http://onlinejournalismblog.com/2009/03/16/use-a-crowd-glean-an-expert/ A conversation. Sat, 11 Feb 2012 08:45:01 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://onlinejournalismblog.com/2009/03/16/use-a-crowd-glean-an-expert/#comment-9405 KarthikaM Wed, 18 Mar 2009 03:43:40 +0000 http://onlinejournalismblog.com/?p=2381#comment-9405 Ian, That's a very interesting point. Unfortunately, crowdsourcing will probably not get rid of the digital and economic divide for a very long time, especially owing to the medium in which crowdsourcing operations are conducted, which often require a high-speed Internet connection, at the very least, a computer or access to one. However, it does alleviate the divide ever so slightly as compared to conventional systems that require advanced degrees from big-name institutions that are beyond the reach of any average person. There is no doubt that crowdsourcing has a long way to go before it can become truly democratic, and actually give an equal opportunity to all the potential "experts" in a crowd. Tweaking of ideas generated by a crowd is certainly a potential problem, so is the lack of complete transparency with regard to numbers and costs. It can be hoped that as the concept becomes more mainstream, rules can be put in place that establish such norms. Ian,
That’s a very interesting point. Unfortunately, crowdsourcing will probably not get rid of the digital and economic divide for a very long time, especially owing to the medium in which crowdsourcing operations are conducted, which often require a high-speed Internet connection, at the very least, a computer or access to one. However, it does alleviate the divide ever so slightly as compared to conventional systems that require advanced degrees from big-name institutions that are beyond the reach of any average person.
There is no doubt that crowdsourcing has a long way to go before it can become truly democratic, and actually give an equal opportunity to all the potential “experts” in a crowd. Tweaking of ideas generated by a crowd is certainly a potential problem, so is the lack of complete transparency with regard to numbers and costs. It can be hoped that as the concept becomes more mainstream, rules can be put in place that establish such norms.

]]> http://onlinejournalismblog.com/2009/03/16/use-a-crowd-glean-an-expert/#comment-9404 Ian Wash Tue, 17 Mar 2009 12:18:36 +0000 http://onlinejournalismblog.com/?p=2381#comment-9404 Very interesting article! Like any other business affected by the recession need to reinvent themselves, all the companies you mention will need to crowdsource their business model. What you do not mention in your article is the fact that many of the companies charge “a very large fee” to get posted on claimed large forces of super humans capable of dishing out solutions. I am a solver in many of the networks. They are for the few that can afford their fees. In fact there are quite large fees to be paid upfront to get a posting and a small fee “if and only” you get the result desired. So is correct to say that they are only for the few that can afford the cost of posting? What if the company posting looks at the idea and modifies that slightly and decides to not pay the price? We solvers are left with a ton of time that was unpaid and maybe, just maybe the lucky one will get money? I wonder when facebook or an Amazon or Google will start a true "crowdsourcing" web site that will allow "free" and "open" posting or simply create an eBay like auction for the purchases of IP rights. Maybe that exists already? I also wonder why all the major players do not post the costs they charge/propose and shy away from audits on claimed numbers of members. Ian Very interesting article! Like any other business affected by the recession need to reinvent themselves, all the companies you mention will need to crowdsource their business model. What you do not mention in your article is the fact that many of the companies charge “a very large fee” to get posted on claimed large forces of super humans capable of dishing out solutions. I am a solver in many of the networks. They are for the few that can afford their fees. In fact there are quite large fees to be paid upfront to get a posting and a small fee “if and only” you get the result desired. So is correct to say that they are only for the few that can afford the cost of posting? What if the company posting looks at the idea and modifies that slightly and decides to not pay the price? We solvers are left with a ton of time that was unpaid and maybe, just maybe the lucky one will get money? I wonder when facebook or an Amazon or Google will start a true “crowdsourcing” web site that will allow “free” and “open” posting or simply create an eBay like auction for the purchases of IP rights. Maybe that exists already? I also wonder why all the major players do not post the costs they charge/propose and shy away from audits on claimed numbers of members.
Ian

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