Quora is Qool

Quora is the new hot new thing, started by a couple of former Facebook engineers. It’s a wiki-style question and answer site, somewhat similar to the StackExchange sites, except not focused on a particular topic, and with some of the usual social network features. You can follow people and topics, for instance.

What kind of topics? Both broad and niche. Here’s some that I follow:

  * [How many servers does X have?](http://www.quora.com/How-Many-Servers-Does-X-Company-Have)
  * [What Technology Stack does X Use?](http://www.quora.com/What-Technology-Stack-Does-X-Use)
  * [Programming Languages](http://www.quora.com/Programming-Languages)
  * [Domain-Specific Languages](http://www.quora.com/Domain-Specific-Languages)
  * [Mobile Development](http://www.quora.com/Mobile-Development)
  * [Programming](http://www.quora.com/Programming)
  * [Web Application Frameworks](http://www.quora.com/Web-Application-Frameworks)
  * [Server-Side Javascript](http://www.quora.com/Server-Side-JavaScript)

As well as some interesting questions:

  * [How does one market a programming language?](http://www.quora.com/How-does-one-market-a-programming-language)
  * [What programming language is Gmail implemented in?](http://www.quora.com/What-programming-languages-is-Gmail-implemented-in)
  * [What are the main weaknesses of Python as a programming language?](http://www.quora.com/What-are-the-main-weaknesses-of-Python-as-a-programming-language)
  * [What are the main weaknesses of Ruby as a programming language?](http://www.quora.com/What-are-the-main-weaknesses-of-Ruby-as-a-programming-language)

etc. etc.

Technically, Quora is extremely well executed. It has excellent search for topics and questions. Real-time updates. A very well executed way of linking to topics, people and other questions. There’s also quite a few high-profile tech company people there, including many Amazon, Twitter and Facebook engineers.

I’m really liking it a lot. Asking a question is more or less anonymous, so you there’s no such as looking stupid asking a dumb question. And sharing your knowledge by answering questions is always a satisfying thing to do. Give it a shot!