About

So, you want to know the man behind the logo. Just who is this Jason Spector?

In short, I’m a guy doing what I love to do. I’ve spent years designing, coding and creating a strong user experience online. I’ve also had the great benefit of working within crowdsourcing the last few years. All of this experience combined gives me a unique perspective on the crowd.

Putting all my cards on the table, I’m all for crowdsourcing and community. I believe in it and have seen it successfully work time and time again when used correctly. I also understand the benefits and risks. Like any tool, crowdsourcing can be used positively or negatively. And like any tool, the results will reflect how it is being used and by whom.

Sounds great. What else am I doing?

Writing
I’m currently involved in two crowdsourcing book projects, both of which I’m very excited and honored to be a part of.

• Crowdsourcing 101: “A book by those who crowdsource for those who want to”
  I’ll be teaming up with Mike Martoccia, a “Futurist, Entrepreneur, Rainmaker, Technology Analyst and Crowdsourcing Ninja” for this project. In other words, a very intelligent person who is as passionate about crowdsourcing as I am. Our ultimate goal is to create a down-to-earth, practical guide to help others understand and successfully work with the crowd. You can keep up on the latest book happenings at the Crowdsourcing 101 blog.

• CrowdsourcingTweet: “140 bite-sized ideas to tap collective wisdom”
  Kiruba Shankar, a premiere businessman, speaker and blogger in India, is writing a book of ideas delving into the “wisdom of the crowd”. I contributed several of these points that proud to say that I’ll be a part of his book. “CrowdsourcingTweet” will be completed soon and should hit the stands in early September.

Speaking
This past June, I had the distinct pleasure of speaking at a roundtable discussion about accessibility in web-based applications at the 2009 TopCoder Open in Las Vegas. The panel was moderated by Michael Paciello, an international leader, technologist and lecturer in the areas of emerging technology, usability, technical & legal standards and accessibility. He is the founder and president of The Paciello Group. The panel also included Tom Wlodkowski, the Director of Accessibility at AOL and Brad Hodges from The American Federation For The Blind and AOL advisor.

But enough about me. What about the blog?

Good question. My goal with this site is to present the benefits and risks of crowdsourcing in an informative and entertaining way. I will also discuss user experience, design and social media in the context of crowdsourcing. This is a highly debated issue and I welcome all discussions and alternate opinions.

What makes the current community/social environment thrive is conversation. I hope you will leave this blog (and return frequently) more informed, more open and more contemplative. Most importantly, I hope you will join me in continuing the conversation.