Baidu Besting Google in China
March 26, 2012
It comes as no surprise that Google is not faring well in China. Digimind reports, “Baidu vs. Google: the Battle of Search engines in China.” (The link is in French; if you don’t read French, run the site through Google’s Translator.)
Baidu is the Chinese search engine that has challenged Google’s market share in that country. Largely because it was willing to cooperate with government censors where Google was not, Baidu has taken the lead there. The write up describes the Chinese engine:
“The engine Baidu was founded in 2000. A simple search engine, it has become a multi-faceted site offering a range of services (a community of Questions / Answers, a ‘Wikipedia’, an instant messaging …). Baidu is to launch just such a new version of its browser.”
Here are the stats behind the battle: Baidu receives over 80% of Chinese queries, as opposed to Google’s 11%. Baidu’s net income last year was up by 88% over the previous year. 88%! Finally, even Google’s measly 2% stake in its rival is gone, jettisoned during the company’s censorship conflict with the Chinese government.
Even though it cost the Goog, we still say it made the right choice in refusing to cave to China’s demands. Sometimes doing the right thing requires some sacrifice.
Stephen E. Arnold, March 26, 2012
Sponsored by Pandia.com
How to Get Quick and Easy Content Analytics Certification
March 25, 2012
Want to be an expert in IBM Content Analytics? Now you can by using Killtest Bundles. EsuYi! recently reported on a cheap and easy way to become certified as an IBM Content Analytics professional in the article “IBM 000-583 Actual Questions.”
According to the article, the 000-583 exam only costs $100 and is an excellent way to become IBM certified. While IBM has set up classes to prepare for the exam, for those who do not have time attend classes there is another option — 000-583 questions.
In addition to having all the answers prepared in a convenient PDF format, the article states:
“The Developing with IBM Content Analytics and Search V2.2 000-583 questions and answers help you prepare well for the Certified Enterprise Developer, IBM Specialist, exams. All the possible questions are included in this format are regularly updated by the technical specialists. 000-583 answers to the questions are elaborated in a smarter way by adding illustrations and diagrams.”
Now that there are easy tools to get certified, where are those high paying jobs for content analytics experts? Let us know.
Stephen E. Arnold, March 25, 2012
Long Live the Blog
March 25, 2012
Thought blogs were dead? Think again. Neilsen Wire reveals, “Buzz in the Blogosphere: Millions More Bloggers and Blog Readers.” The world is now graced with over 181 million blogs, up from 36 million in 2006, according to research by NM Incite. The study also found that 6.7 million bloggers write on blogging websites, while 12 million more publish through social networks.
Researchers broke bloggers down by category; the article reveals:
“* Women make up the majority of bloggers, and half of bloggers are aged 18-34
* Bloggers are well-educated: 7 out of 10 bloggers have gone to college, a majority of whom are graduates
* About 1 in 3 bloggers are Moms, and 52 percent of bloggers are parents with kids under 18 years-old in their household
* Bloggers are active across social media: they’re twice as likely to post/comment on consumer-generated video sites like YouTube, and nearly three times more likely to post in Message Boards/Forums within the last month”
Three forums, Blogger, WordPress, and Tumblr, when combined boast 80 million unique visitors. The write up posits, though, that the future lies in Pinterest, a fast-growing, visually oriented social media site whose audience inhabits the coveted 25- to 34- year age range.
NM Incite offers competitive advantage through social media analysis. Though headquartered in New York, the company has operations in twenty-five markets around the world.
Stephen E. Arnold, March 25, 2012
Sponsored by Pandia.com
Reed Elsevier and Broken Hips
March 25, 2012
Break a hip when you are old and life gets really tough. Publishing companies like Thomson Reuters, Wolters Kluwer, and Reed Elsevier have taken their share of knocks and bumps. Now Reed Elsevier has a broken hip. The woes of scientific, technical, and professional publishers are like a bum ticker. Now a broken hip threatens the life expectancy and possibly the survival of the entity limping like Chester in Gunsmoke.
