Site opens up space research to web users
Those without sufficient scientific knowledge to work in astronomy have still been able to explore space with the ArduSat, an open source satellite. Now, Planet Four is crowdsourcing help from web users to find out more about Mars. READ MORE…
Unsigned bands gain label recognition via crowd voting
Turning music from a hobby into an avenue for income can be difficult, regardless of how talented a band may be. fanatic.fm has already provided a way for musicians to gain support and finance from brands, and now UK-based Chartburst is connecting unsigned acts with record label representatives through its crowdsourced charting system. READ MORE…
Online medical journal aims to better share research results
Cancer Commons has already explored the possibility of using the combined forces of web users’ knowledge to create an open database of potential treatments for the disease. Aiming to move medical research out of niche journals and into the public domain, Cureus is a platform for anyone conducting trials to publish their results straight onto the web. READ MORE…
Crowdsourcing used to identify products in photos
One problem with online images of products is that they can easily be divorced from their context, especially when consumers share them without linking back to their original source. Aiming to reveal the identity of unknown items, CrowdSend encourages users to tag photos with information about the products depicted within them. READ MORE…
Crowdsourcing platform informs patients of lowest and highest healthcare prices in the local area
The costs of healthcare in the US can hit families hard when an injury or illness occurs. Hoping to leave patients with more in their pockets, Clear Health Costs lets users know what others are paying for treatment elsewhere in New York so they don’t pay over the odds. READ MORE…
Crowdsourced digital ideas for brands’ perusal and purchase
The crowds have already been the source of untold numbers of successful business ideas, and regular readers may recall MindSumo, a platform where businesses can invite students to solve problems. On a slightly different tack, Lithuania-based Public Scroll is an online space where ideas can be submitted by anyone for brands to acquire. READ MORE…
Touchscreen voting station enables Helsinki residents to have their say on new gallery
We’ve already seen how versatile the crowdsourcing model can be for gauging popular opinion across a range of industries — from fashion sites to local cinemas. Now residents of Helsinki, Finland, have been given the chance to have their say on whether the government should allow the Guggenheim Museum to build a new gallery in the city, thanks to Facebook-style voting stations set up by advertising agency HeyDay. READ MORE…
Crowdsourced gift ideas based on the recipient’s interests
Retailers have been trying to make it easier for gift-givers to find that perfect present for a while and we recently reported on UK-based 15gifts, which uses a proprietary search engine to help users choose from among a curated selection of unique gifts. Now No Sweaters in the US is enabling gift-givers to get personal recommendations from other users based on the interests of the person receiving the gift. READ MORE…
In Canada, contest seeks designs for homes sourced within 100 miles
Locavores may be familiar with the concept of the “100-Mile Diet,” but it seems a fairly safe guess that most haven’t yet heard of a related concept being applied to the architectural world. Sure enough, also based in Canada, the 100 Mile House competition now solicits designs for a house for four that uses only materials and systems made, manufactured or recycled within 100 miles of the city of Vancouver, B.C. READ MORE…
Intellectual property research tool relies on the crowds
Big brands such as Nike and Best Buy have already been involved in initiatives such as GreenXchange, a tool to help them share and research environmentally-friendly product design and patents. Harnessing the power of the crowds, CrowdIPR aims to make a similar service available to everyone. READ MORE…
