answer you here than do work finding it, besides there are questions here that will not be in the site (like yours for instance).