Yahoo!7 Answers Blog Australia

One of the things I love about Yahoo!7 Answers is that we’re not just a standalone website. We’re part of an online experience that includes news, email, messenger, online dating, shopping, search, TV shows, magazines…. And that’s just to name a few! To be honest, there’s not a lot you can’t find on Yahoo!7, and Answers is huge part of your browsing experience.

For example, if you take a look at the Sunrise website, you’ll see a question from one of the Sunrise team. At the moment, Nelson Aspen, the Sunrise Hollywood reporter, is asking What celebrity should play YOU in a movie and why?

We’ve also got a weekly movies question in our Movies homepage. To celebrate Oscar week, we’ve got a resolved question asking Which movie has won the most Oscar awards?

If you look through Lifestyle categories such as Pets, Health or Horoscopes and Sports pages for Football, Cricket or NRL, you’ll find interesting questions relevant to the pages you’re looking at.

Even when you’re chatting to your friends you can catch up with Answers questions. In Messenger, there’s a plugin called Yahoo!7 Answers which regularly updates below your messenger list to give you new and interesting questions.

As a side note, if you want your own Answer badge on your blog or website, it’s really easy to do. Just check out this blog for details.

Finally, have you ever noticed on the Yahoo!7 frontpage that we’ve got a little ‘question of the day box’? Every day we upload an interesting open or closed question. Sometimes it’s a question related to an important news event, and sometimes it’s just something interesting that we thought you’d like to know about.

Do you have a question you think would be great to feature? Send us an email at y_answrs_team_au@yahoo.com.au or comment below!

Caitlin
Community Manager

Yahoo!7 Answers is over 2 years old now.  During this time, millions of questions have been published in many languages across subjects as wide and varied as life can offer.

Without having specific categories for all of your questions finding your way through the site would be a minefield.  This is why we try to keep the site organised – it helps the community find questions on the topics they are interested in.

A few weeks ago we introduced another feature that will help you have a “more organised” experience on Answers: the little flag under the question. As we have said, Answers exists many countries and different languages. And we offer you the possibility of sorting the content you see by country or by language.

Now, when you scroll down to the bottom of the answers and the question has been originally posted in a different country you will see the flag. This will help you understand which country the asker comes from and for you to give a better Answer based on their location (and not be surprised by the fact of someone asking how much water is one gallon )

If there is no flag under the question, don’t worry: it doesn’t mean that the question comes from outer space! It means the question was published in the same country as you are logged in to. Be careful though, if you do see a little Aussie flag like this:

that means you’re not on Australian Answers. To check, make sure the top left title has a 7 (like the Channel 7 symbol) in the title as we’re called Yahoo!7 Answers in Australia.

And that leads us to the categories: that’s the system we use to keep our content in the right drawer. If you are an expert cook, then you only have to go to the Food & Drink category to find heaps of questions to share your knowledge. Likewise if you have no idea about car maintenance, you can be sure to find some automobile experts in the Cars & Transportation category.

This is why we are so insistent on you posting in the right category: it’s beneficial to you and your fellow community members. And… we’d like to remind you that posting repeatedly on unrelated categories goes against our community guidelines. Read more about it here

And that’s how Yahoo!7 Answers is organised. Now, we’ve got a question for you: what is your favourite category? Leave us a comment!

Caitlin
Community Manager

I’ve always enjoyed the excitement of the Oscars, however this year I enjoyed watching it more than usual. This year, instead of viewing it alone in my lounge room, I watched and discussed the ceremony with millions of Answers friends. When the boring bits were on, I turned to my computer to see the general consensus of the ceremony within Answers. I learnt more about the nominees and the films than any year before, plus I got to discuss outfits and celebrity relationships with other people who care about these things!

Want to know what I mean? Here’s my abridged account of watching the Oscars:

“Awesome red carpet fashion. Oh wow Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick. They look a bit uncomfortable, I thought they were having marriage problems? Didn’t they break up? Oh wait, I’ll have a quick search on Answers. Here it is:

kellie.annne: he cheated on her and it became very public knowledge. More

“Oh damn I missed Kate Winslet, she always looks so good. Hold on, I’ll go onto Yahoo!7 Red Carpet and check out what I missed.  Wow that’s a gorgeous dress.

