Project Hosts Offers Government Approved Cloud SaaS
October 15, 2013
Security is the primary concern for government agencies when it comes to software. And though Cloud services have really ramped up in recent years, some agencies that work with the government might be leery to use the Cloud for security reasons. However, a new offering by Project Hosts might change that. Read more in the latest article, “Project Hosts Offers SharePoint, CRM on Government-Approved Azure Cloud.”
The article begins:
“Hosting provider Project Hosts is making its software-as-a-service solutions (including Microsoft PPM, SharePoint and Dynamics CRM) available on a Windows Azure cloud infrastructure that meets the necessary security assessments required by US government offices and agencies. Last week, Microsoft announced that Windows Azure had been granted Provisional Authorization to Operate (P-ATO) from the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) Joint Authorization Board (JAB).”
A variety of deployments for SharePoint is really essential for increased adoption throughout the enterprise. And while SharePoint continues to be the default solution for enterprise search, there are criticisms. Stephen E. Arnold, of ArnoldIT, is a longtime industry expert in search and a frequent critic of SharePoint. Arnold states that where SharePoint truly misses the mark most often, is in its most basic function, search. In a recent article, Arnold argues that SharePoint 2013 was found unsatisfactory in its basic functions when deployed by many organizations. Stay tuned for the latest SharePoint news and the best advice on how to use it successfully.
Emily Rae Aldridge, October 15, 2013
Elsevier Ethics Series Discusses Considerable Academic Misconduct
October 14, 2013
Academic publishing juggernaut Elsevier produces a resource for journal editors called, reasonably enough, Editors’ Update. Retraction Watch calls our attention to the Update’s recent series on ethics in, “Editor: ‘Close to 10% of the Papers We Receive Show Some Sign of Academic Misconduct’.” While the Elsevier ethics series also addresses topics like bias and research misconduct, it is the prevalence of plagiarism that concerns Retraction Watch’s Ivan Oransky. He pulls this quote from a piece in the series by Henrik Rudolph, editor in chief of Applied Surface Science:
“Close to 10% of the papers we receive show some sign of academic misconduct, but since the total number of submissions is increasing, the absolute number is also rising. The most common issue we see is too large an overlap with previously published material, i.e. plagiarism. Cases are evenly divided between self-plagiarism and regular plagiarism. These submissions are most often identified in the editorial phase (by the managing editor or editor) and are rejected before they are sent out for review. iThenticate is an important instrument for detecting academic misconduct, but often common sense is an equally important instrument. . . . If it looks fishy it probably is fishy.”
Examples of fishy-looking content include a sudden shift from U.K. to U.S. English and spelling errors copied straight from the original. Oransky supplies descriptions of the articles to be found in part one of the Elsevier Ethics Special Edition, as well as a brief blurb on what to expect from part two. Check it out for more on this unsettling tendency.
Cynthia Murrell, October 14, 2013
Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, developer of Augmentext
Try this English Arabic Translator
October 14, 2013
We would like to call your attention to a resource hosted at Softpedia, an English Arabic Translator for Windows 8. The full version of the shareware from InTouch Softwares costs all of $1.49, but there is a free trial available. The description states:
“English Arabic Translator for Windows 8 is a handy application that you can use to easily translate your texts from Arabic or change the English texts into Arabic. The utility is a breeze to use since you just have to input the texts in the right box and then push ‘Convert’. If you want to do a translation the other way round, you have at your disposal the ‘Flip’ feature of English Arabic Translator for Windows 8 that will switch the languages.”
Despite the “for Windows 8” in the name, the software will also run on Windows 7, XP, Vista, and even 2000. Only by performing a test run can one tell whether the dedicated English-Arabic translator beats the multi-language Google Translator and similar offerings, but I suspect it just might. At that price point, it is a good thing they offer that free trial so users can compare before buying!
Located in India, InTouch Softwares offers both web development and software applications, focusing on marketing, branding, and communications. The company is committed to using the latest technology to boost clients’ profits.
Cynthia Murrell, October 14, 2013
Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, developer of Augmentext
Facebook Pursues Deep Learning AI
October 14, 2013
Facebook has assembled a new team to build a “deep learning” approach for the site’s AI, MIT Technology Review reveals in, “Facebook Launches Advanced AI Effort to Find Meaning in your Posts.” The method promises to greatly speed data analysis by simulating our own neural networks.
Google and Microsoft have both recently made strides in this area. Google is using the approach to help its algorithm recognize objects in photos (beginning with cats, of course) and to improve its voice recognition services. Microsoft employed the technique to create its real-time English-to-Mandarin translation software. For its part, Facebook hopes deep learning will improve its news feed, which must pick up the pace to keep up with changing user habits. Both the compulsion to check our feeds with our mobile devices and ballooning friends lists require Facebook’s AI to better and more quickly decide what to show each user.
