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My technology week in review ending 2010.07.18

Mon, 07/19/2010 - 13:28 — DavidSky

Wow, it has been a while since I'm summarized my Delicious tags, so a bit of a longer list than usual. These stories are related to:

  • SQL and DB2
  • Cloud Computing
  • Collaboration software
  • Software development
  • Innovation, business, self-improvement
  • Podcasts
  • TED talks

And for those of you on Twitter, the stories relate to: @carlsafina @sivers @lukewdesign @timveal @Tunglerocks

(As always, most of the text is lifted directly from the related websites and isn't my own text.)

SQL and DB2

Links related to SQL or more specifically IBM DB2, as well as other database systems including NoSQL.
The IBM Distribution of Apache Hadoop : alphaWorks
Hadoop is a distributed computing platform for processing extremely large amounts of data. Hadoop is divided into two main components: the Map/Reduce runtime and the Hadoop Distributed File System (HDFS). The Map/Reduce run-time allows the user to submit Map/Reduce jobs that run over a Hadoop compliant file system, such as the HDFS. The HDFS is a distributed file system that provides a logical interface for persistent and redundant storage of large data. Hadoop also provides a set of base class libraries for writing Map/Reduce jobs and interacting with the HDFS.

Delicious tags: hadoop IBM data database alphaworks development

The Netezza and IBM DB2 approaches to compression | DBMS2
An outsider's summary and comparison of data compression techniques in DB2 and Netezza.

Delicious tags: sql database compression DB2 Netezza

What's new with DB2 Express-C 9.7.2 | developerWorks

IBM DB2 Express-C has recently been enhanced with several important features and improvements that were previously available only with fee-based versions of DB2 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows. Learn how you can take advantage of new capabilities related to performance, application development, storage, security, and more.

Delicious tags: DB2 SQL IBM database express-c introduction

Cloud Computing

Small, medium, and large companies are exploring the new services offered to provide computer resources on-demand:

Free Report: The Future of the Cloud | ReadWriteCloud

The Future of the Cloud highlights cloud computing's impact on IT organizations, and explores both its disruptive nature and the new markets and opportunities it's creating. The first phase of the cloud was about developing the foundation for the services it provides. Now that the fundamentals are in place, companies are using them to become an essential part of the cloud's value chain.

Delicious tags: cloud future free readwriteweb rww whitepaper development cloud-computing

Cloud Computing | IBM.COM

An emerging IT delivery model—cloud computing—can significantly reduce IT costs & complexities while improving workload optimization and service delivery. Cloud computing is massively scalable, provides a superior user experience, and is characterized by new, internet-driven economics. IMG:http://www.ibm.com/i/v16/promo/cloudburst-168x64.jpg?weight=0.0

Delicious tags: ibm cloud it technology cloud-computing development

Cloud Computing Use Cases group
The goal of the Cloud Computing Use Cases group is to bring together cloud consumers and cloud vendors to define common use cases for cloud computing. The use cases demonstrate the performance and economic benefits of cloud computing, and are based on the needs of the widest possible range of consumers.

The latest version of the paper (Version 4) focuses on four areas:

* How consumers use the cloud
* How applications are built in the cloud
* Security in the cloud
* Service Level Agreements

Delicious tags: cloud whitepaper reference development cloud-computing

Collaboration software

With the success of Web 2.0, collaboration software has become a hot topic. Whether it is publig systems, like Google Wave, or systems designed for within the enterprise, like Louts Connections:
Marc Gingras from Tungle | Game Changing 32
Tungle is a Montreal based company that makes it easy to set up meetings with people using different calendar systems - Google Calendar, Lotus Notes, etc... He talks about his career, Tungle, the feedback and improvements they've made, and future plans for improvements.

