New profiles - what !!!!

Hello guys

Thought I would take a bit of time to help point-out the new Yahoo! profiles which are due to go live early next year. Yahoo! Answers users should be aware that there is a good chances that these profiles (which can be accessed at http://profiles.yahoo.com) will most likely have a certain degree of integration with Yahoo! Answers, certainly in terms of uploading personal images for use as avatars within the community as well as private messaging.

Why not make your new profile now ?

For more information, please read the official staff help pages here

Happy Answering, and all the best
Chεεrs

Malware - the important bits

The following is an unofficial warning concerning Malware

Yahoo! Answers community members are strongly urged to check links carefully prior to clicking them within the community. As many users are aware, some malicious and harmful links have been posted within the community which could cause harm to your computer system. Please do not click links you do not fully trust 100 %.

Users who believe the may have downloaded malware as a result of clicking a link within Yahoo! Answers should ensure they are protected. If you do not have anti-virus software, Chεεrs recommends AVG 8.O (Free) at http://free.avg.com/.

Once again, not all links are dangerous, however please be aware that this is present within the community, and do not click links that appear to have no relevance to the question or no answer has been provided.

If you have any questions please visit
http://suggestions.yahoo.com/detail/?prop=answers&fid=118033

All the best
Chεεrs

Illegal / Community guidelines

The low-down - when does an answer violate the community guidelines, and when does it break the law ?

When it comes to reporting unsuitable content within the community of Yahoo! Answers, you are helping to keep the community safe and pleasant for other community members.

Users have two options when reporting content.

- Does the content breach the community guidelines
- Is the content illegal

So what's the difference ?

Yahoo! Answers asks that all community members follow these community guidelines, and staff often post helpful blogs concerning such guidelines within the official Yahoo! Answers staff blog. Such content does not break the law, yet is simply frowned upon and is not necessary within the community. Remember, if it's too rude to say to a stranger, it's too rude for Yahoo! Answers.

So what is breaking the law ?

The law is used in society to maintain order. However some users might not realise how law relateds to Yahoo! Answers. Users should only report very serious content that requires urgent attention as illegal. Such content is generally removed quickly from the community and investigated by the Yahoo! Answers customer care team, so don't use it lightly. Breaking the law is not acceptable, and includes extreme harassment (this can include bullying), racism, threats, blackmail, fraud sites and harm to minors and so forth.

Some common example of questions and how they should be reported:

What is my favourite colour?

Reason for reporting: Chatting
Violation of the community guidelines

Want to make money from home - go to this website
Either

Reason for reporting: Solicitation - a trusted site, yet advertising and not asking a question
Violation of the community guidelines

Or

A known fraud or dangerous site that could trick users into spending money
Reason for reporting: Illegal

I want to kill myself

Reason for reporting: Illegal
Such content needs to be removed to protect the use involved

If in doubt, report the content as a violation of the community guidelines, and provide a reason for reporting.

All the best
Chεεrs

Y! Answers not adding up ?

Been doing great over the last few weeks ? Racking in some best answers ? Well then, you'll have a great best answer percentage to be proud off.

So that's a best answer percentage of 22 % against 77 % - but don't percentages always add to 100 % ?

Not to worry. This in in a way is a small glitch within the system that causes your overall best answer percentage to be rounded down to 99 %, after all having a best answer percentage of 99.638934 % would be a bit excessive :)

If you want some good news, it's rounded up on your avatar roll-out menu, but ssshhhh, I didn't tell you...

All the best
Chεεrs

It's the weekly community news

Well it has been a while since we last had one of these

Here is the low-down for last week

Y! Mail - Where are you ?

As many of you have noticed, Yahoo! has opened up some new domains with the introduction of 'Ymail' and 'rocketmail'. Use this opportunity to bag a name that you really want. A few users are still looking into the potential fact that Y! Answers staff could have used this opportunity to alter the current staff mail accounts. At present I have yet to hear any developments on this matter, but you can always use the suggestion forum regardless if you need help from the staff.

Y! 360 image problem - still at large

Some users have issued reports that the glitch concerning the inability to use custom images as avatars in Y! Answers is still present. It is said that users have had to wait around four days before the system 'catch up' and displays the image. Staff have been told, so keep-up-to-date on any developments at the suggestion forum.

