Because the best person to get information from is.... a local

Directionless Enquiries is an open source peer to peer helpdesk system that helps us to help each other. The concept is simple. When you have time to be an agent, you volunteer to answer peoples' questions about your city / neighbourhood from people calling in. In exchange, any time you need information, you call and let someone else be the agent, helping you find the nearest ATM, who makes the best pizza in the area, how far of a walk to the subway from your current location - whatever.

What a great idea. It's collaborative information sharing the way it should be done. At the moment, it's only in plans for UK participation, but I'm hoping that changes quickly.