Quora, which bills itself as “a continually improving collection of questions and answers created, edited, and organized by everyone who uses it,” is a great example of the social media fishbowl in action. Its buzz comes from the fact that it’s a go-to (0r at least test-out) spot for early tech adopters and online “influencers.”

Unlike LinkedIn’s Q&A, however, it seems easy to game. (Robert Scoble, for example, recently voiced his irritation on this topic). Which makes it great if you’re in a popularity contest.

As a communications pro, I see it as part of my job to be aware of new online channels and tools and understand their potential uses. I’m not using RockMelt, but I have played with it. Similarly, I’m not using Posterous–but can speak to how it might be useful. Ditto for Amplify.

There are tools we monitor and tools that become part of our digital footprint. For now, Quora’s firmly in the first category. The service has yet to demonstrate it’s different enough (or broad-based enough) for me to warrant spending my time there.

Are you using Quora? If so, what’s been your experience?

Update: TechCrunch has a post this morning that pretty much underscores my point about the whole Quora fishbowl thing. Some of the comments are well worth the read.

Photo by Tristan Ferne (Flickr).