
www.chacha.com,
Was a privilege & pleasure to speak with esteemed inventor Scott Jones who developed Chacha.com, a new search engine with human intelligence. He claims, "Almost everyone knows a lot about something." What does this mean for you? It means there's someone out there who is searching for something & they could use your help to get pointed in the right direction. After all, no one really wants to search. They want to find.
Here's how it works ... For the most part, the "live" guides are sitting at home, in a dorm room or coffee shop). When a Chacha.com user starts using the search engine (much like they'd pursue something on Google), a guide responds in a live chat window upon request. It could be you, especially if it's a topic you know well.
To me the most compelling aspect is being able to pick your own search keywords ... So, a 20-something gaming enthusiast can help parents pick just the right Wii or PlayStation. Who better? A retired nurse or breast cancer survivor may be just the person to "guide" you through what might be the most difficult search of your life.
ChaCha, which began last year, has thousands of live ''guides'' who earn between $5 - $10 an hour. There are four levels of guides: apprentice, pro, master and elite. Guides earn reputations based on user ratings and how the system rates their performance. Get in the game as soon as you can. They're getting thousands of applicants every week.
The way they pay is particularly impressive. If you are an approved guide, when you log on a ticker starts .... When you (and you get to decide) are done, you log out. A next-generation timecard of sorts. Here's where it's unique thanks to the genius of Mr. Jones .... you can then press a "PAY ME NOW" button and the funds you've earned during the search session you've just been involved with, will immediately be deposited into your account. There are not too many jobs you can start in the morning & have lunch money.



Comments
I saw you talk about this on the TODAY show. Very ineteresting site. I'm going to try it as I search for campsites to go to with my family this summer. Thanks!