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Amazon's Mechanical Turk

Posted by Zonk on from the no-one-in-the-box dept.

rscoggin writes "Amazon.com has a new program that wants you to 'Complete simple tasks that people do better than computers. And, get paid for it.' (example: 'Is there a pizza parlour in this photograph?'). For each task you complete you get a small payment, usually ranging from a few cents to a little under a dollar. It's named the Amazon Mechanical Turk after a famous hoax from the 19th century. Kill time and get paid in tiny increments to boot!" Similar to Google Answers, there seems to be a reliability ratings system and some incentives.

7 of 375 comments (clear)

  1. Great... by TubeSteak · · Score: 5, Funny

    Great... Another way for /.'ers to waste time at work.
    GOOD JOB AMAZON

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    [Fuck Beta]
    o0t!
    1. Re:Great... by phase_9 · · Score: 5, Funny

      News just in, people getting paid to look at webpages they're not meant to at work! In unrelated news, slashdot hits drop off...

  2. i can see it already... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    - can you see boobs in the picture ?
    - Is there a donkey in the picture ?
    - Can you see the can of whipped cream ?
    - is there chocolate paint involved..

    Advanced indexing of Pr0n, humanity is moving forward, no doubt.

  3. 3 cents for 1 hours work? by mustafap · · Score: 4, Funny

    Wow, I can give up my day job!

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    Open Source Drum Kit, LPLC deve board - mjhdesigns.com
  4. How long until some sick slashdotter posts the ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    following HIT: "Is there a goat in that picture?"

  5. Agent Smith, is that you? by OldManAndTheC++ · · Score: 5, Funny
    I hope you all can see where this is going:

    • 2005: Amazon introduces Mechanical Turk program. Thousands of underpaid geeks sign up and start clicking mindlessly.
    • 2010: Home catheterization and feeding tube kit eliminates need to leave workstation. Productivity skyrockets.
    • 2015: Direct neural interface improves response times one million-fold.
    • 2020: The Matrix

    Don't say I didn't warn you.

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    Soylent Green is peoplicious!
  6. Re:Doesn't pay enough by Anne_Nonymous · · Score: 5, Funny

    It's not about the money; it's about fucking with Amazon, by giving hilariously incorrect answers.