Why was that featured ?

The Y! Answers editorial staff have been busy, and have produced a third edition of 'why was that featured' displaying some of the top finds in the community this last month. Did you make the list ?


It's not been the most busy week, but anything could happen. Please note that Chεεrs shall not be within the community from the 27 - 4th (June to July). I can see be reached by e-mail is needed.

All the best
Chεεrs

A featured question from Yahoo! Answers

What one aspect of Yahoo! Answers comes to mind when I say the 'vague' - the community guidelines. However this week, community member Bee asked this fantastic question to help shed the light on a somewhat under discussed topic.

"If someone is repeatedly breaking the community guidelines and you report all of their answers one-by-one, will you overall trust level decline for community moderation?"

Link: View question

There are some good answers to the question that help explain what users should in such an occurrence, but nevertheless, a very helpful and detailed question that helps users make the most out of Yahoo! Answers.

Many thanks Bee
Chεεrs

If you would like to see your question featured here in the near future, drop me an email from within yahoo! answers. Provide a link to the question and the question title, and provide a little comment about yourself that you would like to be included.

Disclaimer: Chεεrs can not guarantee the any accuracy within the answers provided for the above question(s) as such content is not controlled by Chεεrs. Content is not scanned for context and Chεεrs ca n not be accountable for any such content that may be deemed unsuitable. Users are expected to be thirteen years of age and above to use Yahoo! Answers.

Confirmation

Hey Guys

I hardly ever make personal entries concerning Chεεrs, however it has come to my attention that a recent threads created with the community has lead me to take action on a few rumors.

(1) Does Chεεrs own any multiple accounts on Yahoo! Answers ?

No. While I may own more than one Yahoo! Mail account, a secondary account is used to access Yahoo! Answers. The following rumour has appeared to be generated after several users have been seen using the signature 'all the best' after their answers.

I have no issues concerning such actions, however please note any such users are acting on their own behalf.

(2) Is Chεεrs part of the July boycott ?

This question was sent to me as an e-mail, however I have no plans to join this cause and I shall still be using Yahoo! Answers as normal.

I do apologise for having to defend myself in this manner

All the best
Chεεrs

Ready for the next stage ?

What is the fastest way to the next level ?

Wouldn't we all like to know? This is a question that is increasing being asked within the community as more and more people are looking for quicker ways to reach the higher levels.

One question that caught my eye within the community this week was 'How do people find the time to earn 4,000 + points a week?' Well I am no expert, however I'm sure the following concept can be applied.

Reaching the next level - Model for Yahoo! Answers....

As shown above, there are many ways to earn points on Yahoo! Answers, some far more productive than others. If you are looking to increase the number of points you make a week then best answers are the key. Every time you repeat the actions as shown on the left in the above model twice, you would have only earned the same number points as one best answer.

Naturally this excludes a high number of thumbs up on best answers and so forth, however if you are looking for points and best answers, my advise would be:

• Stick to questions which you are knowledgeable in
• Answer questions with few answers, reduce the competition
• Make your answer as concise as possible
• Appeal to the author of the question by being friendly and polite
• Use good use of English grammar

Remember to keep answering questions, and try not to ask too many questions. And remember (if applicable) to max out your daily answering and voting limits on unresolved questions.

All the best
Chεεrs

Booming...

Hey it's national Heart Week

As of the 4th of June, Britain shall be raising awareness to heart disease in the form of national heart week. What better opportunity to check out some heart related questions and answers as asked by you, the community, within the biology category of Yahoo! Answers.

Why does the heart work harder when you exercise ? (View question)
Asked by: Jen

How many beats a minute is healthy ? (View question)
Asked by: Bernie C

What is meant by heart mummer ? (View question)
(Hey I'm still open - why not post an answer ?)
Asked by: Pickle

Why not check out the heart disease category and the biology category for more interesting questions on this topic, and help spread the word.

All the best
Chεεrs

Is it a bird... is it a plane....

No, but my golly it was speeding down Yahoo! Answers like a bullet.

