Because I also need some answers. To share knowledge.

For straight forward questions, it's fun to know that you knew or were able to find the answer to a question that others couldn't. If nothing else, it makes you feel useful. For ethical and opinion questions, it's interesting to share, compare, and contrast your views to others. The drawback is that you get a lot of people that take disagreeing on an issue personally and last out, which is why a lot of people stop answering questions on Answerbag.

because people need my help, and i like to think i'm making a difference in the world. my answers are working towards solving world hunger, just wait and see wait and see

Because answerbag has grown to be a part of my life. It is a great site that you put together. I came on here not expecting much, but found a lot. I have made new friends here at answerbag, and I like to share my knowledge with them. I want people to answer my questions, so I will answer theirs. Plus it is addictive! :)

Because I seek to find answers through helping others find theirs. It also helps me think outside the box on a number of topics that I may not otherwise think about that much.

In helping others,it seems to help me. Feel better about myself.

For fun, and to help others! I learn alot here to!

Everybody in the world needs a bit of knowledge here and there. Whether it's useful or not. I came to Answerbag because at the time I needed answers. Now, I get to do both. Answer and find answers. Answerbag is like an addictive family network. Some people's opinions and answers you don't like, others you do. That's what's so good about it! So many different sides to the same question. As for answering questions, if I can help at least one person a day I have made a difference for someone. Here's to hoping Answerbag is around for a long time! Thanks for asking!

It's addicting. A habit for me. I love answering questions. I learn lots of things by answering.

I answer questions now for a few reasons. Though it sounds clichéd, I like to impart what knowledge I have on other people (hey, why should I be the only one carrying this useless stuff around in my head?!) But as I've answered questions, I've found I've established forms of relationships with people. Continuing to answer questions helps me to continue these relationships. It allows me to 'touch base' with people who I wouldn't ordinarily speak to in my regular life. Now, I literally get 'Answerbag sick' if I don't come on here. I feel the way I do if I don't see my family for a few days. I think that's how I know I'm addicted! If you ever take this site down Joel, you'll be responsible for a lot of unhappy people!

to entertain myself

Joel, I'm an AB junkie. I can't help myself. I mean, just one line I tell myself, just a one line answer. But one is never enough Joel, never enough. I need it pumping round me veins Joel!

Because when you have received, you understand the value of giving.

Oh, I was going to give a flippant answer like, "Masochism, I guess." Since you are probably looking for actual answers to study user patterns and behaviors, I guess I'll have to give a real answer! Last year about this same time, I was looking for information on Mormon polygyny. Answerbag was one of the first results on Google. I received my answer, and began to poke around the rest of the religion section. I found the information interesting. I read the Wicca section and was appalled by the answers. I began answering. I got busy with other things (divorce, etc), and didn't come back on a regular basis. In September, I was bedridden with a herniated disc in my neck. I was SOOO bored. So I came back out here. I was delighted to see the new format. The site was much more active. Now I answer questions to try to help people, give accurate information, or offer a viewpoint that is different from the mainstream. I feel more like I am part of a community to which I would like to add some value. The new rating system is like an addictive game, btw. One thing I really wish is that the "you've rated this user too many times" algorithm could be improved. I understand that it keeps trolls from rating people down a lot, and it keeps friends from boosting each other's ratings erroneously. However, I wish the algorithim were more discriminating. For instance, I rate a LOT. I try to give feedback on most every answer. So, I naturally end up rating more active users more often than I do the less active users. Could the algorithim be improved to take into consideration the percentage of feedback given? For instance, if I try to rate up Boredasmustard, it tells me I rate her too often. This seems to be based upon a fixed number. Could it instead be based upon totalling my positive ratings for the week, and determining what percentage were given to Boredasmustard? If that percentage isn't too out of the ordinary, it should let me rate her. Just a suggestion that has nothing to do with your question. Peace out.

Because you pay me to. Duh! Oops. Delete delete delete

It seems to be helping me to focus my thinking. EDIT 12/29/06 It makes me aware of how vested I am in believing that I know what I'm talking about. So I HOPE it's helping me to nurture a kind of habitual humility...if there can be such a thing without it becoming pathological behavior. Happy Chrismahanukwanzaka!!!

To see people's reaction hehe and to help of course

because i like the qusetions that people ask, if it wern't for answer bag i would not have learn't alot of stuff.and because i like meeting the people on here because they are all great.