So, how is deep learning different from older AI models? Reporter Tom Simonite explains:
“Conventional forms of machine learning are slower because before data can be fed into learning software, experts must manually choose which features of it the software should pay attention to, and they must label the data to signify, for example, that certain images contain cars. Deep learning systems can learn with much less human intervention because they can figure out for themselves which features of the raw data are most significant. They can even work on data that hasn’t been labeled, as Google’s cat-recognizing software did. Systems able to do that typically use software that simulates networks of brain cells, known as neural nets, to process data. They require more powerful collections of computers to run.”
Facebook engineering manager Srinivas Narayanan, who is helping assemble the deep-learning team, says some of their more general research will be shared with the public. He also notes that the project will be informed by work Facebook has done on integrating hardware and software to process large data sets.
Cynthia Murrell, October 14, 2013
Microsoft Business Intelligence Added
October 14, 2013
SharePoint 2013 has arrived with a bundle of additional add-ons and trinkets, so to speak. However, some may say that these small pieces are in many ways more impressive than SharePoint itself. TechRepublic covers the story in their article, “SharePoint 2013 Adds Better In-memory Analytics.”
“In its quest to never be outdone in the features wars, Microsoft has drifted into the habit of bundling its most impressive new capabilities as peripheral trinkets. But in the case of SharePoint 2013, they’ve set a new record for understatement. Yes, SharePoint 2013 is feature-rich almost to a fault, and yes, most of the new stuff is big-banner game-changing (Social computing! SharePoint-in-the-cloud!). But some of the most powerful items are geeky little widgets that barely get a mention on TechNet, and when it comes to SharePoint 2013, the In-Memory BI Engine tops the list.”
But while the business intelligence add-on might be noteworthy, many are saying that SharePoint 2013 is not. Most organizations still have to customize their way into efficiency, using multiple add-ons to compile a complete solution. Stephen E. Arnold, of ArnoldIT, is a longtime expert in search and a longstanding critic of SharePoint. In a recent article, Arnold finds that the latest version of SharePoint is structurally sound, but relatively ineffective, particularly for its search components. Microsoft continues to innovate, yet seems to keep missing the mark with basic features.
Emily Rae Aldridge, October 14, 2013
Oracle Claims Irritate Competitors
October 13, 2013
Oracle’s CEO Larry Ellison has been talking trash about his company’s competitors, and they are not taking it lying down. Business Insider reports, “IBM and SAP Say You Shouldn’t Believe Larry Ellison’s Latest Claims About Oracle’s New Products.” The latest pair of Ellison assertions to cause a stir comes from a presentation the executive gave at Oracle’s recent conference. In that keynote speech, Ellison claims their new server is much faster and cheaper than the IBM alternative. Writer Julie Bort tells us:
“The problem is that Oracle has already been busted three times for advertising campaigns claiming that Oracle’s servers are faster, better, or cheaper than IBM’s. IBM has complained about these ads to the advertising industry’s self-regulation body, the National Advertising Division, and NAB has consistently sided with IBM and told Oracle to change the ads. When IBM asked NAB to look into the truth of a fourth campaign, NAB threw up its hands and asked The Federal Trade Commission to investigate Oracle’s ads for ‘possible law enforcement action,’ it said last month.”
Bort does note that IBM has a habit of dragging regulators into its disagreements. Still, the fact that IBM is not the only company aggrieved by Oracle‘s claims may lead some credence to its position. In the same conference presentation in which he blasted IBM’s server, Ellison asserted that Oracle’s in-memory database feature “instantly makes the database work at least 100 times faster.” SAP, home of the comparable yet cheaper HANA database, takes issue with the claim. SAP’s Hasso Plattner replied that Oracle is:
“. . . still trying to make queries run faster but missed the chance to simplify the data management at the same time. SAP HANA has been delivering real-time performance to our customers in real world environments for years.”
I have to wonder whether the controversy helps or hurts Oracle. Either way, since the company maintains a hold on about half the database market share, I should think its CEO could afford to dial back the controversial claims, if only out of professional courtesy.
Cynthia Murrell, October 13, 2013
Google Generates Calls for Businesses
October 13, 2013
Google bumped up its advertising services for businesses by giving them the option to add a “click-to-call” service. Search Engine Watch reports that “Google: 70% Of Mobile Searchers Call A Business Directly From Search Results (Study).” A new Google/Ipsos research says the click-to-call option increases click-through rates and brand perception. The research found that when users search on a mobile device and have said option 70% used it. For mobile users, calls are how mobile searchers conduct their research. It allows them to get quick information when on the move. Local services and businesses benefit from the advertising option-69% of users would call them if the option was readily available. Also businesses saw an 8% rise in a click-through rate.
This is concerning to businesses who do not pay for the option:
“And what about businesses that don’t offer a call option? Almost half of those surveyed said ‘the lack of a call option would lead them to be both frustrated with the business and more likely to turn to another brand. Additionally, 33 percent said that they would be less likely to refer the brand to others and would be less likely to use the brand in the future.’ “
Without a doubt this is good for driving business, but from a pure research standpoint it ruins results. Businesses pay for advertising, thus pushing them to the top and ruining organic search results. Other businesses are pushed towards the bottom. Money drives research results…again.
