Bloggers and Journalists Not as Different As They Appear
September 24, 2012
The Joshua Topolsky Blog recently published a response to criticism from several bloggers regarding The Verge’s coverage of Apple copycats, called ”Integrity and Bullies With Blogs.”
Topolsky, the editor-in-chief of The Verge, calls out several bloggers who have written slanderous “conspiracy theories” accusing The Verge of covering products which resemble or outright boost the industrial design of an Apple product and then purposefully withholding mention of this fact for some kind of gain. He argues that the publication he works for in no way alters or softens stories in order to win favor with a particular company and then goes on site several examples.
Topolsky writes:
“We are not in the business of helping out companies — we’re in the business of writing and reporting news for our readers. And that’s it, plain and simple. The idea that we would attempt to get into the good graces of a company by giving them favorable coverage is simply laughable. If you heard the crazy, angry calls I get from PR people over the coverage we do, you would know this. We have literally been shut out of access to certain companies over our harsh coverage — to suggest we kowtow to them is not only stupid, it’s simply wrong.”
Real journalists are not bullies. Examples of appropriate behavior include: Rupert Murdoch and wiretapping, William Randolph Hearst and the creation of yellow journalism, and Jayson Blair, the life coach who wrote some interesting stories which appeared in the New York Times as news. Now it is up to bloggers to work to make clear where the truth resides.
Jasmine Ashton, September 24, 2012
Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, developer of Augmentext
Centrifuge Releases Latest Version of Visual Networks Analytics Platform
September 24, 2012
Centrifuge recently published “Centrifuge Delivers Scalable Big Data Analytics With Visual Networks Analytics Version 2.7” which discusses a new solution that minimizes the need for data scientists while accelerating discovery across disparate data points. Sounds pretty cool…and complicated.
According to the news release, Centrifuge, a provider of Big Data analytics and visualization solutions for fraud, security and risk, announced the availability of the latest version of its Visual Networks Analytics platform. It addresses the need to derive context intelligence and pattern discovery in big data by delivering powerful technology that addresses the growing need to quickly filter, sift and understand large amounts of data.
Renee Lorton, Centrifuge CEO, explains:
“Corporate Information security is a big data analytics challenge that cannot be addressed with traditional data mining, BI, or legacy analytics approaches. The sheer volume and complexity requires a powerful investigative discovery approach that is easy enough for a non-data scientist to use. Machine data, for example, is one of the fastest growing segments of big data, generated by websites, applications, servers, networks, mobile devices and other sources. Now, discovering patterns in Big Data is both easy and cost effective with Centrifuge’s powerful interactive data visualization.”
With an increasing number of organizations being hacked, information security is becoming a higher priority. A variety of industries would benefit from this technology.
Jasmine Ashton, September 24, 2012
Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, developer of Augmentext
Why Some Libraries are Choosing to Skip the Publishers
September 24, 2012
Tech Dirt recently reported on one way that libraries are choosing to avoid the headache of working with publishing companies in the article, “Libraries Go Direct to Indie Authors, Rather Than Deal with Big Publisher Ebook Limits.”
According to the article, there are very few publishers that are willing to sell ebooks to libraries. In addition to this, there are not very many ebooks available in a variety of formats. These two problems limit a library’s ability to, not only spread the love of books, but also give authors much needed exposure and sales.
What is a poor library to do? In this case, many have chosen to skip the publishers and go straight to the author.
Mike and Linda, librarians from the Harris County Public Library in Houston, Texas explain their stance on the issue:
“Public libraries have always selected print books based on professional reviews and public demand. This doesn’t always work with eBooks. With eBooks, we have to focus on availability and public interest. We are also rethinking our relationship with self-publishing. Many libraries, such as ours, are now looking for ways to purchase eBooks directly from authors and independent publishers.
This is the way to go. We have learned over the years that it is the gatekeepers that tend to be the roadblock toward better exposure and better terms for readers and authors alike. By skipping the Big Six and any other publisher that does not want to allow lending on fair terms, these libraries can expand their collections and better serve the public.”
It is a shame that Libraries have to jump to such lengths to avoid mistreatment from publishing companies. Publishers should embrace the lending culture that libraries are such an important part of, making it easier for both to step into the digital age.
Jasmine Ashton, September 24, 2012
Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, developer of Augmentext
How Facebook is Playing Close Attention to Your Internet Activity
September 24, 2012
Those who choose not to “like” anything on Facebook for fear that the social media giant will use our interests, gender, location and other information against us, you may be right. Business Insider recently reported on some disconcerting news in the article “This is How Facebook is Tracking Your Internet Activity.”
According to the article, Facebook is indeed out to sell your personal information to advertisers through the use of “trackers.” Trackers are defined as “a request that a web page tries to make your browser perform that will share information intended to record, profile, or share your online activity.”