There may be questions asked from time to time that I may honestly be able help someone.

I find it to be relaxing. To answer some questions that I may have knowledge of that could helpsome one else. Spread the wisdom around.

To try and keep my brain active, or it can sometimes be in danger of under-use..

to help other people on this web site

Boredom.

It is a great joy of mine to share knowledge. I draw satisfaction that I did something that helped someone understand. I'm sure that is the same with the majority of the people here.

Because just when I think I have all the answers it turns out I don't!

Because I came here looking a few answers and I feel its good to give back to the site. Also, I love sharing views and opinions. And there are so many interesting topics, I could read questions and answers on here for days!!

In 63 years, i have a world of knowledge, concerning a lot of lifes experiences. no, i do not know everything. but, i am willing to share my past experiences and knowledge to people unaware and the younger generation. I can tell that many younger people subscribe to Answerbag, simply because of their questions. maybe, these questions are not being answered at home or the questions may be too embarrasing to ask a family member or friend. Being on Answerbag is like shooting a gun in the dark. you can make the shot(question) and no one knows who you are or where you live. Answerbag is an open forum for the people, by the people.

I was dilligently looking for some answers. Answerbag showed me that by answering questions for others I could find more than one answer for myself. For that I will always be grateful.

Because I hope to help a bit and also because it's really fun.

I answer questions on Answerbag because I know what it's like to be lost with a question of my own. Answerbag is an awesome resource to find information on just about anything. I think that people really appreciate all the different opinions and answers given. I enjoy being part of such an interactive information network.

I like sharing my opinions/knowledge/experiances with others, helping people is nice. It's a great learning process too.

Because I know I want people to answer my questions when i have them too. And because Myspace just really isnt that fun anymore.

For fun, i go on mostly when there's nothing to do.

because I don't mind giving my two cents to those who need it.

Being here at Answerbag,has taught me alot about myself,and that my idea's and wisdom through my year's are important,and helpful to other's, and that is something I never thought about before - And that is a great feeling to be able, to carry around with me.And so many people have helped me also,Can't get much better than that !! --- Pattijo

Because I hope I am helping someone when they ask and some questions peak my interest so I answer to see if others agree or not. Helps to temper your own viewpoint sometimes to read what others think aboutthe same subject. In addition, most all ABers are good enough to respect each others opinions.

because i am BOOOORED to death....I love ANSWERBAG thou

Joel, I kind of envy you. You've found a way to make money through something you can be quite proud of.

I am opinionated.. I love to answer questions in which I can use my experiences, thoughts and beliefs. I like reading what other's think and have experience in. It is good to pass the time with in a pretty constructive way. I like to look things up and find answers to questions asked in which I would like the answer to as well and be able to show them where they can find the information they are seeking.

I love to read the opinions of others, but once I've read them, I often can't resist adding my own! I also like to help others with genuine questions I am able to answer.

I enjoy offering my opinion especially when it is useful to others. A lot of the questions I answer involve people who need an answer relatively quickly because it's a situational problem. I enjoy helping others and getting help when needed.

I think I actually read answers more than I respond. The main reason behind this being that someone usually already says what I was going to say, anyway, so no point in hearing the same thing twice, right? Plus, I get to give props to those who make sense. I'm a little too nice with the "giving-out-thumbs-up" thing, lol

I answer because I would like to make new friends asnd be able to talk to others male or female. I sometimes feel confused or do not know the answer.Please contact me any time. Thanks nickki1010

I like to answer questions to either share what knowledge I have or to share my opinion.

So I can advance my agenda of EVIL! Mawaha *starts coughing* !! ----- It's just kinda fun... the evil agenda, I mean.

Because it's fun answering other people's Questions.

I came on here also thanks to a google search. I had so much fun interacting with some of the AB'ers and answering questions and I found I too had questions I had no one to ask. I could ask friends but its not the same since on here you get answers and points of view from all over the globe. Its a great thing you've created Joel. Dont ever take it down. Please. Pretty please. With sugar and a million bucks on top...

Obviously because i have a very sad life and need something to keep me entertained. If other peoples questions ,problems and answers is the best I can find then where better to be than AB?

