CLUVIS - Big Data Visualization

In the world of information technology, big data represents the large and complex collection of data growing at a relentless rate. According to Intel, prior to the year 2003, mankind generated approximately 5 exabytes of data. It is estimated that by the close of 2012, global data will have grown to 2.7 zettabytes, which is about 500 times the amount of data stated above; by 2015, that number is expected to triple in size. Financial services providers, retailer databases, logistics, healthcare, and various other industries are capturing more data than ever before. The advent of public social media as a primary method of communication and information sharing holds stake in the responsibility for these record numbers of data as well.

Organizations are now focusing their efforts on how to most effectively harness the colossal amounts of data available to them. Whether searching for ways to improve business operations, gain insight into competitor activity, understand consumer behavior, or apply big data to scientific research, it is widely accepted that big data analytics is the current platform for computing innovation. Below I have added a short, fun video created by Intel that explains what big data is and why it is important.

A primary concern in big data analytics is how to visualize and present these enormous amounts of data in an effective manner. Data visualization is a concept that has been around for ages. It can be simplistically defined as the graphical representation of information. Data visualization communicates the key aspects of complex data sets in more coherent and meaningful ways. Graphs, pie charts, and maps are tools familiar to everyone that fit in the category of data visualization. Visualization is extremely important because it allows humans to understand and better assess a given dataset, rather than looking at the raw, varying information and attempting to derive a conclusion.

However, big data visualization presents a different and much more complex animal. With so many differing data types and approaches to storage and processing, the question plaguing the minds of business leaders and researchers is how to extract and display this valuable information in a way that is easily understandable and applicable to their current processes. An overwhelming amount of data being compiled is freeform in nature, meaning that it cannot be confined to structured predefined tables. Richard Schaeffer, former information assurance director for NSA and head of the consulting firm Riverbank Associates, was quoted saying, “Big data involves datasets that grow so large they become awkward to work with using traditional database management tools. Organizations that handle large volumes of data such as the intelligence community and scientific researchers know how to capture, collect and store large datasets. They are also learning how to more effectively index data. The problem areas are processing, analytics and visualization. In fact, visualization of big data, rendering it into graphical means for analysis, might be the most significant problem organizations will face in the future.”

This visualization issue sited by Mr. Schaeffer paired with its high demand has been the driving force behind a new wave of innovation. Organizations are transitioning from very traditional graphics to interactive and dynamic graphical representations, often with the built in capability to update in real-time and automatically make changes within the visualized data. From heat maps to infographics and so on, technology moguls are pioneering the path to a new era in data visualization.

In July of 2012, The Forrester Wave™ released an in-depth report titled “Advanced Data Visualization Platforms, Q3 2012”. In the report, co-authored by Boris Evelson and Noel Yuhanna, they stated “Now, through ADV, potential exists for nontraditional and more visually rich approaches, especially in regard to more complex (i.e., thousands of dimensions or attributes) or larger (i.e., billions of rows) data sets, to reveal insights not possible through conventional means.” They then go on to site and explain the six capabilities that they believe differentiate a static graph from advanced data visualization graphics: dynamic data content, visual querying, multiple-dimension linked visualization, animated visualization, personalization, and business-actionable alerts. The report also details the leading innovators in the ADV arena, with Tableau Software, IBM, Information Builders, SAS, SAP Tibco Software, and Oracle leading the industry charge. Here is a link to the report referenced above:

http://www.sas.com/news/analysts/Forrester_Wave_Advanced_Data_Visualization_Platforms_Q3_2012.pdf

Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the continued growth and development of data analytics, and in particular data visualization. This is the new frontier for innovation and will transform the way by which the data available is harnessed and utilized.

CLUVIS

CLUVIS - HTML5 is ALIVE!

A wave of excitement is sweeping across the technology world on the heels of the release of HTML5, the fifth revision of the HTML standard to date. 

HTML, or Hypertext Markup Language, is one of the main systems used by the web for constructing and presenting web pages and other content to be displayed through a web browser. This popular markup language is written in the form of HTML elements, which are the individual components of an HTML document. These elements represent semantics, or meaning, and form the building blocks of all websites displayed throughout the Internet. HTML enables one to create a structurally sound document by applying structural meanings for text such as headings, paragraphs, and links, while also allowing images and objects to be embedded into a document.

