As I'm a web searcher more than expert, I find this site helpful. My best area of expertise is pottery/porcelain, primarily in helping with ID, rather than with value, tho' with some exceptions.
I enjoy being able to give a link, to a site, which may then have other links useful to the poster. I've done web research with the object in my hand, and to feel the texture, even as it's being described, is best.
There will always be differing opinions, which I think is great - it broadens the options of the antiques owner.
Antiques Roadshow is great, I love it, but the "instant" ID's we see on TV are often the result of 1. Great breadth of knowledge; 2. Collaboration with colleagues; and 3. Hands on examination. We need to remember that forums aren't Roadshow.
BEST of all, this is how I LEARN. KB