From a desperate fan who wants to find out why George RR Martin kills the Starks, to a 12th standard student who wants to know if it is ok to get less than 90 in Math, to another young lad who wants to know if looks should matter if he wants to be with a girl – there are answers to everything. What makes them much more relatable is that they come from lay persons like you and me. If you are still wondering what we are talking about, then it is time you log on to www.Quora.com.
How it works?
This website is quite similar to Yahoo Answers. There are a wide range of topics one can choose from. Questions and answers posted in your chosen topics are automatically generated into your feed. If you are a fan of Game of Thrones, then there are a number of topics – Game of Thrones (TV Series), A Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIF) and the likes. If a fan, after watching a particular episode, has a question, can post a question. Experts in the area – laypersons, – some of the popular ones being – Kelsey Hayes, I know too much about ASOIAF, Susan Bertolino, Book reader, show watcher, Jorge Sawyer, knows nothing and others like them – are there to answer your questions. If the answer is good enough, fans and followers upvote it.
The answer with the highest number of upvotes automatically becomes the top answer in the topic. People can also comment on the answers. They can also be edited and updated by others who have information on the same.
Something for everyone
Not just for hungry GoT fans, but Quora has topics and sub-sections for everyone. Psychology, World War I, and II, Ancient History, Visiting and Travel, Newspapers, Life and so on. Some other interesting ones include Satya Nadella – for fans of this Microsoft CEO who are curious about things that generally do not come out in the open. Though we all know Satya’s daily regimen, the experience of working alongside him, coming from someone who has worked with him makes it an interesting read.
Spreading positive vibes
Then, there is life advice that comes from experienced people. One of the popular stories has been – “Is a person who has spent a couple of months or years in prison ever able to lead a normal life?” This, answered by a certain Terry Lee, who spent 51 years of his 71 years in a lock up. “I just did my time as problem free as possible by following a few basic rules. Always pay your debts promptly – or avoid borrowing or lending altogether – never provoke the lunatics and always be helpful and courteous but firm,” he writes.
He was an engineer and helped in a lot of repair work, attended all the counselling and group therapy meetings and has written books and papers on different kinds of therapies. Now, he says, “It’s not that hard. I can be just like everybody else.”
Some laughs
Someone anonymous asked, “Why do most auto rickshaw drivers sit on the edge of their seats? Either to the left or the right, they look weird sitting on the edge. Anyone cared to ask them?”
This is one of those few questions that generated quite a few laughs. The answer by Shivin Saxena, Nerd, Foody, Red Devils, MotoFan goes like this.
”I can’t believe someone actually put this question up. I’m so glad you did.” His curiosity led him to ask two auto drivers the question. “When they learn to drive a rickshaw, someone is usually seated next to them in the driver’s seat. Thus, from then, they kind of get used to driving while sitting on the edge. The intense heat from the engine is another reason why they frequently change their positions.” It is easy to hop out, invite a friend when required.
Quora Credits
Interestingly, if you want to understand what Quora credits means, Sandra Liu Huang, the director of product manager at Quora explains it – In a way that can be understood by all. There are answers from other tech bloggers too that make it all easy to understand. Check the website to see how it works.
To put it simply, it is Quora’a way of rewarding people who ask questions, those who answer them and extra credits for those whose answers are appreciated.