Q&A site for Baby Boomers

A new web site wants to be a resource for and by Baby Boomers to exchange advice on everything from retirement to vacation ideas.

When it comes to Boomerater.com, think of Yahoo Answers but tailored towards Boomer-specific content in a simple, easy-to-use interface, according to a press release.

Ironically, the site's co-founder, Rami Weiss, is 28 years old, far from a Baby Boomer. But he said he conceived of the site after watching his in-laws struggle to get recommendations on suitable assisted-living options for their aging parents.

“The web offers a huge number of sites for my generation to exchange advice and ideas, but it is extremely lacking in sites where Boomers can do the same,” said Weiss in a press release. “Boomerater fills this gap; it’s a simple, easy-to-use resource where Boomers’ first-hand knowledge and interests drive the discussion – not self-proclaimed ‘experts’ who believe they know what Boomers want."

A look at the site reveals several forums in which Baby Boomers can both seek advice and give advice. The forums include: Financial, Housing & Community, Health & Fitness, Family & Friendships, Travel, Shopping, Interests & Passions, and Career.

In the Travel forum, for example, someone with a recreational vehicle wants some suggestions on where to go. The RV'ers request has one response so far. In the Health & Fitness forum, a Boomer is thinking about trying yoga and wants to hear from other Boomers about the pros and cons. That question has gone begging so far.

“Boomers lead busy lives and face many challenges, having to make decisions not only for their own lives, but also for their children, grandchildren and parents,” said co-founder Leigh Bolton, 55, who brings the Boomer perspective to the venture. “Boomerater is not a social network where the focus is on making friends – rather it’s an online community to learn from others who have already dealt with similar situations.”

The site is currently in beta -- or testing, early release -- form and is seeking feedback from site goers.

One blog's take wasn't very favorable saying "baby boomers don't want to hang out online with other baby boomers because it makes them feel old."

Tech Crunch in the Washington Post noted:

"Boomerater falls into the same trap as Eons, the social network for baby boomers that launched in August 2006 and has had a bumpy road so far. A year after its launch, it was forced to reduce its headcount by 50% and ultimately had to shift its strategy significantly by lowering the minimum age requirement from 50 to 13. Last week, Eons had to cut another 24 percent of its staff."

An Eons life expectancy calculator was examined last week in this space.

It's likely Boomerater.com, like Eons, will become an entree in a large buffet of web site offerings that Boomers can try and maybe go back for seconds or thirds … however many times they continue to find it appealing.