Jyve.com - Ask Any Question & Get a Live Answer...

This site allows you to ask any question and get answers live from people through an IM-type thread or a live Voice-over-IP. The premise is that asking a question to someone directly will yield a better and more satisfactory answer than looking in a search engine or an automated answer service of some kind. The site also aims to serve as a site-generated "reference" list of professionals and experts, which they hope is good for both the person asking and the person answering. A person can choose to answer a question for free, or charge for their answer and get paid online. The problem is that since the site is not regulated people can ask, well, anything. I "started jyving," as they call it (i won"t touch on the intended(?) irony of the name) and the first question i saw was "where do i buy shoes?" It got worse from there. People are people, i suppose, and that is inevitable. But, it can detract from the experience. The best innovation from this site seems to be its integration with Skype and the growing Skype universe.

When you want answers and don"t have hours to spend plodding through robotic Web searches, try Jyve first. The only live, interactive "Ask" engine, Jyve gives you instant access to the knowledge stored in millions of minds worldwide. Jyve puts the exact information you need-or tips on where to find it-an IM away.

They generate revenue by collecting a commission on the experts/professionals who get paid for answering certain questions. Does that work? Do people really pay for the services of someone they talk to over the internet?