If Your Name's Not Einstein, Go Ask A Scientist!

When your precocious grandchild comes to you with a perplexing question like "why doesn't time move backwards?" or "what are the main differences between Newtonian and Quantum Physics?" do you answer like Einstein or mumble "humada, humada" like Ralph Kramden of The Honeymooners? If your response is more Kramden than Einstein, try turning to the Web for help.

Here are a few sites where actual scientists and other experts do their best to answer those questions you can't:

• Ask A Question at the MadSci Network

• Ask A Scientist at The Cornell Center for Materials Research

• Ask the Experts at Scientific American

Remember to read the terms and conditions at each site and keep in mind that not every question will be answered. Next time your grandchildren ask one of those imponderable science questions tell 'em "let's go ask a scientist!"

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Got a passion for gardening but lack the green thumb to match? Don't worry. As long as your thumb is at least the opposable kind and you have an Internet connection, you should have no trouble finding the expert advice to grow the garden of your dreams.

Several gardening Web sites feature "ask the expert" sections. Here are a few examples:

• Ask Mr. Smarty Plants at Wildflower.org

• Ask the Expert at PlantersPlace.com

• Ask the Experts at GardenPlace.com

Spring is right around the corner. If you have gardening questions, you might find the answers right now on the Web-before planting season even begins!

Talking Turkey Online

Need some last minute advice and ideas on how to pull off a spectacular Thanksgiving that all your friends and relatives will rave about? Try turning to the Web were you'll find a feast of tips, tricks and helpful hints to make your holiday an all around success.

Start your search at these top-notch sites full of special holiday advice:

• MarthaStewart.com - Domestic Diva Martha Stewart serves up a hearty portion of helpful Thanksgiving ideas complete with a Thanksgiving Planner you can print out, cooking videos, decorating hints and more.

• RachaelRayShow.com - The ever popular Rachael Ray cooks up Rach's Thanksgiving Guide which includes recipes, decorating advice and even how-to videos including one where she shows you how to carve a turkey.

• Rd.com - Reader's Digest offers Thankgsgiving Tips for Hosts and Guests that includes all sorts of useful entertaining info designed to make your Thanksgiving run smoother.

With tons of great advice available like this online, your Thanksgiving should go off without a hitch!

Where To Ask Your Small Biz Questions

Got a small business question but don't know where to find someone who's qualified to answer it? Try the ask the expert sections of the following sites that champion the cause of small business owners and would-be entrepreneurs:

• Score.org - On the homepage of SCORE, a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration, you can type in the appropriate keywords and quickly locate experts who will answer your business questions by e-mail.

• Bplans.com - If you Ask a Question of the Bplans.com experts and they publish it on their Web site you'll be notified by e-mail. Even if they don't elect to answer your question, you might still find the answer you're looking for in their extensive business question and answer database.

• Entrepreneur.com - Type in your question at the Ask Entrepreneur section of the Web site and you'll be informed by e-mail when it's answered. Expect to receive your answer within 3-5 business days, although they can't guarantee that every question will be answered. You can also check their question and answer archive-someone else might have already asked the same question.

Don't keep those business questions bouncing around in your head-ask a business pro online at one of the sites above, instead!

Ask The Home Improvement Pros

Here's the problem: You've got a question about the do-it-yourself home improvement project you've decided to tackle, but you don't know anyone who has the answer. The solution? Try asking an expert online at the Web site of the popular TV show This Old House!

Here's how:

• Go to This Old House and click on Give & Get Advice from the top menu.
• On the resulting page under Ask This Old House, click on Ask Your Own Question.
• Fill out the online form and click Submit at the bottom of the page.

You should note that not every question submitted will be answered-as they clearly state on their Web site-but it's still worth a try. Or, you could always check their Archive of Questions-the answer you're looking for might already be there!

Got A Reference Question? Ask A Librarian Online

Remember the last time you were at your local library and you needed help with a reference question? You probably went straight to a librarian, right? But, did you know that you can get a librarian's help online too?

Many libraries-everything from your local library to the esteemed Library of Congress, offer an "ask a librarian" feature on their Web sites where you can submit your questions.

Here's how you'd ask a librarian a question at the Library of Congress online, for example:

1. Go to the Homepage of The Library of Congress.
2. Click on Ask A Librarian (top of page).
3. On the resulting page click the subject category your question corresponds to.
4. Fill in the online form with your question, a valid e-mail address and related contact information and wait to receive a response by e-mail.

It's that simple! According to the site, you should expect to receive a response in about 5 business days. So, what are you waiting for? Go ask your questions!

If A Tree Falls In The Forest...? Go Ask A Philosopher

Next time you have one of those deep, burning questions about the mysteries of life like, what's my purpose here on Earth?, or how do I determine right from wrong? or why are there so many reality TV shows? -okay, maybe not the last one-turn to the Web and ask a real live bona fide philosopher-and that doesn't mean e-mailing your cousin Bernie!

To find a real philosopher on the Web who's willing to answer those Big questions, all you have to do is point your browser to AskPhilosophers.org. At AskPhilosophers.org you'll find a willing panel of professional philosophers who are ready to tackle your most vexing questions regarding existence, beauty, truth, knowledge and everything else philosophical.

Next time you want to ask an important philosophical question don't worry about what happens if there's no one around to hear it-just head on over and post it to AskPhilosphers.org!

Got Health Questions? Go Ask Alice!

Want to know a site on the Web that lets you submit your own health-related questions? It's called Go Ask Alice! the Question and Answer Health site from Columbia University. According to the site, all questions submitted are read and a select few are answered.

Boasting an archive of over 3,000 questions and answers as well as the opportunity to submit your own, this popular health site covers topics like:

• Alcohol & Other Drugs
• Fitness & Nutrition
• Emotional Health
• General Health

And more! If you like a health site with a question and answer format, you'll love Go Ask Alice!