Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Friday, April 9, 2010
RNC Infighting Not Helpful
I think a closer look at the upheaval(too strong?) disagreements within the RNC might be based on traditionalists vs. more moderate and centrist thinking. The Republicans, with the help of the Tea Party, have an opportunity to take control of both the House and Senate, but they can blow the whole opportunity by struggling
for control of the RNC, which is what I perceive is going on. I met and interviewed Steele in Maryland a few times, and I found him forthright, affable, and smart.
Steele, on the other hand, can't be changeable; he must enunciate clearly the principles and policies that are the backbone of Republicans-and Tea-Partiers (no diminution of gravitas intended).
Oh, and one more thing; stop being the spokesman for 'No" and be the proponent of "Yes"-free market solutions for our social problems; business-modeled health care, zero emission pollution and waste baselines for industrial and power production, with carbon taxes on CO2 and pollution emissions, creating revenues for tax credits for remission/cleaning/and new zero-emission production.
A user-fee-based tax system since we are a consumption-based economy. (Were it not for the huge deficits and government over-spending we could have a National Sales Tax of 13-14% -or less if we get spending under control-and eliminate the income tax).
Free-market solutions transparency for banks and financial institutions through increased reporting, higher levels of equity capital, limits on leveraging assets and adherence to "prudent man"-type investing policies; spinoff or sale of government "assets" not needed for Constitutional purposes, and more in that vein.
The reason for picking Steele in the first place was the need for a "new face" of Republicanism; that hasn't changed.
Was Steele a Politically Correct choice? You betcha!
Was he a good choice? Same answer.
Republicans sometimes manage to direct their armaments in the wrong direction and shoot themselves in the foot, or the ass; the first being an accident, the latter on purpose.
Being positive with Solutions will only gain the support of the majority; the marketplace will convince the Electorate of the rightness of offering free-market solutions which are properly constructed and presented.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Search Engine advertising expansion
So, if I have this right, Search is an excuse for advertising.
Customer use of Search is the justification for expansion of advertising designs, right? The Products and Services, the data and knowledge that user's Search for is the entry into their Buying Process, right?
The "monetization" of Search, through PPC and Display ads, and the monopoly established by Google, Yahoo and Microsoft (together over 85% of Search Traffic) add up to what?
A better experience for Consumers?
I don't think so.
It isn't that current Search and Browser Programs aren't good, they're "sufficient." that's all, driven by the need for universal access and simplicity in delivering Results to Search Inquiries. They're not the best choices, they are the only choices.
Customer use of Search is the justification for expansion of advertising designs, right? The Products and Services, the data and knowledge that user's Search for is the entry into their Buying Process, right?
The "monetization" of Search, through PPC and Display ads, and the monopoly established by Google, Yahoo and Microsoft (together over 85% of Search Traffic) add up to what?
A better experience for Consumers?
I don't think so.
It isn't that current Search and Browser Programs aren't good, they're "sufficient." that's all, driven by the need for universal access and simplicity in delivering Results to Search Inquiries. They're not the best choices, they are the only choices.
But they could be much better
What happens when SWOA (Search W/Out Advertising) gets some traction?
If Google, yahoo, Microsoft and others are the Libraries, and their Search Algorithms are the Librarians, how do we make them an "honest broker," a truth-directed and neutral trusted advisor when their objectives and ours differ?
What happens when SWOA (Search W/Out Advertising) gets some traction?
If Google, yahoo, Microsoft and others are the Libraries, and their Search Algorithms are the Librarians, how do we make them an "honest broker," a truth-directed and neutral trusted advisor when their objectives and ours differ?
Everything from Moon Phases to Keyword and Keyphrase manipulation, over-weighting of sources, traffic generating programs by SEO companies, and a host of other factors determine the "organic" (the natural selection process) results of Rankings presented in a Search.
Non-organic Search, known as Paid Rankings, dominates Search Results presentation; just analyze any Results page to see what is presented First.
Does being First or in the Top Five influence Users "clicks?"
You bet your Online Purchase it does!
There should be a better way to deliver a service with so much potential for Consumers, and Business for that matter, that meets their needs, without the "pay to Play" potentially influencing the results you see.
I'm not suggesting, as some do, that Search should be FREE; in fact Search IS Free- BUT Advertiser-supported. Therein the demonstrated conflict.
