Yahoo has launched a new beta service dubbed Answers, a community forum allowing people with a Yahoo ID the opportunity to post questions on any topic and answer the queries posted by others. Operating under the slogan "Ask. Answer. Discover.", internet surfers can also browse open discussions in 23 distinct categories. (kept on site for a default user indicated setting of 14 days).

Take the product tour.
Visit Yahoo Answers. (Yahoo ID required to ask or answer a question)

The Philoneist Says: Yahoo Answers is a free, somewhat open-source model that will undoubtedly create an archive of information for those wishing to search the internet with Q&A formatted search strings. To try out the service, I entered the question "How can I use a spec Simpsons script I wrote to get work in the TV sitcom industry?" into the query box on the Answers main page. After submitting, I had the option to include additional details and had to attribute a category before I could list the query on site. It was a very easy experience that I can see having wide-ranging applications.

The Misoneist Says: Like with any open-source model, there is no method of confirming authenticity. The community will also require stringent monitoring for spam and indecency. While many people will be inspired to answer questions for the purpose of acquiring points on the Yahoo Answers rating system, chances are there will be far more people posting questions then answering them.