Albine privacy analyst Sarah Downey explained why users should pay more attention to trackers, and block them:
“In addition to invading your privacy, these tracking requests can consume large amounts of data. And transferring lots of data takes time. Generally, the more tracking requests on a website, the slower that website loads. That’s why DNT+ gets you surfing at 125% of the normal speed and with 90% of the bandwidth, compared to a browser without DNT+ running.”
While not all cookies are used for tracking purposes, some are just used to store information. However, it is the broader scope of these requests that is proving to be both problematic and scary.
Jasmine Ashton, September 24, 2012
Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, developer of Augmentext
IntelTrax Top Stories: September 14 to September 20
September 24, 2012
This week the IntelTrax advanced intelligence systems blog delivered some interesting stories that are especially pertinent to those looking to solve the big data problem with analytics solutions.
One field that could see a great deal of benefits from data analytics is education. “The Future of Education Lies with Data Analytics” foresees an education system that is taught through computerized software programs that collect data on the length of time it takes students to master material. Unlike teachers who have limited time and availability, this software would provide instant feedback and compare students to classmates as well as other students across the country.
When discussing the value of this new system, the article states:
“In comparing these two learning environments, it is apparent that current school evaluations suffer from several limitations. Many of the typical pedagogies provide little immediate feedback to students, require teachers to spend hours grading routine assignments, aren’t very proactive about showing students how to improve comprehension, and fail to take advantage of digital resources that can improve the learning process. This is unfortunate because data-driven approaches make it possible to study learning in real-time and offer systematic feedback to students and teachers.”
In the field of data analytics, new and innovative partnerships are always coming about. “Tivo and Scripps Sign Deal to Improve Audience Analytics” announces a deal made between Tivo Research and Analytics and Scripps Networks Interactive, allowing Scripps to access TRA’s audience insights and analytics.
Here’s how it works:
“Media TRAnalytics® TV Auto Ratings launched in January 2012 and enables networks and advertisers to identify the right TV programming based on the make and model of automobile purchases by households watching specific networks and programs. By matching households of television tuning and automotive registration data from Experian Automotive’s North American Vehicle Database (NVDB), TRA provides advertisers, advertising agencies and television networks the industry’s largest household-level single-source solution to plan, buy, sell and evaluate the automotive industry’s current investment in television advertising.”
Big data analytics tools allow for companies to be able to gain valuable insights from your credit card statements, web searches, and social media activity. “Social Media Allows for Personal Analytics as Marketing Tools” explains how businesses can harness the data being put out of social media platforms like Facebook in order to gain insights in order to predict buying behavior.
When explaining the service, the article states:
“It also provides an interesting insight into the kind of machinations that Facebook itself could easily be doing with the data in house. Line this up with the output of Facebook’s own data export tool and you get a good picture for the truth of how much data is being collated. Consider combining patterns across tens or hundreds of millions of profiles with this level of detail and you start to get a picture of the power of the platform.”
Being able to uncover marketing trends and insights about customer behavior is becoming integral to the success of companies in nearly every field and industry. For those looking for an affordable solution that promotes automated understanding of big data analytics, consider Digital Reasoning’s flagship solution Synthesys.
Jasmine Ashton, September 24, 2012
Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, developer of Augmentext
LinkedIn Offers Sneak Peak of Company Pages Redesign
September 23, 2012
The tech watch Web site PCWorld recently reported on the overhaul planned for LinkedIn‘s Company Pages. We learn about the upcoming changes in the article “LinkedIn Previews New Company Pages.” Currently only accessible by a select few companies, with general availability slated for later in 2012, the redesign promises to be more option heavy and mobile friendly. Focusing on a more streamlined navigation, Company Pages brings more attention to updates and notifications while new access from iOs and Android based apps makes it easier to handle on the go. Cosmetic touches also allow users to personalize their profiles by adding a single large photograph at the top of their page, a feature similar to Facebook‘s “cover photo.”
Juan Perez of IDG news continues:
“LinkedIn also announced other enhancements to these mobile applications, including real-time notifications of actions taken by contacts. LinkedIn also added six language interfaces to the iPad application: French, German, Italian, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese and Korean. Coming soon to these mobile applications is the ability for members to edit their profiles.”
With nearly 200 million users worldwide, LinkedIn is making a statement about its dedication to its customers’ core experience. These changes will make it easier for companies to access the data they need from their personalized pages, all while on the go.