This week has seen a new Yahoo! Answers record been broken by none other than user Fyre & Reign Races, a frequent user in the Yahoo! Answers and singles and dating category.

The challenge ?

To beat the outstanding shortest time taken to progress from level one to level seven.

Now one would think that thirty nine days was impressive enough, a record previously set by user JMENSAN, but Fyre was determined and by answering questions and gaining a whooping 1662 best answers along the way managed the thrash the title in none other than:

Thirty three days, from April 12th to end on May 15th

A new Yahoo! Answers record.

Is anyone else up the challenge, or will Fyre be back for uphold her records. Stay tuned and watch this space.

Congratulations Fyre & Reign

[ Thanks for the comments guys... ]

The spelling mistake with Fyre's name occurred as a result of my automatic spellchecker on Firefox. Thanks for pointing this out which has since been corrected. I apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused.

Chεεrs

Weekly Community News

Extra ! Extra ! Read all about it in Yahoo! Answers news...

This week in the world of Yahoo! Answers

Yahoo! Answers UK & Ireland blog

Well the Yahoo! Answers UK team have been busy, and the Yahoo! Answers UK & Ireland blog has finally be unleashed into the community. The blog can be read here, and contains some hints and tips and new product information.

We're number one...

Yahoo! Answers UK & Ireland was awarded the title 'Number one website' by Hitwise, based on the growing community and the quality of content provided by the community. The staff of Yahoo! Answers have posted a small thank you in the team blog.

A double whammy

We have had two officials joining the community this week. Stefan Effenberg asked the community, "Given the pace of the modern game, do we need two referees on the pitch? If so, why ?" The question is still open so why not get your opinions and ideas seen within the community.

Our second question comes from Greg Strause, a Hollywood Director who asked the community, "What could Hollywood do to make it's films even better ?"Does Hollywood even make the best films ? Have your say.

Yahoo! Answers Staff are at it again

Once again Ask Mike has been racking his brain for a good question for the community, and as always he hasn't failed to disappoint. This week Ask Mike asked the community "How do fire hydrants work ?" There isn't a lot of time left to answer the question, however Ask Mike has summarised some of the best answers in the staff blog.

Finally don't miss the Yahoo! Answers staff "Do you like my avatar blog" which is very useful at explaining a commonly misunderstood community guidelines.

That's all for this week
Chεεrs

Where is the report button ?

How does one report an abusive e-mail ?

This question is increasing being asked within the community, and there appears to be some confusion as to how one should go about reporting such harassment to the Yahoo! Answers staff.

Many users are under the impression that you should e-mail abuse@yahoo.com or the Yahoo! Answer team. This is a big no-no. The Yahoo! Answers team are unable to take action on such e-mails while the abuse@yahoo.com address is used to report targeted attacks from a specific e-mail, and not internal e-mails.

So what should one do ?

Well luckily Yahoo! has released a new mail abuse form that clearly explains which information is required in order to report such e-mails. You can access the mail abuse form here.

Hints and tips

• Under Yahoo! ID, use the nickname of the Yahoo! Answers account.
• You should include the full header. Please use the help link for advise on this matter
• Under additional information, clearly state that the message was sent through Yahoo! Answers, and not Yahoo! Mail. You continue to explain that the user's ID is unknown, however the name provided relates to the user's Yahoo! Answers nickname.
  

That's all there is too it. Please note that staff do not have to reply to any messages you send them, however by using the correct procedure you can help to remove harassment from the community.

Remember you can also aways block such users within the community. This will not allow them to e-mail you in the future.

All the best
Chεεrs

Yahoo! Avatars issue ?

Hey Guys

This is just a small note that as of Saturday 10th May, a few users have been complaining that their Yahoo! 360 images are not showing within the community. This appears to be a minor error which has been brought to staff attention via the suggestion forum.

All the best
Chεεrs

Got an exam comming up ?

It's that time of the year isn't it...

Many members of the community will have exams in the next three weeks and beyond, and questions concerning exam preparation and stress busting techniques can be seen within the community forum.

Chεεrs would like to extend a big good luck to anyone who may be sitting such exams, and remember you can only do your best on the day, so no worrying once an exam is finished, simply look forward (if this is even possible) to the next exam.

