Last week must have been "Social Networks Week" at the Wall Street Journal with a front-page article about Facebook prices in the $1B range (assuming Mark Zuckerberg frees himself up to attend the meetings), an inside article about social networks and campaign 2006, a bit on book swapping sites, another one about "the Facebook frenzy", one about social network-based travel sites and even article about "fashion" in Second Life.

It is a sign of the resurgence of "community," not to mention just plain more fun, to see these topics covered by the Journal.

[WSJ links probably require registration.  Send me a note if you want an article and I'll email you a link - dave [AT] forumone.com]

We're really glad to see his contribution and that of his team recognized this way!

When I talk to our, admittedly often wonky, consulting clients about what they can do with their websites I often say that users want "solutions to their problems" and "answers to their questions".  I'm a big fan of the question and answer as a knowledge nugget -- it usually represents a real issue (the question), valuable experience (the answers), is often interesting, is flexible and easy to repurpose, and people are generally willing to both ask and answer.  But are questions more than handy knowledge management content, can they be community building too?

We're seeing questions and answers breaking out all over the web.  At Forum One, we started experimenting with the idea of answers-for-hire years ago -- we nicknamed the never-launched question/answer marketplace "jbay" for the idea's originator Jason Lefkowitz. I still like the unmoderated question and answer board we run on the International AIDS Economics Network -- despite studied inattention, it keeps chugging along.  And, of course, our newest hosted service Live! Interviews Online is based on a question and answer structure. 

Now we are seeing a lot of action in the Q&A space (it is a "space" now, isn't it?) with Bono using Yahoo! Answers to generate over 29,000 responses, Microsoft launching its Live Q&A board, and even little guys releasing APIs to reuse Q&A content.

Sure they are useful and popular, but the question was "do they help build community?"   I think the answer is "absolutely". Questions and answers are a great way to reveal personal information -- what you are thinking about, what you are worried about, what you are trying to do, what you know, whether you are helpful.  Moreover, asking and answering is great social sharing -- lightweight, structured, "favors" that help to build goodwill and cement relationships. 

Are you seeing interesting question/answer activities? Tag them "Q&A" and share them.  Here's the current del.icio.us list.

The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools is using online interviews to produce an exciting and innovative online event that will engage with supporters, leverage high profile connections, and take advantage of the news cycle -- check it out. (Disclaimer: Forum One is providing support for this event!) 

On September 6, 2006 NAPCS hosts Virtual Back to School Day with online interviews of Gov. Jeb Bush and Louisiana Sen. Mary Landrieu, among others. They have a full day of interactivity planned including inspirational stories from parents, teachers and students, as well as pointed conversations with senior policymakers.

The event uses Forum One's new hosted service Live! Interviews Online which provides a flexible moderated interview format. NAPCS Communications Director Colleen Sutton said, "Live! Interviews Online helped the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools create a compelling event for Virtual Back to School Day quickly and easily. Live! Interviews Online was inexpensive, easy to setup, and easy to use."

Go ahead, don't be afraid to ask a question! - http://www.virtualbacktoschoolday.org.

Read more about Virtual Back to School Day and learn about Live! Interviews Online.

If you have questions about Live! Interviews Online please ask Dave Witzel (email: dwitzel@ForumOne.com or phone: 571 641 3029).