This practice, known as crowdsourcing, will allow anyone with an Internet connection to assist with two main games tasks:

1. Mapping the surface of Mars by matching detailed high-res photos onto larger, less detailed photos of the general location, taken from higher altitudes.

2. Counting the craters in undocumented photos. You won’t have to count really tiny craters just yet (NASA plans on doing that later), but simply count the larger craters that you find in the photos you’re provided.

When I tried my hand at NASA’s “Be A Martian” website, I found counting the craters to be a lot simpler than mapping the photos…that is until I was given a photo with over 40 craters in it.

They’ve tried to make the site into a Web 2.0 online social network, but Microsoft’s typical bulky coding slows things down a little bit. I can’t help but wonder how much faster and better designed the site would be if NASA had just partnered with Google, Apple, or…honestly…anyone but Microsoft.

National Geographic has taken some of the most beautiful pictures year after year. Up until recently, I had boxes and boxes of their magazines. They have taken some of the most iconic pictures ever and each carries it’s own unique story. Whether they’re exploring the depths of our oceans, the vastness of space, or anywhere in between, their cameras are always snapping away, hoping to capture images that inspire people all over the world. If only for a short time, these photos are very humbling and serve as a reminder of the beauty of our planet. When you get a chance, share them with your family and friends. Obviously 2009 isn’t over yet, but here are some of National Geographic’s best pictures of the year:

]]> http://www.monkeylog.com/2009/10/31/national-geographics-2009-best-pictures-of-the-year/feed/ 2