All the best guys
Chεεrs

Please excuse me....

Chεεrs is taking a small break

From Friday 2nd May to Monday 5th Chεεrs shall be taking a small break from the community and shall not be here to answer your questions concerning Yahoo! Answers.

I shall be allowing e-mails during this time which I shall respond to as soon as I return.

All the best
Chεεrs

Interesting stars

They look so pretty, but what do they do ?

Stars are used to mark a question as interesting within the community.

While stars have no point value, they are very useful for the following reasons

Every time a user stars your question, it is shared with that user's community contacts and fans. The more people who know about the question, the more answers...

Secondly, any question that is starred is automatically eligible to be selected at random to be placed on the popular list on the Yahoo! Answers homepage. Very popular questions may be reviewed and featured on the homepage scroll bar.

Lastly, stars help you to determine who your fans are, allowing you to select contacts that may share common interests with you. It's also a bit of an ego boost knowing that someone out there may have really liked the question.

All the best
Chεεrs

It's time for

Chεεr's e-mail of the week

Okay! I can't actually promise I'll feature an e-mail every week, but here is an little insight into the world of Chεεrs

" Hey Ch33rs

I'm sorry but I don't know how to type your name. I was simply wondering why you have changed your avatar and what does it mean? I have seen you around the site a few times and was wondering if there was a reason. Thank you "

Name withheld at author's request, edited for grammar purposes.

Well, seeming as you asked so nicely. I simply felt like change. Don't get me wrong, I love my Yahoo! Avatar, however I was feeling a little 'metaphoric' when I selected this image, which is based on the concept of 'following the leader', that or a group of females stalking Mr. Red man...

It's a nice little image, but look out for my Yahoo! Avatar which shall be back next week

Chεεrs

What's new ?

Did Yahoo! Answers put on some weight or is that my new flat screen monitor ?

Yahoo! Answers has had a slight face lift, but is it too your liking ?

Many users have realised that Yahoo! Answers has extended beyound the normal width, and questions and answers are now being displayed in widescreen. Staff have confirmed that this was a new design to allow for longer answers, but not all users are so keen on the new look.

Post your comments concerning the new design at the Yahoo! Answers staff blog.

In the meantime, look out for a new reporting system, estimated to be released in June / July, based on staff comments within the suggestion forum.

Chεεrs

Oppsss.... Breather

No need to panic guys

A lot of users have worked out that Yahoo! Answers is acting a little odd as of lately, with 'Drat, No Question' and 'We are taking a breather' messages appearing frequently.

It would appear that more details are to follow shortly in the Staff Yahoo! Answers blog however in the meantime there is no need to ask questions on the matter. The Yahoo! Answers homepage current states:

"We are experiencing some unexpected downtime and are working to fix the problem. We're sorry for any inconvenience."

Staff are aware of the issues and should have them fixed shortly

[Update]

For users who are unfamiliar with this error message, refreshing the page or using the back feature on your browser often resolves the issue when you next try to access to question.

[Update]

This issues appears to have been resolved. Please use the suggestion forum to report further errors.

Chεεrs

Featured question

A perfect world

Once again it's time for a featured question, this time from user Special Agent Matt Tress. Matt has gone all out to ask a very opinionated question, based on today's society which is, "How can we live in a society without weapons or drugs?".

Matt, who states that "he is a regular user of Yahoo! Answers with a concern for the world". I'm sure Matt would love to hear your views and answers on the matter, the question is still open for answers using the link above.

Chεεrs found this question appealing as it is a topic which effects many people yet it rarely talked about. How best can society help remove substance abuse ?

A great question Matt, thank you
Chεεrs

If you would like to see your question featured here in the near future, drop me an email from within yahoo! answers. Provide a link to the question and the question title, and provide a little comment about yourself that you would like to be included.

Yahoo! Answers 360! Avatar

Update on the Yahoo! 360 problem

It would appear that the Yahoo! 360 issue has been corrected and currently up and running. Users should now be able to use their Yahoo! 360 image as their avatar.

