Answer Life's Burning Questions by noahw
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People search for stuff at Instructables all the time. Sometimes they find what they're looking for, sometimes they don't. But there are a few common how-tos that come up often enough that make us wonder, "why don't we have an Instructable on that?"

The answer is of course, because no one has written one. But you can change all that.

Below I've listed out a number of popular 'wanted Instructables'. If you write an Instructable about one of these topics we will send you a free Instructables Robot T-shirt. Answer more than one of these questions and and we won't keep sending you shirts, but we probably will send you something cool that we have made here at Instructables HQ.

Wanted Instructables:

  • How to cook prime rib
  • How to make out (stay classy on this one)
  • How to make a man fall in love
  • How to cut hair
  • How to build a deck
  • How to fly fish
  • How to pour a beer (including methods from a bottle and from a tap)

The only rules are:

  • The Instructables have to be of good quality. Lots of people are looking for these answers so put some extra effort in. They have to be detailed, contain plenty of good pictures, and actually provide a good answer to the question. If they're lousy (you know when they are), no t-shirt for you.
  • They have to be titled as above (or with very minor variation). Why? Because that's what people are looking for.
  • They have to have a publish date after September 3rd.
  • They have to be on the list! Only Instructables answering questions on the list will be admitted to the group.

Generally, there's going to be only one winner, but if there's a good faith effort by two people at the same time, we'll call both of you winners.

I've created a group to keep track of everything, called Burning Questions. If you want the shirt, you've got to add your Instructable to the group.

When we've determined an Instructable is of high enough quality, we'll add a link to it below, in the "Answered Questions" section and take it away from our "Wanted" list. Once it's added to the Burning Questions group I will send you a private message letting you know how you can claim your free shirt.

Have any questions about the Burning Questions Contest? Comments? Post them below as comments to this instructable!

Answered Questions:

P.S.
This is how to add an Instructable to a group.
And this is how to write a great Instructable.
 
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watermelonhead says: Jun 30, 2009. 1:02 PM
what about "what is the meaning of life?" that's one of life's burning questions- and i know the answer! 42!!!
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josuchav says: Dec 13, 2010. 6:52 AM
Yeah, but that is not a very useful answer...
How about an ible on how to aske the right question in order to understand the meaning of life, the universe and everything?


We might need a lot of mice for this one.
Wolf Seril says: Nov 17, 2007. 11:17 AM
I have great burning question that I am in serious need of right now. How do you fix a broken USB cable? My rabbit chewed it up. Along with a bunch of other cords- actually, just how do you fix cables in general?
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Ausmaus says: Nov 18, 2007. 8:42 PM
If they've just been chewed through, you can solder the wires together. If you're not sure how that works, I'm certain there are a great many soldering instructables on the site.
Fire Explorer 3 says: Dec 2, 2010. 9:29 PM
Don't bother fixing (*gasp*), buy new...seriously... fixed ones imnsho usually dont work well/right/at all.
Rock Soldier says: Nov 28, 2009. 10:07 PM
I think a "How to answer someone's question" Instructable would be nice.
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Foaly7 says: Sep 6, 2008. 12:43 PM
A nice instructable would be one on the ultimate and Perfect Batch File that includes a lot of features.
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threecheersfornick says: Feb 22, 2008. 2:37 PM
An instructable on how to sing would be good.
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homba says: Jan 18, 2008. 1:12 PM
Is this still going on? I could whip up a hair cutting instructable. I cut both of my boys' hair and they're starting to get shaggy. :) I can also do a mean prime rib and a deck to put your grill on ... hmmm
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noahw says: Jan 18, 2008. 2:58 PM
This is actually the old burning questions Instructable. The contest is still going on (it doesn't have an end date) and is now published with more up to date specifics at:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Answer-Lifes-Burning-Questions---Round-3/

How to cook prime rib has already been answered - but we are still looking for a hair cutting Instructable (using scissors).

