I'm desperate.  I submitted my application (both steps) to Google
Answers AGES ago (OK...two weeks ago) and
they...haven't...gotten...back...to...me...yet.  I love this thing.  I
don't even know why, I just do.  So my question is...when am I going
to hear from you guys?????

All questions regarding Google Answers should be directed via e-mail to:

answers-support@google.com.

Thank you!

was davidsar-ga 's answer considered answered
i.e. was he debited $4.00 ?

I have been waiting over 1 month to be accepted, I filled in the
essay, I answered the 3 questions but haven't heard a thing!

I filled my essay, I answered my question, I even got approved, but i
still can't answer, because they say now they have to "activate" my
account, and that was a week ago.  This is ridiculous.

I think that the final "activation" phase that a new researcher has to
wait through is to find out who are the cranky impatient whiners and
who are the professionals.

Personally, I think they should solicit regular "real world" resumes. 
A quickie "online application" is going to leave Google with a lot of
"bad" researchers, and I really think it's gonna give them a lot of
grief down the road.

Of course, when a dot-com sees an opportunity for instant cash (like
this one) they'll jump on it and push it through so fast your head
will spin.  When it sinks like a stone, they all go down with a dumb,
surprised look on their faces.

BTW, I've applied to be a researcher too, but am not sure I want to be
one anymore.  Most of the answers I've seen (in terms of quality) can
be gotten entirely free on various web boards, Usenet, etc... maybe
with a few spelling errors, that's truly the only difference I see as
regards "professionalism."

I, too, have recently applied to become a researcher. However, what I
have noticed on some of the questions asked are a lot of comments and
no commitment to a particular answer. Especially on the expired
questions that direct the person to their ultimate goal - the answer.
Comments are good only after a commitment to the answer has been made.
Otherwise, clients are getting free information without any liability
to pay for the answer. Hence, we do not get paid.

core-ga At the risk of turning this into a debate, I think that you
are missing the whole point of Google Answers by saying:

" Most of the answers I've seen (in terms of quality) can be gotten
entirely  free on various web boards, Usenet, etc... maybe with a few
spelling errors, that's truly the only difference I see as regards
"professionalism." "

The users of the service are paying for it because they do not have
the resources (Usually time, but also search training or topic
expertise.) to get the answer themselves.

At the very least the researchers are professional in so much as they
have the necessary "resources" to provide the answer and do so at a
price.

Just like using a professional car mechanic, sure you can do it, if
you know how or have the time to learn, the tools etc. But can you do
it as fast and as tidily, is the time spent worth while...and do you
get a refund if the repairs fail?

I think Google Answer is a great idea.  It's an intellectual version
of Ebay.  Amateur researchers won't get paid for poor answers and will
quickly stop answering questions.  Good researchers or subject matter
experts will have a new way to goof off at work or home by racking up
$4 a piece for good ansers.

Like all new things, Things take time and patience only shows one thing. Commitment.

My application was accepted exactly a month ago today and I'm still
waiting for it to be activated.  There's no point moaning about it, I
expect they're inundated and it will take time to get through all the
applications and activate those that they've accepted.

As to the quality of researchers, you do have to prove that you're
able to provide clear, concise and accurate answers before they accept
you, so I don't think they're going to be looking at a lot of "grief"
down the track.  Personally, I am a qualified researcher, as I suspect
many others are.

What it boils down to, I suspect, is time.  Time for them to answer
everyone and time for the service to become popular enough for them to
take on board all the researchers they have accepted.

milamba-ga

I think Google Answers needs a screening process for *real* experts in
a field, not just expert ~researchers~ ... What other services are
similar to this?

Somehow, Feral, I don't think the "make me a Researcher or else"
approach is going to work.

--Missy, who earned her spot on the team the hard way.