Importance

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Abstract

A computer-based system facilitates exchange of information between users and expert respondents. The users post questions on a topic to a computer bulletin board or forum, using a telephone and modem connection to a remote server. The respondents contact the server by telephone, and receive a list of questions that have been posted. The respondents then dictate answers orally, by telephone, and the answers are recorded and stored by the server as sound files. The stored answers can later be played back by users who connect to the server through their personal computers. The answers can also be transcribed into text files for viewing by the users. Thus, a user can both hear the recorded voice of the respondent and see the stored text of the respondent's answer. The system makes it easy for respondents to answer questions, or provide comments, especially in cases where a respondent is not familiar with computer technology, or where a respondent is not conveniently located near a computer.

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First Claim