What can you use the application for?
Fluther.com is a social networking question and answer site. Users can ask or answer questions on any subject. The site has an active user community, so questions will start receiving answers very quickly. Each user on the site has a “lurve” score, which is an indication of their overall positive contribution to the site. When a user posts a question, they can see the “lurve” score of the people providing answers. People providing answers can also see the “lurve” score of the person who posted the question.
“Lurve” scores are calculated based on participation – a user gets 1 point for joining the site, 1 point for logging in two days in a row, 2 points for getting added to someone's “fluther” (they start following the user's questions and answers), 3 points for each Great Question (users vote on questions) and 5 points for each Great Answer (users vote on answers). The overall result is a site that allows a user to ask for advice on most any given subject a receive a variety of answers, some of which are excellent. Over time, the site “learns” the type of questions the user asks and responds to, and gives recommendations to the user for questions to answer. Users can direct questions to specific users, can follow other users, and can comment on answers. Users can also search the site by keyword, which is recommended before asking a question.
What is the history and popularity of the application?
San Francisco, CA-based Fluther.com was founded in January 2007 by Ben Finkel and Andrew McClain. Ben Finkel is currently CEO, while Andrew McClain is President.
What are the differences to other applications?
Competition to Fluther.com comes from sites such as Yahoo Answers and Answers.com. Answers.com is most similar to Fluther, with questions assigned to topics or tags. Yahoo answers is structured into categories – the user must locate the proper category to ask their question. The Fluther site seems to have the most devoted user community, in large part due to their “lurve” score as a reward for participation.
How does the application look and feel to use?
The Fluther.com site has a very Web 2.0 look and feel. The site is fairly clean and uncluttered, and navigation is intuitive. The site is very responsive and page loads happen quickly. Search results are returned in a matter of a few seconds. There is no advertising displayed on the Fluther.com site when you are logged in.
How does the registration process work?
Registration is not required to view questions and answers on the Fluther.com site. However, in order to ask a question, free registration is required. The registration process asks for username, email address and password. Validation of the email address is required.
What does it cost to use the application?
There is no premium membership offered to the Fluther.com site.
Who would you recommend the application to?
Fluther is recommended to anyone who desires the answer to a question or wishes to start a discussion on a particular topic. There is an amazing diversity among the userbase, and quality answers can be received on most any topic. Thoughtful discussions are possible as well. Participation in the community brings a higher “lurve” score, and providing answers in the user's area of expertise can be satisfying for the user.
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