Comments on: If You Have ChaCha and a Cellphone, You Have Answers

By: Caring about Literacy | abigoodfellow

Caring about Literacy | abigoodfellow — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 17:19:05 +0000

[...] they come up with the answers, and throw in a little ‘magic’, as an added bonus. Walt Mossberg of the Wall Street Journal heaps praise upon this technological gem, effusing: ’if you [...]

By: ChaCha doesn’t give answers like this « Foster Growth

ChaCha doesn’t give answers like this « Foster Growth — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 13:30:44 +0000

[...] days you can get answers sent via text message to your cell phone from places like ChaCha. Sometimes it works. Then again, sometimes it doesn’t. I will point out that the answers you get from [...]

By: ChaCha’s Free Text Msg Reference Service and Some Indignant Librarians « LJ Insider

Sat, 26 Jun 2010 00:33:11 +0000

[...] Street Journal personal technology columnist Walt Mossberg wrote a column yesterday touting ChaCha’s free reference service, allowing cellphone users to make a voice call, then [...]

By: terri159446

terri159446 — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 03:20:24 +0000

i love to use cha cha, it's very helpful. one day i got a survey and i was joking around and i put i was 11 but thats not really not my age. so now i cant use cha cha. i have been on terms of use and that doesn't do anything to help. i'm really mad!!! someone please help me!!!!!!Thanks jake

By: Review - Chacha.com - excellent - EXPERTS ADVICE FORUM

Review - Chacha.com - excellent - EXPERTS ADVICE FORUM — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 09:19:59 +0000

[...] 2007. 3. "ChaCha Raises $6 Million In Development Funds", by InternetFinancialNews.com 4. If You Have ChaCha and a Cellphone, You Have Answers | Walt Mossberg | Personal Technology | AllThin… 5. "ChaCha Receives Coveted Frost & Sullivan 2008 Product Innovation Award", ChaCha [...]

By: Digital Solid: Marketing Technology ROI » ChaCha on! Use free cell phone texts to settle bets and get smarter

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 16:02:44 +0000

[...] speaking of ChaCha. Reading reports about it intrigued me. I love the idea of settling bets quickly and (hopefully) conclusively. And hey, I can [...]

By: stani everett

stani everett — Tue, 20 May 2008 01:37:14 +0000

really ? ? ? Library? ? ? I’m Still waiting for the lackeys in CPLS to call me back . . i wanted to find out how the bulls did in the playoffs while i was out of town in 1997.LOLL

By: Max Leepson

Max Leepson — Mon, 05 May 2008 14:34:35 +0000

I asked ChaCha last night via text message the joke/question on a popsicle stick and when the guide responded they gave the incorrect answer. :o I replied (I love that feature) and told them the correct answer (after my cousin finished his popsicle) and the guide said that they were building a database of jokes and riddles.

By: rod sandcones

rod sandcones — Thu, 01 May 2008 20:53:23 +0000

Yahoo Local I find very useful as a guide to local places, things to do, where to eat, local maps, et cetara, especially when I’m travelling. I really have no opinion on chacha. Why reinvent the wheel?

By: Dennis Carachiola

Dennis Carachiola — Thu, 01 May 2008 19:19:09 +0000

Well, I found out how they make their money. You agree to waive your do-not-call rights in exchange for asking your question.

I went to the ChaCha web site and found this:

“When you visit the Site, use the Services, or contact ChaCha by other means, you consent to receive communications from ChaCha.ChaCha may contact you electronically or by other means ChaCha chooses, and ChaCha may contact you at any place that ChaCha may locate you.You agree that all agreements, notices, disclosures, and other communications that ChaCha provides to you via text message, email, or other form of electronic communication shall satisfy any legal requirement that such communications be in writing.”

They continue:

“The CAN-SPAM act, state and federal Do-Not-Call registries, and the Telephone Consumer Privacy Act of 1991 exist to prevent unsolicited telemarketing calls and the use of automatic dialing machines to call wireless devices, not to prevent such calls to persons who have requested to be contacted. Under Federal rules and those of most states, “safe harbors” exist to allow a consumer to expressly grant permission to be contacted even though they have registered their phone number with a state or federal Do-Not-Call registry. By accepting these Terms and submitting a query or request to ChaCha via voice, text, or internet, you expressly agree that we may send a response to your queries to your wireless device or email via an SMS text message or email or WAP Push Message or MMS message. You are granting express permission to receive our response even if you are registered on a Do-Not-Call registry.”

Here’s the important part:

“You expressly agree that, as part of the Services provided by ChaCha, you may receive promotional communications, alerts, and **third party advertising materials** from ChaCha via text message. You may stop receiving such text messages by emailing your request to opt-out, along with your wireless telephone number, to chacha_help@chacha.com, or following any opt-out instructions in the relevant text message.” (emphasis mine)

You can’t say they didn’t warn you. But a mention in the main article that you are consenting to be contacted by telemarketers would have been nice.

Dennis