Check out the list of what we still want answered on the link above and see if your interested in doing any of them.
homba says: Jan 18, 2008. 8:15 PM
I'm on it - thanks!
ScruffyRasputin says: Dec 6, 2007. 8:30 AM
I think it would be great if someone could post an instructable on how to skin and tan an animal. I have read several guides on it, but have not had the chance to give it a shot, and think it would be more useful to hear directly from someone who has the practical experience. I'd also be interested in an instructable on different kinds of spring snares for catching food. Basically, I'm interested in survival skills.
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chaoscampbell says: Dec 22, 2007. 9:50 PM
there is an episode of "dirty jobs" on discovery channel that is all about a facility that does all the tanning and hide proccessing..... its all shown pretty much step by step.
drinkmorecoffee says: Sep 21, 2007. 12:27 PM
I think how to hitchhike should be on the list...
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ScruffyRasputin says: Dec 6, 2007. 8:23 AM
Agreed. I would like to learn about that, especially since it seems much less possible these days (at least, in the US)
ScruffyRasputin says: Dec 4, 2007. 11:28 PM
I'm working on a killing-off ant instructable right now...but I need to write a ten page picture and take images for the instructable before I can finish it.
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ScruffyRasputin says: Dec 5, 2007. 10:46 AM
done with the instructable...also, I meant to write paper instead of picture XP
noahw says: Dec 5, 2007. 11:09 AM
Just saw it submitted to the group. The group is managed, so Instructables don't get added instantly - thats why your project didn't appear in the group when you added it. I'll check it out and get back to you later today with the next step. Thanks for answering a burning question!
ScruffyRasputin says: Dec 5, 2007. 1:22 PM
Just glad to help. I think I may have submitted it a few too many times because I didn't understand it was moderated at first. Thanks for the comment!
Brennn10 says: Dec 3, 2007. 5:18 PM
Just got a fly fishing rod for my birthday, maybe if I have time I could make an instructable on how to fly fish.
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wdhowellsr says: Nov 20, 2007. 5:48 PM
I was going to spend the next few hours writing an Instructable about, "How to build a deck". The reality is that the web site http://www.deckplans.com is faster and easier as it provides free plans and estimates. I don't work for them but if I had a friend ask how to build a deck I would probably refer him to this site.
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grue says: Oct 20, 2007. 5:30 PM
will u ship to canada?
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noahw says: Oct 20, 2007. 10:33 PM
We ship t-shirts for the Burning Questions Contest anywhere in the world. Which question were you thinking about answering?
ti112 says: Sep 26, 2007. 2:42 AM
I want to know how to record or download a live webcast
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Bilou says: Sep 22, 2007. 5:31 AM
I have a question. Two days ago, I gave a shot at my first instructable. It's about how to make Jello shots. I don't know if I did something wrong, but it doesn't seem to appear in the search results on the site nor in the explore>most recent page. Can anyone give me a clue about what is hapenning? Thanks, Bilou
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ti112 says: Sep 26, 2007. 2:41 AM
it may take a while. my Halo3 instructable took around a day to appear
Lord Of Mystra says: Sep 17, 2007. 9:58 AM
"How to exercise your dog" What are you looking for here, like, creative ways to do it or like walking, playing fetch, swimming, etc.?
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noahw says: Sep 18, 2007. 8:22 AM
I think that with all of these questions you could chose to answer the question creatively or with a standard method that you have tried. I think that what is important to remember is that your answers are for a broad audience, and that the more methods/options you include in your answer, the more people will find it useful. For "How to exercise your dog" I can imagine anything from instructions about how to build a treadmill device, to how to build a dog run in the back yard, to teach your dog to "heal" so that you can run with it.
noahw says: Sep 18, 2007. 8:23 AM
Playing fetch, swimming, and running with your dog are all good ways to exercise your dog and would all work as an instructable as well. In fact, a "How to Teach a Dog to Swim" instructable would be awesome!
Lord Of Mystra says: Sep 18, 2007. 10:33 AM
Hmm teaching yor dog to swim would be cool but i would have to find a dog that cant swim.
Lord Of Mystra says: Sep 18, 2007. 10:45 AM
OR... *gets maniaclly hyper* A giant hamster wheel! heheheheheheheheheheheeeeeeee...
Lord Of Mystra says: Sep 17, 2007. 7:09 PM
I made an organic ant killer and submitted it to the group. : )
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alfonso says: Sep 16, 2007. 3:01 PM
Perfect! My dad is building a deck right now, so there will soon be a how to build a deck instrucible from me!
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noahw says: Sep 16, 2007. 9:09 PM
