Making data more usable through semantic search

At DigitalNow 2008, Nova Spivak, Founder of Twine.com, spoke about the future of search technology. The challenges we were facing then with regard to proliferation of data are still with us, and continue to compound. As we collect and store greater amounts of information, and as the number of systems we use to do that increases, it becomes more difficult to make the best use of all of the information that is available to us.

In order to take advantage of current search technology, people need to understand how applications and systems “think” and sort information, and then present their searches based on that logic.

Semantic search technology promises to change that. Semantic search is founded on a hierarchy of terminology, which experts refer to as an ontology.

“You’ve probably heard of taxonomies, which are just tree-structures of language. An ontology takes it to another level, rather than just having two dimensions broader and narrower you have an unlimited number of dimensions of how words or charts are related to each other,” explains Lynda Moulton, analyst for Gilbane Group.

Contrary to a taxonomy, you might say that an ontology makes it possible for search technology to deliver results based how people search, sort for, and apply information – in a contextual, multi-dimensional, cross-disciplinary manner.

“Semantic technology can give you the agility to take a lot of siloed data points and give you a holistic view across an enterprise,” says Ken Harris, vice president of product development for ACI Worldwide.

To read more about the benefits, challenges, and future of semantic web search, read this article at Baseline.

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Who's reading blogs?

Because blogs have been in the news lately with the Netroots Nation and BlogHer conferences recently wrapping up, Pew Institute thought it was an opportune time to post their latest figures for blogging and blog readership.

Some highlights:

• 33% of Internet users (or 24% of all adults) say they read blogs
• 42% of Internet users (representing 32% of all adults) say that they have read blogs
• 12% of Internet users (or 9% of all adults) say that they create or work on blogs

For details, and to learn more about the differences related to the ways the questions were worded, visit Pew/Internet.

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A Second Life for Training

A Second Life for Training is the title of the article that just appeared in the July, 2008 edition of Chief Learning Officer magazine. CLO associate Editor Lindsay Edmonds Wicker sums it up very well,

"Second Life may have started out as a playground for techies, but it has become a well-known virtual world where people play, do business and learn. As a result, more organizations are making the transition to virtual and ultimately finding an engaging, cost-effective training platform."

She goes on to feature our (Maryland Association of CPAs) efforts in Second Life as a training venue.

Alexandra DeFelice, Associate Editor of Accounting Technology Magazine described it as, "leap(ing) into the next generation" in an article titled, Tom Hood - Virtual CPA in their August edition.

Ryan Sharrow covered our two (2) "mixed reality" events at the Maryland Business & Accounting Expo in his article, Second Life Opens Virtual CPA Worlds in the July 4, 2008 edition of the Baltimore Business Journal.

This is in addition to the Journal of Accountancy feature article in June, 2008, titled, Accounting for Second Life. Turns out we were the "buzz" at the AICPA Tech Conference this year mentioned by several speakers according to WebCPA editor Bill Carlino. Bill talked about the trend of "virtualization" and talked about our virtual CPA Island. He also said that virtualization is one of the technology trends that should be "in process" for CPAs and firms.

We think this medium has a lot of potential for training and engaging the current and next generation of learners (and it is fun too!). Just take a look at some of our recent events:

Virtual Workshop Examines XBRL

CPAs in Second Life Explore XBRL

Intuit & Linden Labs Sessions at the MDBIZEXPO
CPA Island Hosts Session with AACSB (the Association to Advance College Schools of Business)

Demo & Discussion with Towson University

CFO Rising Conference with CFO magazine
I am very glad to see Second Life getting a fair shake in looking at the training potential of this fun and exciting medium. Check out the video of the session at this link. What do you think - are you ready to try Second Life?

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DigitalNow 2008 was a sold out event; did you miss it?

Save the dates for 2009: April 15 - 18 at Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resorts. Mark it on your calendar!

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Contribute to the DigitalNow blog. Suggest a blog topic, or reference an article or other item you think would be of interest to the DigitalNow community. Drop us a line at DigitalNow@fusionproductions.com

How will the aging workforce affect the economy?

The length of time baby boomers remain in the labor force will have a significant impact on the economy. Economic and fiscal challenges will develop as the ratio of working taxpayers to older benefit recipients decreases.

However, if baby boomers work longer, economic benefits could result through greater production of goods and services as well as increased standard of living and the generation of additional tax revenue.

What kinds of jobs will be available for older workers, and what will the educational and physical requirements be for those jobs? How can policymakers encourage increased demand for older workers?

Read this article by Gordon B.T. Mermin, Richard W. Johnson, and Eric J. Toder, published at urban institute.

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DigitalNow 2008 was a sold out event; did you miss it?

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Contribute to the DigitalNow blog. Suggest a blog topic, or reference an article or other item you think would be of interest to the DigitalNow community. Drop us a line at DigitalNow@fusionproductions.com