The number of questions asked of the online panel of experts run by ruralnet|uk rose 63% between the last quarter of 2004 and the first quarter of 2005. The top four topic areas were ICT, Legal Issues, Funding Strategies and Community Engagement.
"We launched Experts Online in October 2002 but it's one of those services that sounds too good to be true. They are real experts and you do get a quick answer to your question!" said David Ellis, the manager of Experts Online.
Experts Online is a free service provided to the 2,700 subscribers to one of the 20 networks suppported by ruralnet|uk through the Networks Online initiative (see www.networksonline.org.uk). As well as subscribers being able to submit questions to the expert panel, they also have access to an online library containing funding alerts, guidelines, sample policies and organisational development tools.
The other areas of expertise covered by the service include: Community Broadband, Business Planning, Health and Safety, ICT Funding, Employment Issues and Computer System Security.
The evaluation of the service also showed that on average each answer is read by 7 other people which gives an indication of the multiplier effect of running the service as a shared and moderated question and answer forum.
For a 14-day free trial of the service, visit www.ruralnet.org.uk/join.htm
Notes to editors
1. ruralnet|uk is a rural development charity and social enterprise. For more information see www.ruralnetuk.org. A pioneer in building online communities, ruralnet|uk shares its online services with over 20 different networks, both urban and rural, under the banner of Networks Online. Details of the Networks Online concept can be seen at www.networksonline.org.uk/extranets.htm
2. Experts Online is a core service, available to any subscriber who joins one of the many Networks Online networks. Go to www.ruralnet.org.uk for further details or to subscribe to ruralnet|online.
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