What are the differences between WikiAnswers and Yahoo Answers?

Answer 1

Difference between WikiAnswers and Yahoo! Answers:

Technically, the key difference is that this is a wiki where questions and answers can be improved over time. The community does more than just ask and answer questions. We grow the Q&A into FAQs which become useful for many people - not just the one person asking the original question.

Here is a personal answer from Deb: I'm glad someone asked this question because I'll be happy to tell what the differences are! One difference is that here on FAQ Farm, it's like a community: Everyone contributes by editing the questions and editing and adding to answers. Yahoo answers, from my limited experience, is nothing more than a board on which to ask a question.

Another difference is that here on FAQFarm, though our goal is to have one complete answer, we allow our Farmers to post as many answers as they like as long as they are still adding something to the answer. On Yahoo Answers, one person asks a question and it appears after getting three answers, the question is closed. If the information in the answers on FAQFarm is incorrect, someone can come behind the person and correct the answer. On Yahoo Answers, three individuals get to answer the question and if the information is incorrect, it stays incorrect. To me, while FAQ Farm is personal and fun, Yahoo Answers is impersonal and not much fun at all.

Aggie80 adds: Yahoo Answers is a competition, individuals attempting to answer to earn points. While one does sometimes get a good answer, they can be end up invisible due to voting and opinions. The 'Best Answer' gets highlighted and any good parts of other answers are neglected. No attempt is made to combine the knowledge of several individuals into a solid answer. And there is no self editing, anything that is posted is there for all to see, good or bad, and in some cases, even dangerous.

There are many differences but the main difference is that, on Yahoo Answers, many users can individually answer a question; but, on Wiki Answers, there can be only one answer, and the users can improve it. Yahoo Answers has a points-and- levels system. However, on Wiki Answers, a user's contributions are counted, and the user receives badges according to his/her contributions. Also, other users may confer trust points, which indicate the user's reputation and length of membership and on Wiki Answers.

Answer 2

Difference between WikiAnswers and Yahoo! Answers:

Technically, the key difference is that this is a wiki where questions and answers can be improved over time. The community does more than just ask and answer questions. We grow the Q&A into FAQs which become useful for many people - not just the one person asking the original question.

Here is a personal answer from Deb: I'm glad someone asked this question because I'll be happy to tell what the differences are! One difference is that here on FAQ Farm, it's like a community: Everyone contributes by editing the questions and editing and adding to answers. Yahoo answers, from my limited experience, is nothing more than a board on which to ask a question.

Another difference is that here on FAQFarm, though our goal is to have one complete answer, we allow our Farmers to post as many answers as they like as long as they are still adding something to the answer. On Yahoo Answers, one person asks a question and it appears after getting three answers, the question is closed. If the information in the answers on FAQFarm is incorrect, someone can come behind the person and correct the answer. On Yahoo Answers, three individuals get to answer the question and if the information is incorrect, it stays incorrect. To me, while FAQ Farm is personal and fun, Yahoo Answers is impersonal and not much fun at all.

Aggie80 adds: Yahoo Answers is a competition, individuals attempting to answer to earn points. While one does sometimes get a good answer, they can be end up invisible due to voting and opinions. The 'Best Answer' gets highlighted and any good parts of other answers are neglected. No attempt is made to combine the knowledge of several individuals into a solid answer. And there is no self editing, anything that is posted is there for all to see, good or bad, and in some cases, even dangerous.

There are many differences but the main difference is that, on Yahoo Answers, many users can individually answer a question; but, on Wiki Answers, there can be only one answer, and the users can improve it. Yahoo Answers has a points-and- levels system. However, on Wiki Answers, a user's contributions are counted, and the user receives badges according to his/her contributions. Also, other users may confer trust points, which indicate the user's reputation and length of membership and on Wiki Answers.