Smart Software: In the Race Are…
February 18, 2016
I read “How the Rest of Tech Is Playing Catch-Up to Facebook and Google in Artificial Intelligence.” I would summarize the article in one word: “Scrambling.” Alphabet Google and Facebook are leaders in smart software; others must catch up.
I thought about this idea when I read “Intelligent Assistant Landscape Shows Slow Growth but Huge Potential.” Of particular interest was a graphic composed of the logos of companies competing in the smart software revolution.
I noted the grouping for conversational technologies which seem to be nudging into functions which I follow from my redoubt in a hollow in rural Kentucky.
Here are the companies in this “talk to computers” cluster:
- Aivo
- Anboto
- Artificial Solutions
- Aspect Software
- Avaya Ava
- Bot Ego
- Botgenes
- CodeBaby
- Creative Virtual
- CX Company
- Denise Systems
- Do You Dream Up
- Existor
- Fetch
- Genee
- GetAbby
- Google Now
- Here
- IBM Watson
- Inbenta
- Inteliwise
- Intelliresponse
- LinguaSys
- Microsoft
- MindMeld
- Next IT
- NoHold
- Nuance Nina
- Speaktoit
- SRI International
- Synthetix
- Viclone
An interesting and eclectic list. The conversational cluster is very similar to the Virtual Agents and Customer Assistant cluster. My thought is that some specialists have been overlooked.
If you like these logo clusters, check this one out. Perhaps the next Facebook is on the list?
My reaction is that more precision in the groupings would have been helpful to me. Overall most of these outfits are in search and content processing businesses. A few have embraced smart software as the with-it way to generate leads and sales.
Stephen E Arnold, February 18, 2016
IBM and Its Watson Branding
February 18, 2016
I read “IBM Hits 52-Week Low as Watson Branding Flails.” The write up comes from a person allegedly in touch with the pulsing world of Wall Street. The article is interesting and contains a number of points which I found in line with my own ideas about IBM; for example:
- Watson is not a consumer product. IBM is relying on consumer marketing tactics, including TV and cultural icons like Bob Dylan.
- IBM’s financial performance has been disappointing to shareholders.
- IBM bought the Weather Company “platform” and put its CEO in charge of Watson.
The highlight of the article was this statement:
Bob Dylan walks off stage in his Watson commercial, he seems frustrated. Watson can’t sing. That is not all it can’t do.
Keeper for my quote folder.
Stephen E Arnold, February 18, 2016
I Left My NoSQL Heart at the MarkLogic Conference
February 18, 2016
MarkLogic is a headlining company in the field of NoSQL enterprise databases, allowing companies to process, search, scale through massive data stores as well as build Web applications to handle the onslaught. As a respected enterprise leader, MarkLogic occasionally holds a conference to teach IT professionals as well as potential customers about its software benefits. This year MarkLogic will host the MarkLogic World 2016 US in San Francisco, California from May 9-12 at the Park Central Hotel.
The conference is described as:
“We kick the week off on Monday with three different hands-on workshops to choose from and end our week Thursday afternoon with our traditional closing keynote with our Founder and Chief Architect, Christopher Lindblad. New this year, we are including a special Partner Track, exclusive to MarkLogic partners and those interested in becoming one. If you are developing with MarkLogic, transitioning from RDBMS to MarkLogic, building apps on MarkLogic, or if you are just starting out on MarkLogic, this is the event for you. Sessions span from MarkLogic basics to technical deep dives covering data modeling, semantics, much & more.”
A Partner Track? That is a new feature at the MarkLogic convention, but what is its purpose? Will it be a daylong event where MarkLogic partners advertise their services or wares otherwise known as a commercial seminar without a free lunch? Will it be an informative explanation about how MarkLogic partners are shaping the NoSQL enterprise industry and combining their talents to advance the field? Maybe it is just a mix and mingle for networking?
The only way to know is to sign up for the conference and if you use the promo code “MLEMJAN” you can get in for free. It is also an excuse to visit San Francisco and ride the cable cars.
