So as it sits right now, I'm leaning toward a conversation style, but also asking a set of basic questions, so there is some uniformity to it. As for how to go about getting the answers, I haven't quite come up with anything yet. Disageniac has a very good point, not everyone will be able to use the same methods of communication. Personally, I think a chat room type is the way to go, rather than phone or email. Those two would of course work if there was no other way, but with a chat, all I need to do is copy and paste, make a few formatting changes, and boom!
Also disageniac, so you don't use Facebook at all? Not even to follow the beloved vgcollect?