Flawed Surveys Attack Open Source
May 2, 2013
A lot of recent research has surfaced regarding the successful adoption of open source technologies, as well as its level of security. However, much of this research is being exposed as flawed. Read one example in the Read Write Enterprise article, “Flawed Survey Tries To Diss Open Source, Fails.”
The article begins:
“Two surveys surfaced last week that paint widely divergent pictures of enterprise adoption of open source. But based on the continued rise of open source in the enterprise, only one is likely correct. The first comes from Univa, a data center automation company that also offers an open-source version of its Grid Engine product. Univa found that while 76% of enterprises surveyed are using open source, a full 75% experience problems running it in mission-critical workloads . . . according to Forrester, ‘developers adopt open source products tactically without the explicit approval of their managers.’”
So open source is being widely adopted, but rather haphazardly and rather poorly. Adoption is only half the battle if implementation is not done well. For enterprises that are struggling to actually make use of their open source infrastructure, improvement begins at the moment of adoption. Choose the right solution. A solution like LucidWorks is ready to go out-of-the-box. However, it is also highly customizable and scalable. Furthermore, since it is built on the power of Apache Lucene/Solr, it is supported by one of the largest open source developer communities.
Emily Rae Aldridge, May 2, 2013
Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, developer of Beyond Search
Do Math In Apache Hadoop With H20
May 2, 2013
If you want to do math in Hadoop, this information on Oxdata/h2o from GitHub is for you. Apache Hadoop, the software library designed for the processing of large sets of data is run by H20 to do math over BigData. The vision for the introduction involves using the primary execution framework for whatever algorithm is presented. The program also reads and writes from and to HDFS, S3, NoSQL and SQL. It is even able to pass and evaluate R-like expressions. The article explains,
“H2O keeps familiar interfaces like R, Excel & JSON so that big data enthusiasts & & experts can explore, munge, model and score datasets using a range of simple to advanced algorithms. Data collection is easy. Decision making is hard. H2O makes it fast and easy to derive insights from your data through faster and better predictive modeling. H2O has a vision of online scoring and modeling in a single platform.”
The targeted users are mainly data analysts. H20 hopes to vitalize the community of invested software engineering enthusiasts and provide everyone concerned with the tools to hack data with math and algorithms. If you are interested in being a part of this community, join the Google group h20stream.
Chelsea Kerwin, May 02, 2013
Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, developer of Augmentext
The Mythical Man-Month by Fred Brooks Still Holds Vital Insights
May 2, 2013
An article in The Observer titled Why Big IT Projects Always Go Wrong explores the impact of computer scientist Fred Brooks’ seminal book from 1975, The Mythical Man-Month. The book, comprised of essays on how to manage large software projects, is based on the lessons Brooks gleaned from his time at IBM producing OS/360 operating system. The project dragged on endlessly with IBM simply throwing more programmers at the problem, which Brooks eventually realized only added to the delays in finishing. This is due to the types of work involved in big software projects: the writing of computer code and the co-ordination of the work of all of the programmers. The more programmers, the more effort to co-ordinate. The article discusses evidence supporting Brook’s claim,
“Oxford researchers examined more than 1,400 big IT projects – comparing their budgets and estimated performance benefits with the actual costs and results. The average project cost $167m and the largest a whopping $33bn. The researchers’ sample drew heavily on US-based projects but found little difference between them and European projects. Likewise, they found little difference between private companies and public agencies. One in six had a cost overrun of 200%. The message is clear: if you run a big company or a government department and are contemplating a big IT product, ask yourself this question: can your company or your ministerial career survive if the project goes over budget by 40% or more, or if only 25-50% of the projected benefits are realised? If the answer is “no” go back to square one. And read Fred Brooks’ lovely book.”
The article cites one disastrous example in Levi Strauss’s attempt in 2003 to streamline its IT system with the aid of a team of consultants from Deloitte. Ultimately Levi Strauss was forced to close its three distribution centers in the US for a week, along with taking a charge against earnings of $192.5 million in 2008. Obviously while Brooks’ book has influenced the field of managing software projects, it has not become mainstream knowledge.