Whitney Grace, February 18, 2016
Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, publisher of the CyberOSINT monograph
Google 20% Time Policy Projects Take Users Around the World
February 18, 2016
The article on StumbleUpon titled 12 Lesser-Known Google Projects That Are Absolutely Amazing describes how certain Google employees took advantage of their creative time, or “20% time polcy” that dictates one day a week should be used experimentally. Hence some of these whimsical concepts like Google Sky, which functions similarly to Google Earth but in the far-out setting of space. Another idea is the game Ingress,
“Ingress transforms the real world into the landscape for a global game of mystery, intrigue, and competition. Our future is at stake. You must choose a side. A mysterious energy has been unearthed by a team of scientists in Europe. The origin and purpose of this force is unknown, but some researchers believe it is influencing the way we think. We must control it or it will control us.”
Other projects offer outlets to explore global culture and history, such as the World Wonders Project, which enables users to view high-res photos and 3D views of distant places like the Pyramids of Giza and Angor Wat. The Google Art Project contains quality images of important artworks from 400 art museums all over the world and allows users to build their own collections for take audio tours to learn more about famous pieces. Overall, the projects encourage increased engagement with technology, culture, and creativity.
Chelsea Kerwin, February 18, 2016
Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, publisher of the CyberOSINT monograph
Anonymous Hacks Turkish Cops
February 17, 2016
No Dark Web needed.
Anonymous has struck again, this time hacking the Turkish General Directorate of Security (EGM) in its crusade against corruption. The International Business Times reports, “Anonymous: Hacker Unleashes 17.8 GB Trove of Data from a Turkish National Police Server.” It is believed that the hacker responsible is ROR[RG], who was also deemed responsible for last year’s Adult Friend Finder breach. The MySQL-friendly files are now available for download at TheCthulhu website, which seems to be making a habit of posting hacked police data.
Why has Anonymous targeted Turkey? Reporter Jason Murdock writes:
“Anonymous has an established history with carrying out cyberattacks against Turkey. In 2015 the group, which is made up of a loose collection of hackers and hacktivists from across the globe, officially ‘declared war’ on the country. In a video statement, the collective accused Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an’s government of supporting the Islamic State (Isis), also known as Daesh. Turkey is supporting Daesh by buying oil from them, and hospitalising their fighters,’ said a masked spokesperson at the time. ‘We won’t accept that Erdogan, the leader of Turkey, will help Isis any longer. If you don’t stop supporting Isis, we will continue attacking your internet […] stop this insanity now Turkey. Your fate is in your own hands.’”
We wonder how Turkey will respond to this breach, and what nuggets of troublesome information will be revealed. We are also curious to see what Anonymous does next; stay tuned.
Cynthia Murrell, February 16, 2016
Omnity Search: Yep, You May Have to Have to Pay
February 17, 2016
I read “Google Search Engine Face New Competitor : Omnity Semantic Search.” I had not heard about Omnity. I navigated to the firm’s Web page at https://www.omnity.io. I plugged in one of the names I use to test systems. The site then presented me with terms and conditions:
I noted section 8 “Payment Terms.” Here’s the passage I highlighted:
8.1 Payment. Unless otherwise expressly set forth in the Proposal, Omnity will invoice Customer in advance for the license Fees for the Initial Term and for any Renewal Term, and Omnity will automatically charge Customer’s credit card on file for the License Fees applicable to such initial Term and any Renewal Term.
My reaction was, “No way.”
Did the write up explain the fees for using Omnity? Nah.
Did the write up get beyond buzzwords and a reference to the Consumer Electronic Show? Nah.
Will Omnity be a threat to Google? Probably not, but I interpreted the sign up terms as a threat to moi.
I think this outfit suggested that Google was a cooked goose.
Nah.
Stephen E Arnold, February 17, 2016
Alphabet Spells Fiscal Controls
February 17, 2016
I read “Google’s Alphabet Poaches Intel Veteran Jim Campbell as Its First Controller.” My father was a controller at one time. He told me that he was not the most popular person at budget reviews. Gee, I thought he was lovable year round.
Here’s the passage I highlighted:
When speaking about the Alphabet reorg (particularly to Wall Street), the company’s execs have stressed that its intent was to instill tighter financial discipline around its various projects, particularly those outside of core Google, lumped on the balance sheet as Other Bets. “
I like the notion of investments as bets. I wonder if the controller will be able to reign the gambling losses as Google bets. I would bet on death remaining an unsolvable problem. Loon balloons? Pony up.
