Frequently Asked Of Metafilter
From Mefi Wiki
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.
[edit] Computers & Internet
[edit] Internet
Q: Where can I get an invitation to (private beta of web 2.0 site)?
A: Site Invites or Invite Share
Q: I'm looking for a web application that does (Photograph sharing/ Time managing/ Document collaboration/ Set up a calendar / Etc.)
A: I Want To - links to over 300 web applications. Try here first. Or try this list - hundreds of web apps
Q: I'm looking for a scheduling website to coordinate a meeting for busy people.
A: Meet With Approval or Pointment
Q: I'm having Problem X with Firefox.
A: MozillaZine's Firefox support forums - anonymous posting is allowed
Q: I need a Firefox extension to do X.
A: I want a Firefox extension to...
- Userscripts that work with the Greasemonkey extension
[edit] Computing
Q: Can you help with a particular computer/peripheral/software problem?
A: Protonic offers free tech support.
Q: I'm looking for some FREE software to do X, or a free alternative to Program Y
Q: My iPod has stopped working, what do I do now?
A: iLounge
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.
Q: What are some great programs for my new USB Flash drive?
A: Previous thread and Portable Freeware Collection and Portable Apps
Q: My hard drive has failed, what do I do now?
A: Free Tools to Recover Lost Data. Also try TestDisc.
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
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
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
[edit] Technology
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
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?
[edit] Home & Garden
Q: What is this spider and is it going to kill me?
A: Spider ID
[edit] Work & Money
[edit] Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation
[edit] Society & Culture
Q: Do I need a lawyer for X?
A: Call a lawyer and ask. To be on the safe side, probably.
Q: I need legal advice on X topic for X state.
A: We are not lawyers; if we are, we are not YOUR lawyer. Find Law or Nolo.
[edit] Travel & Transportation
Q: What are some must-see sites/must-do attractions in (city/country)?
A: MeFi Travel, Lonely Planet, CitySearch. Also, many cities have their own website - try searching for it.
[edit] Science & Nature
[edit] Education
[edit] Health
Q: Where can I find affordable eyeglasses?
A: Glassy Eyes
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 in various MeFi threads: 1 2 3 4
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
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.
Q: I have this (pimple/cough/weird ailment) that I think might be normal - is it?
A: Get to the doctor pronto!
[edit] Shopping
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
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.
[edit] Food & Drink
[edit] Writing & Language
[edit] Language
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.
[edit] Reading
Q: I'm trying to remember a book I read from when I was younger....
Q: I'm looking for a good book to read.
A: What Should I Read Next. Also, if you create an Amazon wishlist, but instead put in books you have already read, Amazon will make recommendations to you.
Q: What's a good introduction to electronics?
A: See Technology.
[edit] Human Relations
Q: I am tired of going out to movies, restaurants, watching TV, etc. all the time with my date / partner / spouse and would like suggestions (preferably inexpensive) for alternative things to do with him/her. Help me make unexpected, fun dating plans.
A: See these threads:
- Fun with the S.O.
- What can we do together?
- What do you want to do? I don't know, what do you want to do?
- Carpe the crepuscular diem
- Help us turn off our TV
- Budget dating without being cheap
- Reclaiming the marital entertainment space
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:
Q: My partner has foo problem and I'm trying to convince them to see a therapist. How do I do this?
A:
Q: My partner has been treating me badly - should we work it out?
A: DTMFA. not safe for work definition
[edit] Media & Arts
[edit] Music
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
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.
For new indie music try: 1.
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
For happy/anti-depressing music, read 1 and 2
Q: What song is this?
A: Humming Search SongTapper Musipedia
[edit] Typography
Q: What is this font?
A: Try Identifont or WhatTheFont.
[edit] Pets & Animals
Q: Help me name my cat/dog/other pet.
A: BowWow Petrix 2000 Dog Names Petrix 2000 Cat Names Pet Names World 11,000 pet names
Q: My cat exhibits this crazy behavior; is he/she the only one?
A: Nope, mine does it too. (x 1000)
[edit] Religion & Philosophy
[edit] Clothing, Beauty & Fashion
Q: How do I get this gasoline smell out of my clothes?
A: Drycleaning solvent. [1] [2]
