Crowdsourcing
Crowdsourcing
Crowdsourcing is a method of obtaining information, ideas, or services by soliciting contributions from a large group of people, particularly from an online community, rather than from traditional employees or suppliers. The term was popularized in 2006 by Jeff Howe in an article for Wired Magazine, titled "The Rise of Crowdsourcing."
History
The concept of crowdsourcing is not new and can trace its origins back to the creation of the Oxford English Dictionary in the mid-19th century. A public call was made to gather contributions for definitions, a process which took over 70 years to complete. In modern times, the evolution and rapid expansion of the Internet have provided an ideal platform for crowdsourcing, allowing for wide-reaching participation and collaboration.
Applications
Crowdsourcing has diverse applications across various domains:
Software Development
In the realm of software engineering, crowdsourcing can be used to gather input and contributions from developers worldwide. Platforms like Topcoder provide a venue for software developers, designers, and data scientists to engage in competitions to solve complex problems and create innovative solutions.
Graphic Design
Graphic Design is another area where crowdsourcing has made a significant impact. Instead of hiring a single designer, companies can host open contests to receive multiple design submissions from a global pool of talent.
Government and Public Services
Governments are increasingly using crowdsourcing to leverage constituent knowledge and gather input on policy and projects. This approach enables more democratic participation and engagement in public affairs.
Platforms and Projects
Crowdsourcing platforms such as Amazon Mechanical Turk and Upwork facilitate the connection between individuals seeking tasks to be completed and those willing to perform them. An array of projects relies on crowdsourcing, ranging from simple data entry to complex problem-solving.
Projects like Citizen Archivist involve public participation in transcribing and digitizing historical documents, thus preserving cultural heritage. Similarly, platforms like AfroCrowd aim to increase engagement and representation in content creation, specifically in the Wikimedia community.
Related Topics
Crowdsourcing capitalizes on the collective intelligence and creativity of large groups, driving innovation and efficiency in various fields. Its integration into digital platforms continues to reshape industries and democratize the process of input and production.