Great - I was wondering who would tackle that one. At first I thought that I would take a stab at it myself since I built a deck with my father two years ago, but unfortunately I don't really have good pictures of the building process. (This was before I started documenting all of my projects step by step). Remember to document the process as thoroughly as you can - deck building has a lot of steps and important points that people will want to know. I'll be on the lookout for your post!
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Lord Of Mystra says: Sep 17, 2007. 7:08 PM
Dude! Awesome deck! I love the stairs.
alfonso says: Sep 17, 2007. 10:06 AM
Ok, i might also make it a collaberation so that some other people could have some imput.
noahw says: Sep 17, 2007. 10:09 AM
Thats a great idea. I would recommend that you post the steps and pictures first, and then get other users' input for the instructions where necessary. Post many steps and take lots of pictures so that there will be plenty to fill in about. You can even post a forum topic announcing that you have opened the project up to collaboration and that you are looking for input from people who know how to build decks.
alfonso says: Sep 16, 2007. 3:06 PM
Acctually I think ill do the how to make a bow and arrow first, i've been doing that for a few years now...
Easy Button says: Sep 4, 2007. 12:39 PM
wait if you already made a burning question instructable on the other contest and if you make a new one now do you get a shirt or the other thing
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Easy Button says: Sep 6, 2007. 11:51 AM
yes
Metal4God says: Sep 17, 2007. 10:07 AM
cool
Metal4God says: Sep 6, 2007. 11:34 AM
did you gat a shirt
noahw says: Sep 4, 2007. 12:42 PM
This is a new round, so even if you answered a question in round 1, you can still answer a new question in round 2 and get another shirt.
Easy Button says: Sep 4, 2007. 12:43 PM
Ok thanks and a double thanks for the fast reply.
killerjackalope says: Sep 7, 2007. 10:33 AM
I'm going to do the rip DVD's as I do it often enough
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killerjackalope says: Sep 4, 2007. 6:47 PM
I can quite easily do how to build a bonfire with either diagrams or real pictures. Also how to draw, though a definitive how to is simply impossible in my opinion (I'm qualified as I have learnt to draw four times in my life due to three broken arms).
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noahw says: Sep 5, 2007. 9:42 AM
It doesn't need to be definitive, just as helpful as it can be for someone who is looking for more information on the subject. You can always link to other guides at the end of your Instructable so that people can have access to more info you didn't include.
killerjackalope says: Sep 7, 2007. 9:00 AM
yeah I just did the base one to see if people would bite then continue from there because it would turn into a 100 page instructable that made no sense unless it's broken up
CreamOtheCrop says: Sep 6, 2007. 12:58 AM
I have an instructable on how to clean a mattress on the way, unfortunately I am in the process of moving, so I don't know when it will be ready. Its my first instructable. I'm excited!
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ll.13 says: Sep 4, 2007. 11:01 PM
btw jello shots have already been done? >tetranitrate?
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noahw says: Sep 5, 2007. 9:29 AM
Those were caffeinated jello shots. We are looking for just good old fashioned jello shots (like the kind that you find at a college party for example). It's ok to have multiple recipes for different kinds of jello shots. The more things jello - the merrier! (I am not sure I actually believe in that last part...)
Subvert says: Sep 5, 2007. 2:17 PM
Mm, but there are is a lot of potential in gelatin in general too. I just read an article in the NYT about some bizarre consumme's that I'm totally stealing.
Super_David says: Sep 5, 2007. 1:21 PM
do u mean paper snowflake cos i can do that
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Kiteman says: Sep 5, 2007. 11:11 AM
If "how to make paper" means "from recycled scraps", it's been answered: http://www.instructables.com/id/EH025R6F54HJA4O/
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noahw says: Sep 5, 2007. 11:22 AM
Thanks for pointing that out! I just private messaged the author to see if we can work something out.
Super_David says: Sep 4, 2007. 12:46 PM
ill do rip dvds shall i include burning aswell?
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noahw says: Sep 4, 2007. 12:48 PM
That would be great! Can you separate it out into two individual Instructables that way people can easily find them both?
Super_David says: Sep 4, 2007. 1:13 PM
would i get 2 t-shirts?
noahw says: Sep 4, 2007. 1:19 PM
You would still only get one shirt. Why? Because the contest rules state: Answer more than one of these questions and and we won't keep sending you shirts, but we probably will send you something cool that we have made here at Instructables HQ.
Super_David says: Sep 4, 2007. 1:28 PM
kl
noahw says: Sep 5, 2007. 11:16 AM
Keep in mind that we already have have an Instructable on How to Rip DVDs, so just take a look at that one while you are publishing your own so you know what's already out there.