Chelsea Kerwin, May 02, 2013
Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, developer of Augmentext
Larry Page Not Worried About Mobile: Google Has Faced Change Before
May 2, 2013
There is an article titled Larry Page Says Mobile Apps Won’t Hurt Search: ‘The Information Wants To Be Found’ on TechCrunch. It discusses Google CEO Larry Page’s attitude that while mobile may cause some changes to the use of search and the profits surrounding advertising, it isn’t anything to fret over, or anything truly new. He says in the article,
“We’ve been dealing with that issue for a long time… Fundamentally search is an amazing thing for publishers and software developers and other apps. I think, in general, the information wants to be found”…As for the effect of mobile on the company’s bottom line, Chief Business Officer Nikesh Arora argued that focusing on details like Google’s current mobile CPC rates is “the wrong way” to look at these questions” “The right way” is to understand “the new reality where we have all these multiscreens.”
Arora also commented that on any given day, Google will have to provide correct answers across multiple devices to all users. He compared mobile now to search in 1999 in another article titled Google’s Nikesh Arora on Mobile Ads. Meanwhile, Page’s belief that information is out there for whoever is looking is interesting considering that some do want to charge for access.
Chelsea Kerwin, May 02, 2013
Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, developer of Augmentext
A New Report on Search Just in Time for Derby
May 1, 2013
It’s spring in Harrods Creek. The Kentucky Derby marks the beginning of a frenzy of gambling, partying, and social climbing. Spring is also brightened this year by a new report from a big daddy consulting firm. I hesitate to say “azure chip consultant” because so many big time consulting firms have run into a muddy track. Most consulting firms are moving to known methods of boosting revenue. One thing is certain: The marketing horse race is underway. Unlike the Kentucky Derby where the entrants are pretty similar, the horses in the search, content processing, and analytics race are marvelous hybrids. Even though the same words are used to describe some functions, most companies are shaped by their marketing, not their technologies. I think of vendors as having the same bloodline with only the jockeys and their silks differentiating the companies. I suppose that is why there are groupings which are confusing, at least to me.
The particular pair of news announcements in question illustrate this point:
- Attivio, “a visionary”. See http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/attivio-named-a-visionary-in-2013-gartner-magic-quadrant-for-enterprise-search-205246031.html
- Coveo, “a visionary”. See http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/coveo-recognized-as-a-visionary-in-gartner-2013-magic-quadrant-for-enterprise-search-1784721.htm
A number of other companies are sporting labels awarded by a big daddy consulting firm. I have not seen the “study”, which I hope is based on fact, not marketing. Frankly I am not sure if I understand how big daddy consulting firms conduct their business today in an Adwords world.
Do two firms with the same metatag suggests the type of hybridization of functionality I see?
I find this fascinating because it suggests a similarity between the firms. The firms’ respective Web pages position each company in a different manner: Attivio seems more closely allied to business intelligence via unified information access and Coveo seems more focused on point solutions such as customer support. I probably cannot see the track through the spectators. No surprise there. I am far, far from the burning center of big time consulting here in rural Harrods Creek.
I do know that both Attivio and Coveo and have ingested significant venture funding in the last 12 months. (See “Swinging for the Fences and Search.”) Not surprisingly, various promotional and marketing actioins are warranted, if not essential.
Executives at these firms need to differentiate themselves with new companies entering certain market sectors and capturing headlines. Firms in search, content processing, and analytics have to come up with buzz like upstarts who garner headlines in the influential Techcrunch. (See, for example, “Docurated Is An Enterprise Service To Search And Collect The Data You Need From Your Files.”)
Also firms which have been in business a while are interesting because the point at which organic growth kicks is and carries the companies to Endeca-type heights is a signal of the health of the search and content processing sector. What’s interesting to me is that Hewlett Packard has not been emphasizing “search” as a marketing hook for its high profile Autonomy operation.
I will monitor public news releases about companies which sport a very compelling metatag. I don’t think I will be alone in tracking the actions of these and other search “visionaries” which share a very upbeat metatag. Investors and stakeholders will be monitoring the firms as well. I hope I have contributed to the buzz as pesky outfits like SRCH2 and Docurated gallop through the datasphere.
Stephen E Arnold, May 1, 2013
Open Source Myths and Truths
May 1, 2013
There have been many headlines swirling lately regarding the security considerations of open source software, particularly for the enterprise. Some tout that open source is far more secure, others that it is far less so. However, the truth is bubbling to the surface, in terms of security, open source fares no worse or better. ZDNet gives attention to the issue in their article, “Six Open Source Security Myths Debunked – and Eight Real Challenges to Consider.”