I am floating in the pond filled with mine drainage in rural Kentucky. It’s a good day as far as Kentucky goes. Even the hunters have taken a day off, so no sounds of gun fire roils the sylvan beauty of an abandoned horse farm. Yep, lots of horse farms for sale. The rich folks can no longer afford the sport of kings. Even kings and princes have had to cut back. What could be more enticing than a non working horse farm?
Oh, I have an idea. A traditional publishing company offering really high value properties like Variety, the must read newspaper of the Hollywood set. Wait. I am incorrect. I get Hollywood news from free Web sites; for example, E!Online, Celebrity Gossip, Entertainment Weekly, Hollywood Reporter, and TMZ.com. Granted a headline like “Ex Kony Soldier Warlord May Have Cursed Jason Russell” is not up to Variety’s headline writing, but it is free, has some exotic varietal images, and, of course, video and ads. Did I mention ads?
I learned about the new attempt to sell Variety in “Daily Variety Up for Sale.” Here’s the passage I noted:
It’s not the first time Reed has sought a buyer for its Hollywood newspaper. In 2008, the company put all of the U.S publications owned by its Reed Business Information unit up for sale. But amid that year’s financial crash, it was unable to find a buyer willing to purchase them all. Since then, the company has sold all of its other publications, including Publisher’s Weekly and Broadcasting & Cable. The move comes as Variety — famous for a show-biz lexicon of industry-specific terms like “boffo” and tongue-twisting headlines like “Sticks Nix Hick Pix” — has lost its standing as Hollywood’s dominant trade newspaper amid heated competition from online-only publications Deadline and the Wrap, as well as its traditional competitor, the Hollywood Reporter.
So now the economy is better and the market for print trade publications is apparently ripe for a sale of the property which “has lost its standing as Hollywood’s dominant trade newspaper” is on the block.
Several questions:
Quid: Another Analytics Player
March 24, 2012
There’s a new player in content processing. Quid enters the market with big names and solid financing, too. The product description specifies:
Quid software is used by decision-makers running companies, NGOs, banks, and funds. It captures data, structures it, and enables people to visualize and interact with the information, to understand the global technology landscape. Teams can immerse themselves in and play with the data, optimizing decision-making about what to build and where to invest or partner. Quid software augments your ability to perceive this complex world.
Sounds like a valuable tool for those looking to invest in the next big thing. The software provides the ability to: map emerging technology sectors and identify rising stars; track tech R&D and breakthroughs; analyze white spaces for opportunities; and discern co-investment relationships in order to craft solid investment strategies.
We admire the company’s Origami-inspired way of explaining math and analytics. Very creative. Also, the “Life at Quid” page is well designed to entice potential employees.
Quid is one to watch as the company continues to move forward.
Cynthia Murrell, March 24, 2012
Sponsored by Pandia.com
Big Data, Small Talent Pool
March 24, 2012
It may be big data’s biggest issue; Government Computer News asks “Big Data’s Big Question: Where Are the Data Scientists?” Writer Rutrell Yasin explains:
“Even as organizations are trying to define the role of those tasked with analyzing and managing the new phenomenon of big data, people capable of that job are already projected to be in short supply.
“The move from a network-centric to a data-rich environment requires a different skill set, John Marshall, CTO of the Directorate of Intelligence J2 with the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said March 6 during a forum on big data. . . .
“A recent study reported that shortages of qualified workers who understand the power of big data is estimated to be between 140,000 and 190,000 people by 2018, Marshall said.”
Students are beginning to exit college with data analytics and data mining skills, but there may not be enough to fill the gap, especially in the public sector. There are professionals who have developed the required subject matter, math, and programming skills, but most of them are content to retain their lucrative jobs in Silicon Valley or New York.
The article does note that the broad term “data scientist” is akin to “doctor,” in that there are specialists within the field. Michael Lazar, a former intelligence community member who is now a senior solutions architect with VMware, recommends that public sector organizations internally train their people to meet their unique data analysis and management needs.
