The Beneficial Game Addiction

Another website to kill time is exactly what Journalism and other applied arts classes need. The difference is that this website is actually productive. By playing Google Image Labeler, students work for the greater good of web-based society.
The game pairs two users and asks them to label a series of random images. When they both suggest the same word for an image, they are awarded points and presented with a new image. Points are awarded based on how specific the label is. For instance “rainforest” scores more points than “tree.” A label like “sad” or “hot” is worth 140 points while something simple such as “white” is only 50 points. If both players opt to pass before they find a match the next image is presented. Speed is also a factor: partners have two minutes to create as many matches as possible.
Now comes the altruistic aspect. By playing Google Image Labeler, people are augmenting the vast amount of data Google controls, thereby improving the image search service.  After each round the curious consumer has the opportunity to review the images and discover their source websites, as well as the other labels their partner suggested.
Not only is the game addictive, Google Image Labeler makes the user think. The creative power necessary to accurately label one of the millions of images on the worldwide web far exceeds the mental energy used to rotate stylized blocks so they fit together.
Gamers must also learn to relate to a diverse range of other users. In order to come up with the same label, players have to be able to think like their partner, who is different, every round. One can only score points if they work together with their remote partner; both parties receive the same amount of points in each round. Players can enjoy the challenge as guests or resister and keep track of their points. Although the game is not about ruthless competition, the list of high scorers is sufficiently displayed on the webpage.
So, if you are again faced with the deep-rooted aversion to get anything done, but would like to contribute to the dynamics of 21st century image searching, be sure to click on images.google.com/imagelabeler.

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