Where to Get Your Webcam Questions Answered

photo credit: alexanderdrachmann

A lot of people in the younger generations take it for granted how easily technology knowledge comes to them. For example, a couple of weeks ago I got the nastiest computer virus you can get. I don’t have much experience with viruses, but after a couple of hours I was able to wipe it out. On the other hand, I once tried to teach my mom how to use a computer. It ended with her barely able to turn it on (Okay, Mom, you have to hit enter once you put in the web address…you don’t really need to select the address…that’s not the enter button!…it’s deleted.) Webcams can be especially tricky, since they are a bit more complicated than just entering an URL. So for the technologically illiterate among us, here are the best (and not so great) sites to answer all of your webcam questions:

Wikipedia:

As I’m sure you all know, Wikipedia is an online encyclopaedia that can be revised by anyone. The page about webcams on Wikipedia is great if you’re interested in the history of webcams, how they work, or the various advantages they’ve brought people (the deaf, for example.) But if you want a site that will help you learn how to use a webcam, this isn’t the page for you. It fails as a how-to site, and the jargon will likely go over your head. But once you do become comfortable with webcams, I recommend checking out the page anyways. It’s a great read.

Wiki Answers:

Wiki Answers has its advantages and disadvantages. You post a question and wait for an answer. You have to remember that the people answering your questions may not be experts, and may have no idea what they’re talking about. Also, if you’re reading through other people’s questions and answers, you may not get information specific to your situation. I say try posting your own question, and hope that the right person comes along and answers it.

Yahoo Answers:

Yahoo Answers is similar to Wiki Answers, but with one big advantage. More than one answer can be posted. So while you may not get a genius on your first try, you’re likely to get someone who knows what they are talking about eventually. If you insist on using a site with “Answers” in the title, make it this one.

e How:

e How  is a fantastic website to answer all your webcam needs. You can’t specifically ask a question, but you can do a search through all the articles related to your question, and there are plenty. The articles are easy to read and understand, with a lot of time and dedication given to all of them. Also, once you master the basics of a webcam, there are quite a few articles that can help you take it to the next level.

OnlineHowTo:

This works similar to e How, with a how-to guide taking you through the steps of set up. However, unfortunately, they only have one article on webcams, and it’s how to set up a Skype webcam. Great if you’re using a Skype! Not so great if you’re using anything else.

Anybodyoutthere:

Anybodyoutthere is a site where you can post pretty much any topic and start a discussion about it. It’s a interesting use of social media, but not the place I would go for a serious answer to any of my questions. It promotes more of a stream of consciousness like discourse, not an in depth instruction manual how on to use technology.

Blurtit:

Blurtit is similar to other ask and answer sites. It’s actually quite a bit easier to use, since on the home page you can ask your question and it’s immediately posted. No registration, no giving your email, no fuss. The only down part is that Blurtit isn’t as popular as yahoo! or Wiki, but I would still try it out.

Most of these websites will answer any questions you might have about a webcam (or anything else for that matter.) It may seem scary at first, but even your computer whiz friend or family member had to start with an instruction manual.