Innovation in Social Media Data Mining
February 28, 2012
These days, it seems that most companies have jumped on the social media bandwagon and have implemented full fledged marketing strategies on social media sites such as Twitter [http://www.twitter.com/], Facebook [http://www.facebook.com/], and LinkedIn [http://www.linkedin.com/], in an attempt to increase visibility of their brand and market share. While some companies are finding value on the surface of social media marketing strategies, others are finding value behind the scenes in mining the data.
According to Kate Freeman in her recent report, “Gnip Authorized to Sell Access to Historical Tweets” at Mashable.com , the data mining company Gnip [http://gnip.com/] is exploiting the value of this data by becoming the first authorized reseller of Twitter feeds. As Freeman explains:
“Gnip can provide up to 30 days of tweets (currently, you can only search as far back as one week ago)….Reaching a month back in Twitter could help these companies better pin-point campaigns, target pitches and get a general sense of what the Twitterverse is buzzing about.”
Data mining Twitter feeds or other social media sites can be extremely time-consuming and, as evident by Twitter only making one week worth of feed available, time sensitive. A service like Gnip’s could save a significant amount of time and effort for the company that is interested in performing in-depth analysis on this data to best determine how to use social media to reach their customers. This type of innovative service is spot-on for the times and is likely to be viewed as extremely valuable by companies world-wide.
Gnipping at Google’s heels seems to be a Yandex type play? Russians are jovial souls.
Stacey Duwe, February 28, 2012
Sponsored by Pandia.com
Balancing Collaboration and Information Security in your SharePoint Environment
February 28, 2012
Collaboration technologies and sound security practices can sometimes be at odds. Some of these bad security habits are discussed in, “SharePoint Users Develop Insecure Habits.” The article highlights a Cryptzone study that discovered 92 percent of respondents understood that taking data out of SharePoint made it less secure; however, 30 percent were willing to take the risk stating they were “not bothered if it helps me get the job done.”
To better understand user thoughts about the security implications, the study also found:
When examining users’ handling of sensitive or confidential information, a defiant 45% of SharePoint users said that they disregard the security within SharePoint and copy sensitive or confidential documents from the collaboration tool to their local hard drive, USB device or even email it to a third party. The main reasons for copying documents from SharePoint were either to work from home (43%) or share it with third parties who don’t have access to the tool (over 55%).
Can effective collaboration and sound security coexist? The article touches on both the technological capabilities and the business policies and user behaviors, such as snooping or bypassing security measures to get on with their work, that play a role in the information security system. The survey highlights that this latter user behavior is the dominant. Ease of access can help curb these bad security habits.
To connect your users to the right information they need at the right time, consider Fabasoft Mindbreeze. With unparalleled data processing capabilities, Fabasoft Mindbreeze for Enterprise . . .
finds every scrap of information within a very short time, whether document, contract, note, e-mail or calendar entry, in intranet or internet, person- or text-related. The software solution finds all required information, regardless of source, for its users. Get a comprehensive overview of corporate knowledge in seconds without redundancy or loss of data.
Add in certified security with regular audits for security standards compliance, Mindbreeze connects users to their needed information without compromising information security.
Philip West, February 28, 2012
Sponsored by Pandia.com
Digital Textbooks and Finding a Specific Title
February 28, 2012
eBooks are presenting students with a simple solution to heavy backpacks and large textbook bills each semester.
Mashable presents us with “Five Places to Get Digital Textbooks.” The article lists five digital text services that are available: Project Gutenberg, eCampus, Google Books, Kno, and Zinio. These options are cost-effective, convenient, and interactive. For example, the capabilities of Kno are outlined in the article:
“Ebooks downloaded through Kno offer capabilities like 3D diagrams and a ‘Quiz Me’ button that tests readers on portions in the textbook. By utilizing its search mechanism, readers will be able to find certain words and sections with a simple click. Other than its interactive elements, ebooks are up to 50% off their market price.”
Services such as Google Books provide more than 2 million titles for readers. The large amount of available books and magazines seems like a reason to create a digital textbook search system. With a growing list of titles and services that provide these materials, readers would be greatly benefited by a search system that allowed them to easily scan available options.
