ChaCha

specific questions are not this search ‘s strong suit, which are what they claim to specialize in. If I ask how to do something in a video game, for example, it will simply define the game and tell me what year or came out.

I recently started using ChaCha out of curiousity. The jury is still out.
The Good: I was trying to find out if Flipping Boston would be back on TV. I searched the Internet high and low and couldn’t find the answer anywhere. After about 10 minutes, Cha Cha responded with the answer that it was cancelled due to low ratings. While I was waiting, I just read emails, surfed the web, etc. So it was no big deal to wait.
The Bad: I asked how much a specific dry cleaners would charge to dry clean. Their answer: A nice pair of work pants would cost you about twenty or thirty dollars at most dry cleaners. Hmmm…
Guess I’ll have to ask a few more questions to see decide.
But I do like the concept! And it really doesn’t hurt to ask, does it?

I trust Daniel M. read his reviews — they are often spot on in my book and I think you will agree
So I recently read his review of ChaCha and I have to say I was intrigued. I have been a loyal user of GOOGL with my mobile. Used to be that I could SMS «Pizza 2 138» to GOOGL and get some great local pizza spots with locations and numbers in 1 to 3 messages. Lately GOOGL seems overwhelmed, and I have been getting «Sorry ‘pizza’ did not return any results for 2 138» — um, really?
so I was ready to give a competitor a try — KGB or CHACHA? — well Daniel M gave props to ChaCha, let’s roll
So last night I heard someone ask a bartender «Does anywhere in Cambridge serve Magner’s on tap?» and I thought: «Wow — perfect ChaCha question!»
Click*Click*Click — off goes my question.
I get two responses saying essentially «Please wait but here’s an Ad»
then 6 minutes later (yes SIX) I get a response for a local place that may have served Magners on tap — but has been closed down for 3 or 4 months.
I reply with «That place is closed. Where else can I find…»
I get another «Please Wait» SMS followed by a notice that I am halfway through my «4 directed questions in a 72 hour period» quota
WTF?
Five minutes later I get a reply. This time the place isn’t a closed establishment… but…the name of the place is somewhere not in Cambridge — but the address is in Cambridge, but a different bar entirely.
Truth be told, both places likely have Magners on tap (based on my many experiences at both), but if I weren’t a local, I might get totally messed up when heading to the address and finding Cambridge Common (and not knowing that the texted name Sunset Grill and tap is actually 4.5 miles away in Allston).
OK, granted — my question was a bit more directed than Daniel M’s — but to me, isn’t that the purpose of these tools? I think it’s great to find out about «cross-​race effect» — but apparently one shouldn’t then plan on having a discussion with your friends about the concept over a pint of Magners.
11 minutes,
6 text messages,
2 wrong answers,
1 less ChaCha user.

Question:
Why is the sky blue?
send to 242 242
*tick*tick*tick*
Answer:
A cloudless sky is blue because molecules in the air scatter blue light from the sun more than they scatter red light. Chacha!
Question:
What is it called when you can’t tell people of one race apart from one another? (seriously)
send to 242 242
*tick*tick*tick*tick*
Answer:
The phenomenon wherein people have an inability to distinguish people of the same race is referred to as the «cross-​race effect».
Random? Yes. Racist? Sometimes. But from time to time this kind of stuff comes up in conversation and you need to know NOW. Fear not because ChaCha is ready for all of your rando trivia needs. Not only is it a search service but it’s a search service with PEOPLE. Remember people? When they weren’t busy sucking they were awesome.
Setup is wicked easy and super fast through the site and once you’ve signed up you’re good to go. There is no charge to use ChaCha unless your cell company charges your for text. Bastards. They’ll get you for everything.
The site is fun to look through as they display a random list of a few recently asked questions. A few gems that caught my eye:
Q: How much should I tip if my bill was $ 9.37?
A: A 15% tip would be $ 1.40. Better service warrants a 20% tip which would be about $ 1.90. I would leave $ 2.00 if service was good.
Q: Do I need to place this 100 dollar bill on red or black?
A: I would go with black. It has always been lucky for me and hopefully it works for you! Good luck!
Q: Can you send me a super funny joke?
A: What would you get if you crossed the Atlantic with the Titanic? About half way.
Awesome. Web 2.0 rules.