Selfies

Selfies have hit big time on the social media scene. As everyone seems to be doing it. Even Google has started to provide a shelfie for selfies or more colloquially named for shareable selfies. What is so trendy about taking snaps of oneself, other than to display how self-obsessed one is in their life. At least, they do spell the three fundamental words: me, myself, and I. Taking snaps has always been about depictions of surroundings and of others. At least, that is what has always made photography interesting. What is this craze about a selfie that makes one want to snap every instance of their waking life? Strangely enough, they are also more popular among celebrity culture and teenagers. May be, it has also been influenced by the forward-facing cameras on mobile phones of making them so accessible, for the sheer reason of starting a craze, or the simple need to explore the options on the phone. Being able to share and showcase one's life in an instance could be exciting and addictive for some. But, it does show a very shallow society and also an indication that some people just have far too much time on their hands. In a way, they are a historical pre-dated concept from taking photos at a photo booth, to using the self-timers on an antique camera, to even the old kodak moment, to the polaroid instant photos, and even the instant moments caught on a postcard. And, as people document their lives on social media they will inevitably take snaps to depict their every day lives whether boring to some and interesting to others with the added benefit of having little need to explain the moment in words to have them posted on instagram or pinterest.

Google User Interfaces

Although, Google have always looked to streamlining user interfaces, they often fail to improve on the experience per each iteration of a change. In a lot of respects, as they change the functionalities they also effect much of the user interaction which a lot of times happens for the worse rather than for the better. Perhaps, while making such functional changes the user experience value takes a backseat or is forgotten. Google over the years have developed many applications around the advertising model. However, most services work well at the first iteration of launch. But, following on, as they try to improve the interfaces and features, they usually fail to improve on the user experience value. Perhaps, it is emerging slowly that user interaction may not be Google's strongest point as a business. Most of their interfaces are minimalist which might hint at the thought of smart user interfaces. But, at the heart, the business model is around tech savvy applications and tools. Most of their website goes through regular transformations in some form or another. However, if one wants to navigate through their website, it would be like trying to map one's way through a maze. Unless, obviously one knows where everything is located. Making more engaging and intuitive user experiences could go a long way towards continuing the iterative improvement on interaction design, while not forgetting on the functionality.

user experience design
interaction design
user interface design
nngroup

API Explorer
Google Products

Many Faces Of Architecture

Architecture has had a phenomenal influence in the way we perceive through models as well as design. The perception of architecture in technology has also grown in the manner with which we see things over time and often taking inspiration from nature as well as from building structures in general. Over the years, architecture has formed a co-existence in science, engineering, as well as in effecting the makeup of our cities from globally shaping and transforming our societies to an integrated whole. The profound effects can be seen as our software has evolved and grown with each abstraction. It can also be seen in the way our societies have evolved over time. As the landscape of the internet enfolds before us, so will the evolving architecture and the influences it brings through added intelligence. We will find ourselves constantly astonished as our individual abstractions build clearer images in our minds of how to move things further and to create from the foundations of previous iterations. Perhaps, also building and learning from mistakes. Technology like architecture is ever growing, ever changing, with a fast pace. But, at the same time, both co-exist to influence and inspire each other. The application of technology has taken on many influences from nature and from other disciplines. There is a tight mesh in the way things interconnect and through research each takes on inspiration from another in path to glory and advancement.

architecture models
architecture abstractions
abstract architecture
semantic architecture
opensource architecture
software architecture

Pearson Developer Network

Pearson has made significant efforts towards making content more accessible for developers through APIs as well as a shift towards platform as a service for learning. However, there is a fundamental drawback to their services which is primarily the fact that there is no source of advertising and the services have a very high premium cost factor. Although, content is a fairly high value, the cost factor would really need to marginalize in order to make it more appealing. Also, one fundamental issue with providing Pearson books seems to be with the fact that one cannot download a whole book using a reader which is a real shame as section by section and even by chapter can be a real drag for most readers especially if it requires batch loading and reloading of content. As newer services and content are made more discoverable on the internet, there are chances that other providers may be able to take advantage by providing more cost effective solutions for both developers and consumers of mashups. Furthermore, in order to stay competitive content providers are going to be more cost aware and make content more reassuringly accessible for a wider audience, intern also looking to reduce the cost factor over time. Thus, pushing more savings for both developers and readers.

