Crowdsourcing

What is Jeff Howe's Definition of Crowd Sourcing?
Jeff Howe posted the first definition of "crowdsourcing" in a blog post to his June 2006 'Wired' magazine article: "Simply defined, crowdsourcing represents the act of a company or institution taking a function once performed by employees and outsourcing it to an undefined (and generally large) network of people in the form of an open call. This can take the form of peer-production (when the job is performed collaboratively), but is also often undertaken by sole individuals. The crucial prerequisite is the use of the open call format and the large network of potential laborers."

What does the video believe is the key to successful crowd-sourcing?
The video suggested that the key to successful crowd-sourcing are the communities, as these communities are the 'building-blocks' of crowd-sourcing; helping to manage and create more content.

Why do "crowds" form on the internet? Are you part of an online crowd- if so which?
Popular topics create crowds on the internet, such as fanbases. It allows fans to talk to other fans from across the world.

What are the crucial terms in Jeff Howes idea of crowd-sourcing? why is this crucial?
The crucial terms are open-call and undefined. They mean that the most qualified may not be the best or most suitable.

Name two reasons why this type of crowd-sourcing is now possible?
The internet and socialnetworking sites.

What do you think is the motivation behind it?

For people who share interests to express their views, and to use the long tail theory in businesses through miniture donations. 

How effective do you believe it to be?
Crowdsourcing has many chances to be effective, for example; Tim Schafer is legendary in gaming circles for titles including Psychonauts and Brutal Legend, but he had still found it hard work to secure funds through traditional means. So the idea of going direct to his fans had obvious appeal. Within 24 hours of seeking pledges over the internet it had bagged more than $1m (£630,000), overshooting its initial target of $400,000. By the campaign's end it had reeled in a total of $3.4m from more than 87,000 supporters for its point-and-click adventure game.

Name advantages and disadvantages of a crowd sourcing?
It is a great marketing tool, helps create communitites and benefits the public.However, you are also unable to know whether the information you are receiving is true.