I was going through back issues of Dilbert recently and came across one where the pointy-haired manager does something idiotic (no shocker there). Dilbert makes the comment that he has just failed the Turing Test (Matt scratches his head with quizical look):
Goodbye Dilbert, Hello Wikipedia:
Turing test
The Turing test is a proposal for a test of a machine's capability to demonstrate intelligence.
Described by Alan Turing in the 1950 paper "Computing Machinery and Intelligence," it proceeds as follows: a human judge engages in a natural language conversation with one human and one machine, each of which try to appear human; if the judge cannot reliably tell which is which, then the machine is said to pass the test. In order to keep the test setting simple and universal (to explicitly test the linguistic capability of the machine instead of its ability to render words into audio), the conversation is limited to a text-only channel (Turing originally suggested teletype machine; more advanced screen-based have been assumed later).
"Ah..." says Matt - "Now I get it. "
That crazy Dilbert ; )
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Social Media: Dog Blog - They Call Me Cosmo
Some folks I met recently introduced me to their pup "Gingerbread Kase of Greygoose (aka Cosmo)" via the world wide web. Not in the traditional way, you know, like with photos, but by pulling up Cosmo's blog. That's right. First person - or first dog I should say - accounts of Cosmo's life straight from the pup's paws.
http://theycallmecosmo.blogspot.com is a quite comprehensive log of what's happening in the great white north.
I started looking into the secret life of online-animalia and was astounded by the number of sites and participants.
http://dogblog.dogster.com/
and here's a full list of cat blogs:
http://cats.about.com/od/blogs/Blogs_by_Cat_Lovers.htm
That's a dedicated group of animal lovers. Any other species that get a lot of airtime out there?
http://theycallmecosmo.blogspot.com is a quite comprehensive log of what's happening in the great white north.
I started looking into the secret life of online-animalia and was astounded by the number of sites and participants.
http://dogblog.dogster.com/
and here's a full list of cat blogs:
http://cats.about.com/od/blogs/Blogs_by_Cat_Lovers.htm
That's a dedicated group of animal lovers. Any other species that get a lot of airtime out there?
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Technology: My New Headphones and How Speakers Work
I drink a lot of diet soda. The brand I frequent the most has a promotion going on where you can gather points and get stuff from a major retailer - yeah, those guys.
Anyway,through caps, 12 packs, cases, 2 liters, and throwing a few parties I was able to amass the required number of points to get new headphones. I chose the V-Moda Bling Black Extra Bass in ear headphones. The only reason I mention the brand name (as I have avoided mentioning brand names thus far in this post so far) is that I have been so impressed with the quality of the the sound I get from these headphones.
I got to thinking about how speakers work. I, like much of my generation, watched Back to the Future and the super speaker that blew Marty across the room. I was wondering how a speaker can generate physical force... It's all about the pressure of a sound wave.
From HowStuffWorks.com:
"Sound Basics
To understand how speakers work, you first need to understand how sound works.
Inside your ear is a very thin piece of skin called the eardrum. When your eardrum vibrates, your brain interprets the vibrations as sound -- that's how you hear. Rapid changes in air pressure are the most common thing to vibrate your eardrum.
An object produces sound when it vibrates in air (sound can also travel through liquids and solids, but air is the transmission medium when we listen to speakers). When something vibrates, it moves the air particles around it. Those air particles in turn move the air particles around them, carrying the pulse of the vibration through the air as a traveling disturbance.
To see how this works, let's look at a simple vibrating object -- a bell. When you ring a bell, the metal vibrates -- flexes in and out -- rapidly. When it flexes out on one side, it pushes out on the surrounding air particles on that side. These air particles then collide with the particles in front of them, which collide with the particles in front of them and so on. When the bell flexes away, it pulls in on these surrounding air particles, creating a drop in pressure that pulls in on more surrounding air particles, which creates another drop in pressure that pulls in particles that are even farther out and so on. This decreasing of pressure is called rarefaction."