So that someone like you would answer mine.i am not being selfish

I want to do my best to help others and also to earn points

I got banned from Yahoo answers after building up a very good answer history, because they have an absolutely moronic system there where anyone can report your answer to the automatic mods, who indiscriminately cancel your account without checking the claims. Trolls have a ball!! You not only lose your answers account, but also any other Yahoo accounts you had as well, like "My Yahoo" and your email account!!! All of it in the hands of trolls!! Yahoo don't wanna even listen to the hundreds of complaints about it by people like me who got banned. So now I don't want anything to do with that stupid company or its sites. They are a vacuous bunch of utter shit heads IMHO!! Don't take the risk of using Y.A if you have a lot of Yahoo stuff to loose!!!

I love to share what I know. THere is no sense in being afraid someone might know more than you. Ignorance causes problems.

Mainly, I come here to ask questions. But if I know an answer to someone's question, I'll answer it :-)

Honestly, because I have nothing better to do in school.

I like to put my 2 cents into things- it makes me feel important to have someone asking a question, and expecting me to answer it. Sometimes I feel happy or excited even when I have a really good answer, or something really helpful, and I feel like by asking a question on this site, sometimes you are looking for help or someone to identify with you. It feels good to be just that little something that someone was looking for. Not to mention the answers i get back have been very helpful.

greetings and salutations ABJoel. i love broadening my answering capabilities-as mentioned in my profile. i love a good challange now and then. i joined because the once calm atmosphere on yahoo answers was shattered by trolls. abuse up the glutious maximus! so much abuse, many friends ive known left.. so far, iam attracted by AB's levels/points system..not so much the down rating option lol! i also love the comments where you can chat and make new friends. iam an up and coming answerbagger

because i wanna help people.

Because it's fun and I am bored

In hopes that I could actually help someone. It helps me keep busy also. The days get so long when your waiting for someone to come home.

Mostly to help. Points are fun, but normally I just want to give my two cents.

a little of both, or to make some sarcastically witty comment too

I don't answer questions for the points, but I don't always answer questions to help someone out. There are many motives, including boredom.

I answer to try and help. I feel that I have a lot to give

I usually just like to give people my point of view when they ask for it, or ever when they don't. I also love to get points, but I prefer comments. I like to hear what people think about things I say.

Normally because I'm interested in the question and am bored enough to answer. Sometimes to help too, if it's that sort of question.

I little of both. I actually answer because it's fun and I learn things, especially if it makes me think or gets me to remember things from my past. I love those kinds of questions. A few ABers seem to really get me remembering and I look forward to their questions because of that. I'd answer even if they couldn't give me points. I do want to help people, it's part of my nature. And being conscious of the points make me write a better answer, more concise because I realize that some people are busy and only have so much time to read.

Because I'm bored, because I'm using it to avoid doing other things I need to be doing, because it's fun, because I like the people here, because I'm an egomaniac and I like telling everybody what I think whether they want to hear it or not - and occasionally I hope I help people out. Points really aren't something I think about - it's not like I can do anything with them. Maybe if I could save them up to buy something with them I'd do it for points.

I like to answer questions so I can help people out. And, I am really outspoken, so I'll spread my opinion anywhere. But, with silly questions, I try to be clever, as if it's a contest. Earning the points doesn't really matter, but when I get some it makes me feel like someone else thought my answer or silly response was good.

It's answerbag, not grab-some-pointsbag, though some people use it like that. I think that most people here, like myself, answer questions to add useful information, correct inaccurate information, post a humorous comment or lend an opinion. The points are fun but not the ulitmate reason to be here.

To help if it is a serious question, for fun if it is a light hearted question, and maybe just to express an opinion if it is that sort of question.

I hopefully answer questions that give people asking them , information/answers/advice on the particular subject. Perhaps also, to give people a little insight into the type of personality that I have. (Which hopefully doesn't come across as being unpleasant.) I like to think that I'm a fairly nice guy. :-) I'm not really in it for the points.

I answer to help. Whatever I get points wise is secondary and not that important to me.

I feel like I've met alot of new and interesting people, and I needed something new in my life, something to keep my mind off of myself and my problams. People seem to really get in there and help people with things they've been thru. People do care, i've seen alot of very good answers from some awsome people. Thanks to you all!

It is fun.

Because I get bored and I like giving people advice.

TO get points and be the leader on answerbag and to help people

It makes me feel useful. And I like improving my rank.

probably because i am a smart-ass and have no real life friends except my husband. he tires easily from my droning on and on.

So i can feel the power of putting points in peoples questions and answer muhahahahahahahahaha

To create value (hopefully) Mr. Joel :)