Delicious tags: Tungle Gringras podcast gamechanging collaboration calendar Canada Montreal
Associated Twitter users: @Tunglerocks

Software development

Programs and processes used to streamline and self-document the development of software. Agile, Object-Oriented, Online, etc...:
Internationalizing Web applications using Dojo
How to use Dojo to follow various internationalization (i18n) guidelines helps to address this problem, especially in properly presenting your application Web site to the user in his or her native language. This can result in exposure to huge markets where the only barrier is language and cultural differences. In this article, discover a way to perform native language support in the context of Web sites and Web applications using the i18n feature of the Dojo toolkit.

Delicious tags: dojo javascript programming web development webdev developerworks i18n IBM dw ajax

Gradual Engagement Boosts Twitter Sign-Ups by 29% | LukeW blog
Twitter recently redesigned their sign-up process to boost new user engagement. Though the new sign-up process added one more screen, conversions went up 29%. How? Gradual engagement.

Delicious tags: twitter design ux ui ucd webdesign registration signup usability development
Associated Twitter users: @lukewdesign

Innovation, business, self-improvement

How does human psychology relate to buisness ideas like innovation?

What Copycats Know About Innovation | HBR IdeaCast 198

Oded Shenkar, professor at Ohio State University's Fisher College of Business and author of Copycats: How Smart Companies Use Imitation to Gain a Strategic Edge. He shows how imitation - the exact or broad-brushed copying of an innovation - is as critical to prosperity as innovation.

Delicious tags: HBR podcast harvard innovation interview copy Shenkar book copycat imitation

Ten Things I’ve Learned | t i m – s p e a k
10 simple ideas to live your life, and run your business. Perhaps a bit optimistic, but a great starting point.

Delicious tags: life business innovation
Associated Twitter users: @timveal

Environmental sensors, iPhones, and Placebook / FourSquare | Sky on Tech
What does the future hold as there are more and more continuous geo-location services, like the new FourSquare, and additional sensors being added to smartphones. Even with speed and a microphone there is interesting data, but adding in additional environmental sensors makes the summarization of the data even more interesting.

Delicious tags: geolocation FourSquare environment sensor Innovation

Marc Andreessen - A Panorama of Venture Capital and Beyond | Stanford's Entrepreneurship Corner
Serial entrepreneur Marc Andreessen offers the Stanford audience a rare opportunity to pose open questions. Topics addressed include everything from the state of VC and the stock market, to Facebook's market dominance, to the rebirth of consumer electronics. In addition, Andreessen offers ground rules for the start-up, including tips on attracting top talent.

Delicious tags: stanford podcast video vc startup business innovation andreessen marcandreessen Mozilla

Podcasts

The various podcasts I listened to:
Randy Komisar, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers - Getting to Plan B | Stanford's Entrepreneurship Corner
While Plan A may begin the backbone on which an entrepreneurial idea is hinged, succinct data gathering and constant market evaluation more often lead to profit with the next idea in line. The tech sector breeds innovation, says KPCB partner and frequent speaker Randy Komisar, and to do so it is required to accept the numerous fits and starts of the start-up.

Delicious tags: stanford podcast Komisar planB PKCB business entrepreneurship

Positive Deviance and Unlikely Innovators | HBR IdeaCast 199

Featured Guest: Richard Pascale, associate fellow of Said Business School at Oxford University and coauthor of The Power of Positive Deviance. "Leverage positive deviants--the few individuals in a group who find unique ways to look at, and overcome, seemingly insoluble difficulties. By seeing solutions where others don't, positive deviants spread and sustain needed change."

Delicious tags: HBR harvard podcast Pascale deviance book positivedeviance

What Copycats Know About Innovation | HBR IdeaCast 198

Oded Shenkar, professor at Ohio State University's Fisher College of Business and author of Copycats: How Smart Companies Use Imitation to Gain a Strategic Edge. He shows how imitation - the exact or broad-brushed copying of an innovation - is as critical to prosperity as innovation.

Delicious tags: HBR podcast harvard innovation interview copy Shenkar book copycat imitation

Dacher Keltner, Jason Marsh on being good | Tech Nation
Dr. Moira Gunn talks with UC Berkeley Psychology Professor, Dacher Keltner and the editor of Greater Good magazine, Jason Marsh, about how humans are naturally programmed to be good and what separates those who are from those who are not.