HTML5, as previously mentioned, is the latest revision of the HTML standard. It is an attempt to define a single markup language that can be written in either HTML or XHTML, and specifies how the core language of the web should be formatted and utilized to deliver the highest quality of content to your web browser.

One of the exciting features of HTML5 is the streamlined process of embedding audio and video content into a webpage. Programmers now have access to native streaming audio and video support without the use of plug-ins such as Flash or QuickTime. Available also are enhanced video control capabilities for play, pause and loading, as well as duration, volume, and seeking. Another syntactic feature included in HTML5 is the canvas element, which allows for dynamic and scriptable rendering of 2D shapes and bitmap images.

HTML5 also allows for offline or “client-side” storage of web pages and applications. Browsers will be able to cache previously searched web pages and store them locally for future use, creating a sort of “super cookie” that can store both one-time data and persistent databases such as email. This will boost the browsing experience and make it possible to access previously stored web pages and applications without being connected to the Internet. For example, imagine an online game.  The initial HTML document, along with the Javascript, CSS, and icons and images used to create the game, would be retained to make the site load immediately at the user’s next visit. The offline storage component would allow the user to continue playing from where they previously left off during the former gaming session if they wish.

Geolocation is an HTML5 component that can be used to know exactly where the user entering the site is located. This can be very useful in creating a more personalized experience when browsing the web, tailoring thing such as search results and tags for social network posts to your location.

Websites that use HTML5 will have better support across modern desktop and mobile browsers. All of the latest major desktop browsers support HTML5 features in some fashion, although they do not all support it equally.  The leading tablets and smart phones support HTML5 as well.  The goal is to create a standard consistent web experience across all devices and browsers. 

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CLUVIS - Lets not argue SEMANTICS!!!

You have probably come across the old adage “Lets not argue semantics”.  However, it seems that arguing semantics is exactly what is needed to open the door to a new realm of technological advances.

Semantics, in its purest and simplest form, is the study of meaning. Its focus is on the relationship between certain signifiers (words, phrases, symbols, and signs) and what they collectively stand for or represent. It dives deep into the science of the meaning of language, and the various principles that govern the relationship between sentences or words and their meaning.

In ordinary language, the word semantics is often used to indicate difficulty in understanding due to word selection or connotation. This widespread issue has been the target of many research analysts in the field of formal semantics. Semantic content is found within every human interaction. Within linguistics, the meaning of body language, facial expressions, sounds, and other forms of non-verbal communication are examined in an attempt to extract the semantic implications of each. Paragraph structure and punctuation are some of the areas of written language that are studied in an effort to discover the inferred meanings of the words and concepts used, and the context within which they are found.

The English language is a great example of semantics in action. There are various English words that may be spelled and/or pronounced exactly the same, but have distinctly different meanings depending upon the context in which they are used. The punctuation used in a sentence or conveyed verbally through conversation also often times dictates the meaning of an entire sentence. The semantic nature of a facial expression is shown in the stark difference between a simple smile as opposed to a scowl or sad expression, and how these conveyed emotions can drastically change the message that is being delivered to another person. Each of these illustrations shows a semantic meaning that lies within the way in which the words or expressions are structured and delivered.

One of the areas that semantics is having an astronomical affect on is the Internet. Michael Uschold writes, “The Web is evolving from containing information resources that have little or no explicit semantics to having a rich semantic infrastructure.” Technology moguls are rigorously at work to give well-defined meaning to the masses of information contained on the Internet. The goal of these individuals and organizations is to create a web environment by which computers are able to essentially understand data and create connections between the information, making communication between humans and computers a much more cooperative process.

Certain outfits have already begun the process of implementing semantic web technologies into their businesses. The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has made national news throughout the past two years for their transition towards a fully dynamic semantic publishing architecture. They are improving upon the user experience through the use of linked data technology to automate the process of aggregating interrelated content. Their first use of this technology was the creation of the BBC Sport World Cup 2010 website.

Swiss technology company 3i-Mind has developed a web surveillance product called OpenMIND. OpenMIND, which is designed specifically for intelligence and law enforcement agencies, automatically finds suspicious patterns and behaviors across the Internet. Angela Guess of SemanticWeb.com writes, “It digs not just within social media, but also through blogs, online forums and the ‘deep Web,’ where many chat rooms exist… The company claims it can analyze text ‘according to its semantic meaning’ and show whether ‘C4′ is referring to explosives or something else.”

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