I propose a website where people with expertise in certain areas (mine is audio electronics, for instance), can register their IM screen names (possibly through a unique protocol, or maybe just through the already-used ones), and when you have a question about Chemistry or Banking or Architecture or
whatever that you are not an expert in, you can look up someone, put them on your buddy list, and ask them.
I answer questions about electronics in real time in exchange for you answering questions about this "certificate account dividend rate APY" stuff that I don't understand.
Yeah I can look it up online, but I'd rather discuss it with someone knowledgeable.