Search Technologies Announces First Search Meet Up
October 2, 2012
If you are attending the Enterprise Search Summit at the Renaissance Washington DC hotel, you will want to check out Search Technologies’ search meet up. We learned that the meet up will consist of:
an open forum where members can share search experiences, challenges, and solutions. Members will also hear from search customers who will relate their enterprise search implementation stories. The Meetup will conclude with a Q&A session and networking opportunity.
Search Technologies is a specialized IT services company dedicated to enterprise search implementation, consulting, and managed services.
Kamran Khan, CEO of Search Technologies, said:
We are very happy to sponsor the first ever network for enterprise search professionals in the Washington, D.C. metro area. Being in an area saturated with government, high-tech, aerospace, and other industries so reliant on gaining a competitive advantage through enterprise search, we expect the D.C. Enterprise Search Network to grow into a premier networking and brainstorming event. We envision robust debate on important search related issues that will hopefully infuse participants with new ideas and strategies on how to help their organization thrive.
Additional information is available at http://www.meetup.com/DC-Metro-Enterprise-Search-Network/.
Stephen E Arnold, October 2, 2012
Semantic Search May have Google on the Offensive
October 2, 2012
Search Engine Watch follows the latest in the world of search and they are filling us in on the latest competition to Google, Wolfram|Alpha’s Siri. Some see semantic search as the future, with Siri being the leader of that particular parade. Google may therefore be in jeopardy of becoming outdated and irrelevant. Read the full analysis in “Is Google Afraid of the Big Bad Wolfram?”
The article also gives a good introduction to the new buzz term semantic web:
Search experts have been talking up the ‘semantic web’ for years and no doubt you will have read about how it will ‘transform the landscape.’ For those that have not yet had had the pleasure, let’s explain the basics of what it really means.
While semantic web has many facets, intrinsically it is about organizing data in a way that helps understand the user intent behind a search query. It makes that process easier by mapping things like the relationship between words and phrases to ‘entities’ (people, places, etc). The word semantics literally means ‘the study of meaning.’
So is semantic search important and how can it benefit your organization? Yes, the future is moving toward semantics. But there are ways to incorporate semantic search into your web presence without your own personal army of developers or spending a fortune on an outsourced solution. Fabasoft Mindbreeze brings semantic search to your web presence through its InSite web site search. Insite is immediately ready to use as a Cloud service and can bring your organization into the latest search technology without the customary pain and suffering.
Emily Rae Aldridge, October 2, 2012
Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, developer of Augmentext.
Tips for Boosting Information Security in the Farm
October 1, 2012
As information storage and access extends to the Cloud and mobile devices, security concerns are an increasing priority for organizations. Rob Rachwald shares five tips to boost information security in his ComputerWeekly.com post, “How to Secure a SharePoint Environment.” Access rights, protecting Web applications, and controlling data migration are just some of the challenges discussed. Addressing compliance mandates is also on the list:
’60% of organizations have yet to bring SharePoint into line with existing data compliance policies. – AIIM 2011.’ Native SharePoint activity monitoring lacks an intuitive, easy-to-use interface for reporting and analytics. Without a third-party solution, businesses must first decode SharePoint’s internal representation of log data before they can access meaningful information. Use enterprise-class technology that combines permissions and activity details to automate compliance reporting.
Rachwald also suggests using a policy framework to build rules across SharePoint’s components to be able to respond in real time to suspicious activity. Investing in the tools to organize, manage, and protect valuable business information assets is part of improving business security. One solution worth a second look is Fabasoft Mindbreeze. Fabasoft is certified and tested according to relevant standards, including ISO 27001, ISO 200000, ISO 9001, and ISAE 3402, for security and reliability. And compliance is checked in regular external audits.
Philip West, October 01, 2012
Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, developer of Augmentext.
