FrequentlyAskedOfMetafilter

So there seem to be a handful of questions that pop up on AskMe all the time. Unfortunately the current searching options don't make it easy to figure out if your question is a dupe. Maybe this FAQ will help.

Computers & Internet

Internet

1. Q: I'm looking for a web application that does (Photograph sharing/ Time managing/ Document collaboration/ Set up a calendar / Etc.)
   A: http://www.philb.com/iwantto.htm - links to over 300 web applications. Try here first. [Or try this list - hundreds of web apps]
   
   
2. Q: I'm looking for a scheduling website to coordinate a meeting for busy people.
   A: [Meet With Approval] [Pointment]
   
3. Q: I'm having Problem X with Firefox.
   A: [MozillaZine's Firefox support forums] - anonymous posting is allowed
   :[MozillaZine Knowledge Base]
   :[Known problematic Firefox extensions]
   
   
4. Q: I need a Firefox extension to do X.
   A: [I want a Firefox extension to...]
   :[Userscripts] that work with the [Greasemonkey] extension
   

Computing

1. Q: Can you help with a particular computer/peripheral/software problem?
   A: [Protonic] offers free tech support.
   
   
2. Q: I'm looking for some FREE software to do X, or a free alternative to Program Y
   A: [Huge list of free software]
   :[I want a Freeware Utility to...]
   :[Open Source Alternative]
   
   
3. Q: My iPod has stopped working, what do I do now?
   A: [iLounge]
   
   
4. Q: I'm visiting my family to do some tech support on their computer, and need to bring the proper tools. What software do I need?
   A: Two AskMe threads contain a wealth of suggestions for useful tools. [1]|[2], as does one MeFi [thread]. Also, see the under 32MB [PC Repair System] from Daily Cup of Tech.
   
   
5. Q: What are some great programs for my new USB Flash drive?
   A: [Previous thread] and [Portable Freeware Collection] and [Portable Apps]
   
   
6. Q: My hard drive has failed, what do I do now?
   A: [Free Tools to Recover Lost Data]. [Also try TestDisc] Should also mention recovery services, freezer trick etc.
   
   
7. Q: What program do I use to [do something related to audio editing]?
   A: [Audacity]. Yes, it also works on OS X and Linux.
   Examples: [1] [2]
   
   
8. Q: How do I record streaming media (e.g. realaudio)?
   A: [Total Recorder] for Windows, [Audio Hijack] for OS X. Note that both of these will capture the decoded audio signal and not the original stream, resulting in some loss of quality. [MPlayer] is less user-friendly, but it can dump the original stream to disk; it has Linux, Win32, and OS X ports. For a more easy-to-use interface (Windows) that allows one to rip streams (WMV, RM, ASF) try [Streamdown].
   Examples: [1] [2] [3]
   
   
9. Q: As a [beginner or inexperienced] programmer, what language should I use to [do something]?
   A: Programming language preferences differ a lot. Having said that, many will recommend [Python] as a powerful language that is both easy to learn and well-supported by many useful libraries.
   Examples: [1] [2] [3]
   
   

Technology

1. Q: Help me pick out a cell phone that does X, Y, and Z on Carrier A.
   A: [PhoneScoop's Phone Finder] or [MyRatePlan's Cell Phone Finder]
   
   
2. Q: What's a good introduction to electronics?
   A: ElecIntro
   :[Learning about electricity, the bright and colorful but not completely dumbed-down way?]
   :[Fundamental Understanding of AV Electronics?]
   :[I'm interested in learning electronics/electronics repair]
   :[I want to learn how to make simple electronics]
   :[Do Radio Shack's "50 in 1" electronic kits really teach EE skills?]
   :[What are some good resources to learn about basic electricity?]
   
   

Home & Garden

Work & Money

Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation

Society & Culture

Travel & Transportation

1. Q: What are some must-see sites/must-do attractions in (city/country)?
   A: [Lonely Planet], [CitySearch]. Also, many cities have their own website - try searching for it.
   
   

Science & Nature

Education

Health

1. Q: I would like to sleep less. How can I sleep less?
   A: Some people seem to be able to do it, others can't, but here are some things you can try [1] [2] [3] [4]
   
   
2. Q: I would like to sleep more/better. How can I do this?
   A: Exercise, warm milk, noise machines, turning off the TV/Computer? well before bedtime, keeping a regular sleep schedule. See [1] [2], [3], [4], [5]
   
   
3. Q: I need therapy but have no insurance and can't afford it.
   A: Many therapists have income-based sliding scales. Call them up and ask.
   

Shopping

1. Q: I'm looking for some good cookware.
   A: Try the suggestions in these threads [general pan question], [outfitting a kitchen], [non-stick, non-teflon options]

1. Q: I need help buying a gift for my mother/friend/etc.
   A: There are over 200 posts tagged with "gift" on AskMe. Please try [looking through them].

Food & Drink

Wrting & Language

Language

1. Q: What's the origin of the expression...?
   A: Some common phrases are references to pop culture. Many, many phrases aren't, and have no traceable origin.
   

Reading

1. Q: I'm trying to remember a book I read from when I was younger....
   A: [Stump The Bookseller]

1. Q: I'm looking for a good book to read.
   A: [What Should I Read Next]

1. Q: What's a good introduction to electronics?
   A: See Technology.

Human Relations

1. Q: My partner wants us to have a more open relationship and I've never done something like that before. Can this work out?
   A:

1. Q: My partner has foo problem and I'm trying to convince them to see a therapist. How do I do this?
   A:

Media & Arts

Music

1. Q: What is that dark, dramatic choral music you hear all the time in movie trailers?
   A: "O Fortuna" from [Carmina Burana] by Carl Orff.
   Examples: [1] [2] [3] [4]
   
   
2. Q: How can I find new music that I would like?
   A: Try the suggestions in these threads: [1] [2] [3] [4] or check the [mixcd tag] if you are considering music with a unifying theme.
   
   
3. Q: Help me make a mix CD with music about X?
   A: There are several sites dedicated to doing just that: [Tiny Mix Tapes] (under Automatic Mixtape Generator), [MixMatcher], [Webjay], and [Art of the Mix]
   
   
4. Q: What song is this?
   A: [Humming Search] [SongTapper] [Musipedia]
   
   

Typography

1. Q: What is this font?
   A: Try [Identifont] or [WhatTheFont].

Pets & Animals

Religion & Philosophy

Clothing, Beauty & Fashion

1. Q: How do I get this gasoline smell out of my clothes?
   A: Drycleaning solvent. [1] [2]

Law & Government

Grab Bag