New Marketing Tack for Maxxcat
October 2, 2013
Maxxcat is taking a new approach to marketing, Insurance Technology informs us in, “MaxxCAT Launches Search Appliance Channel on TMCnet.” This “channel” is a news and information site focused on search and data management. This is not an aggregation site; it offers original content from regular and guest contributors. Not surprisingly, many of the stories do endorse MaxxCAT. The write-up reports:
“The Search Appliance channel is designed for decision-makers from enterprises seeking information regarding search solutions. Information on the Search Appliance channel addresses issues important to those interested in enterprise search solutions. Visitors to the Search Appliance channel can find valuable resources such as feature articles, industry news, white papers, free product trials and e-demos. The Search Appliance channel can be found at: http://www.searchapplianceworld.com/.”
Launched in 2007, MaxxCAT makes its home in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. Though its focus is on specialized, high-performance enterprise search appliances, the company also provides integration services and managed hosting. MaxxCAT is big on incorporating customer input, and prides itself on quick and painless deployments.
TMCnet helps clients in the tech and communications fields who wish to promote their businesses by supplying information that is actually useful. Their Online Community program has been active for more than a decade now, and their own informative page boasts 1.5 million unique visitors per month.
Cynthia Murrell, October 02, 2013
Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, developer of Augmentext
Google Glass Boosts Search
October 2, 2013
Google Glass continues to evolve. Now, Search Engine Journal reports, “Google Glass Gets Improved Search Capabilities with New Software Update.” The device, still in beta, receives monthly updates, and the latest includes welcome improvements to its search functionality. Writer Matt Southern specifies:
“When users perform a search on Glass, results now show news, videos, and even audio. The software update also brings Google Now predictive search cards to Glass and saves Glass-generated searches to Google Search History.”
Those Google Now cards can be really helpful or really annoying, or even kind of creepy, depending on the user. Whether or not you take advantage of that feature, other refinements should be welcome. For example, users can now specify that they are looking for videos (and the results will go beyond YouTube content, in case you were wondering.) You will also be able to have Glass identify a song you are listening to by title and artist, provided you are using Shazam for your listening pleasure.
News results will now be presented differently, perhaps more intuitively. Southern tells us:
“When a search query involves newsworthy topics, Google Glass will adjust how it displays results. It will first show recently published news articles, followed by information from Knowledge Graph, then it will prioritize articles from reputable sources.”
Finally, Google will be integrating searches performed through Glass with the rest of your personal Google-verse; we learn:
“With this software update, all Glass-based searches will now be stored in the user’s Google Search History. Similarly, deleting a search card on Glass will delete it from the entire search history.”
That pragmatic update was inevitable, but those wary of the trend toward automatic consolidation may be displeased. I personally do not object, though I have been startled a time or two when my phone knew what I had searched for from my laptop or desktop. (Yes, I have a desktop. Would it be better if I called it my gaming rig?)
Google is refining search for Glass, and that is a good thing. Without strong search, that device would be little more than a gimmick. Really, though, would we expect any less from the company that built its greatness upon search?
Cynthia Murrell, October 02, 2013
Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, developer of Augmentext
Craigslist Search Engines
October 1, 2013
Within an article on apps and services for use with Craigslist, we have found a list of search options for the classifieds site. MakeUseOf shares their roster of Craigslist tools in, “Become a Boss on Craigslist with These Apps and Services.” The rundown leads with notification apps, like IFTTT and NotiCraig. These can be very helpful if you are looking for something specific and want to know as soon as it pops up on the site.
But what if you just want to search Craigslist? Scroll through the article until you get to the section titled “Other Craigslist Search Engines.” Blogger Justin Pot suggests some options that:
“. . . .allow you to search the sites in ways Craigslist itself just doesn’t. And not just regional pages near your location. There’s Search All Junk (the former SearchAllCraigs.com), which allows you to search content from multiple classified sites, Craigslist being one of them. And then there’s Search Tempest, which provides a slick interface with more choices than Craigslist itself. All of these are good to have in your Craigslist arsenal, so keep them bookmarked if they look interesting.
“Of course, you can also use a site-specific Google search. Simply search Google as you normally would, adding ‘site:craigslist.org’. You’ll see results only from Craigslist. Add the URL of your local Criagslist page if you’d prefer only local listings (ie, ‘site:boulder.craigslist.com’).”
Useful tips. For those who like to search from their browser’s status bar, Pot also mentions CraigZilla. That Firefox plugin is highly customizable (see here for specifics). Whatever you may seek on Craigslist, this write-up points to several ways of finding it.
Cynthia Murrell, October 01, 2013
Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, developer of Augmentext
Free Search Engine May Not be the Best Thing
September 30, 2013
While perusing Wisecleaner.com, I came across a free local file search tool called “Wise JetSearch.” What seemed funny to me is why would the average user want to download a freeware search engine on their computer, when most come programmed with a sufficient model? Before reducing this pile of code to the recycle bin, let us take a look at what it offers:
“Wise JetSearch can help you search files or folders on all your local drives in just a few seconds. Input your keywords, select the drive and then start to search. After searching, Wise JetSearch will show you the searching results such as file/folder name, path, size and last modified date. Also, a right click can provide you with a direct and convenient way to deal with the file/folder you found out. What’s more, Wise JetSearch only takes up few system resources.”