Qihoo360 Emerges as Baidu Rival
September 29, 2012
It looks like Baidu may soon lose its crown as the uncontested Chinese search engine leader. Lately, its nemesis Qihoo360 has been gaining ground with their new engine. TechNewsWorld hosts a podcast that examines the rivalry, “Combatants Getting Down and Dirty in Chinese Search Wars.” In it, ECT News reporter David Vranicar interviews Tech In Asia editor Charlie Custer. You can listen to the twenty minute recording or read the transcript at the above link.
The pair begin by recounting the Chinese search engine market, then discuss the success of Qihoo360’s search since it launched a month ago. The new tool immediately captured 10 percent of the market, while Baidu’s business dropped by about 10 percent. Custer emphasizes that the coup is most likely due to the inclusion of search functionality in Qihoo360’s browser, much like the default search in Chrome’s address bar sends us to Google.
Some users have noted a remarkable similarity to Baidu’s results, but Custer doesn’t think it is because Qihoo360 has stolen Baidu’s algorithm; it is simply that quality searches will return similar results. However, he believes he knows why people wondered. He states:
“But the reason that people are suspicious about it is that Qihoo has a reputation as just scummy. . . . And part of that is their CEO. He has a big mouth, he likes to get in fights with people in social media and the press, just talking s*** about other companies and other products.
“And Qihoo is also always getting caught doing sketchy things. A lot of people think their antivirus software is basically a virus, and that’s because [the antivirus software] blocked QQ, this big instant messenger that everybody uses but it is offered by a competing company.”
Analogies to Google’s EU problems, anyone? I suppose favoring one’s own properties is different from outright blocking a competitor, but only by so much. Will Qihoo360 continue to gain ground? We shall see.
Cynthia Murrell, September 29, 2012
Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, developer of Augmentext
Predictive Search: Are You Ready?
September 28, 2012
We read “A New Google App gives You Local Information—Before You Ask for It.” The idea is that smart software knows where you are and what you probably will want to know. Years ago I heard Scott McNealy, the former Sun Microsystems CEO, describe a system in an automobile which would display the location of filling stations and highlight the gas pump with the best price. The Google app seems to be a step in this direction. According to the write up:
Google, along with other companies and researchers, dreams of so-called ubiquitous computing or ambient intelligence — computers woven into the texture of life as opposed to being separate machines. Eventually, the theory goes, computers will be part of the environment, know where people are and anticipate what they want to know. The Field Trip app is a small step in that direction, and an example of what Google is capable of doing.
The good news is that Google is making the predictive system available as an app, not a default setting in a mobile device’s browser. That step would not be one I would welcome. For those who are keen to have smart software think for them, the Field Trip app will be extended to meet market demand.
My personal view is that “smart” software is, like semantic technology, most helpful if it is kept behind the scenes. We are moving to an information access model in which run-and-gun decision making is the norm. The time and effort required to formulate a query, analyze the results, and then check the provenance of the information is becoming irrelevant for some people.
Progress in search marches on. I just worry that those who define progress are the handful of math wizards who decide which algorithms to use and what threshold settings to implement. Smart software in my experience can make some pretty dumb decisions.
Stephen E Arnold, September 28, 2012
Sponsored by Augmentext
Quick Tips for Boosting Web Site Search Rankings
September 28, 2012
With the growing number of active Web sites, getting noticed online can be a challenge for small businesses. TheStar.com shares some insight on the topic and provides tips for improving a site’s search rankings. Jeff Quipp’s article, “Seven Tips to Improve Website Search Rankings,” starts off the list of tips with adding secure links to your site, updating content regularly, and adding variety to the content.
The author has this to say about social media integration:
Ensure the site is “social media optimized” – With the growing influence that social media has on a company’s relationship with potential and existing customers, it’s vital to ensure all website pages have the company’s social profile icons (i.e., Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest). These icons encourage and make it easy to share the information and increase the chance of it being found in a search.
Quipp also points out that keywords should be used in page titles and offering valuable and unique content that is user-friendly will help boost search rankings. Part of making a site user-friendly is a comprehensive search feature. Fabasoft Mindbreeze offers InSite, a Cloud based service that allows you to generate search tabs on your site to customize the searching experience for your visitors. With semantic and faceted search, site visitors can quickly and easily locate your content.