Since that one is old though, it can't be considered for the Burning Questions Group - so still go ahead with yours.
gowithflo says: Sep 4, 2007. 6:57 PM
How can I suggest an addition to the wanted list? or is this something you cull from searches? I want a recipe to make something like "Emergen-C". That stuff is wicked expensive.
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noahw says: Sep 5, 2007. 9:40 AM
The list is partly based upon searches and partly generated from our own fascination machine that we have here in the shop.

For a long time we have been thinking about a place at Instructables where users could post questions that they want answered. How to make Emergen-C would be an awesome example of what should be on that list, as I would certainly like to know how to make it too.

We will work on that feature, but for the time being I would say that making a post in our forums with your question is your best option.
Subvert says: Sep 4, 2007. 9:33 PM
Lol, maybe when you find out, you could create an instructable on how to add a question to the "Answer Life's Burning Questions" instructable. I'm having a conversation in one of the forums on a suggestion I have on how users could make requests into instructables. Looking up at this one, I'm thinking that building a little robustness into my suggestion might be useful. As in, as requests accumulate, they could acquire votes. More votes, higher demand.
noahw says: Sep 5, 2007. 10:12 AM
As I said to gowithflo, this is something that we have been wanting on Instructables for a while and are working on that feature. Your forum posts really spell things out though and they might be the kick in the pants that we needed to get rolling on it. Thanks for the thorough suggestions here, and in the forums.
Subvert says: Sep 5, 2007. 2:16 PM
Hey, glad to make what contributions I can. You've got a good thing going here. Easily the next wiki equivalent in the mainstream.
killerjackalope says: Sep 4, 2007. 10:26 PM
ok first part and first go at how to draw is up need feedback on grammar etc as I am a bit of a failure at english..... need to find out if people have any idea what I'm talking about.
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noahw says: Sep 5, 2007. 9:34 AM
I can understand what you are saying, but there is strength in numbers. How about we get some feedback from some other users and then add it to the Burning Questions group. If it's all right with you I might go ahead and change the title to simply: How to Draw when I add it to the group. Thanks for the submission!
ll.13 says: Sep 4, 2007. 10:59 PM
I've bags'ed making a bow and arrow.
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ll.13 says: Sep 5, 2007. 5:28 AM
completed (beta stage)
noahw says: Sep 5, 2007. 9:25 AM
How to make homemade arrows looks great. When can we see how to make a homemade bow? When you finish them both, link the two to each other and I will add them both to the group and send you a private message with info about a prize. Nice work!
Brennn10 says: Sep 5, 2007. 4:26 AM
I am amazed at the amount of questions that have been answered so far! Good Work people!
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drinkmorecoffee says: Sep 4, 2007. 3:40 PM
What if I never got my t-shirt from round 1?
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noahw says: Sep 4, 2007. 5:23 PM
I have sent you a PM. Check it out.
drinkmorecoffee says: Sep 4, 2007. 5:25 PM
k
J_SCAP says: Sep 4, 2007. 4:04 PM
ill do live webcam its easy but im not telling how to do it untill i post it
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Kiteman says: Sep 4, 2007. 2:25 PM
I've added another kite. It's made of polystyrene this time.
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zieak says: Sep 4, 2007. 12:36 PM
How to avoid and how to cure a hangover are both on the list. I wrote up How to cure (and prevent) a hangover already - and it is on the list of answered questions.
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noahw says: Sep 4, 2007. 12:46 PM
You are totally right. The problem was that your Instructable was on the list of answered questions, but not added to Burning Question Group. I have added your instructable to the group and taken it off of our wanted list. Thanks for pointing this out!
Easy Button says: Sep 4, 2007. 12:29 PM
Thank you noah i was waiting for this.
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noahw says: Sep 4, 2007. 12:38 PM
Sure thing! This is sort of Burning Questions Version 2.0. Our first round was successful so we though that we would try it again and keep answering those most wanted questions. Have at em'.
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