As we round the corner on the first month of 2012, it seems like we’re reaching a turning point for the coming of age of semantic technologies, linked open data, big data, and user driven content. Over the past decade, several trends and truths have become clear about the information (and knowledge) age. Many of our previous assumptions about how the world works and how to generate value have been challenged and we are in for a re-think. Read further >
In my first post on the IS blog, I was claiming that “Search was Yesterday”. In my view, this is a true statement, but I think that also the opposite is true – at least with regard to retrieval engines.
Let’s have a look at contemporary, modern retrieval engines. They present a very solid and proven technology, they can handle a high volume of (textual) data and there are ways to solve the challenge around change both from the angle of data (new data comes in very quickly) as well as from the angle of the user (different users want different things and one user also evolves over time).
I’ve been blessed with several wonderful mentors in my professional life, including legendary tax expert, author and instructor, Sid Kess, and retired CCH Editorial Vice-President and former boss, Jim Rooney. But the person who has made the greatest impression on me is a 79-year old plumber from South Chicago. A child of the Great Depression and an orphan by the time he was age 11, this self-made man overcame tremendous obstacles in his life to become a master plumber, a father of six children, and a great role model for me and countless other people. This special person is my Dad, John Gornick. Read further >
People who know me, will probably describe me as being analytical and pragmatic. And I fully agree with that assessment – most of the time. But every now and then something happens, which touches my emotional side and if my analytical part also agrees, I can get rather passionate. Exactly that happened in the previous months, when a vision became reality. I am talking about Jurion – an innovative and new kind of software and knowledge platform for the legal market, covering all the different aspects that really create added value to our customers’ professional processes. Read further >
In past columns I have touched on how the principles inherent in social gaming can be applied to help drive product features that foster customer retention. Recently I stumbled on a new site seeking to turn the principles of gameficiation outside-in in an original way using external social validation as a way to bring both new users in as well as extend the game elements to the real world. Read further >
Financing or refinancing a mortgage in the United States is a paper-intensive process, especially when it comes to borrower disclosures. Wolters Kluwer Financial Services has made the process “as easy as pushing a button” for its customers. By working directly with mortgage lenders Financial Services developed Disclosure Manager, a complete solution that automates the initial disclosure process from generation of compliance document packages and secure electronic document delivery to borrowers, to outsourced print and paper fulfillment. Read further >
I assume you have heard about Flipboard, and bet that if you own an iPad you may be a Flipboard user just like me. For those not familiar with Flipboard, think of it as your very own personal social magazine. The Flipboard app pulls information from the web, both from news sources and from your friends pages and services, like Facebook and Twitter. All this information is presented automatically in an appealing magazine-like format. Needless to say the content of your magazine is updated continuously.
Personal settings travel with you
Recently Flipboard released a new version and introduced Flipboard Accounts. I believe this is a big deal in those environments and households where not every single individual has its own iPad. With Flipboard accounts you can share an iPad but still have your own very personal Flipboard magazine. As the company states; “With Accounts, your reading preferences stay with you no matter how you access Flipboard. For example, families and friends who share an iPad can log into Flipboard and find their favorite sections.” Read further >
At Frankfurt Book Fair, I gave a presentation on “Semantic Web for Publishers”, including what semantic search means and how it affects our current and future business. Since all chairs were taken – some people even had to stand at the back – and nobody in the audience left before the session was over, one can certainly conclude that the buzz word “semantic” has caught the attention of the publishing community. Read further >
While big breakthroughs and transformative innovations with new products and services are always hoped for, incremental improvements and enhancements implemented over time do add up and can make a big difference in product/service quality, sales success, increased retention, and customer loyalty. Read further >