Philip West, September 28, 2012
Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, developer of Augmentext.
IBM Content Navigator Demonstration
September 27, 2012
Short honk: Thanks to the reader who alerted us to a demonstration of IBM Content Navigator. The demo runs about six minutes and provides glimpses of “findability.” If you are an IBM follower, you might want to check out http://goo.gl/6i7hT.
Stephen E Arnold, September 27, 2012
Sponsored by Augmentext
Amazon Web Services Announces Online Marketplace for Selling Reserved Instances
September 27, 2012
In the PCWorld.com post, “Amazon Web Services Allows Users to Sell Reserved Instances,” Mikael Ricknas discusses the recent Amazon announcement of an online marketplace where users of cloud computing services will be able to sell their reserved server instances to other companies. Riknas explains reserved instances:
Reserved instances allow avid cloud users to lower their cloud costs by making a one-time payment to reserve compute capacity for a specified term, and in turn, receive a discount on the hourly charge, Amazon said. For example, a standard Linux instance costs from US$0.08 per hour, while a reserved instance with a one-year term and light utilization costs $69 plus $0.039 per hour. That cost divided by the discount means that it is a good deal after running the instance for more than 70 days.
Ricknas says the change is an effort to make the marketplace more attractive and flexible. The announcement may be worth the read if you’ve been looking at Cloud options, especially to learn more about the fees associated with the one-time transactions. You may also consider Fabasoft Mindbreeze’s InSite solution. InSite is a Cloud service that brings together all content from your Web sites, blogs, social media networks, and more so that information can be indexed and accessed remotely with proven security.
Philip West, September 27, 2012
Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, developer of Augmentext.
Google Search Feature Plays Six Degrees to Kevin Bacon
September 27, 2012
Google has made large strides in simplifying search with their OneBox feature recently, yet seems to be making a big splash with a completely different search attraction. The search engine’s take on the classic “six degrees of Kevin Bacon” is amusing to say the least. We learn in “Yes, It’s True: Google Added ‘Six Degrees to Kevin Bacon’ as a Built-In Search Feature” on MakeUseOf that the new application allows users to search for “Bacon number [name]” to get that person’s Bacon number. The feature is based on Google’s newly released Knowledge Graph and provides the actual connections that led Google to that answer.
Not familiar? The article fills us in:
“So what is a Bacon number? The game originated almost 20 years ago, and treats actor Kevin Bacon as being the center of the entertainment world (if not the universe). Every other actor, actress or entertainer gets a ‘Bacon number’ according to the number of jumps needed to get from him/her to Kevin Bacon, using movies and TV shows.”
This enhancement to Google is interesting and has perhaps led to a bit of procrastination already with this work-from-home writer. Groundbreaking? Not by any means. However, it is a fun feature that is sure to guide some mindless, entertaining-seeking traffic to the search giant.
Andrea Hayden, September 27, 2012
Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, developer of Augmentext
Facebook May Be Jumping on the Search Bandwagon
September 27, 2012
It is no secret that Facebook and Google have been duking it out for a while now. Google created GooglePlus in attempt to out social the social media giant. It seems only natural that Facebook would do the same. Business Insider recently reported on Facebook’s alleged search efforts in the article, “Facebook is Going to Build Its Own Search Engine!”
According to the article, when speaking at Tech Crunch Disrupt, Mark Zuckerberg candidly spoke of the fact that Facebook currently has 1 million queries a day and is pretty much a search engine without trying to be.
However, Zuckerberg hinted that they might start trying soon:
“He said that search is increasingly headed towards answering people’s questions. Facebook, which has a trove of data on users, is ‘uniquely positioned’ to deliver answers for users. Facebook has a team of engineers working on improving the search engine. He said, ‘At some point, we’ll do it.’”
Google has built its empire on search, if Facebook is able to do the same, it may be able to knock the search king off of its thrown once and for all.
Jasmine Ashton, September 27, 2012
Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, developer of Augmentext
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