Have you ever been desperate for some help-either some good advice, basic information, or maybe an unbiased opinion? This month, we focus on some of the Ask the Expert sites where you or your kids can get help with any concern, ranging from educational to life-enhancing to sensational.

Before we talk about some specific sites, it's important to realize that you can search for an "expert site" on almost any topic, using a search engine. Just type the words "ask an expert" in the search field, and include the word for the topic of interest (To find a nutrition expert, type "ask the expert" followed by nutrition, or perhaps diet.) Despite the label "expert", be aware that many of these sites are sponsored by a product, and therefore, you may notice the advice may be convincing you to buy the sponsor's product. The most trustworthy of experts are those unaffiliated with a product or service, with no ulterior motives for their recommendations.

Whatever you're looking for, have fun and explore. How does that corny saying go? Something like " free advice costs nothing and it's well worth the price." Here are some great "expert" sites:

Get a Job
Ask the Hiring Manager. Looking for a job can be one of life's adventures. Or, it WOULD be if you didn't feel pressure, and could relax enough to sit back and enjoy the ride. Inside information about the process can help your state of mind a lot - and luckily, there is an excellent resource available to Web users who are entering the job market. The expert at this site is Brian Krueger, author of the book College Grad Job Hunter (Quantum Leap Publishing), which is billed as "the definitive guide for college grad job search". The expert posts responses to the questions, so just by visiting the site, you may find some answers you were looking for.

School Cool
Chalk talk This educational site welcomes questions from anyone: students, teachers or parents. You can select the field (i.e. science, industry, mathematics, etc.) and the level (anywhere from adult to elementary) from a pull-down menu. If the site's staff thinks your question will interest other users, they will assign your question to an appropriate professional, and post the response. Archives of other questions are now available at the site.

Insure yourself
Captive.com The company that sponsors this site, captive.com, calls it a virtual office park. Most of the businesses involved are in the insurance business--"risk management", commercial insurance--every possible flavor of insurance company. When you visit the captive.com Ask the Expert site, you have your choice of topics related to insurance, including home page design advice and legal counsel. Visit this site to see an excellent example of expert site layout. Kind of makes you feel safer already.

Drugs R Us

PharmInfoNet is one of the most highly recommended sites on the Web-- US News calls it a comprehensive directory of links, and it boasts awards groups like Physician's Choice, NetGuide, and SciWeb. What makes it noteworthy? Probably the experts, and the attention they give to users. The group works with a panel of medically-qualified consultants who volunteer or are paid to answer questions from readers (and also moderate various email discussion groups. ) Experts include cardiologists, gastroenterologists, pharmacists, and drug "Information Specialists". For almost any web-user, this is a site not to be missed.

Special Nutrition Help
Life Scan Ask the Experts Eating right is tough for everyone, but for diabetics, it can be a life and death situation. Lifescan, a product for diabetics, sponsors an "Ask the Expert" website to answer general questions about diabetes. Currently, the site features advice from 2 award winning Diabetes Educators. This is an excellent site for diabetics or their families, and if that means you, you'll want to bookmark it.

Skin Care Specialist
Skin-deep and click on "Ask the Expert". Now, here's one of the fun-time sites. Skin care specialist and owner of the Repechage Treatment Center and day Spa in New York City, Lydia Sarfati is the expert here. Her advice also appears in publications such as Mademoiselle and American Health. Since she is also president of an international skin care company, the answer will come from this product line, but for those who want expert attention for their own face, check this one out.

Wining Allowed.
Ask the Wine Expert and click on "Ask the Expert". For the aspiring gourmet, there's nothing more embarrassing than serving the wrong wine (or so I've heard). This site is one of the few places I know to get personal help with this high class subject. When you submit your question or comment to the expert, Steve Miller, you will receive an e-mail reply and your question will be added to the Wines.FAQ archive.

Best of luck in your search of expertise. It's only a few clicks away!