The article begins:
“Detractors of open source software often point to its broad developer base and open source code as a potential security risk. But that’s not a fair assessment, according to Dr Ian Levy, technical director with the CESG, a department of the UK’s GCHQ intelligence agency that advises UK government on IT security. Open source is no worse or better than proprietary software when it comes to security, according to Levy, at the Open Source, Open Standards conference in London last week.”
So what does make the difference in open source? The quality of the solution makes the difference, particularly if you are investing in a value-added open source solution. An industry vetted option like LucidWorks ensures that security and efficiency are both maintained. Their strategic partners and alliances ensures that the technology is fully customizable, scalable, and always on the cutting edge.
Emily Rae Aldridge, May 1, 2013
Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, developer of Beyond Search
Google Competes with Amazon and Apple on Infrastructure Spending
May 1, 2013
According to the article titled Google’s Infrastructure Spending Spree Continues; $1.2B in Q1 on GIGAOM, Google has almost doubled its spending from last year’s first quarter. It continues spending on property and equipment, and to maintain efficiency. Apple and Amazon have not released their earnings report as of yet, although in the previous quarter each company spent over 2 billion. The article explains,
“Apples-to-apples comparisons can be tough, because everyone’s businesses are different and decisions to build or buy new gear can affect expenditures, as can massive new headquarters. But here goes: In its fiscal third quarter earnings announced on Thursday, Microsoft claims it spent $930 million. Facebook, Apple and Amazon have not yet released their latest earnings, although both Apple and Amazon spent more than $2 billion on “property and equipment” in the previous quarter. Facebook spent $198 million and another $89 million leasing property and equipment.”
Apple especially has drawn attention for its new headquarters, reportedly nearing 3 billion dollars over budget due to extravagances like 15 acres of trees and cast ceiling molds that will be lifted into place, according to this article, Apple’s Massive Jobs-designed Future Headquarters projects is $2B Over Budget. Microsoft’s spending sound meager in comparison at 930 million. Google’s huge investment in infrastructure makes us wonder, will the company with the biggest computer win the revenue wars?
Chelsea Kerwin, May 01, 2013
Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, developer of Augmentext
Viacoms Legal Strategy Fails to Impress Courts: Youtube and Google Victorious
May 1, 2013
In the article Youtube Wins Yet Another Complete Victory over Viacom; Court Mocks Viacom’s Ridiculous Legal Theories on Techdirt, the sweeping victory of Google and YouTube in the ruling delivered on April 18 is discussed. Viacom’s entire legal strategy was dismissed out of hand, their attempts to place burden of proof on YouTube and dispel safe harbor laws were rejected. The article summarizes the courts ruling as follows,
“Basically, Viacom has wasted an incredible amount of money on a massive lawsuit based on a very, very shaky premise that the court didn’t buy the first time around… This was the crux of Viacom’s argument. That because they could show a lot of infringement, and here and there point to some evidence that some people at YouTube might have known of general infringement, then the burden should be on YouTube. But the court clearly calls them on this”
Calling Viacom’s argument to be both “extravagant” and “Ingenious” in turn, the court has granted summary judgment to Googe/ Youtube. We have to note, Google is on a roll with Youtube.
Chelsea Kerwin, May 01, 2013
Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, developer of Augmentext
Google Glass Runs on Android Announced by Larry Page
May 1, 2013
An article that appeared on engadget on April 18, 2013 was titled Google CEO Larry Page confirms: Yes, Google Glass Runs on Android. The widely anticipated Google Glass will have a display equal to a 25-inch HD screen as seen from eight feet away, 12GB of storage available to the user, Bluetooth capabilities, and a battery life of one full day’s use, according to the devices support page. Up until Page’s recent confirmation, Google Glass running on Android was only a rumor.
“The tidbit was dropped on today’s earnings call, with CEO Larry Page uttering: “Obviously, Glass runs on Android, so [Android] has been pretty transportable across devices, and I think that will continue.” The response was given to a question regarding engagement increment, but Page stopped short of divulging details about version type. We’re guessing it does a fine job of integrating snippets of Google Now, however, so make of that what you will.”
The headsets (in Cotton, Sky, Shale, Tangerine and Charcoal!), will be released to certain “Glass Explorers” in a testing phase. Certainly meant to eventually replace the cell phone, we have to wonder whether in the future, we will all wear our next mobile phones.
Chelsea Kerwin, May 01, 2013
Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, developer of Augmentext
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