It is described as a general search engine, nothing really sets it apart. Now let us inspect the specs closer: free of charge, that is not very exciting. It is fast and easy to use. Maybe I am wrong when those two traits are listed as some of the top specs, I know I am dealing with junk. You can search using wild cards. Wow, that is fancy-smancy. Lastly, it searches FAT drives. Stop the troops, we are saved. These freeware Web sites translate to crapware. They usually slow down your computer by downloading toolbars and spyware. If you would like to infect your computer, go here. But we did not recommend it.
Whitney Grace, September 30, 2013
Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, developer of Augmentext
Tahoe Partners are Microsoft Business Critical
September 28, 2013
Tahoe Partners is a Chicago-based consulting firm that was recently awarded as a Microsoft Business-Critical SharePoint program. You can read all the details in the press release, “Tahoe Partners Selected to Microsoft Business Critical SharePoint Program.”
The article gives a little more information about the BCSP program:
“The Business-Critical SharePoint (BCSP) partner program is focused on expanding the market for building and delivering business-critical solutions by connecting line-of-business (LOB) systems with SharePoint.”
But according to Stephen E. Arnold, an industry leader in search technologies, a SharePoint stamp of approval does not go very far these days. In his article, “Software: Its Dark Side and Search,” Arnold states the trouble with current enterprise search options:
“Findability is not making much progress. I am not sure the developers are to blame. Computational boundaries, the complexity of language, and the ‘needs’ of the busy worker contribute to systems which are increasingly alike. The enterprise search systems are equally useful and equally disappointing. Good business for consultants and technical wellness staff comes from the present situation.”
So perhaps the Microsoft BCSP is just an acknowledgement that SharePoint only works well when supplemented and augmented.
Emily Rae Aldridge, September 28, 2013
Brainspace from PureDiscovery Makes Leaps in Enterprise Search
September 28, 2013
The article titled PureDiscovery Wants to Remake Search In the Brain’s Image, Raises $10M To Do It on Gigaom will interest all those invested in the race for the best search platform. PureDiscovery, a company based out of Dallas, TX, corralled $10 million dollars for its reinvention of enterprise search called Brainspace. PureDiscovery has been well known in the enterprise search game for some time, and now hopes to widen it’s aims with a cloud-based platform and soon to be released Brainspace technology. Founder Dave Copps explains the new direction the company has taken,
“The idea… is to create interest graphs linking people and documents with concepts. So if I’m interested in “big data,” for example, BrainSpace should point me to internal company documents about that topic, but also to external content and to people who know a lot about it. Ideally, it identifies people based not just on keywords in their profiles, but on their interaction with big data content and perhaps their activity on the corporate social network.”
The article also reports on a demo of the new software, in which the user highlights a passage from one piece of content, deposits it in “the brain”, and is rewarded with a new set of related content. PureDiscovery even believes that there project will find mass appeal to consumers across the Internet.
Chelsea Kerwin, September 28, 2013
Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, developer of Augmentext
Google Hummingbird Flits In
September 27, 2013
Good news, according to many sources. Google has made changes to its ad-supported, Web search system. A representative write up is “Google Unveils Search Updates for Mobile, New Page Rank Algorithm, and Knowledge Graph Comparisons.”
What could be more useful? Google wants “to help users access information quicker, including new interfaces and features for its iOS and Android apps, along with better integration with the Knowledge Graph.”
Machine-generated comparisons and “knowledge graphs” may prove to be just what searchers like me need to obtain pinpoint results lists. Give the system a whirl. Search for “bwr pwr compare” or “compare pwr bwr” or “pwr versus bwr.” Check out the results. Oh, I guess this did not work. These are nuclear reactor types. Well, maybe in a few days.
When I search for topics like “fluidic self assembly of nanoparticles”, I checked out a knowledge graphs. Oh, I guess this did not work. To see without ads or a fee a “graph”, navigate to www.cluuz.com and try the query. Yes, better. Well, maybe in a short time Google will do the relationship thing in a way that helps me.
The write up asserts:
Google Senior Vice President and software engineer Amit Singhal took the stage afterwards to talk about the company’s future in search. Fifteen years ago, you had to go to a website on a “bulky computer”, turn it on, fire up the dial-up modem, and look up the information and wait for it to be returned. Over time, retrieving answers to questions became possible on the go with the evolution of mobile devices. Singhal says that in today’s age, we’re comfortable with finding information no matter where we are, whenever we want.
Maybe?
My take on “improvements” to Google search include these observations:
- I find it more difficult to locate information today than at any other time in my online experience.