Anyway,through caps, 12 packs, cases, 2 liters, and throwing a few parties I was able to amass the required number of points to get new headphones. I chose the V-Moda Bling Black Extra Bass in ear headphones. The only reason I mention the brand name (as I have avoided mentioning brand names thus far in this post so far) is that I have been so impressed with the quality of the the sound I get from these headphones.
I got to thinking about how speakers work. I, like much of my generation, watched Back to the Future and the super speaker that blew Marty across the room. I was wondering how a speaker can generate physical force... It's all about the pressure of a sound wave.
From HowStuffWorks.com:
"Sound Basics
To understand how speakers work, you first need to understand how sound works.
Inside your ear is a very thin piece of skin called the eardrum. When your eardrum vibrates, your brain interprets the vibrations as sound -- that's how you hear. Rapid changes in air pressure are the most common thing to vibrate your eardrum.
An object produces sound when it vibrates in air (sound can also travel through liquids and solids, but air is the transmission medium when we listen to speakers). When something vibrates, it moves the air particles around it. Those air particles in turn move the air particles around them, carrying the pulse of the vibration through the air as a traveling disturbance.
To see how this works, let's look at a simple vibrating object -- a bell. When you ring a bell, the metal vibrates -- flexes in and out -- rapidly. When it flexes out on one side, it pushes out on the surrounding air particles on that side. These air particles then collide with the particles in front of them, which collide with the particles in front of them and so on. When the bell flexes away, it pulls in on these surrounding air particles, creating a drop in pressure that pulls in on more surrounding air particles, which creates another drop in pressure that pulls in particles that are even farther out and so on. This decreasing of pressure is called rarefaction."
So to my untrained mind, I would guess that the act of creating these pressure waves can generate enough force to physically move air... and (while simplified and overdone for the move) the speaker blasting Marty across the room may actually be possible. Hold you hand in front of an old speaker with the cover off on a good bass line sometime and feel the slight breeze each beat creates to see what I'm talking about.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Enjoy that conference - and Share! Top 10 list.
We have a fantastic mentoring/career counseling system at my current company (as many big time players do) and I am fortunate enough to have a couple of driven individuals who I am responsible for helping shape their destiny.
One of them is headed to the FITC Toronto 2008 Flash conference in Toronto shortly. I've been attending sonferences from the "Industry" side for a while - but it really changes when you get to the agency side in terms of what you should be involved with.
I put together my unsolicited advice on tips for attending a conference based on what I've learned over the last 10 years or so. They are outlined below:
So hopefully that gives some insight into things I've learned on attending these conferences. I've been to technical, marketing, operational, search, etc conferences - and these tips have helped me traverse them all and bring back value to those I work with.
One of them is headed to the FITC Toronto 2008 Flash conference in Toronto shortly. I've been attending sonferences from the "Industry" side for a while - but it really changes when you get to the agency side in terms of what you should be involved with.
I put together my unsolicited advice on tips for attending a conference based on what I've learned over the last 10 years or so. They are outlined below:
- Be the guy with the laptop... type up notes as you go. If you hand-write them, it'll take you too long getting unburied to send them out. And it'll be lower priority over project work.
- If you can, send regular notes to appropriate people during/after each session you attend. Make them short. That'll increase the probability of someone reading them and being able to use them. If you have people on Twitter/etc. Do that as well. Just don't let it distract you from absorbing the content at hand.
- Ask questions - you're going to have the cream of the crop at your disposal and these people love to spread the knowledge. So give them an opportunity to get to know your interest and deal out the info.
- Business cards are key - when you meet someone (potential client, smart individual, speaker - whoever) keep a pen with you and jot notes on the back of it. And make it a goal to run out of yours... If you have any left you a) didn't talk to enough people and/or b)didn't enter enough fishbowl contests for iPods.