Delicious tags: technation podcast religion science good Keltner Marsh

Dr. Bill Cheliak on environmental impact and genetics | Tech Nation
Moira speaks with Dr. Bill Cheliak, Vice President for Business Development, Neurodyn about how the environment can affect genetics and contribute to disease. For more information on Neurodyn see http://neurodyn.ca

Delicious tags: technation podcast genetics Canada Altzheimers Cheliak Neurodyn

Sheena Iyengar on her book The Art of Choosing | Tech Nation

Dr. Moira Gunn talks about the science behind the decision making process, with noted author, Dr. Sheena Iyengar, from the pages of her new book, The Art of Choosing.

Delicious tags: technation podcast Iyengar psychology choice freedom culture

Jack Huttner on Cellulosic Ethanol | Tech Nation
Dr. Moira Gunn talks with VP for Commercial Development and Public Affairs at Dupont Danisco Cellulosic Ethanol, Jack Huttner, about how they brought next-generation ethanol fuel to a small Tennessee town.

Delicious tags: technation podcast energy Huttner Ethanol fuel

Burton Richter and climate change | Tech Nation

Dr. Moira Gunn talks with author and Nobel Laureate, Dr. Burton Richter, about the science behind the earths rapid warming. In his new book, Beyond Smoke and Mirrors: Climate Change and Energy in the 21st Century, Dr. Richter offers a smart and careful survey of the problem and a dose of sobriety on real solutions.

Delicious tags: technation podcast Richter climate energy environment Nobel politics

Marc Andreessen - A Panorama of Venture Capital and Beyond | Stanford's Entrepreneurship Corner
Serial entrepreneur Marc Andreessen offers the Stanford audience a rare opportunity to pose open questions. Topics addressed include everything from the state of VC and the stock market, to Facebook's market dominance, to the rebirth of consumer electronics. In addition, Andreessen offers ground rules for the start-up, including tips on attracting top talent.

Delicious tags: stanford podcast video vc startup business innovation andreessen marcandreessen Mozilla

Where Will We Find Tomorrow's Leaders? | HBR IdeaCast 93
Harvard Business School Professor Linda A. Hill discusses just some of the challenges and considerations in finding tomorrow's leaders - not just managers, but those that can lead others (sometimes less traditionally from behind) in the new, multi-national world.

Delicious tags: HBR Harvard podcast Hill leadership global

Marc Gingras from Tungle | Game Changing 32
Tungle is a Montreal based company that makes it easy to set up meetings with people using different calendar systems - Google Calendar, Lotus Notes, etc... He talks about his career, Tungle, the feedback and improvements they've made, and future plans for improvements.

Delicious tags: Tungle Gringras podcast gamechanging collaboration calendar Canada Montreal
Associated Twitter users: @Tunglerocks

TED talks

The TED talks I watched. They are all highly recommended.
Ellen Gustafson: Obesity + Hunger = 1 global food issue | Video on TED.com
Co-creator of the philanthropic FEED bags, Ellen Gustafson says hunger and obesity are two sides of the same coin. At TEDxEast, she launches The 30 Project -- a way to change how we farm and eat in the next 30 years, and solve the global food inequalities behind both epidemics.

Delicious tags: ted video gustafson food hunger obesity farming agriculture

Mitchell Joachim: Don't build your home, grow it! | Video on TED.com
TED Fellow and urban designer Mitchell Joachim presents his vision for sustainable, organic architecture: eco-friendly abodes grown from plants and -- wait for it -- meat. For more details, see: http://www.archinode.com/

Delicious tags: ted video joachim architecture sustainability

Carter Emmart demos a 3D atlas of the universe | Video on TED.com
For the last 12 years, Carter Emmart has been coordinating the efforts of scientists, artists and programmers to build a complete 3D visualization of our known universe. He demos this stunning tour and explains how it's being shared with facilities around the world. Details of the Hayden Planetarium, including the download: http://www.haydenplanetarium.org/index.php

