Google Image Labeler

vandalman writes to tell us that Google is betting on the obsessive compulsive need for many users to see big numbers next to their name with a new beta service called Google Image Labeler. From the description: "You'll be randomly paired with a partner who's online and using the feature. Over a 90-second period, you and your partner will be shown the same set of images and asked to provide as many labels as possible to describe each image you see. When your label matches your partner's label, you'll earn some points and move on to the next image until time runs out. After time expires, you can explore the images you've seen and the websites where those images were found. And we'll show you the points you've earned throughout the session."

Comments

Slender Neck Pr0n

[Rakshasa Taisab]

I wonder, will they provide an option for only labeling porn images?

Re:Oh boy, points

[Anonymous Coward]

And those points will get me what?

1 point is spider rings, 2 points for a moustache comb, 10 points are plastic soldiers, 250 points for a mini slinky and so on. And for 5 gigapoints you can win an RC car or boat.

I tried it.

[celardore]

I went to this site. I was paired with someone, then presented with my image. It was one I recognised, the 'broken image link' glyph. I tagged 'broken' and '404' among other things.
I didn't get one tag in common with my partner!

Re:I tried it.

[chudnall]

Me too. "Picture", "Picture", "Picture", "Picture", ... We were on a roll.

Re:Oh boy, points

[legoburner]

It is like levelling up in world of warcraft, just without the grinding and monthly fees. Great deal!

Re:Oh boy, points

[mattmacf]

They're redeemable for bragging rights at the Google ePenis Store (Beta).

Re:Oh boy, points

[capt.Hij]

Well, I just tried it and told my wife that I have 500 google points. Apparantly, 500 google points is worth a long lecture about the time I should be spending with my daughter. I'm hoping that 1000 google points will get me something better, but I've been wrong about these things before...

Definitely BETA!

[Selanit]

This is quite definitely beta stuff. Maybe alpha. In particular, the "pass" system seems borked. I came across an image that was unidentifiable, and clicked "Pass." It said, "Waiting on your partner to pass." Long, dreary seconds ticked by, and then it said "Your partner wants to pass." ... ???

Why yes! I'd be glad to agree with my partner's request, except that I ALREADY SENT a pass request, and now the button is greyed out.

This happened several times. The first time, we were almost done anyway, so I let the timer expire. Guess what? If time expires while in this confused "we both want to pass but the system isn't working" state, then it doesn't actually complete the sequence (ie redirect you to the "completion" page). It just sits there, leaving you no choice but to manually return to the beginning page.

Also, people are dumb. I got a picture of a mountain road bordered by pine trees with a large cloud on the horizon. So over the course of about twenty seconds I suggested:

- Cloud
- Mountain
- Road
- Trees
- Pine Trees
- Thunderhead
- Cars
- Car

My partner still hadn't suggested any terms. So I suggested:

- nincompoop
- light weight
- My partner is an idiot

None of those matched, thankfully.

Re:Oh boy, points

[saldek]

I heard that 20.000 points gets you a divorce.

Re:Oh boy, points

[jb.hl.com]

You can have the last laugh though; pay her alimony in Google Points.

"What, 2,000,000 Google Points isn't enough for you?! You're bleeding me dry you bitch!"

First step

[while (-1) sleep (1)]

This is just Google struggling to become self-aware. No need for concern...

--

I am, therefore I should think

Re:Oh boy, points

[Jeremi]

And those points will get me what?

They'll get you modded up to +5, Insightful... congratulations on your increased karma score!