Michael Ison, September 23, 2012
Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, developer of Augmentext
Menu and Hours: A New App for Your Appetite
September 23, 2012
Recently Mark Wilson, in his piece over at the Fast Company blog, “This (Perfect?) Restaurant App Offers Just The Menu And The Hours,” covered a new, sleek and efficient restaurant review app and was kind enough to share with the rest of us. Frustrated with her own experiences as a hungry Louisvillian fumbling through her phone for suggestions, developer Michelle Jones decided to re-think the overcooked apps she’d come to hate. She started by trimming the fat. Menus and Hours is a food app that gives you just that: the menu and the hours of your city’s eateries. By removing so many of the industry’s superfluous garnishes from its design, Menus and Hours delivers only what you need and exactly how you need it.
As Wilson states in his post:
“While apps like Urbanspoon are designed with a gimmick at the core–a like button, restaurant randomizer…a way someone might want to interact with something–Menu and Hours is scaffolded around the root functions it’s meant to serve, to give someone very specific data. And at the end of the day, pretty pictures are nice, but that discernibility of information is always what’s most important.”
The only draw back: Jones’ database only contains info on restaurants in Louisville, Kentucky, the only city currently supported by Menus and Hours. Although the app is only available to the famished and indecisive of the Blue Grass State, it’s easy to see the mass appeal of such a finely tuned piece of programming. Hopefully the rest of us will not have to wait too much longer; it is almost lunchtime.
Michael Ison, September 23, 2012
Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, developer of Augmentext
Easy XML Converter for Sale
September 23, 2012
Perhaps this is useful: Sofotex offers through its site an Easy XML Converter. The downloadable software runs $119, but there is a twenty day trial period. The product description reads:
“Easy XML Converter helps to convert XML files into a variety of formats. Easy XML Converter also has a help screen that tells you which tables (elements) that are related to each other. What you want to convert, choose from a tree view, select the desired columns that you want, making it very easy to set up. The converter also supports batch job. Paths and all conversion functions are set and stored in a schema, which you activate when you are in need of conversion of the XML file.Supported formats: Excel 2003 and 2007, Text, Access (.mdb), HTML and XML”
The page goes on to list these functions: the software can convert several XML files, then merge them into one output file; users can filter converted data; a detail view of the file allows the software to double as a handy XML viewer; and backup folders are available.
We haven’t given the converter a spin yet, but it could be useful if it works as advertised. If you think such a product could help you, try it out for about nineteen days, then decide.
Cynthia Murrell, September 23, 2012
Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, developer of Augmentext
Funnelback Releases Version 12
September 22, 2012
Funnelback recently unveiled Version 12 of its software at its Funnelback User Conference in Brisbane, Australia, we learn from Image and Data Manager’s “Funnelback 12 Tackles Big Data.” The company’s R&D manager, Matthew Sheppard, declared that this version significantly boosts both speed and scale. The article tells us:
“Funnelback 12 adds faster and more powerful data searching capabilities. These include better performance of file share and HP TRIM gathering, and ‘Search as You Gather’, the ability to search immediately as content is gathered.
“The latest version of Funnelback also returns more informative search results with date-based facets, easily categorising results by dates, and TextMiner, a new feature that helps define terms and acronyms for users, providing direct access to more information and context on a query.”
That TextMiner feature sounds like an inspired addition—a real time- and face-saver. Funnelback also added a new web-based administration interface they say simplifies maintenance and customization. The write up further boasts of improved integration APIs and more tunable ranking algorithms. The software is available for Windows, for Linux, and as a cloud service.
Based in Australia, Funnelback was established in 2005. The company grew from technology developed by premier Australian scientific research agency CSIRO, and was bought by UK content management company Squiz in 2009. They offer Enterprise and Website Search, both of which include customizable features.
Cynthia Murrell, September 22, 2012
Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, developer of Augmentext
Unified Online Marketing from IBM
September 22, 2012
Interesting. IBM is giving a big boost to its marketing offerings, according to ComputerWorld’s “IBM Launches Online Marketing Service.” IBM announced its Smarter Commerce service at its recent Smarter Commerce Global Summit in Orlando. The software combines some existing online marketing programs and incorporates tech from recently acquired companies, like Coremetrics and Unica. The article tells us:
“IBM has designed the service, an IBM Smarter Commerce offering, for organizations to outsource their online marketing efforts, eliminating the need to purchase and stitch together new marketing software and hire an IT team to manage it. The service provides the ability to select target customers for a product campaign, to design an email solicitation or Web page, as well as analyze the results of how many people responded to these marketing efforts.”
These goals have been pursuable for a while, but only by grafting together unrelated systems— one to manage an email marketing promotion and another to analyze the results, for example. IBM believes the unified approach will provide its clients a clear advantage. Organizations will be charged based on the number of their advertising campaigns and how many users they reach.
Also at that commerce conference, IBM announced a new line of business process outsourcing (BPO)services called the Smarter Commerce Managed Services for multi-channel marketing efforts. It looks like IBM’s focus on marketing is only going to grow from here.
Cynthia Murrell, September 22, 2012
Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, developer of Augmentext
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