Chεεrs

Weekly Community News

The latest Edition of Y! Answers Extra

This week in the world of Yahoo! Answers

Hail Leaders

The Leader Boards for Yahoo! Answers categories appear to be up-and-running once more. If you are experiencing any problems please alert staff within the Yahoo! Answers Suggestion Forum*

That's not my picture !!!

From a fixture to a failure. For the last five days users have been experiencing issues with updating their Yahoo! 360 image for use as a Yahoo! Answers Avatar. This is a problem at the Yahoo! 360 end and the team has been alerted. Hopefully the issue shall be resolved quickly.

Two Years On....

This last week, ¢hεεrs celebrated two years with Yahoo! Answers. I've had a great time with the site and I hope many have benefited from my answers. I have no plans to leave just yet, so I hope you won't mind me sticking around for the time being :)

The blog is a flow'n

Have you checked the Yahoo! Answers Team Blog out lately ? A lot of posts have been made in the last few weeks. The blog is a great way to contact staff members and to get the inside news on Yahoo! Answers.

* Some users are still stating that the leader boards have failed to update. Staff have been alerted once more.

That's all for this week
Cheers

Where was Cheers ?

Hey Guys

No I've not left the community or been avoiding yahoo answers yet some have noticed my lack of contribution to the site over the last two weeks.

Well cheers was taking a well earned break and has now returned. The blog shall be continued to be updated with yahoo answers related blogs along with all of your weekly community news.

In the meantime I would like to thank all of your for your numerous e-mails; all one hundred and forty eight of them. Remember I am also still looking for good content to feature so drop us an email if you feel you have compiled a good question.

If you would like to see your question featured here in the near future, drop me an email from within yahoo! answers. Provide a link to the question and the question title, and provide a little comment about yourself that you would like to be included.

¢hεεrs

Get your funny bone in gear

It's time for April Fools

You either love it or hate it, but tomorrow is Aprils Fools Day.

Naturally ¢hεεrs shall be looking out for your April Fools related questions so don't let me down community as I shall be featuring some of the best questions in the blog.

One question that has already caught my eye, ' will the yahoo answers guidelines become void during April Fools Day? ', well don't get your hopes up to much as I can't see it happening.

Did you know ?

The origination of Aprils Fools Day is believed to come from France when it said until the early 16th Century the French celebrated the New Years Eve on the 1st of April, but on 1562 Pope Gregory XIII introduces a new calendar to the Christian world which changed the data for the new year to the first day of January.

Naturally world was slow to travel, it's not like they could just open up their yahoo email, so not everyone was aware of the changes. Therefore the people that continues to celebrate new year on the wrong date were said to be fools and had tricks played on them.

So what shall you be doing tomorrow & do you already have your tricks planned ?

¢hεεrs

There's a world out there !

What are the international yahoo answers ?

Did you know yahoo answers is supported in twenty six different countries ?

The site is based in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, the United Kingdom, Quebec, the United States and Vietnam.

That's a lot of questions and answers and a whole new community.

Why not make the most out of the yahoo answers international banner which can be found using the yahoo answers country banner at the bottom of each yahoo answers web page.

Now can you visit any country you like ?

You sure can, answering and asking questions on each site however it somewhat limited. The yahoo answers guidelines ask that you also post in an understandable format, so posting an English question on the French yahoo answers is a big no-no.

Still, a great way to develop a language and meet new people... check it out.

¢hεεrs

¢hεεrs asks the community

Yum Yum !

Food certainly can be tasty, and we all have different taste preferences from the sour gummies to the intense heat of a curry, but I have a taste related question for the community this week.

This week ¢hεεrs asked the community, what causes aftertaste ?

I'm hoping someone out there shall be able to answer my question, and providing some links would be really helpful too.

¢hεεrs

Weekly Community News

Time for the latest news

It's the luck of the Irish

On Monday 17th, yahoo answers celebrated St. Patricks day, and once again the community failed to disappoint by asking many questions concerning the holiday. One community member was keen to establish what is St. Patrick's day all about, and luckily the community were able to help in the matter.

One asspect of St. Patrick's day that had yet to understand was the tradition of wearing green, but this fantastic question asked by Rebekah W answered my querry. I hope you had a great celebration.

