Crowd Sourcing Reference Tool for Social Networks: Aardvark
I'm not sure I even understand that headline. Let me explain. Aardvark is a new social networking tool. You sign up — nothing to download or install. You ask Aardvark questions by Instant Message or Email. Aardvark analyzes incoming questions to determine what they’re about, then searches through all of the people in your network who are available over IM or Email to find the right match for you for that topic, based on simple and secret criteria like how you’re connected to people on Facebook, people who share your favorites (for taste-related questions) and people in the right location (for location-related questions). Then Aardvark forwards that question to people it thinks might have the answer. (You also indicate the categories of information in which you can provide answers.) If they choose to answer, their answers pop up as an Instant Message or Email. (Likewise, if Aardvark thinks you might know the answer to a question from someone connected to your social network, it send the question to you the same way — you can choose to answer or pass. I found out about it through David Pogue, who wrote about it for the New York Times. For those of us who are used to asking our social network for answers to questions like "where should I take my mom for brunch in Seattle," Aardvark automates and turbo-charges that process. A facebook account or an invitation is required, get yours by clicking here.
Thanks for the post on Aardvark! I’d love to hear any other feedback you or your readers have…
– Alison @ Aardvark
alison@aardvarkteam.com