I’m glad you asked myself that, Jules. I think it is a source of confusion for some people.
Basically, it is a place for anyone to submit a question. If you are familiar with formspring, then you understand that concept. But not only can anyone submit a question, but anyone can answer them. Wait! There is more! People can also vote on answers.
There can be be many applications to this. If you have an idea you want to bounce off of people, bounce the idea. If you want to crowd-source something, do it! If you want to ask me a question about pretty much anything, I’ll be happy to answer it. Unlike formspring, people can respond to what I’ve answered, plus respond to others as well. I think this is pretty neat.
One thing you will notice though is you have to create an account. Once you register, a password will be sent to you and you can participate.
You may be asking yourself, “But why go through that process? Why don’t you just continue to use formspring?”
The answer is a bit three-fold.
1) I will still use formspring. But as it is attached to my more public places, and I’m currently going through something right now (read: http://julesnotes.com/2011/08/17/on-growing-up-with-crazy/), I’m not feeling exactly safe with posting stuff to formspring at the moment. That may change at some time in the future.
2) The conversation is one-directional. I’m not always content with that. Sometimes people will ask me a question and I want to ask them a question in return, or I think of something else to add to my answer, and I can’t. I’m currently need of a bit more conversation type stuff.
3) Requiring people to create an account acts as a psychological force-field. I don’t expect anyone to use their real names but if I feel someone is trying to step over my current wall and boundaries, it is easier for me to deal with it.
I hope some of you decide to play with me here. It will be an interesting social experiment. At least, I think it will. It will also be interesting to see how this evolves and stuff.
I’m glad you asked myself that, Jules. I think it is a source of confusion for some people.
Basically, it is a place for anyone to submit a question. If you are familiar with formspring, then you understand that concept. But not only can anyone submit a question, but anyone can answer them. Wait! There is more! People can also vote on answers.
There can be be many applications to this. If you have an idea you want to bounce off of people, bounce the idea. If you want to crowd-source something, do it! If you want to ask me a question about pretty much anything, I’ll be happy to answer it. Unlike formspring, people can respond to what I’ve answered, plus respond to others as well. I think this is pretty neat.
One thing you will notice though is you have to create an account. Once you register, a password will be sent to you and you can participate.
You may be asking yourself, “But why go through that process? Why don’t you just continue to use formspring?”
The answer is a bit three-fold.
1) I will still use formspring. But as it is attached to my more public places, and I’m currently going through something right now (read: http://julesnotes.com/2011/08/17/on-growing-up-with-crazy/), I’m not feeling exactly safe with posting stuff to formspring at the moment. That may change at some time in the future.
2) The conversation is one-directional. I’m not always content with that. Sometimes people will ask me a question and I want to ask them a question in return, or I think of something else to add to my answer, and I can’t. I’m currently need of a bit more conversation type stuff.
3) Requiring people to create an account acts as a psychological force-field. I don’t expect anyone to use their real names but if I feel someone is trying to step over my current wall and boundaries, it is easier for me to deal with it.
I hope some of you decide to play with me here. It will be an interesting social experiment. At least, I think it will. It will also be interesting to see how this evolves and stuff.