Stephen E Arnold, February 17, 2016
Was the Silk Road Trial Fair?
February 17, 2016
The Dark Web burst into the general consciousness with underground Web site called the Silk Road was busted. Ross Ulbricht aka the Dread Pirate Roberts ran the crime ridden Web site Silk Road that was a darknet playground for drug pushers, sex traffickers, money launders, hackers, and just about every other relatable crime that wants an untraceable presence. The Naked Security blog by Sophos proposes the question “Ross Ulbricht Appeals Silk Road Conviction-Did He Get A Fair Trial?”
In 2015, Ulbricht was convicted for money laundering, drug and hacking-related charges, and sentenced to two life terms with an additional forty years for running the entire Silk Road network. Ulbricht’s lawyers appealed the case based on the grounds that the law enforcement officials were guilty themselves of stealing bitcoins and extorting from Ulbricht. The evidence proving this was, of course, withheld in the trial and any favorable pro-Ulbricht evidence was suppressed.
“Ulbricht’s family paints a very different picture of him than federal prosecutors. The family has been waging a campaign to “Free Ross Ulbricht” that accuses the government of framing Ulbricht as part of the “failed War on Drugs,” and depicting his case as a milestone in the government’s crackdown on Internet freedom. Ulbricht’s defense attorneys argued at trial, and in his appeal, that Ulbricht had founded the Silk Road using the pseudonym Dread Pirate Roberts, but that he had sold his stake and was framed by subsequent operators.”
Ulbricht’s family says that the two corrupt agents Shaun Bridges and Carl Force had administrative privileges on Silk Road and would have been able to manipulate information in their favor. They claim the information was withheld when Ulbricht’s case went to court and the government kept it under seal to protect its agents.
Ulbricht and his family have many supporters saying that the two consecutive life terms without parole was too harsh of a punishment. They also claim that Ulbricht’s Fourth Amendment rights were breached.
The US government, however, thinks otherwise. They want to make an example of Ross Ulbricht and send a message to cyber criminals that they cannot hide behind the Dark Web’s invisibility cloak. The Dark Web might be a mask criminals wear, but a light can unmask them.
Whitney Grace, February 17, 2016
Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, publisher of the CyberOSINT monograph
DirectEDGAR plus DtSearch Equals Superior Search for Analysts and Researchers
February 17, 2016
The article on PRNewswire titled directEDGAR SEC Edgar Database Research Platform Now Embeds The dtSearch® Engine for Enhanced Search and Retrieval discusses the partnership between dtSearch, AcademicEDGAR+, and AppsPlus. The merger is meant to improve advanced search for analysts and academic researchers who rely on search to enable them to wade through tens of millions of documents. Why did Dr. Kealey, CEO of AcademicEDGAR+ choose dtsearch? He explains in the article,
“We have over two terabytes of SEC filings and there was no other vendor whose offering allowed immediate access to any document in the results set no matter how many documents are returned.” Dr. Kealey also notes that search granularity is critically important, and dtSearch’s unique operators extend far beyond the standard Boolean operators…To complete the implementation, AcademicEDGAR+ chose AppsPlus.”
AppsPlus has been around for over 15 years aiding in a huge range of development projects across industries. The article explains that with directEDGAR, users get more than just search. The product allows for extraction and normalization in one stop. That capability, paired with dtSearch’s instant search of terabytes, makes this partnership very exciting. Those academic researchers must be drooling into their elbow patches to get their hands on the new service.
Chelsea Kerwin, February 17, 2016
Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, publisher of the CyberOSINT monograph
UK Government Digital Services Board without an Alphabet
February 16, 2016
I read “Government Creates Digital Board to Advise on Tech Matters.” The idea is that the UK government wants to be more informed about technology. Hmm. What about the National Health Services’ on the job learning? I assume those experiences were not sufficiently rich and deep. The entities on the board, according to the write up, are:
- Amadeus Capital
- Amazon
- Aviva
- Baroness (one)
- Entrepreneur First
- Founders Factory
- Goldman Sachs
- Improbably
- LoveFilm (founder)
- Open Data Institute (founder)
- WeAreTheCity.com.
My question, “No Alphabet Google?” I do like the inclusion of baroness and some MBA types.
Stephen E Arnold, February 16, 2016
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