Semantic Health

It would be useful to have curated health, medical and wellness semantic data to define various diseases, chemicals, biological agents, medicines, ingredients, allergies, as well as nutrition. In process, it could be used in form of internet of things for mashups providing interesting mobile applications in context. People these days are more aware of what they buy and what they are eating as well as health. They want to know what is in each product and how it could effect their health. They also want to know how it relates to their diets and nutrition as well as if it poses any specific risks for allergies. Most labels on foods are quite generic but they do not all cater to our personal tastes and requirements. Also, health information needs to be made more accessible and useful for meaningful applications. Being able to use the data and information is more important. Semantic web in form of linked data for health can also help penetrate and connect the many complexities people face in understanding aspects of medicine and biological factors. Linked data can also provide for shared knowledge to provide for a faster way to harness data towards reaching for more effective cures.

Stream Processing

Stream processing has become an integral part of many web analytics applications of today that have big data and real-time requirements with multiple sources of input. The application context could utilize such sources as web click-streams, financial information, manufacturing information, social media, logs and metering data. Many applications depend on real-time decision making to provide updated recommendations and analytics in order to respond to changes in data.  There are various open source and cloud based options now becoming available that are of use in multiple informational contexts in a pipeline solution where multiple data sources provide for streaming data analysis.

Samza
Storm
S4
MillWheel
MUPD8
Spark
Tez
Dempsy
Esper
Streams
SAMOA
Kinesis

in stream big data processing
big data right now five trendy open source technologies

April Fools' Day

On average fewer people globally celebrate the April Fools' Day. It is one day where a lot of people dread while for others it is a time to be goofy and filled with fascinating pranks. In fact, it is one of the many notable days of the years where the significance is dwindling as people go about their day like any other in passing. It is also a day where many are only more self-aware of their surroundings and prepared in case of a prank catches up to them. While for others, it is a time when they wish it never came. Often from work colleagues, to school time pranks, to even siblings it seems many rivals emerge to offset the delicate balance with tricky escapades. Everyone deserves a little humor and laughter from time to time.

History of April Fools' Day
origins of april fools' day

Online Shopping

The web has become a big hub for ecommerce activity with many contextual products and services on offer. However, there are still limitations of what one can sell online for which many it does become a difficult and an awkward affair. A lot of this is down to our five senses and how difficult it is for us to measure the goods and services in context. At other times, such goods and services may just be classified as illegal for which there is an obvious regulatory block. Consumers generally want to be able to hold, smell, taste, and see products before they buy. How does one measure the comfort of a mattress online? How does one check the expiry of dairy products before buying online? How does one check the freshness of meat, vegetables, and fruit online? How does one go about buying lipstick online? How does one know that a pair of shoes fit comfortably? How does one know that the pair of slacks or shirt actually fits well? Even the likelihood of ordering a tailored suit online are quite slim. However, there will always be people that are just plain lazy, have no time to spend on grocery shopping, or going out to try on clothes before buying. People obviously want to be able to experience online shopping like they are physically there but in comfort of their home. More and more people are taking advantage of the flexibility as they shop online at their leisure. Ecommerce has become a big business but with it also brings certain levels of awareness of meeting customer expectations as well as complexities in window dressing while drawing a virtual mirror into the five senses of the human perception. Also, the constant need to stay competitive is another hurdle. Often times prices online are set much cheaper than in store until there is an obvious sale. Online shoppers are also generally a lot smarter with their buying habits, at least in some respects. Customers also have the luxury of using third-party applications that can provide assisted tools for shopping such as in aggregation of online bargains. There is always a constant need and necessity of ecommerce businesses to stay competitive and in order to stay competitive there is a need to monitor the market and consumer behavior. Ecommerce as a result makes a huge return from big data analytics both in form of social media, advertising, as well as general customer engagement efforts. Businesses online seek to entice customers and increase online traffic to their sites while customers want to find the right product or service that meets their needs. The Internet provides businesses an instant global platform to showcase their products and services with a global consumer base. There are also regional limitations and restrictions to conform to in respect of trade regulations. There is also complexities in consumer behavior from region to region which influences the online store front. Ecommerce also faces many complexities in security and the way they manage consumer transactions. All in all, as billions of transactions are conducted online in all array of contexts, there is a need to analyze consumer behaviors in rich information flows, but at same time providing a connected and satisfying experience for all. As knowledge discovery grows leaps and bounds through artificial intelligence, we are likely to see more breakthroughs in technological advancements to emerge, to influence, and add further dynamics to the ecommerce domain.