Ask Mike keeps the community cool

Yes he's done it again and has asked the community another brain teaser. "Do the drawers in a refrigarator actually do anything?!" Well I would sure like to know and you may know the answer. The qeustion is still open so why not help Mike out.

¢hεεrs takes a break

From Friday to Monday (21st-24th) ¢hεεrs shall not be 'serving' the community. I shall be on holiday (vaccation) during the Easter bank holiday. The good news is I shall still be answering your emails so send them in if you have any question, comments or if you are simply bored.

Know something I've missed ? Why not sent it in... I can be emailed from my yahoo answers profile or look out for ¢hεεrs [uk] within the yahoo answers category.

All the best
¢hεεrs

Keep it down you chatter boxes !

Are opinion seeking questions seen as chatting ?

I was contacted by a yahoo answers user to help determine the understanding of the dreaded chatting violation within the yahoo answers community, so here it goes:

If you are found to have been chatting, they you recently asked question with the intent on opinion seeking to which a definitive best answer can not be provided.

Well what the heck does that mean ?

Basically if you were to ask "what is your favourite colour" you would be presented with a whole list of colours from the lovely community of yahoo answers.

Now, did you really need that list of colours ?

The chances are you were bored and asked a question simply to liven up a rainy afternoon.

Now to explain a definitive answer. With a list of colours, which one is the best answer, the first one for being the early worm - but how is that fair ?

See were I am going with this...

You need to post in a question and answer format in yahoo answers, and seeking opinions really doesn't count as asking a question.

So how can I avoid the dreaded chatting ?

• Try to post a question that requires knowledgeable answers
• Don't ask for user's opinions
  
• If you require a poll, post it in the polls and survey category
• Don't use yahoo answers on a boring rainy day

Okay, so we made the last one up, but if you need more help, read about chatting in the help pages of yahoo answers.

¢hεεrs

Featured question

We shall remember...

History comes alive with this enlightening question as user ruthiecrawshaw asked, "What weapons were used in world war one?".

This is a very intriguing question which ¢hεεrs felt deserved to be shared with the community as the second question to be featured. You can read all the answers provided, or even provide your own by using the link provided above as the question is still open.

Thank you ruthiecrawshaw
¢hεεrs

If you would like to see your question featured here in the near future, drop me an email from within yahoo! answers. Provide a link to the question and the question title, and provide a little comment about yourself that you would like to be included.

Wanna Cartoon ?

How do I make a Yahoo! Answers Avatar

An avatar is a great way to define a public image, do you want to make your avatar cool, realistic or downright crazy, well you decide!

The first stop is to visit the Yahoo! Avatar creation page

Here you can create your avatar from numerous backgrounds, clothing styles and even hairstyles. If you are looking for a particular item, a great tip is to use the Yahoo! Avatar search feature. Once you have created your masterpiece, don't forget to save it.

So how do you get your avatar into yahoo! answers ?

1. Go to your Yahoo! Answers profile
2. Click the edit my information link
3. Scroll down to picture options
4. Select use my Yahoo! Avatar which should be displayed
5. Scroll to the bottom of the page
6. Select preview
   
7. Select save
   

Your new avatar should be displayed within the community instantly.

The good news you can update your avatar at any time using the Yahoo! Avatar creation page. Any changes you make shall be made to your avatar automatically.

The following related questions should also help

How do u get a avatars picture when answering a question in yahoo

View question

Look out for future blogs outlining how to use a real image

All the best
¢hεεrs

Weekly Community News

Yahoo! Answers news for this week

Have you taken the new community moderation test ?

How clued up are you on the current community guidelines, well why not put your money where your mouth is and take the yahoo answers community moderation pop quiz and see what score you get. Sadly there are no prises, but you can comment on the quiz and find out how good (or bad) other users did in the yahoo answers staff blog.

An event banzai !

Today the 12th March is no smoking day, if you forgot then it's a good thing the community were ready to bombard the community with questions from how to dispose of cigarette lighters to finding out the best methods to help kick the habit altogether . Why not check out the official no smoking day website to learn further information.

That's not all. We have sports relief on March 14th & it's the luck of the Irish on St. Patrick's Day, call coming up on the 17th March. Look out for featured questions and information on these events in next weeks community news.

An update on the top ten category issue ?

