How do you choose what questions you will answer on Yahoo! Answers?

Question

I'm fascinated with Y!A as an internet phenomenon, and I'm curious about how other folks use it. Do you answer Q's quickly, or do you ordinarily spend some time? Do you think that the best answers are usually chosen as best? Do you review others' answers, including those that came in after yours?

Answer 1

Interesting question. I was a librarian in a former life and this lets me be a librarian again but with the difference that I now answer questions that interest me , whereas when I worked I was obligated to try to answer all questions - including stupid ones. To that end, I choose questions that are intelligently written, are maybe a bit more challenging to answer than the norm [meaning that it takes a bit more than a trip to Wiki to come up with an answer]. I choose questions where I have some knowledge or feel that I may have an idea for a source that many wouldn't think of or know about. And I choose questions that are actually phrased as questions, rather than apparent requests to react to something or polls (I avoid those). How on earth does one choose a Best Answer to a Poll anyhow?

Yes, I do look at others' answers, especially when I first began on Y!A, to see what it was all about.

Best answers aren't always what I would consider worthy of being chosen. Sometimes cleverness rates higher than accuracy.

At times I feel that I must be the oldest person at Y!A and that the avg. age must be 12!

Answer 2

some question are up there for silliness, so they get a quick yes or no.

Others are there for research, I try to find the answer for them on the net so that they may access the information themselves.

Some are questions that take time and thought, these I like and do take my time at answering.

I only answer questions I truly think I can answer or help in some way. (sometimes I answer questions that seem off base because they have some attraction to me, I usually don't agree with that question either...a little debating in me.)

I like to read what other people say, some are very enlightening and I find I might pick up a bit of information myself, ie. a
student didn't like reading a book by Harris called Pompeii, I went and looked up the book read the reviews on the book and came back not only advising the person to get into the book, but liked the reviews so much I went the next day and spent 15 dollars for the book.....

I think that the best answers that are chosen by the person asking the question is always the best answer for them....
however,.....the one chosen by others might not be the best for them but maybe make the best sense to those voting.

Answer 3

I answer the questions that deal with the subjects that parallel my own inteterst. I especially love to answer questions regarding books I've read and movies I've watched. The amount of time I spend on a question depends on how deeply I feel about the subject. However, a few questions have snagged my attention when I did not have time to answer, so my answer was quite short and to the point. Which, in any case, might be better than when I wax poetic. I'm sure most best answers are chosen as best. However, which answer is actually best is very subjective. I read others' answers when I am finished posting most of the time but I have yet to go back and read what was posted after me. I am curious to know how others would answer this question so this may be my first 'check back'

Answer 4

Being a retired librarian, I've been focusing on literature questions and sometimes factual questions that I can research. Once in awhile I get intrigued by a personal question and slip into my Dear Abby persona.
I like doing several quick (answer from my head) questions, then I'll work on one that requires more searching and work).
No, the best answer isn't always the one that is chosen. If the asker chooses, it is usually a better fit than if the voting chooses it.
The next day, I review the questions that I've answered and vote on the best answer (though usually I'm prejudiced and think mine is the best). So far I have a 23% Best Answer rating, which I value.

Answer 5

I look in sections that I have an interest in, and look for questions that I know the answers to. I give longer answers if the problems are more complex or if the issue is important (like physical abuse.) I give short answers if the questions are simple, like "How many songs can a 1 GB iPod Nano hold?" I review other people's answers a little bit, but I really just skim, and mainly rate bad answers, not good ones.

Answer 6

I choose which questions to answer by whether or not I have a helpful or clever response. The time I spend on my answer depends on the gravity of the question. The beauty of Y! Answers is that each person can take out of it what they are willing to put into it. Those shallow individuals who are looking for affirmation of their denial can find such & their character is apparent in the best answers they chose. Those deep individuals looking for unbiased opinions can find such, and again their intentions shown through the best answers they chose. I review answers that came in after mine when only when intrigued.

Answer 7

I generally scan the question on the main page. If something catches my eye, I click on it and read the entire question. If I think I can help the person I answer; otherwise I go back to the main page. One thing I do NOT do is type anything at all in the answer just to get two points. (as I've seen some people do.)

Answer 8

I usually answer questions that are of interest to me ,or where I can make a strong opinion on a controversial subject, and others that are out of my reach ,I answer them too ,,and I also like to read the others answers.All in all this site is intersting ,I have learned many things in here, life is always learning.

Answer 9

I try to answer the ones i know. I know some are out there doing it for the points but i like to take time to give what i might know in hopes it will help. I look for something that catches my eye.

Answer 10

All solutions at here bypass to "vote casting". An hour or so when you have asked a query bypass returned to it and chosen a "best answer" with the aid of clicking on the blue tab "best answer" below the only you opt for to p.c... The "open" facilitates you to nevertheless answer the question, and the "vote casting" skill you are able to no longer answer, as a results of fact its reached the vote casting point.