“Ok ceremony’s starting. Oh that’s awkward; Jennifer Aniston is announcing an award and Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are both in the front row. Is she crying? No she just looks really really nervous. At least Brangelina aren’t all over each other. And speaking of the front row, who are those people next to Meryl Streep?

Regina Phalange: Her daughter is to her right and I believe it’s Amy Adams to her left. More

“Best Supporting Actress is Penelope Cruz for Vicky Cristina Barcelona! So that leaked email with the Oscar results wasn’t true as it predicted Amy Adams would win for Doubt.

“And of course Heath Ledger won Best Supporting Actor. His role in The Dark Knight was brilliantly portrayed, and it seems the Answers community agrees with me.

Air-Force Falco: I’m glad he won this award, he hit the persona of a psychotic and dangerous criminal right on the dot. He absolutely deserved and I am glad we can honour him one last time with his win. More

“That’s a shame that no Australians won for the production awards. Catherine Martin, Ben Snow, Kirk Baxter and Lee Smith all missed out. Oh well, good on them for getting so far! One Australian that certainly hasn’t been shy is Hugh Jackman. What a star! He’s actually funny, who would have thought? My fellow Answers users seem to agree –

Phoenix – I thought he saved the Academy Awards! Each year they seem to get more boring and I keep telling myself I won’t watch the whole thing but usually do hoping it will get better. This year I was actually able to look forward to the show. I was still disappointed in most of the categories but I thought Hugh did a terrific job! I loved the dance numbers and the opening jokes. Especially the part about downsizing to New Zealand next year.

“Ok we’re up to the best bit – Best Actor & Actress.

“That’s different, having five of the previous winners on stage. I recognise Nicole, Halle and Marion but who are the others?

reenchilada – Sophia Loren, Halle Berry, Marion Cotillard, Shirley Maclane, Nicole Kidman More

“Oh dear Sophia Loren’s outfit is horrible. Meryl Streep is ageing so gracefully but Sophia Loren looks like a swirly cupcake. I’m so pleased Kate won the Oscar! I thought her performance was amazing. Actually I’ve thought many of her previous performances were amazing. Has she won an Oscar before?

Indiana – No but this is her sixth nomination so she well deserves it.
She was nominated for: Best Actress in a Supporting Role for: Sense and Sensibility (1996); Best Actress in a Leading Role for: Titanic (1998); Best Actress in a Supporting Role for: Iris (2002); Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role for: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2005); Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role for: Little Children (2007) More

“We’re up to the Best Actor award. Sean Penn is one of my favourite actors, I have to admit. Haven’t seen Milk though, what does he mean when he keeps saying “Commie, homo loving sons of guns?”

mcq316 – Commie, homo loving sons of guns. He’s making a joke about all of hollywood being left wing, liberal democrats.

“And who is that guy they keep panning to in the speech?

Allora – It was Dustin Lance Black – He was the writer of Milk and won for Best Original Screenplay

“Slumdog Millionaire is Best Picture, that’s not a huge surprise considering how many they’ve won. I wonder whether it’s an accurate portrayal of Indian life?

Jatina – I lived in Bombay now called Mumbai some years ago and yes its an accurate portrayal of how a lot of people live.
I can understand why some Indians do not like the film as it has touched on Hindu’s attacking Muslims, human rights violations committed by the police force and children being exploited and mutilated. You can read about culture shock and watch poverty on the tv but you really don’t feel , smell and experience it until you are in the middle of it yourself. More

“However as Been There Done That says, those sorts of negative things happen everywhere.

As for the poverty, slums, killing, mobsters, child abuse and child labour, these things happen everywhere, and exist everywhere, including India. Don’t lose sight that they are only the colourful background to the endless love this boy has for this girl and that he never gives up.”