Though the article focuses on government organizations, it is a relevant read for anyone interested in big data. Also, it suggests a potentially lucrative field for young people looking to build a career in a difficult economy.
Stephen E. Arnold, March 24, 2012
Sponsored by Pandia.com
Google Faces Apple in Mobile Search Wars
March 24, 2012
Business Insider recently reported on the release of a research note arguing that the rise of the iPad is a long term threat to Google, in the article, “How the iPad Could Destroy Google’s Lucrative Search Business.”
How, you ask? According to two Wall Street analysts, Apple will continue to push alternative sources like Siri as a way to de-emphasize Google’s impact. In addition to this, Siri could potentially hurt Google in the long run by diverting search traffic.
Anthony DiClemente of Barclays writes:
Siri is not a search technology; however when paired with services such as Wolfram Alpha and Yelp, it can circumvent traditional search engines and provide the user with answers that may have originally required a search. Because Siri is a non-visual medium, it does not provide the ability to present users with clickable ad links, an area where GOOG derives most of its revenues. Performics estimates mobile could account for 20% of all paid search over the next 6 months, and Google has said 2/3rds of all mobile searches are on Apple iOS devices.
While placing such a high emphasis on Siri’s impact on search may be a bit of an overstatement, unlike other companies like Microsoft or Amazon which have a variety of revenue sources, search advertising is where Google gets the vast majority of its revenue. If Siri threatens that search ecosystem than Google could have some major challenges to overcome down the road.
Jasmine Ashton, March 24, 2012
Sponsored by Pandia.com
More Data about Down Trends in Online Ads
March 23, 2012
This could spell bad news for those depending on online ad revenues. ClickZ reports, “Spending on Digital Ads Fell Sharply in Q4.” According to Kantar Media’s recent data, investments in both search and display ads fell by 6% in the last quarter of 2011. The decline is part of an overall trend, with advertising in all media drooping by 1% from the same time in 2010.
Writer Douglas Quenqua elaborates:
Paid search was down 6.4 percent from the same period in 2010, led by pullbacks from the financial, insurance and local sectors. Display spending dropped 5.9 percent as auto manufacturers, telecom providers and travel companies tightened their belts.
Advertising in television is faring better than in other markets, boosted mainly by investments in sports programming. Interestingly, ads during Fox’s X Factor singing show also significantly bolstered TV’s numbers during 2011’s final quarter.
Magazines and newspapers are faring poorly, particularly Sunday magazines. The article suggests that these dollars may be heading into the digital realm, perhaps into platforms not currently being measured. Television, however, looks like it will continue going strong for the foreseeable future. No surprise there.
Cynthia Murrell, March 23, 2012
Sponsored by Pandia.com
Want to Be an IBM Content Analytics Professional?
March 23, 2012
Want to be an expert in IBM Content Analytics? Now you can by using Killtest Bundles. EsuYi! recently reported on a cheap and easy way to become certified as an IBM Content Analytics professional in the article “IBM 000-583 Actual Questions.”
According to the article, the 000-583 exam only costs $100 and is an excellent way to become IBM certified. While IBM has set up classes to prepare for the exam, for those who do not have time attend classes there is another option — 000-583 questions.
In addition to having all the answers prepared in a convenient PDF format, the article states:
The Developing with IBM Content Analytics and Search V2.2 000-583 questions and answers help you prepare well for the Certified Enterprise Developer, IBM Specialist, exams. All the possible questions are included in this format are regularly updated by the technical specialists. 000-583 answers to the questions are elaborated in a smarter way by adding illustrations and diagrams.
Now that there are easy tools to get certified, where are those high paying jobs for content analytics experts? I think I will focus on Microsoft SharePoint. The alleged 100 million licenses signal a very large market sector.
Jasmine Ashton, March 23, 2012
Sponsored by Pandia.com
Protected: SharePoint People Are Cool People
March 23, 2012
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