Amidst Google Tracking Email Gets lost
February 4, 2009
As pundits talk about Google’s mobile locator service here, no one raises larger questions about surveillance. As important to me is the possible shift in Google’s posture to Yahoo Mail. Consider “Google Quietly Declares Email War on Yahoo” here. In my opinion, Goggle has kept a distance from Yahoo. If this Reuters story is correct, the game has changed. With a truck load of new features, Yahoo and other online mail services are at risk, For me the most important comment in the story was:
“They’re able to improve the products much faster than anyone else,” said Forrester Research analyst Ted Schadler.
Peed, scope, and agility mean that Google has taken the tip off its fencing sword and is using a rapier. Oh, the search works in GMail.
Stephen Arnold, February 4, 2009
Google Maybe Goofs Again
February 4, 2009
GetClicky.com’s “Google’s New Ajax-Powered Search Results Breaks Search Keyword Tracking for Everyone” here shocked me. If the article is true, the GOOG has pulled two categorically affirmative goof in less than a week. First, every Web site was tagged as malware. Now this alleged misstep nukes key word tracking, including my AWStats data. The notion of all, every, and perfect circle annoy me. The GOOG makes this addled goose look dumber than ever. Two categorical affirmative mistakes in 72 hours. Are errors increasing? In my opinion, the answer is, “Yes.” Monocultures. One bug can kill all the bananas. One bug can kill all the searches. All. Categorical affirmative.
Stephen Arnold, February 4, 2009
Mixed Martial Arts Health Show Down
February 4, 2009
GOOG versus MSFT. Two formidable contenders. The title is on the line. You can read the details in Government Technology here. With a sample of 30, I am not sure the findings are valid. For me, the most important comment was:
User Centric’s comparative study found neither Google Health nor Microsoft HealthVault were perfect applications; each had flaws in the user experience which were seen to reduce participants’ willingness to adopt PHR technology. However, participants preferred Google Health over Microsoft HealthVault because navigation and data entry of health information was easier than on the other application. Participants said that the Google Health application used more familiar medical terminology and provided a persistent health information profile summary.
Too bad there was no discussion of Google’s “I’ m feeling doubly lucky” invention.
Stephen Arnold, February 4, 2009
Business Intelligence and Market Compression
February 4, 2009
I flap right over most business intelligence and intelligent enterprise articles. In case you missed the news, the business decisions for many organizations have been less than informed. Fro my frozen nest in rural Kentucky, I am concerned about “intelligence.” Or the apparent lack of it. Nevertheless, I read “Ted Cuzzillo’s “BI for the Small and Mid-Sized Business” here and spotted this gem:
Vineyardsoft vice president of marketing Don Farber sees a market “compression” as low-end tools get better and high-end tools get cheaper. Vendors that were once happy with five big sales each year, says Farber, have adjusted pricing and now shoot for 12 to 15 mid-size deals. “I’m comfortable with them coming down,” says Farber. “I welcome these top-tier vendors getting down into the SMB market because [their marketing] will educate and raise awareness.” Lack of knowledge among buyers, he and others have told me, is the number one hurdle facing vendors selling to small- and medium-sized businesses.
I like the compression analogy. I don’t agree with much of the article, but you need to read it yourself and draw your own conclusion. The notion of educating managers who may be concerned about their jobs to learn “business intelligence”. tough for some to focus. Just my opinion.
Stephen Arnold, February 4, 2009
Googzilla News
February 4, 2009
Remember the dinosaur books popular in the sixth grade. I liked the tyrannosaurus rex, the tyrant lizard king. I whinged until my parents took me to see the T-rex skeleton at the Field Museum in Chicago. I thought, “Now that’s a pet.” When I read “Google News Now Available for Any Web Site” here, I thought about T-Rex. For whatever reason, it seems to me that Googzilla is hungry for news. Instead of surfing on Google, some news organizations are likely to become dinner in my opinion. I want to toss in some YouTube.com and think about that impact now.
Stephen Arnold, February 4, 2009
Yahoo Search Technology Improves
February 4, 2009
Yep, Yahoo has tackled the problem of its search infrastructure. The company has made a commitment to rationalize its technology and get a running start to leap frog Google. Did Yahoo hire Alon Halevy from Google? Did Yahoo track down the hot start up in Finland whose technology could add a much needed differentiator to Yahoo search? Did Yahoo license the high performance database system developed by Perfect Search? Nope. Yahoo is changing public relations managers. The scintillating business move is described here. Google may be trembling as it guzzles Odwalla banana strawberry drinks.
Stephen Arnold, February 4, 2009
New XML Authoring Program from JustSystems
February 3, 2009
JustSystems is a well known software development firm in Japan. The company has a lower profile in he US. According to CBR here, the company has released XMetaL Author Essential. The program allows users to “develop information that can be repurposed into the languages and formats demanded by content recipients.” You can get more information at JustSystems.
Stephen Arnold, February 3, 2009
Singularity U: Who Provides the Textbooks
February 3, 2009
Singularity University seems to be real, not a rumor. According to TechDirt here, the name may remind some of a situation where “technology advances to a point that “lets humans transcend our biological limitations.” Who will provide the textbooks? Will SU field a football or a basketball team? Years ago Ziff Communications dabbled in the “university” business. My recollection is that the sector was quite challenging. I wish the new SU well. Gimmie an ess. Gimmie an eye. Gimmie an enn. I know the cheer people will be able to spell “singularity.” Some sports fans may not, however.
Stephen Arnold, February 3, 2009
Dead Tree Outfit Tries Videos
February 3, 2009
I enjoyed “Watched Any Good Books Lately?” here for three reasons. First, HarperCollins will make a book about Google available. (I wonder if these folks know about video Web logs and advertising?) Second, I can see the floundering conference organizers jumping on this angle in order to rejuvenate programs about regular book. (I wonder if these folks know about the volume of video content competing for attention and revenue?) Third, I recall an econtent conference at which traditional publishers pooh poohed video. (Is it too late?) Times are changing. Publishers are getting with the program. Will the distribution medium be on VHS tape?
Stephen Arnold, February 3, 2009
Google and Privacy
February 3, 2009
Google has become a magnet for hassles. I don’t know if this story “Privacy Professional Facing Criminal Charges” here is taken from Moses’ tablets. But the fact that it is running points out how the once infallible Googzilla has become the a whipping boy. For me the most interesting comment in this write up was:
But the Internet is a different medium, says Google. “We cannot agree with the concept that a tool can be blamed for the use that is made of it,” a company spokesperson said.
I am not going to disagree with the Googzilla, but it seems that the malware fiasco, the propensity to blame another outfit and then fess up, and now the escalating problem in Italy signals a change.
About a year or so ago, Google’s attorneys informed me via my client that my reports about its Semantic Web activities were deep dark secrets caught me by surprise. I thought Google’s attorneys read their patent documents. My client faxed the cover pages of the sources of my information, and the USPTO patent application number was a revelation. Now one of Google’s legal eagles won’t be buying limoncello from the source for a while. Google has kept Ramanathan Guha out of the spotlight. Now the company is allowing Alon Halevy to chat up the Google’s semantic interests. Alon Halevy’s talk last week received little notice.
Google’s legal troubles in Italy did. In my opinion, it is interesting to see what constitutes news. For another “issue”, check out Google’s response to an allegation that its services assist bad guys here.
Stephen Arnold, February 3, 2009
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