Well there you go, all over for another year. Were you pleased with the winners of the Oscars or is there someone who you think deserved a big gold statue?

Caitlin
Community Manager

When I read this story the other day that Australian couples spend an average of $49,000 on their wedding, I was really shocked. After all, that sort of money isn’t far off the average annual wage of an adult Australian and is a pretty sizable deposit on a house. And aren’t we in an economic downturn?

Well there is a lot to pay for. There’s the cost of the diamond ring, the engagement party, invitations, the bridesmaid’s dresses, the wedding dress, buying or hiring the suit, the reception venue, hiring the church or celebrant, the photographer, music, the wedding bands, hair and makeup, flowers, the gifts for the bridal party, the favours, the honeymoon… phew! I’m feeling broke just thinking about it.

But does it really need to be $49,000 or can you get away with it for a lot less? This topic is a hotbed of discussion on Answers. All our experienced brides are on hand to give their tips on organising a fabulously frugal wedding.

• Where can I get Bridesmaid dresses in Australia online for under $250?
• My fiancé & I are planning a wedding for May 09 on a $5000 budget with 50 guests. Is this impossible?
• Should I do my own hair and make up on my wedding day to save money?
• What are some cheap and casual engagement party ideas in Sydney?
• How much is too much to ask people to pay on a Hens night?

Do you think it’s possible to have a nice wedding for under $49,000? How much do you think is reasonable to pay for a wedding in Australia?

Caitlin
Community Manager

I first got into Yahoo!7 Answers by accident.  A friend used it & she said it was really good – one day curiosity got the better of me, and I’m still here.
– Spellbound: Level 7, 66% Best Answer, 31,011 points and counting!

Every so often, we profile some of the amazing answerers we see on the site like relationships expert Love Guru, sports devotee Trusylver and economics advisor Victor. Today is no exception. Meet Spellbound: our resident history expert. Russia is his real passion but he is able to answer on many subjects. Don’t just take our word for it, here are some of his Best Answers…

• Did Joseph Stalin command the army during the Second World War?
• Why did the Art capitol move from Paris post-War?
• What was the significance of the Soviet satellite nations?

Spellbound in his own words…

I’ve always enjoyed history, probably that comes from being taken round castles in North Wales as a child, but I also think that the past is alive, because the consequences of actions taken hundreds of years ago can have a direct impact on our lives – Magna Carta being an obvious example.

Spellbound is educated as a Russologist specialising in the late Soviet period. He finds the USSR fascinating, saying, ‘as Churchill said of it: ‘Russia is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma’.”

His favourite question is: Why did Germany surrender in 1918?

The reason I like this question is that it is a clear question, the questioner sounds as though they are interested in the topic – it’s not just for homework help, and the although the question may be a simple one, to answer the question well requires a detailed, well thought out answer.

If I had a history teacher like Spellbound during high school, I may have paid more attention!

Caitlin
Community Manager

Know someone who’s “wow-ed” you on Answers? Think somebody deserves to be celebrated as next Featured User on the Answers Blog? We want to hear from you!

Email the Answers team a link to the user’s profile or answers to y_answrs_team_au@yahoo.com.au

Hey everyone,

You may have noticed that the link to the blog is no longer at the top right of the Answers homepage. It’s now located on the lower left in the Related Links section.

Of course, you can always just click on a blog post from the rotating module or keep up-to-date by adding the Answers module to your My Yahoo!7 page.

Another way to keep in touch is on Twitter, where you can follow us at: http://twitter.com/YahooAnswersAU.

However you find your way here, we appreciate your visit. Thanks for reading!

This week, countries all over the world are celebrating 200 years since scientist Charles Darwin was born. People are doing their bit to celebrate evolution and we are no exception. While many Answers users may be marking the day (it was the 12th February) in their own way, few people are as qualified as biologist Calimecita, who we just happened to spot sporting a tribute to him in her Answers nickname. This is what Darwin Day means to her, in her own words…

“First and foremost, I don’t like the idea of “idolising” a person. Charles Darwin was a man, an individual that was clearly as multidimensional as each of us, and therefore any analyses of him as an individual can and will be very complex – and also widely contradictory.