I am suggesting, even hoping, that in a dark dorm room somewhere, in quiet workspaces, a converted garage, somebody is working on Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based Search that not only knows how to find the precise Answers, but is guided by empirical knowledge of You. Who, What, Where, When, Why, How. An "overlay " that intelligently predicts the Result you need, and delivers it, even "vets" the Results for credibility as it delivers them, based on criteria you have established, and the type of Search you undertake. Your AI, (mine would be called Leonardo (DaVinci), would know the difference between, "Locate Holly on GPS map" and "Find Steakhouse in Downtown Baltimore, Display Results." Or, "Find Home health Blood Pressure Software for my AI." Or, "Find Maryland Maps that Display active Oil and Gas well locations." "Place house in Standby, activate Security when I leave."
"Leonardo, Program Kitchen to prepare a Caesar Salad."
Wait, I'm getting ahead of myself; wishful thinking.
Language skills will grow in importance to enable better word and phrase usage in assisting to define a Search or Inquiry, as will the AI's skill is translating what you said you need to a Result you can use.
And, these search programs could be either advertiser-supported, or subscription-based as part of, say, your ISP Agreement.
Much is still happening in Search Engine development, and will happen.
New products and services like Internet Cloud Computer Service-based, Health, AI-assisted Education and Cloud Commuting Programs that will change our lives in ways we have only just started to consider, and change for the better, as well.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Google Adsense is terrible
Below is the error message I got from Google after the Fifth EXACT FOLLOWING of their instructions.
Talk about driving somebody crazy. Worst is that they won't acknowledge the problem, and every Forum post on Google about this problem is the same-there ate LOTS!- and still....nothing.
Helllloooooo?!?! Carol Bartz??? Are you there? Is anybody? Google really doesn't care about this, it's not a profit center.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Lots and Lots of Bubbles
With all the talk about problems in the banking and investment industries, the insurance and real estate industries, I have my own “bubble” definitions:
Health Care: 16% ($2.2 Trillion (that’s Trillions with a Big “T”T folks, and growing) of American GDP. This is a Bubble by a factor of 2 at least. No one economic segment can represent that much of an economic system unless it is seriously out of line. unconstrained by normal free- market forces of competition, “technology disruption,” and more. Health is ripe for a combination of cures and corrections, but only if we allow a redefinition of the relationship between the individual physician and the User.
This means that by inserting technology, disruptive technology, into the equation, a new Medical Business Model can be generated. One in which some of the high-cost diagnostic and well-care procedures can be automated through technology, made more efficient and productive, freeing the more expensive doctor’s time for the “value added” portion of the system, where the rote-ness of diagnosis and procedures is made more efficient, more productive through re-structuring. We already have enough wireless-enabled diagnostic instruments to initiate early stages of Cloud Health Care AT HOME. Imagine the savings just in well-care.
Education: We have similar problems and cures available in Education, where the mechanical parts of education can be “technology disrupted “through AI- assisted educational software programs that free a teacher and restructure their role into mentor/coach, a much more productive arrangement.
U.S. Education Expenditures for 2008 were $1.1 Trillion dollars (that’s Trillions with a Big “T” folks), 7.4% of U.S. GNP, a cost much too high for the “value received” and reducible through technology-assisted education. (See my article “They can ALL Be Geniuses”)
Thepoint in all this is that there are bubbles beside financial and real estate bubbles. Segments of economies that get misaligned through conscious (legislated monopolies, unions, Luddite attitudes towards technology) or unconscious (media misdirection, usurpation of Value Structures) and restructuring over time find market forces sometimes initiate changes that are totally unforeseen with sometimes very bad consequences. Reluctance to plan for and accept technology -based changes allows resources, technology and human talent to be thwarted from the natural proclivity towards “better” that a truly free market produces.
Oh, and the biggest “Bubble” of all? Government. 2009 Government Expenditures were 21% of GNP, some $2.1 Trillion dollars (that’s Trillions with a Big “T” folks!) by far the biggest bubble. The American taxpayer has become the politician’s “piggy bank.” and, in fact, long ago emptied the piggy bank, and is now borrowing at an ever faster rate than ever before.
We may be looking at the bright light of extinction as a society, or at least “considerable negative modification of living standards,” and the Doctor has just walked into the room and said, “She’s circling the drain.”
We simply must allow the changes that “disruptive technology” can effect for the better in health, Education, Government and at Work.
And while we’re at it, we have to consider the “negative leverage,” the potential threat that growing dependence on Computer Technology, the Internet and related products and services can bring to bear; suddenly and overnight create unforeseen problems that are magnified by the speed of our Communication Systems, and the symbiotic nature of technology in our economy.
via socyberty.com
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