- Go to the networking events. Don't be the guy wearing the lampshade at the end of the night, but be cordially aggressive in meeting people. Don't wait to be introduced.Introduce yourself. Engage for several minutes before handing out the biz card... standard stuff. I have actual strategies for this if you're interested.
- Assume this is the only time you'll see these people ever... Likely not the case, but the more interest you show and contacts you make, the better the chance that you will continue that contact.
- Ask for downloads - presentations, links, etc. Get collateral to reinforce the message so you can pass it on.
- Plan your sessions ahead of time. Make a concerted effort to not only hit the things you want to learn about but when items may be of use but not immediately useful... keep them on your radar. On toss-up decisions, refer to number 6.
- Visit as many booths as you can. Even if it's something you don't care about, there's always carry over to new learning. Capabilities, tools, whatever. If nothing else, you'll be able to tell someone "that won't work because I know what they do" when it's brought up. nowledge is key. I'm notoriously bad at this - and working on it.
- Sleep - You're gonna need it to let your mind rest between days. The sponge gets saturated and needs it need it's cataloguing time.
So hopefully that gives some insight into things I've learned on attending these conferences. I've been to technical, marketing, operational, search, etc conferences - and these tips have helped me traverse them all and bring back value to those I work with.
Yep, it's me again. Done hibernating.
I've had a fantastic (in my humble opinion) number of visits through my horribly lax last month and change. I apologize for falling off the map. But in my defense, it's for good reason.
I've been busy learning...
And organizing. I came into this gig without a plan - just a topic. And I stand by my topic. I like it and I've gotten some fantastic ideas and comments on that topic of continual learning. So now we refocus.
Each post will fall into one of these categories:
I've been busy learning...
And organizing. I came into this gig without a plan - just a topic. And I stand by my topic. I like it and I've gotten some fantastic ideas and comments on that topic of continual learning. So now we refocus.
Each post will fall into one of these categories:
- Food
- Entertainment
- Technology/Business
- Everyday Life
- Wildcard
- Bonus!! - For any weekend posts that come up
This will allow me to focus my efforts and make sure those faithful subscribers - both of you (thanks mom and dad) know what's coming.
That said - here we go again.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Minority Report meets CNN
Anybody been watching the CNN reports on the primaries? John King has this phenomenal interactive screen. It's all touch screen where he's doing some very iPhone type movements... then I start thinking, where have I seen this on such a large scale? Minority Report! That futuristic crime fighting tale with Tom Cruise. Same motions in most of the scenes. Very cool (and a bit creepy) to see them in action.
So the other thing I was reminded of while reminiscing was the Jestons. Let's look at the technology they had. Ok. We still don't have flying cars for everyone (but we do have them... LINK). But Treadmills, Video Phones, Robots, Automation, etc etc... there really isn't much that's missing.
http://www.uwstout.edu/lts/webid/avconf/jetsons.htm
Another fun thing to check out is how much Star Wars technology is in existence today...
Looks like we have the power of tomorrow...today!
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Sciatica Says "Sit down."
So I've had back issues for about a dozen years. I played intramural football in college. It was full contact with the pads and a bunch of top notch players who could have played varsity at other schools. That describes them, not me. I'm the guy who got to play against/with the talented bunch.
Then I spent a year in Italy with my inherent inability to "under-pack" I consistently carried 40 to 50 lb packs across Italy and continent of Europe as the opportunity arose. These things contributes to a couple of herniated discs, and the occasional pinched sciatica nerve.
It's been a couple years since the last flare up, however, my 2 year old and my 10 month old was playing "climb Mount Daddy" and, while in his wobble-and-fall-forward stage, aimed with his forehead and landed on those pinched vertebrae sending the nerve into twitchiness.
What's a Sciatica you may ask? (I assume you did... ; )
The term sciatica describes the symptoms of leg pain and possibly tingling, numbness or weakness that travels from the low back through the buttock and down the large sciatic nerve in the back of the leg. The vast majority of people who experience sciatica get better with time (usually a few weeks or months) and find pain relief with non-surgical treatment. For others, however, sciatica can be severe and debilitating.