Whitney Grace, October 13, 2013
Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, developer of Augmentext
Google Forces Users to Join Google Plus
October 12, 2013
Face it, when it comes to social networks Google+ is not everyone’s favorite. User adoptions have been less than hefty and Google is not happy. What does the search giant do? Force people to sign up. ReadWrite reports that if you “Want To Comment On YouTube? You’ll Need A Google+ Account First.” In an attempt to cut back on haters’ comments on videos, Google will make anyone who wants to comment on YouTube videos sign up on its social network.
The goal is to clean up content and improve overall quality in the YouTube content section.
How many times have you watched a video on a video with serious content, i.e. animal cruelty, nuclear bombings, child abuse, or the 9/11 attacks, and someone posts a lewd comment or totally off base? As they say haters got to hate, but Matt McLernon, a YouTube spokesperson, wants the comment section to contain meaningful conversations.
Google never does something without a hidden agenda. It forces users to join the Google+ network. All Google users have been forced into this ploy one way or another and have said account, but that does not mean they use them. Google wants to drive its numbers up and may have a problem on its hands:
“The company is risking a user revolt by mandating all commenter’s be Google+ users, as many people are already unhappy that the service is being forced on them. YouTube will begin rolling out the changes on channel pages today, with the exclusive Google+ commenting and linking system due globally later this year.”
But you need to remember who these users are: YouTube commenters. No one takes them seriously in the first place, so staging a revolt probably will not do much. Good luck, though! Those snarky comments give you all the power in the world.
Whitney Grace, October 12, 2013
Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, developer of Augmentext
AOL Is Back On TV
October 12, 2013
The only people I know who continue to use AOL are less than computer savvy people who cling to a past its prime email/Internet provider. I considered it a big accomplishment when I talked my eighty-two year old grandmother to delete her AOL account in favor of a new Gmail account (the hook was less spam). When I think I understand how the Internet world works, I get slammed with a title like this: “AOL Climbs Into Second Place In Online Video Content Ranking With 71 Million Viewers.” Thank you Search Engine Watch for taking me out of complacency.
Google, of course, has the highest video viewing with YouTube, but AOL ranked number two with 167 million unique viewers with 55.9% more viewers than it had a year ago. Video content on AOL has increased by 36.8% and it is time advertisers start paying attention to AOL again.
Here are some more numbers about video content:
“During August 2013, 46.7 billion video content views occurred, with Google sites generating the highest number at 17.4 billion, followed by AOL with 992 million. During August 2012, nearly 37.7 billion video content views, with Google sites generating the highest number at 13.8 billion, followed by AOL with 725 million.”
Hint: AOL is not just for senior citizens anymore. Maybe my grandmother followed the trend that happens if you wait long enough something old becomes cool again. Good for you AOL, but hopefully the old “Welcome” voice will remain in the past.
Whitney Grace, October 12, 2013
Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, developer of Augmentext
Yandex Faces a Possible Challenge in Search
October 11, 2013
I read “Russia Plans State-Backed Web Search Engine Named after Sputnik: Report.” New search engines are not news. Most of the come along with a news release and then disappear. Some linger in a weird online-but-no-visibility mode for years.
The write up reveals an alleged search engine initiative from Rostelecom, a telecom with backing from the Russian government. the source for Reuters is an article in another newspaper. I don’t know how much of the information is accurate at this time.
The idea is not a new one. Several years ago the European Community put some money into a Google alternative. I am not sure what happened to that initiative, but I think user behaviors are tough to change.
The write up includes a remarkable “factoid” from an analyst/expert. Here’s the passage I found amusing:
Bank of America Merrill Lynch analysts said in a note that developing high-quality search technology may require the best talent and long research and development and that the quality of search results may be well below that of leading firms. “Even if the launch of Sputnik is well-executed, we do not expect it could significantly eat into the market shares of Yandex or Google,” the Merrill Lynch analysts wrote.
Enough of my self-indulgent comments about the nature of “real” journalism.
Let’s assume that Russia wants its own search engine. Several questions struck me as potentially interesting:
- What’s up with Yandex? If I were looking for a decent search engine, why not tap Yandex the way the original FirstGov.gov leveraged Inktomi in 2000?
- Is the initiative an indication that the notion of a free and open Internet is going to be given a bit of Stalinesque revisionism? My hunch is that the answer is, “Yes.” I just don’t have any current information on the concern the wild world of electronic information causes in Russia.
- How much money will Russia pump into the venture? Search is darned expensive, and some pretty big outfits have pumped money without end into search only to end up as a flop.
Interesting development. Too bad the write up did not include some reference to Jike, the Chinese search system. Jike may have some useful lessons to offer.
Stephen E Arnold, October 11, 2013
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