User:LUUWDA/Fluther.com

Fluther is a free question-and-answer (Q&A) website with some of the features of a social networking website.

Users submit questions to the user-base and answer questions posed by others. It is intended to be a resource for those looking to either solve a problem or generate a discussion. Once submitted, questions are routed toward users that may be able to answer them. In turn, users are encouraged to answer questions relevant to their own fields of expertise.

Fluther uses a jellyfish as its mascot (specifically, “Dr. J”, a jellyfish with glasses). The site's name itself is derived from the term for a collection of jellyfish. Fluther users are often referred to as "jellies".

Fluther was created by Ben Finkel and Andrew McClain. . It launched in October 2006.

Operation
Fluther revolves around questions and answers. Simply put, Fluther allows users to answer the questions asked by others and ask questions of their own. Questions of two varieties are accepted on Fluther. Users may either "solve a problem" ("I need advice about…", "I need a suggestion about…", "I’m curious why…") or "start a discussion" ("What’s your position on…?", "Has this ever happened to you?").

To be as effective as possible, questions are directed towards those who are most knowledgeable about that particular subject. Users specify their "fields of expertise", and any question related to these subjects is brought to their attention.

In addition to viewing the site on a normal web browser, Fluther also offers a mobile version of its site to smart phone users. Users can also subscribe to an RSS feed of recently asked questions or follow the site’s Twitter feed. In addition, an IM “bot”, named Flutherbot, is available; it alerts users of questions that may be of interest to them.

Moderation
Fluther uses a moderation system enforced almost exclusively by members of the site. When a question or comment is left on Fluther, users have the chance to "flag" it if it fails to meet Fluther guidelines. Doing so sends a notification to moderators of the site who can then take appropriate action. Questions that are moderated can be edited to meet guideline; comments that are moderated are removed completely. The Fluther moderators are personally selected by the site's founders.

Lurve
“Lurve” (a slang term for the word “love” popularized in the Woody Allen film “Annie Hall”, expressing something stronger than love) is a point system used by Fluther to signify the amount of positive contribution a user has made to the community. Users attain lurve when others feel they have provided a "great answer" or asked a "great question".

Awards
In addition to Lurve, site participation is rewarded with various "awards", given to users who accomplish a particular task or reach a milestone. In keeping with the overall theme of the site, awards have been given nautical titles.

Awards and recognition

 * In December 2007, Fluther was included in Webware's "10 great Web site designs/redesigns of 2007".
 * In February 2009, Fluther was nominated for a People’s Choice award at the 2009 SXSW (South by Southwest) Interactive Conference in Austin, Texas.
 * In March 2009, Fluther was nominated for a CNet 2009 Web 100 award.

Funding
In September, 2009 Fluther was awarded $600,000 in seed money by a group of venture capitalists based in Silicon Valley.