The clinical diagnosis of sciatica is referred to as a "radiculopathy", which means simply that a disc has protruded from its normal position in the vertebral column and is putting pressure on the radicular nerve (nerve root) in the lower back, which forms part of the sciatic nerve.
An important thing to understand is that sciatica is a symptom of a problem—of something compressing or irritating the nerve roots that comprise the sciatic nerve—rather than a medical diagnosis or medical disorder in an of itself. This is an important distinction because it is the underlying diagnosis (vs. the symptoms of sciatica) that often needs to be treated in order to relieve sciatic nerve pain. Common causes of sciatica are a lumbar herniated disc, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease or spondylolisthesis.
Lots of words to tell me I need to stretch a lot before I try to swing a club at that conference on Monday... Ouch!
Then I spent a year in Italy with my inherent inability to "under-pack" I consistently carried 40 to 50 lb packs across Italy and continent of Europe as the opportunity arose. These things contributes to a couple of herniated discs, and the occasional pinched sciatica nerve.
It's been a couple years since the last flare up, however, my 2 year old and my 10 month old was playing "climb Mount Daddy" and, while in his wobble-and-fall-forward stage, aimed with his forehead and landed on those pinched vertebrae sending the nerve into twitchiness.
What's a Sciatica you may ask? (I assume you did... ; )
The term sciatica describes the symptoms of leg pain and possibly tingling, numbness or weakness that travels from the low back through the buttock and down the large sciatic nerve in the back of the leg. The vast majority of people who experience sciatica get better with time (usually a few weeks or months) and find pain relief with non-surgical treatment. For others, however, sciatica can be severe and debilitating.
The clinical diagnosis of sciatica is referred to as a "radiculopathy", which means simply that a disc has protruded from its normal position in the vertebral column and is putting pressure on the radicular nerve (nerve root) in the lower back, which forms part of the sciatic nerve.
An important thing to understand is that sciatica is a symptom of a problem—of something compressing or irritating the nerve roots that comprise the sciatic nerve—rather than a medical diagnosis or medical disorder in an of itself. This is an important distinction because it is the underlying diagnosis (vs. the symptoms of sciatica) that often needs to be treated in order to relieve sciatic nerve pain. Common causes of sciatica are a lumbar herniated disc, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease or spondylolisthesis.
Lots of words to tell me I need to stretch a lot before I try to swing a club at that conference on Monday... Ouch!
Super Delegates - No Capes please.
So I'm becoming increasingly interested in the Democratic convention. Living in Ohio, (and traveling to Texas tomorrow) this is gonna be interesting. Then they start talking about these Super Delegates on TV. Whu-huh?
Here's a first, I'm snagging the whole wiki definition:
"Superdelegate" is an informal term for some of the delegates to the Democratic National Convention, the quadrennial convention of the United States Democratic Party.
Unlike most convention delegates, the superdelegates are not selected based on the party primaries and caucuses in each U.S. state. Instead, the superdelegates are seated automatically, based solely on their status as current or former elected officeholders and party officials. They are free to support any candidate for the nomination.
The Democratic Party rules do not use the term "superdelegate". The formal designation (in Rule 9.A) is "unpledged party leader and elected official delegates".[1] In addition to these unpledged "PLEO" delegates, the state parties choose other unpledged delegates (Rule 9.B) and pledged PLEO delegates (Rule 9.C).[1] This article discusses only the unpledged PLEO delegates.
The Republican Party also seats some party officials as delegates without regard to primary or caucus results, but the term "superdelegate" is most commonly applied only in the Democratic Party.
At the 2008 Democratic National Convention the superdelegates will make up approximately one-fifth of the total number of delegates. The unforeseen and unprecedented closeness of the race between the leading contenders Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama following Super Tuesday has focused attention on the potential role of the superdelegates in selecting the Democratic nominee, inasmuch as in the aggregate they could come to be kingmakers to a degree not seen in previous election cycles.[2] Such an outcome would result in the first brokered convention since 1952.
