August 19, 2008
humans helping computers
It happens all the time: you're registering a free e-mail account or making a purchase online, when up pops a wavy, multicolored word. The system asks you to retype the word - and you roll your eyes, squint a little, and transcribe. This little test is one of the most successful techniques for making sure the person trying to log on is really a human, and not a digital "bot" prying into the site.But now, when you type that word, something else may be happening as well: You may be deciphering a word from a decaying old book, helping to transform a historic text into a new digital file.
In May of last year, computer scientists started using those cryptic-looking words to solve a frustrating problem. Digital cameras at libraries worldwide are scanning millions of pages of old books, automatically "reading" the texts and turning them into computer files. But as books age, their typography smudges and flakes away. While human readers have little trouble comprehending even the most mangled words, sophisticated computer software still hangs up on them.
more from Boston Globe Ideas here.
Posted by Morgan Meis at 11:39 AM | Permalink
Comments
Hey how can we get this put into 3QD's "Turing Test" for commentators. If every time I made a bonehead remark on the comment page, I had to decipher some ancient text fragment rather than just the standard, "humans-only", randomly generated word/number/picture puzzle, why- I'd be saving precious information while making goofy comments. Maybe not win-win but definitely the path of least harm. Digital penance for my adding to the Age Misinformation. Synergy anyone?
Posted by: Pete Chapman | Aug 19, 2008 5:15:32 PM
The motion is heartily seconded!
Besides, have you looked at their website? If their example is any indication, medieval texts are going to be easier on the eyeballs than the present mash-up!
Posted by: reader | Aug 20, 2008 4:45:05 PM
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