Last week we reported that the top ten category leaders were failing to update. A week on and the issue is still present, however staff have been alerted to the issue and 'hope it shall be resolved shortly'. Keep up-to-date on this one in the yahoo answers suggestion forum

Disclaimer: Image by jciv at Yahoo! Flickr

¢hεεrs

Deja Vu

I'm going to tell you how you can save points

Why ask question when the answer is most likely already out there ?

Yahoo! Answers have some great tools to allow you to check if a question has already been asked, and such features may allow you to save loads of points by learning from questions that have already been asked.

Firstly, when you ask a question, yahoo answers shall automatically search for questions of a similar topic. This is a great way to see if you are asking an original question or to see if your question has already been answered.

The second hint I shall suggest would be to make use of the advanced yahoo answers search , a great tool which can be asked to located questions in specific time frames or categories. The advnaced and basic search can be found at the top of every yahoo answers pages.

Lastly there is the discover portal , a great way to see random resolved questions within the community, it may also be a chance to add some new contacts to your yahoo answers network

¢hεεrs

Yahoo! Answers community petition

The community has always been invited to share their own views and comments concerning Yahoo! Answers within the yahoo! answers suggestion forum, however for some users, they are appealing directly to Yahoo! Answers staff.

What is this petition concerned with changing?

Several users are keen to raise the number of reports required to remove content from the community as a violation. At present at least one or more trusted users are required to report content, prior to its removal from the community. It this too little a number of reports ?

If you are keen to have your say, take the petition here

If you are keen to find out more about the current community moderation, why not read all about in the community moderation help pages

All the best
¢hεεrs

Disclaimer: Publishing this article does not in any manner of speaking reflect the personal views to that of ¢hεεrs or any other specific member(s) of yahoo! answers. This petition is taken using an external Internet service out of the control of ¢hεεrs, who can not take any liability for the actions/ results / content of such a petition. This petition has not been created by ¢hεεrs, and is a free public domain sponsored by 'iPetitions'.

Featured question

How is "bill" short for "william"?

This delightful and intersting question, 'How is "bill" short for "william"' was recently posted within the community by user Emsters.

This is a very intreging question which ¢hεεrs felt deserved to be shared with the community as the very first featured question of my blog. You can read all the answers provided, or even provide your own by using the link provided above.

Have you never stopped to imagine how your own name was created or originated ? Why not add it as a comment.

Thank you Emsters
¢hεεrs

‘Say cheese'

Understanding the community guidelines

Taking photographs can be a very rewarding hobby, indeed lifestyle for some; or simply an opportunity to catch that split second when we are looking our best. However is Yahoo! Answers the best place to share such photographs?

Using photographs and images to create guessing games and opinion seeking is a Yahoo! Answers no-no according to the Yahoo! Answers Community Guidelines. Do you really need to ask ‘How old do you think I am?’ based on a photograph to a community of strangers? Such questions do nothing more yet promote chatting and ‘point gaming comments’ – and that’s not the Yahoo! Answers way now is it!

As a member of a vast community of ninety one million users, consider

Who will be seeing my image?
What may happen to my photograph?
Will people be able to discover personal details from this photo?

See where I am going with this – who knows what result from sharing one photo could be…

So when is it okay to share that prized pic?

You are welcome to ask for help or details on a technique, or simply how to improve a photo you may have snapped – it’s common sense really. Users can also use Yahoo! 360 to make a custom avatar for Yahoo! Answers as well as to create polls and blogs which is all fine and dandy.

Take note that many users come to Yahoo! Answers… to answer questions funnily enough. Please don’t fuel the fire of chatting and consider using Yahoo! Answers for its intended purpose before asking that ‘all important question’. The plus side is you’ll save points too….!

See more hints on the community guidelines at my second Yahoo! Answers community guidelines blog

Image 'smile #2' by konaboy from Yahoo! Flickr

All the best
¢hεεrs

So how many points do I need ?

A very popular question asked within the community is, 'how do I gain level two ?'

In order for yahoo! answers users to gain level two status, you require a total of two hundred and fifty points on your account, that's it.