So I know I said in my first post that I'd boot any comments that came from perpetuating someone's agenda... so don't do that. But I'd like some opinions.
Does it seem weird that a "delegate" system that was installed to vote for a nation that didn't have a quick way to vote instantaneously across the country... would then be modified to further limit the actual validity of the general popular vote?
Lemme know please!!!
Here's a first, I'm snagging the whole wiki definition:
"Superdelegate" is an informal term for some of the delegates to the Democratic National Convention, the quadrennial convention of the United States Democratic Party.
Unlike most convention delegates, the superdelegates are not selected based on the party primaries and caucuses in each U.S. state. Instead, the superdelegates are seated automatically, based solely on their status as current or former elected officeholders and party officials. They are free to support any candidate for the nomination.
The Democratic Party rules do not use the term "superdelegate". The formal designation (in Rule 9.A) is "unpledged party leader and elected official delegates".[1] In addition to these unpledged "PLEO" delegates, the state parties choose other unpledged delegates (Rule 9.B) and pledged PLEO delegates (Rule 9.C).[1] This article discusses only the unpledged PLEO delegates.
The Republican Party also seats some party officials as delegates without regard to primary or caucus results, but the term "superdelegate" is most commonly applied only in the Democratic Party.
At the 2008 Democratic National Convention the superdelegates will make up approximately one-fifth of the total number of delegates. The unforeseen and unprecedented closeness of the race between the leading contenders Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama following Super Tuesday has focused attention on the potential role of the superdelegates in selecting the Democratic nominee, inasmuch as in the aggregate they could come to be kingmakers to a degree not seen in previous election cycles.[2] Such an outcome would result in the first brokered convention since 1952.
So I know I said in my first post that I'd boot any comments that came from perpetuating someone's agenda... so don't do that. But I'd like some opinions.
Does it seem weird that a "delegate" system that was installed to vote for a nation that didn't have a quick way to vote instantaneously across the country... would then be modified to further limit the actual validity of the general popular vote?
Lemme know please!!!
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Cool Cars - Kitt and Concept
I caught the new Knight Rider show this week. It has some serious potential. I was a fan of the original back in the day. They do a good job of being true to the old school concepts and timelines, and there's even a cameo by the Hoff.
I went looking for details on the car and went to http://www.knightrider.com/ Logical, right? Nope:
Knight Rider Consulting, Inc. is a small Software Engineering and consulting company located in Central Wisconsin.We specialize in helping businesses become more efficient, by developing more effective and consistent work flows, allowing them to reduce expenses and increase revenue.
I think "aw, funny, they're doing the Oceanic Airlines one off site thing to promote the show..." Wrong again, it appears to be an actual company. They even have products named KITT and KARR. Funny stuff.
Here's the details for what I watched: http://www.nbc.com/Knight_Rider/ They even have the specs for the car. I gotta get me one of them.
The other car I saw that looked pretty cool is the new Lexus LF-A concept car. It's not bulletproof and can't change from a black Cobra to a blue Mustang, but it is seriously advanced (hence the term "concept car"). My favorite feature? The side view mirrors are actually cameras that point backward and project inside the car. No more pesky turning your head sidesays. What a relief.
Pretty soon you'll have cars that can parallel park themselves... Oh, right, they already do.
I went looking for details on the car and went to http://www.knightrider.com/ Logical, right? Nope:
Knight Rider Consulting, Inc. is a small Software Engineering and consulting company located in Central Wisconsin.We specialize in helping businesses become more efficient, by developing more effective and consistent work flows, allowing them to reduce expenses and increase revenue.
I think "aw, funny, they're doing the Oceanic Airlines one off site thing to promote the show..." Wrong again, it appears to be an actual company. They even have products named KITT and KARR. Funny stuff.
Here's the details for what I watched: http://www.nbc.com/Knight_Rider/ They even have the specs for the car. I gotta get me one of them.