Yet here I am, celebrating his birthday anniversary – even with my Answers nickname,  – Why?

Because what I’m celebrating is the fact that a single individual’s intellectual production can be a major contribution to the human species. To me, that is truly inspiring. So what did he do?

In an outstanding example of conceptual synthesis, Charles Darwin was able to “catch” concepts and data that were “floating around” in different spheres of human knowledge, put them together and come up with a new corpus of ideas (it’s important to note that Alfred Russell Wallace achieved the same synthesis separately – and that perhaps without him, Darwin’s work would not have been published at the time). This corpus integrates the fact of evolution with the mechanisms that make it possible (Darwin’s Theory of Natural Selection), and has been since that time the cornerstone of biological science.

The famous geneticist Theodosius Dobzhansky once said “Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution”. I’ll just add that even though it is possible to use a non-evolutionary approach to study some aspects of biology, everything just makes much more sense in the light of evolution.

In my daily work, I’m constantly trying to understand the evolutionary processes that underlie the diversity I see. My awareness of evolutionary mechanisms does not detract from my appreciation of life… On the contrary, it enhances the delight I feel when I find myself not only contemplating life on Earth, but also studying and understanding a part of it and trying to make my own tiny contributions to our collective knowledge of biological evolution.”

Calimecita

* Read more about Calimecita’s work here and here and here.

Questions on evolution:

• How does evolution apply to the use of insecticides and antibiotics?
• What is Darwin’s theory about evolutionary progression?
• Why was Darwin considered to be a “revolutionary?”
• Are ants an argument against Darwin’s theory of Evolution?
• Who submitted “Theory of Evolution” other than Darwin?

All of Australia has been horrified by the events going on in Victoria over the last few days. There are almost two hundred dead, hundreds of houses destroyed and thousands of acres of bushland burnt to a crisp.

The community on Answers have been actively discussing this tragedy, with questions ranging from how to prevent bushfires to how to help the victims and what should be done to the arsonists who lit these deadly blazes.

In fact, many of our own in the Answers community were caught up in the thick of it and have harrowing stories to tell. When Liz R asked for more information about how people get caught in these sorts of fires, Jarryd P had his own experience to relate:

My sister lost her whole house and my family lost 2 family friends in this fire.. I was stuck in Healsville from 6pm Saturday Night.. the C.F.A left Healsville on its own becuase the fire was just moving to fast and strong.
The house on Blackwoods road, the fire was heading in the opposite direction then within 5 mins it was heading for us there was no way anyone could get out no matter how well you prepared. More

Cassy M’s family was one of the lucky ones. Steven T asked what would you take in a bushfire and she answered from the experience of her family members:

My brother and sister-in-law and their baby up in Kinglake grabbed their photos got out of there as fast as they could. Told neighbour to do the same thing. Neighbour said the cool change will come and it would be ok. They drove though flames to get out of there so I would hate to think of what happened to the neighbour cause all the houses burned down, they said they haven’t heard from the neighbour. Doesn’t look good. More

For most of us who are lucky enough to have our loved ones and our homes, it’s about how much support we can give. One heartening thing is to see how many people out there have helped by giving money, donating blood and sending clothes, food and blankets.

The Answers Team asked for messages of support for the firefighters and messages of hope for the victims of the Victorian Bushfires and the response was overwhelming.

To the firefighters, Rebstar says:

My man has been fighting fires near Dederang in North East Victoria. I was extremely worried about him and many of our other friends. Thankfully they all returned home safely this morning.
All firefighters are truly heroes. Thank-you all for the big efforts you have put in and for giving up your time to help other out.

Keep safe out there and look after each other.

Whitetiger had a similarly emotional message for the victims:

I cried listening to the accounts of those who have lost loved ones. The pictures of devastation and grief are heartbreaking. Even though the fires have not effected my family or I, they have touched me profoundly – I am sure there is not an Australian in the country who is not feeling this right now – our thoughts are with you.

