Eclectic Bytes: March 2018

Answers.com, also recognized as WikiAnswers, has long been a hub for seekers of knowledge, a virtual repository of questions and answers spanning a vast array of topics. However, a recent announcement from Chris Hawkins, Vice President of Business Operations, has sent ripples through its community: Answers.com is bidding farewell to its wiki format. In a move that marks a significant shift in its operational model, the platform has transitioned into a read-only website.

The entirety of the user database of Answers.com had been purged, effectively stripping away the ability for users to actively contribute by editing questions or answers. Henceforth, Answers.com stands as an archive, a testament to the collective wisdom and curiosity of its past contributors.

This decision undoubtedly raises questions and evokes a sense of nostalgia for many who have been part of the Answers.com community. For years, the platform thrived on the collaborative efforts of individuals worldwide, each sharing their expertise, insights, and queries to create a dynamic reservoir of information. From academic inquiries to practical advice, no question seemed too trivial or too complex for the dedicated community to tackle.

Chris Hawkins emphasized in his email that while user contributions are no longer possible, the existing content will remain accessible for all to peruse. This decision ensures that the wealth of knowledge accumulated over the years remains available to those seeking answers to their burning questions, serving as a digital archive of collective wisdom.

It's worth reflecting on the broader implications of this transition. In an era where the veracity of online information is often called into question, platforms like Answers.com have played a crucial role in democratizing knowledge. By harnessing the power of crowdsourcing, they have provided a platform for individuals to share their expertise and learn from others in a diverse and inclusive environment.

My involvement

Having been deeply involved in Answers.com since 2005, I ascended to the ranks of Super-user and Floating Supervisor, dedicating countless hours to refining and enhancing the content with over 40,000 contributions. During this period, I also had the opportunity to engage and communicate with Gregg Anderton, who is the Mentoring Program Coordinator and a great person to work with. Below, I've compiled a sample list of questions that have been the focus of my efforts, undergoing meticulous editing, merging, splitting, categorizing and correcting over the years.

What is the furthest spacecraft from Earth?
Which function is entry point of 'C' program?
What are some basic DOS commands?
What layer of the OSI model does TLS operate?
What layer of the OSI model does FTP and Telnet protocol operate?
What is the difference between compiler and editor.?
Which is better and latest between TFT capacitive touchscreen and AMOLED capacitive touchscreen?
What is Indian Standard 1652?
Can a CD or DVD drive properly read a CD or DVD when the drive is standing vertically?
How does 3D television work?
Is compiler a system program or an application program?
How to find Windows uptime?
How many events make up a decathlon?
What does the computer hard disk do?
What type of program is Adobe Photoshop?
How to put computer in sleep mode?
When is a method said to be overloaded and when is a method said to be overridden?
What do you type at the run dialog box to get system information in XP?
What does the acronym NVRAM stand for?
What is the difference between TFT and LCD?
What causes a memory leak?
Where is the Intel Museum located?
Who died in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince?
Who published 'To Kill a Mockingbird'?
In what town was the novel 'To Kill a Mockingbird' set?
What are some important events in To Kill a Mockingbird?
Where can you find cartilage in the human body
Where does Miss Maudie live in 'To Kill a Mockingbird'?
When was Mary Shelley's Frankenstein published?
Why are Mercury and Venus considered inferior planets?

The Email Notification

Following is a copy of the email which was received from the Vice President of WikiAnswers.

From: noreply@answers.com
Date: May 3, 2018, 9:29 PM
Subject: Thank you from Answers.com
Mailed-by: dynect-mailer.net
Signed-by: answers.com

Dear Answers super-user,

Thank you for your years of passion, support, and contributions that have made Answers.com a great resource for knowledge-lovers everywhere. Since its launch, Answers.com has provided a space for users around the globe to discover, create and share exceptional content. Your volunteered commitment to this mission has created its most valuable resource: the collective wisdom and experiences of a large and diverse community, and the publication of rich, relevant, and trusted questions and answers in a multitude of categories. We cannot be more grateful to you.

Due to various factors including data privacy, costs of keeping the user profile system functional, efforts required to continuously patrol user-generated content, and a decision to focus more resources on growing other lines of business, we are announcing today that Answers.com will no longer be operating in an editable format. Effective today, this means that all user profiles and logins will be deleted, and while the site will remain readable, the ability to answer and edit questions will be no longer be publicly available.

This change will have no impact on the accessibility of Answers.com and its millions of questions and answers, which will remain active and available for users to enjoy.

Your involvement in the Answers.com community has helped hundreds of millions of readers, and we cannot thank you enough for your years of commitment. We will continue to manage the legacy you helped build.

Sincerely,

Chris Hawkins
Vice President, Business Operations