As a level two user you unlock some funky new features including

· The ability to use the thumb ratings
· Post up to ten questions a day
· Post up to forty answers a day
· Star up to one hundred questions
· Vote up to forty undecided questions

It's all good, and a nice thank you for using Yahoo! Answers

Further information on the point system can be found at Yahoo! Answers point system

All the best
¢hεεrs

Weekly Community News

Yahoo! Answers news for this week

Could suspensions be a thing of the past?

Following a recent request for timed suspensions it does indeed appear that staff members are looking into the idea. For many this is a sigh of relief which could result in accounts not being fully inactive from the community. Should we see any developments in the near future they shall be posted.

The community bids farewell to Yahzmin

It has been confirmed that user Yahzmin wishes to leave the community. As one of my longest contacts within Yahoo! Answers, I personally wish to bid farewell to one of the most experienced, kindest and knowledgeable person I have met on the site. Many others share such sadness, however we wish Yahzmin all the best for the future and hope that she may have not totally abandoned the community forever.

Another question from Ask Mike

What do you like best about your hometown? With the question closing in little under nine hours why not voice your opinion or simply await the best answer to be chosen. Further information can be found on the topic.

Top ten categories updating

And finally, several members of the community have commented that some of the top ten user categories appear to not be updating. Staff have been made aware of this issue however there has been no news concerning this matter.

Remember for all the official goings on remember to read the official Yahoo! Answers Blog

All the best
¢hεεrs

Do you have Yahoo! Answers fever ?

How long is too long

User spam, amongst others are keen to establish how long is too long within Yahoo! Answer. In all fairness can one use Yahoo! Answers too much ?

We all think Yahoo! Answers is a great site for asking and answering questions, with some users spending up to six hours a day helping users out, gaining answer to questions and enjoying the ever expanding community.

It's evident that Yahoo! Answers is able to provide answers to a vast range of questions, from saving money to finding out were is a good place to eat.

Whatever your experience is with the service, I hope you find the answers you are were looking for.

¢hεεrs

Trolls, lol's and noob ?

Welcome to Internet terminology

While using Yahoo! Answers you may come across this wonderful and weird new 'language' within the community, but what does it all mean ?

There are many resources available which may help, such as the Urban Dictionary however listed below are some of the more common phrases you may see within Yahoo! Answers

The YAicionary

BA - Best Answer
Blocked - Refers to blocking a member of the community
CG - The Yahoo! Answers community guidelines
RAMO - Report and move on, ie. to ignore ill suited content
TC - A Yahoo! Answers top contributor
TOS - The Yahoo! Terms of service
Troll - an abusive member of an online community
P & S - Polls and surveys, a popular category found under music and entertainment
R & S - Religion & Spirituality which can be found under Society & Culture
Yampsters - The Yahoo! Answers staff
Noobie - A 'new' person, however it can be used in an harassing manner.

It's not too bad I promise

Having fun within the community
¢hεεrs

New to the community ?

What is Yahoo! Answers ?

With over ninety two million users world wide, Yahoo! Answers is the worlds largest global community to which users can ask or answers questions while growing a network of contacts and fans. Newer members shall benefit from reading the Yahoo! Answers introduction and welcome pages

I need help, but where can I get it ?

There are numerous sources of information for help concerning Yahoo! Answers including the Yahoo! Answers official help pages to Unoffical help pages created by current users such a Calimecita's helpful insight.

Finally should you need help directly there are the Yahoo! Answers Top Contributors who specalise in specific categories of the site. Such users can be indentified by an orange 'top contributor' badge.

At any rate, if you are fairly new to the community help is available, however also ensure to read the sites Community Guidelines

¢hεεrs

Yahoo! Answers Cheers

Greetings to all

This is my first blog hence it seems fit that one should introduce myself.

I am cheers [uk], a long time user of Yahoo! Answers uk & ireland, a rapidly expanding question and answer community from Yahoo!

The purpose of these blogs is to help the community of Yahoo! Answers with featured content and users and to generally help others make the most out of the service.

The next few weeks shall see questions and answers posted, however you can check the site out using the hyper link provided above.

Naturally the offical Yahoo! Answers blog can be found at Yahoo! Answers staff blog

Untill my next blog, I wish you all the best
Cheers