WHAT IS TASK RABBIT? - 'eBay for real world labour'. (get source from paper)
A US online website where individuals bid on tasks to compleate for other people, for example running errands such as going to the local supermarket and buying groceries for somebody. This website was created by a woman named Leah Busque in 2008 when she realised she needed dog food but was too lazy to run out and get it. Orginally the site was named RunMyErrand and had 100 registered 'runners', now the site has more than 1,500 runners and is increasing with up to 3,000 tasks per month. (Get source from paper)
TaskRabbit news feed
How TaskRabbit Works
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzcCxGvvShI
'It raised $5 million last spring and was featured on the ABC Nightly News as a solution for America's job crisis. Every month, $4 million worth of tasks are posted on the network 'http://www.businessinsider.com/confessions-of-a-task-rabbit-2011-12#ixzz2lx9Z1ZEk
TaskRabbit screens individuals have signed up with a video interview rather than a face-to-face interview whereas the people posting jobs only need to enter an email address and a valid credit card number therefore there are flaws with the idea. One runner talked about her first impression of being a TaskRabbit, she explained that at first she felt positive about the idea as the money was paying for her rent but she felt as if there were many drawbacks. For example there is trust issues involved, 'you really don't know what you're walking into. It could be a sketchy situation, there could be weird people there'. Shontell, A (2011). It is very similar to online dating, you don't exactly know what you're getting yourself into and could be dangerous. Not only this, TaskRabbits do not have to pay a minimum wage ' You're always aware of the fact that a task could be more difficult and more cumbersome than what you're imagining. And you're always aware of the fact that a task poster may indeed downplay what's involved to get a cheaper price'. Shontell, A (2011)
The app Juggle! was released in the UK in 2012 which is a similar application to TaskRabbit. It was released just before TaskRabbit prepared for its UK launch to be ahead of its companies competition.
Juggle! News Feed
http://thenextweb.com/apps/2012/05/16/juggle-launches-to-help-the-uk-public-get-things-done-ahead-of-imminent-arrival-of-taskrabbit/
The app allows you to search the map for nearby tasks which would be easier to complete.
Juggle! verifys its users so they get an icon for others to see when they are bidding on tasks which makes it more likely for them to win. The app is only available for iOs devices at the moment.
Juggle News Feed
http://thenextweb.com/apps/2012/05/16/juggle-launches-to-help-the-uk-public-get-things-done-ahead-of-imminent-arrival-of-taskrabbit/
The difference between TaskRabbit and Juggle! is the popularity and scale. For example TaskRabbit has been available since 2008 and has generated thousands of users, although there is not much information on Juggle! it has only been available for a year and is still not avaiable on all devices such as Android.
Both TaskRabbit and Juggle! seem to have the right concept but with slight flaws, the idea is to help with unemployment and does this via social networking. If these websites and apps can improve the loyalty and trust between the individuals and make sure they abide by certain rules, it could really help boost employment in the economy and could just become bigger and better!
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