Metasearch developers, is this an opportunity?
Andrea Hayden, February 28, 2012
Ektron Lands an Endeca Wizard
February 28, 2012
This shift from Oracle Endeca to Ektron was an interesting move. Unlike the jump of Daniel Tunkelang from Endeca to Google to LinkedIn, Tim McKinnon’s departure sparks goose curiosity.
Ektron, a company that focuses on customer’s digital experiences on various Internet media channels such as websites and social network sites, has recently hired former Endeca Chief Technology Officer, Tim McKinnon, as their new CTO. According to the recent PRNewswire report in a dead tree denizen, the Sacramento Bee reported“Tim McKinnon Joins Ektron as Chief Technology Officer”, McKinnon’s responsibilities will include product innovation and technology strategy. As the report summarizes, McKinnon’s experience make him the ideal candidate to help Ektron’s technology and growth initiatives, explaining:
Prior to Oracle/Endeca, Tim held the chief technologist role in the Digital Marketing Platform Group at Microsoft, where he led strategic development for Microsoft’s search and web content management initiatives. He joined Microsoft via the acquisition of FAST Search & Transfer, where he spent 10 years in a variety of engineering leadership roles.
The article also quotes McKinnon as saying:
Ektron’s vision and execution for a web content management and digital marketing nexus is unmatched….Customer experience is a top priority for executives and marketing teams, and I look forward to helping Ektron customers and partners to capitalize in this area.
Considering his background and successes in working with industry leading companies such as Endeca and Microsoft, we have no doubt that McKinnon will contribute to a bright and prosperous future for Ektron.
However, Ektron is a Microsoft centric outfit I think. The loss of two CTOs suggests that the technology challenge at Endeca may be more significant than I assumed. With the largesse of Oracle and its super fast hardware, Endeca should be in digital hog heaven. Now another farm looks more attractive. Anyone ever been to a farm, a real live working farm?
Stacey Duwe, February 28, 2012
Sponsored by Pandia.com
The Perils of Googley Beta Testing
February 28, 2012
A recent, scary security flaw in Google Wallet has prompted Extreme Tech to explore “Google and the Death of Beta Testing.” Writer Ryan Whitwam laments Google’s rejection of real beta-testing in products from the embarrassingly buggy Google Wave, to the privacy faux pas that was the Google Buzz release, to this latest mishap that left users’ financial information vulnerable. He summarizes:
“There is just no such thing as a real beta at Google. A product is either tested internally by Googlers, or it’s blasted out to large numbers of users. This is great when you want to get immediate access to an awesome new service, but when that service leaks your email contacts, or allows crooks to get at your pre-paid credit cards, it’s a disaster.”
Agreed. Whitman suggests Google return to the best practice of beta testing products before they go out. Seems like common sense, but we wonder: since Google users are not the same thing as Google customers, does the company believe we don’t deserve such common courtesy?
Cynthia Murrell, February 28, 2012
Sponsored by Pandia.com
Blekko is Moving Forward
February 28, 2012
Here comes the new search engine Blekko. Online Media Daily reports, “Blekko Begins Testing Search Ads.” Writer Laurie Sullivan reports:
Blekko has begun to test search ads on its site through feeds from Google and Bing. It works with brands through ad networks, but does not yet have direct ad relationships. Google and Bing built up an inventory of search ads so search start-ups like Blekko can tap into the pool through the AdSense search feed.
As of yet, most ads are not linked to users search terms. That could make for some refreshingly impersonal advertising.
The article notes that, among others, Yandex is helping to bankroll Blekko. That development may have some interesting implications for Google.
Founded in 2007, Blekko aims to provide better search results than its predecessors by tapping into a stash of three billion trusted websites and avoiding content farms. It also uses slashtags to filter and categorize searches. Its hope is that custom sorted searches will reduce spam. However, the company should be careful; doing too many things means that one cannot master them all. if the core competency slips, trouble looms. Behind Blekko stands the wizards from Yandex. Yep, Russian mathematicians, computer scientists, and systems engineers.