Pass on your support:

Donate to the Bush Fire Appeal Now!

What message would you like to send to the Australian firefighters working on the Victorian bushfires?

What messages of hope would you like to send to the victims of the Victorian bushfires?

Caitlin
Community Manager

Firstly the big news: the Answers Team have joined Twitter. If you’re a fan of the service, follow us on Twitter for news, competitions and articles about Answers. You can also join using the link ‘Follow us on Twitter’ on the right of this blog.

It’s always nice to be reminded of things from time to time.  Every day the Yahoo!7 Answers Team and our Customer Care Teams take time to review your feedback and try to help you if you have any doubt about how Answers is used. Today we want to recap the most common questions we receive, and the Answers we give.

I want to have an Avatar, how do I do it?

• Go to Yahoo!7 Avatars
• Create your avatar
• Then, go to Yahoo!7 Answers
• Click ‘My Profile’ then ‘Edit My Info’
• Select ‘Use my Yahoo!7 Avatar’
• Click Preview
• Click Save
• There you are!

How can I contact another user?

• You can go to his/her profile and see if they allow communications via e-mail or messenger.
• If you want to be reachable, you can set that on your profile (we will not display your email address).

How can I add a friend or block someone?

• To add an existing Answers user – Rollover the picture (or avatar) of the person you’ve chosen to add as your Contact, and click the Add to My Contacts link.
• To add someone you know outside of Answers – Click here to enter your friend’s name, email address, and a brief message (optional), and we’ll do the rest. Your friend will receive an email from us, with a link to connect to you as a Contact on Answers.
• Answers ID Card – Rollover the picture (or avatar) of the person you’ve chosen to block, and click on the link “Block User.”
• Profile Page – Go to the person’s profile page and click on the link “Block User”.

I have seen content I find offensive, what do I do?

• Yahoo!7 Answers provides a Report Abuse link after every question and every answer. You should complete this form if at any time you are exposed to content that you feel violates the Community Guidelines or Yahoo!7’s Term of Service.
• Here you can learn more about our moderation system.

How can I keep up-to-date with the latest questions from my network and the news from the blog?

• You can subscribe via RSS to the different Y!7 Answers Categories.
• You can subscribe to our blog
• You can follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/YahooAnswersAU
• You can join our MyBlogLog Community

Do you have any other questions? Leave a comment and let us know!

Caitlin
Community Manager

We’re into February, a time when the weather seems to get even hotter and the traffic into work slower as parents around Australia take their children back to school.

For many kids, it’s an exciting time. They’re back with their friends, they’ve made their way up into the next grade and have a new teacher or new subjects. For others, it’s a daunting proposition. A whole new group of 5-year-olds are leaving Mum behind and starting ‘big school’ and the 12-year-olds are going from being the ‘big fish in a small pond to the little fish in a big pond’.

Fortunately with Yahoo!7 Answers, Mums and Dads can get some well meaning advice from other parents who have been there before. For some Mums this year, all they’ve needed is some reassurance that their child’s first day of school won’t be too tough. Others are looking for some tips on how to help their child learn to read and for some yummy and healthy lunch box ideas. This Mum has received some blunt but well meaning advice to help her son avoid fights at the bus stop, and other parents have been discussing whether private or public schools offer the best form of education.

In the next few weeks, it will be first semester for many young adults who are be embarking on the next phase of their education – university or TAFE. Over the last few months, offers were being released for various establishments inviting discussion on Answers about the comparisons between RMIT and Monash Unis and what the difference is between studying Dental Science and Oral Health. As they begin to accept their places, students have been coming to Answers for advice on how to access their uni portals and looking for explanations on HECS and Commonwealth support.

For all those new students out there, we hope 2009 is a year full of enlightenment and learning. Don’t forget that if you get stuck, you never know what you might find in the Homework Help, Primary & Secondary Education and Higher Education (University+) sections of the Education & Reference category!

Caitlin
Community Manager