ver. 1.0.1
last updated: 04/08/08
This script has been downloaded
Description:
Provides general cleanup and streamlining to the "Are these items different" HITs. Allows keyboard shortcut for radio buttons and provides option to auto-submit.
Screenshot of HIT with script installed.
On the standard Items HITs, the two items and their descriptions are arranged vertically with the radio buttons at the bottom. This requires a fair amount of scrolling for this quick-decision HIT. This script streamlines the HIT for quicker comparison and submission.
The Layout: The radio buttons are moved to the top of the HIT, and the items are placed side-by-side.
The blue box that describes the HIT has been streamlined to be as short as we could make it. (We removed the qualification information, and put the rest of the text on one line.)
The instructions are hidden using the show/hide scriptlet. Amazon has 6-8 different versions of the instructions, so it will take viewing quite a few HITs before you get all the instructions accepted into the routine. Once you've reviewed the instructions, click "Don't show me about this change again."
View of the instructions warning.
Selecting radio buttons: User can choose the radio button with a keyboard shortcut. The default shortcuts are: "s" selects the "These items are exact duplicates" button, and the "x" selects "These items are different." radio button. You can customize the keyboard shortcuts under the "User Script Commands" menu, using "Change hot keys." To change the hot keys, separate your two selections by a space. The first selection is the "exact duplicates", and the second is the "different." You can choose letters, numbers, and include ctrl and alt with them by adding a "+." So, for example, if you would like y for same and n for different, you type: "y n" Or, if you'd like ctrl+y and alt+n, you type:"ctrl+y alt+n". If you input an incorrect combination, the input dialog box will reappear.
Auto-submit option: The ultimate in speed. User can choose to have the HIT automatically submitted upon pressing "s" or "x", or the user-defined keyboard shortcuts. Note: this is an advanced feature. You must be very confident in your selection abilities to use this feature successfully. When I first gave it a try, I made several errors before getting used to the selection process.
To turn the auto-submit on, right-click on the Greasemonkey icon, then choose the "User Script Commands" menu option, and choose "Toggle auto submit." The state of the auto-submit toggle is shown at the top of the HIT.
Note: When the auto-submit is on, manually selecting the radio button with a mouse click does not automatically submit the HIT.Other Notes:
If you're really looking to speed up your Turking, open two tabs in one window with active Items HITs running in each window, with the "Automatically accept next HIT" selected. While you are working on one HIT, the other is loading. With this script and the auto-submit on, you should be able to type, e.g.: x, ctrl+PageDown, x, ctrl+PageDown, s, ctrl+PageDown, etc. Both ctrl+tab and ctrl+PageDown move to the next tab in Firefox. Lickety split!
Instructions:
You must have Firefox, with the Greasemonkey extension installed.
User can choose to have selection automatically submitted via the "User Script Commands", choosing "Toggle auto submit." The state of the auto submit is stated at the top of the HIT.
Keyboard shortcuts can be changed via the "Change hot keys" menu option. The two selections should be separated by a space. You can choose any letter, number or include ctrl+ or alt+. Your new selection will be printed immediately after the radio button.
Disclaimer:
Our scripts are provided "as-is". We always aim to provide a well-tested and useful script that aids in your Turking and causes no adverse effects. Given the huge variety of configurations on which our scripts might be used we can never guarantee that something won't go wrong. We take no responsibility for any inconvenience, increased rejection rate, blocking by a requester, loss of income or damage or any other problem that use of our scripts might cause. We recommend that you only use HIT-specific scripts on HITs that you're very familiar with. When you use HIT-specific scripts, treat it as if you were starting a new type of HIT with a new Requester - try doing a few, then wait to be sure that they're getting accepted.
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5 comments:
While your effort is appreciated, please note that the participation agreement forbids the use of scripts to complete HITs ("You specifically acknowledge and agree to the following: (i) you will not use robots, scripts or other automated methods to complete the Services"). Workers have been suspended in the past when it was found that they were using Mechanical Turk contrary to this agreement. It's understandable to want to make the work easier, but automating it should be considered a "no no"
Hi anonymous, and thanks for your comment. We entirely agree with you that scripts which automate the completion of HITs are not allowed by the mTurk participation agreement. We are very mindful that our scripts do not not work in a way which automates HIT completion. Instead, our scripts are intended only to improve the layout of HITs and/or make it easier/faster for the Turker to complete. The key point here is that the Turker still has to do the work!
We are very aware of this issue and have absolutely no intention of ever writing scripts that automate HIT completion ("bots"). You can view our thoughts on this issue over in our mTurk + Greasemonkey = Better, Faster Turking! post.
Anon, you aren't using a script to complete the HIT; you are using it to aid completion of the hit.
The important part here is that even with the script, the human is still doing the critical bit: checking to see whether or not the two items are different.
Mr. Beserk, would it be possible to update the script so that whenever a word verification is encountered, the page shifts focus to that box?
Also, is there an option to ensure that "automatically accept next hit" is always enabled, because that box is unchecked on the HIT following a word verification, which makes me need to pick up my mouse and click the box. It's a minor thing but it would save a couple minutes per hour I would imagine.
Hi Anonymous,
I like you idea! I've created this as a separate script since it's probably useful in general, not just for the "Are These Items Different Improved" HITs. The new script is ready and waiting for you to try out. Let us know if you find any problems (30 minutes of testing in the Berserk household didn't reveal any!).
when i click intall it searches for the user-script, but never finds it..pls gimme a solution.
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