Cynthia Murrell, February 28, 2012
Sponsored by Pandia.com
Protected: Kill the SharePoint Bugs Before They Can Gestate
February 27, 2012
Inteltrax: Top Stories, February 20 to February 24
February 27, 2012
Inteltrax, the data fusion and business intelligence information service, captured three key stories germane to search this week, specifically, the happenings within the ever-expanding world of unstructured data.
The first look we took was our story “Unstructured Data Growing at Astronomical Rates” gives proof that the info known as unstructured data (tweets, videos, blog posts, etc) are growing wild, but thankfully smart tools are here to tame them.
Another look, “Unstructured Data is Never Perfect,” offers proof of how hard it is to make sense of this info, but sheds light on companies like Digital Reasoning, who are conquering the unstructured.
In a related realm, “Unstructured Data Storage Demands Equally Powerful Software,” shows that, in order to make the most of unstructured data a combination of powerful software and massive storage is necessary.
Unstructured data is easily the biggest buzz word in big data analytics. That’s because our collection of this useful ephemera is growing at massive rates. Luckily, there are countless tools used to help us make helpful insights using this confusing data and we’ll be tracking it every step of the way.
Follow the Inteltrax news stream by visiting www.inteltrax.com
Patrick Roland, Editor, Inteltrax, February 27, 2012
AppRapids Conference: Sharing Insights in the Digital Field
February 27, 2012
We at Beyond Search are happy to announce that registration is now open for the first AppRapids conference March 28, 2012, in Louisville, Kentucky.
Apprapids is an enterprise information service that focuses on app-related issues and is sponsored by PolySpot. The one-day conference will focus on how apps are transforming the business and digital worlds. The conference will allow attendees and speakers to interact to share insights in the field.
The press release, “Apps are Where it’s at: Register Now for AppRapids Conference,” gives us more information on the collaborative event. We learn:
“Apps have been integrated into every aspect of life on both personal and professional levels. However, a lack of knowledge, and consequently agency, exists among many app users and potential app creators. Apps have roots in the past, are impacting the present, and will construct the future. Conference sessions will range from planning and development to implementation and business implications. Speakers will provide details of real-life use cases, best practices and lessons learned.”
Keynote speakers include Craig James, a partner in CatStrat; Ric Manning, a technology columnist at the Louisville Courier-Journal; and Doyle Friskney, Chief Technology Officer and Associate Vice President at University of Kentucky. Conference sponsors include: Arnold IT, PolySpot, WorkShop, the Creative Workplace, and Interactive Media Lab.
To register and view the schedule and speaker information, head over to http://www.apprapids.com/conference-registration/.
Andrea Hayden, February 27, 2012
Sponsored by Pandia.com
PLM Report Expresses Need for Industry Changes
February 27, 2012
A recent report published by PLM leader, CIMdata, titled, “The Next Industrial Revolution”, focuses on the industrial machine industry and their desperate need for PLM solutions. The press release announcing the report explains why PLM is an urgent need for this particular industry. They estimated in the report that with over $400 billion invested in this industry companies and investors stand to lose a lot as global economies worsen and costs rise.
The press release explains,
“While the end use of an industrial machine may vary, the companies in this market share some common problems. Suppliers of these products are under constant pressure to innovate as well as hold to high quality/performance standards and competitive costs…The manufacture of these products involves complex bills of materials, and a combination of in-house and contracted manufacturing of parts and assemblies…Because of the global nature of the industrial machinery business, this sharing and collaboration needs to flexibly support global collaboration.”
This is a perfect example of how cohesion between departments within a large company must be present for success to occur and the business stay afloat. All PLM solutions aim to streamline processes and eliminate waste yet solutions not focusing on the data, at the heart of every corporation, are not worth the money spent on it. Data is growing in size and complexity and a PLM solution must take that into account as well as address all departments’ ability to find and share information efficiently. Only those PLM products with product data access at the center of its solutions will stand the test of time.
Catherine Lamsfuss, February 27, 2012
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