Delicious tags: ted video Emmart Universe visualization

Nalini Nadkarni: Life science in prison | Video on TED.com
Nalini Nadkarni challenges our perspective on trees and prisons -- she says both can be more dynamic than we think. Through a partnership with the state of Washington, she brings science classes and conservation programs to inmates, with unexpected results. For more details on her work, see http://www.nalininadkarni.com/

Delicious tags: ted video nature prison art

Carl Safina: The oil spill's unseen culprits, victims | Video on TED.com
The Gulf oil spill dwarfs comprehension, but we know this much: it's bad. Carl Safina scrapes out the facts in this blood-boiling cross-examination, arguing that the consequences will stretch far beyond the Gulf -- and many so-called solutions are making the situation worse. For details on his work and writings, see http://carlsafina.org/

Delicious tags: ted video oil disaster BP
Associated Twitter users: @carlsafina

Tom Shannon: The painter and the pendulum | Video on TED.com
TED visits Tom Shannon in his Manhattan studio for an intimate look at his science-inspired art. An eye-opening, personal conversation with John Hockenberry reveals how nature's forces -- and the onset of Parkinson's tremors -- interact in his life and craft. See his webpage at http://www.tomshannon.com/

Delicious tags: ted video art science mathematics Shannon pendulum

Benoit Mandelbrot: Fractals and the art of roughness | Video on TED.com

Mathematics legend Benoit Mandelbrot develops a theme he first discussed at TED in 1984 -- the extreme complexity of roughness, and the way that fractal math can find order within patterns that seem unkntedowably complicated. See his website at http://www.math.yale.edu/mandelbrot/for more details.

Delicious tags: ted video mandelbrot mathematics roughness

Hans Rosling on global population growth | Video on TED.com
The world's population will grow to 9 billion over the next 50 years -- and only by raising the living standards of the poorest can we check population growth. Using a creative visual display system, he describes what could happen...

Delicious tags: TED video Rosling population

Derek Sivers: Weird, or just different? | Video on TED.com
"There's a flip side to everything," the saying goes, and in 2 minutes, Derek Sivers shows this is true in a few ways you might not expect. See his website at http://sivers.org/

Delicious tags: ted video sivers weird different Japan culture
Associated Twitter users: @sivers

Peter Eigen: How to expose the corrupt | Video on TED.com
Some of the world's most baffling social problems, says Peter Eigen, can be traced to systematic, pervasive government corruption, hand-in-glove with global companies. At TEDxBerlin, Eigen describes the thrilling counter-attack led by his organization Transparency International.

Delicious tags: ted video Eigen corruption bribe world-bank Transparency

Blaise Aguera y Arcas demos augmented-reality maps | Video on TED.com
In a demo that drew gasps at TED2010, Blaise Aguera y Arcas demos new augmented-reality mapping technology from Microsoft, including superimposing real-time video over the static street-view images!

Delicious tags: ted talk maps Microsoft augmentedreality research bing augmented video graphics Blaise Aguera Arcas

Jamie Heywood: The big idea my brother inspired | Video on TED.com
When Jamie Heywood's brother was diagnosed with ALS, he devoted his life to fighting the disease as well. The Heywood brothers built an ingenious website where people share and track data on their illnesses -- and they discovered that the collective data had enormous power to comfort, explain and predict.

Delicious tags: ted video Heywood ALS illness social medical

George Whitesides: A lab the size of a postage stamp | Video on TED.com
Traditional lab tests for disease diagnosis can be too expensive and cumbersome for the regions most in need. George Whitesides' ingenious answer, at TEDxBoston, is a foolproof tool that can be manufactured at virtually zero cost.

Delicious tags: ted video whitesides diagnosis medicine

David Agus: A new strategy in the war on cancer | Video on TED.com
Traditionally, David Agus explains, cancer treatments have had a short-sighted focus on the offending individual cells. He suggests a new, cross-disciplinary approach, using atypical drugs, computer modeling and protein analysis to treat and analyze the whole body.

Delicious tags: ted video cancer research Agus