The other car I saw that looked pretty cool is the new Lexus LF-A concept car. It's not bulletproof and can't change from a black Cobra to a blue Mustang, but it is seriously advanced (hence the term "concept car"). My favorite feature? The side view mirrors are actually cameras that point backward and project inside the car. No more pesky turning your head sidesays. What a relief.
Pretty soon you'll have cars that can parallel park themselves... Oh, right, they already do.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
So this Squid and this Chameleon walk into a saloon...
Actually, I guess the Squid would swim in. Maybe it was a pool bar... oh forget it.
The question we should be asking is what do they have in common, why are they lumped together in this social setting? Some of you already know - They can both change colors. While Chameleons are far more hyped for their ability - I guess they're considered more cuddly - Squid (and octopuses by the way) have the same ability.
Very interesting. Didn't know there would be a reason to, but it's mainly the same two reasons as their air dwelling compatriates. To either draw attention to themselves, or dismiss it. So big deal, right? Lots of animals do things to change their appearance. Yes, I say to the imaginary voice in my head. But how?
Ahhh. We are now at the crux of my learning for the day!
Chromatophores: As Ellen J Prager tells us:
A number of cephalopods--the group of animals that includes octopuses, squid and cuttlefish--are skilled in the art of color change, which can be used for camouflage or to startle and warn potential predators in their undersea realm. Many of these creatures have special pigment cells called chromatophores in their skin. By controlling the size of the cells they can vary their color and even create changing patterns. Chromatophores are connected to the nervous system, and their size is determined by muscular contractions. The cephalopods also have extremely well developed eyes, which are believed to detect both the color and intensity of light. Using their excellent eyesight and chromatophores, cephalopods camouflage themselves by creating color patterns that closely match the underlying seafloor. In squid, color changes also occur when the animal is disturbed or feels threatened.
Pretty talented, huh? But wait! There's more!
In addition to color control, many of the squid can produce light and control its intensity. ... Bioluminescence may also offer a means of communication in the dim midwater or twilight region of the sea. Squid and other marine creatures create light by mixing two substances into a third that gives off light, similar to the mechanism by which a common firefly lights up or the way the popular plastic green glow-sticks work.
I'll never look at my fried Calamari quite the same way again.
The question we should be asking is what do they have in common, why are they lumped together in this social setting? Some of you already know - They can both change colors. While Chameleons are far more hyped for their ability - I guess they're considered more cuddly - Squid (and octopuses by the way) have the same ability.
Very interesting. Didn't know there would be a reason to, but it's mainly the same two reasons as their air dwelling compatriates. To either draw attention to themselves, or dismiss it. So big deal, right? Lots of animals do things to change their appearance. Yes, I say to the imaginary voice in my head. But how?
Ahhh. We are now at the crux of my learning for the day!
Chromatophores: As Ellen J Prager tells us:
A number of cephalopods--the group of animals that includes octopuses, squid and cuttlefish--are skilled in the art of color change, which can be used for camouflage or to startle and warn potential predators in their undersea realm. Many of these creatures have special pigment cells called chromatophores in their skin. By controlling the size of the cells they can vary their color and even create changing patterns. Chromatophores are connected to the nervous system, and their size is determined by muscular contractions. The cephalopods also have extremely well developed eyes, which are believed to detect both the color and intensity of light. Using their excellent eyesight and chromatophores, cephalopods camouflage themselves by creating color patterns that closely match the underlying seafloor. In squid, color changes also occur when the animal is disturbed or feels threatened.
Pretty talented, huh? But wait! There's more!
In addition to color control, many of the squid can produce light and control its intensity. ... Bioluminescence may also offer a means of communication in the dim midwater or twilight region of the sea. Squid and other marine creatures create light by mixing two substances into a third that gives off light, similar to the mechanism by which a common firefly lights up or the way the popular plastic green glow-sticks work.
I'll never look at my fried Calamari quite the same way again.
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