- Results are no longer tied to precision and recall. Results may be hooked to agendas such as advertising revenue. Advertisers pay. The shift to mobile means that the dear Overture approach has to be tweaked. Precision and recall are tossed from the slowing revenue Camry for me.
- Users have zero idea about the accuracy, completeness, or provenance of most search system outputs. Sorry, but I want date and time stamps, information about index freshness, access to content across index silos, and content not distorted by the happy laborers at low cost SEO services.
I could go on, but I won’t. In my lecture at the ISS conference, I told a standing room only crowd, getting online information today in which one has confidence now requires real work. Queries must be passed against multiple search systems. Results lists must be examined carefully. Items of data must be assembled by a human into a coherent fabric. Few have an appetite for this work.
Look at the bright side. Google’s new system makes it easy to find out about Miley Cyrus, rental cars, and pizza. Useful, right?
Stephen E Arnold, September 27, 2013
iFerret from Australian Company iPlatinum Improves on the WebWombat for Local Government Search
September 27, 2013
In the article on WhaTech titled Purpose Built Search Engine Helps Ferret Out The Facts To Ensure Good Corporate Governance at NSW Council, the introduction of the iFerret from iPlatinum is discussed. The iFerret was released as an improvement on the WebWombat, a purpose built search engine created for local government use. The WebWombat was found lacking in its ability to collect and collate various electronic documents found on various data sources. Randwick County in Sydney, Australia was one of the first to utilize the tool, and one upper level management staff, David Kelly, explained the uses of iFerret as follows,
“…Problems reported to any council call centres: the damaged footpath which results in someone falling and sustaining an injury or a tree in a public space that drops a large limb and damages private property. If such incidents are consequential enough they will set in train a search for information stored across numerous data repositories. That information may be required to satisfy insurance claims, assemble the facts for subpoenas in judicial proceedings… It’s information to help ensure good corporate governance.”
Another staffer spoke on the importance of iFerret when collecting the range of PDFs, JPEGs and other file types into one folder, sometimes containing upwards of a hundred files for a single insurance claim. The improvements specific to the iFerret include OCR help, synonyms, duplicate document detection and other functions that offer speedy and comprehensive search.
Chelsea Kerwin, September 27, 2013
Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, developer of Augmentext
SharePoint Not on the Radar
September 26, 2013
Microsoft recently updated its SharePoint Cloud services to include more options that allow more flexibility for mobile users. While the PR for this update has been well received, “AIIM Research Indicates SharePoint Has A ‘Cloudy’ Future” says PRWeb. This reminds me of something Stephen E Arnold of Arnold IT notes in many of reports about how upgrades may be good, but they do not solve the underlying problems, such as implementation and security.
AIIM conducted a survey and found that only 6% of its respondents found their deployments successful, while 43% are struggling with implementing SharePoint, and another 28% say that progress has stalled in their SharePoint projects. That only touches the shallow end of the SharePoint pool. Many companies are also running multiple versions of the software, which can only lead to compatibility issues.
And how is SharePoint Cloud security viewed?
“ ‘There are many benefits to tapping into the power of SharePoint 2013, specifically the mobile and social aspects, yet as our research indicates, many business and IT leaders are wary of security issues around cloud technology,’ said AIIM President John Mancini. ‘While using SharePoint can help companies of any size, as a collaborative platform and even a records management tool, it’s clear from our research that, based on a variety of factors, deployments and adoption of the technology has not reached its original goals.’”
SharePoint is a viable solution, but behind the shiny labels and screensaver there are many, many problems.
Whitney Grace, September 26, 2013
LucidWorks Leads Industry with Marketplace Plus Search
September 25, 2013
LucidWorks, a long-time industry leader in enterprise search, has changed the future yet again with their introduction of the Solr Marketplace. The Marketplace allows organizations to easily find and integrate pre-built add-ons into their open source infrastructure. All offerings are built on the trusted infrastructure of Apache Lucene Solr, so quality and usability are guaranteed. Read more of the exciting news in the article, “LucidWorks Creates Industry’s First Marketplace for Pre-built Application Add-ons to Enrich Solr Search.”
The piece begins:
“LucidWorks, the company transforming the way people access information, today announced the Solr Marketplace, the industry’s first marketplace for pre-built application add-ons that make it easier for organizations to integrate open source enterprise search capabilities into existing applications. The Solr apps and add-ons . . .T% allow Solr developers to extend the capabilities of their applications with ready to use and easy to deploy modules, apps and connectors . . . For a limited time, most of the app add-ons in the Solr Marketplace are available for a free download.”
An impressive list of partners contributing to the marketplace already includes Avalon Consulting, Basis Technology, Raytion, Smartlogic, and others. Stay tuned for more partners as they are added. As was mentioned, most current offerings are free for a limited time. The Marketplace had 35 apps available upon launch but keep an eye out, as that number will likely grow as well. What sets LucidWorks apart is its ability to see where the market is headed, and innovate proactively. While others are too busy playing catch up, LucidWorks is just getting started crafting the future.
Emily Rae Aldridge, September 25, 2013
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