Anjo Anjewierden has worked on this idea of visualising the dialogical communication that happens sometimes in blogs trackbacks, comments and pinging. I found it extremely interesting even if in my practice is not so evident how this would add an extra value (I usually get few comments and turn conversation is very rare).

However, besides my personal skepticisms, Anjo tried to log a couple of conversation and to visualise them using the following schema:

Left to right is time (the data was 2004 posts of KM bloggers). Top to bottom is chronological order of a blogger entering the conversation. Colours are: blue (both links to and is linked from other posts in the conversation), red (is linked from in the conversation), green (links to the conversation). Note that posts by the same blogger on (nearly) the same day overlap each other (one pixel is one day).

For the example above, it is easy to see the “conversation” continues for a while (first post is Feb. 26, 2004 and last is Dec. 31, 2004).

(via)

Tags: blogs, information metric, information visualization

TagSuggest is a prototype interface widget to enhance the input of tags. Its goals is to be highly-flexible, compact and keyboard-driven by merging AutoComplete functionality (like that found in Goggle Suggest and deskto application) with the unique attributes of tags — large quantities of single words.

Tags: collaboration tools, tagging

GeoConcept is a software developed at the Service Industrial Genevoise that allows the technician working ‘on the field’ to share notes on the maps of the city. The software, of course, is also specifically tailored to the needs of the SIG, which is to identify specific points on the ground (i.e., pipes, taps, electric apparatus, etc.). The program works on Windows PocketPC.

The geographical information systems of SIG answers perfectly to the desire of quality and performance permanent research for a public utility company close to their 250 000 customers. With the contribution of mobile technologies, we are able to propose data-processing tools even more effective for the operators and the managers of our 7 700 km of water, gas, electricity, heat and optical fibre supply networks. Indeed, 60 % of the 1 500 collaborators of SIG ensure a proximity service directly on the ground. Bring the geographical information, used in more than 73 % of the activities, within reach makes it possible for each one to adapt its business and to practice it in all independence, with simple resources, without constraint of place or schedule.

[more here]

Tags: collaboration tools, field tools, interaction design, location awareness, Location Based Services, mobile learning

Amazing! Today Nicolas showed me this nice book that he brought with him while visiting Japan. It is a collection of small pictures divided in categories that can be used to communicate about simple facts and needs. The user just have to point on the picture which presents also a footnote in both english and japanese.

Tags: collaboration tools, information visualization, mobile learning

This is a crazy swiss idea: putting gold pieces in chocolate. I saw already gold in liquors or used to improve the appearance of particular dishes, but this is too much … Funny though

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Teoma is another great example of clustering search engine. They developed a different marker for establishing the rank of a page. Instead of the PageRank developed by Brin and Page, they are using a Subject Specific Popularity:

Instead of ranking results based upon the sites with the most links leading to them, Teoma analyzes the Web as it is organically organized-in naturally-occurring communities that are about or related to the same subject-to determine which sites are most relevant. Teoma is the only search technology that can locate communities on the Web within their specific subject areas, as they actually exist. And this allows us to finely tune our search process, providing more precise results.

Tags: clustering, information retrieval, machine learning

1. LS-POS, from the university of Edinburgh [UK], GNU License, English language. [pdf]
2. TreeTagger, from the university of Stuttgart [DE], for English, German, Italian, Spanish, French and old French, implemented in C, Windows interface available, Python wrapper. [pdf]
3. Log-linear Tagger, from the university of Stanford [US], GNU License, Java API, English language.

Tags: machine learning, statistics, tagging, text data mining

Mindset is another example of clustering search engine. It allows you to sort search results for your query into commercial or non-commercial (informational) results, based on whether you’re shopping or seeking information.

What do they mean by commercial and non-commercial (informational)?

Commercial implies that the primary purpose of a given page is to sell you something. Informational implies that the primary purpose of the page is to provide information related to your search.

Tags: clustering, information retrieval, machine learning

During our meeting in Oulu, Jari Laru presented his work on Mobile Learning Scaffolding:

Scaffolding collaborative inquiry learning in nature context. First phase of that design experiment was conducted in late autumn 2004 in Pudasjärvi National Park, Finland. In first phase of that design experiment group of school children [n=22] participated in study where they used tailored software in autumn 2004. This tool enabled students create, receive and modify flyers with their mobile phones in inquiry-based learning project. (Laru, Stegmann, Järvelä, 2005; Laru, Järvelä, Clariana, 2005a, Laru, Järvelä, Clariana 2005b)

In the trial they used the Nokia Flier application, described below and freely downloadable from this url:

The Nokia Flier application allows you to create and locally distribute short messages containing text and a picture. When you have created your own flier you can publish it to other Nokia Flier users, who are close by (about 10 m) and have activated Nokia Flier application on the phone. Nokia Flier uses Bluetooth wireless technology for communicating with other phones. For power saving reasons, Nokia Flier will be automatically turned off after 12 hours of use.

Tags: location awareness, Location Based Services, mobile learning, new technology

Grokker is a clustering search engine with a powerful visual output. Grokker adds value to Yahoo searches by providing topically organized results that give you the freedom to explore the web the way you want. Grokker is ideal when you’re searching Yahoo! across a broad field of inquiry.

The engine is hooked on three other search engines: Yahoo, ACM digital library and Amazon.

Tags: clustering, information retrieval, information visualization