Month: November 2001

Research Matters at Harvard University. Quote: “Research Matters is an elegant Web site. It is simply constructed yet rich in detail, well illustrated yet quick loading, light and easy to read and yet connected to some of the most advanced research anywhere. Universities would do well to examine—and emulate—Harvard's Research Matters” [Serious Instructional Technology]

Web Services and K-Logs: Connections to Web Services can significantly enhance a K-Log.  How?  Here is my thinking on how this could work. One of the most powerful features of a K-Log client is that it can aggregate data/content from almost any source, store it as XML in an integrated database, display it as a Web page for local review through… Continue reading Web Services and K-Logs: Connections to Web Services can significantly enhance a K-Log.  How?  Here is my thinking on how this could work.

One of the most powerful features of a K-Log client is that it can aggregate data/content from almost any source, store it as XML in an integrated database, display it as a Web page for local review through use of its integrated CMS and HTTP server, and then provide the ability to publish it (with annotation) to almost any location.  In this sense the K-Log is a content router on the desktop.  

Web Services can provide an important source of data and distribution to a K-Log (in addition to RSS newsfeeds, e-mail, bookmark lists, and local files).  Web Services also provide a growth path for corporate specific uses for the tool.  Here's how:

1) To convert information in ERP, CRM, and financial systems into corporate knowledge.  For example, the head of sales could get an automated daily report from her CRM system on sales information from the previous day.  The result would be displayed as a Web page using the K-Log client's content management capabilities.  The head of sales could then review the information, click on a post button, annotate a comment, click a category (to route the information to specific readers), and then publish the annotated data as HTML to her K-Log on the Intranet.

2)  To publish to non-Web devices and systems.  As mentioned earlier, K-Logs can use Web Services to publish to gateways that connect to SMS phones, faxes, and text-to-voice systems.  Sal Central and others are working on these gateways.  Additionally, Web Services can enable K-Loggers with the ability to publish data to specific applications. 

3) To connect K-Log clients for collaborative applications.  Increasingly K-Logs clients will be able to connect via P2P.   Jabber's support for XML-RPC and UserLand's (still under wraps) structured Instant Messaging system point in this direction.  With P2P connections that provide presence and firewall tunneling, K-Logs can be place where advanced collaborative Web apps run.  These collaborative apps will provide a new source of data that then can be published with annotation to an Intranet K-Log.

The key to all of this is the ability of a K-Log to break down data silos (both personal and corporate) and provide static information with the context it needs for better understanding.  The ultimate goal of a K-Log is the system for aggregating all relevant data, improving it, and then publishing it for personal and corporate consumption (aggregate-improve-share).  By using Internet standards for the basis for the tool, the K-Log will be able to grow quickly to become a vital part of corporate infrastructure due to low programming costs, ease-of-use, and simple integration. [John Robb's Radio Weblog

Epson intros double-sided matte paper [Meerkat: An Open Wire Service]

Linux4SmallBiz.com launches site aimed at helping small businesses. Eugene von Niederhausern writes, A new web site was announced today to help small businesses realize the benefits of Linux within their organization. Linux4SmallBiz.com looks at Linux and Open Source from the unique perspective of a small business. [Meerkat: An Open Wire Service]

eWEEK: Broadband Seen as Catalyst. Illustrating the inextricable ties between the technology and telecommunications industries, Eric Benhamou, chairman of the board at 3Com Corp. and Palm Inc., urged policy-makers last week to stimulate broadband network deployment as a means of bolstering the tech sector. [Tomalak's Realm]

Brain uses dreams to process memories: [S]leep is essential for “learning” certain types of memories, according to one of the authors of a new report on dreams published in the November 2nd issue of the journal Science. “The brain is actually quite active during sleep,” Dr. Robert Stickgold of Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts,… Continue reading Brain uses dreams to process memories

Microsoft Wins Battle with the Feds: WSJ.  The feds reached a tentative agreement with Microsoft that leaves Microsoft's products unchanged.  States may opt to go it alone due to a “wimpy” settlement.  Here is what the government is focusing on: “Microsoft will agree not to retaliate, or threaten to retaliate” against any software or hardware maker… Continue reading WSJ

News.Com: Google tests snapshots of Web pages. Google has been quietly testing a new feature that offers snapshots of Web pages alongside ordinary search results. Google spokeswoman Cindy McCaffrey on Wednesday told CNET News.com that the experimental pages have so far been shown to a random test group… [Tomalak's Realm]

Viva K-Logs (and centralized resources): This is another post dedicated to the discussion of K-Logs (Knowledge Management Weblogs). Distributed desktop Weblogging software is essential to maximize the benefits of K-Logging due to application integration, cost, mobility, and control issues.  Server-based software is still essential to a fully functional distributed K-Logs system.   Here are the ways I see server… Continue reading Viva K-Logs (and centralized resources): This is another post dedicated to the discussion of K-Logs (Knowledge Management Weblogs). Distributed desktop Weblogging software is essential to maximize the benefits of K-Logging due to application integration, cost, mobility, and control issues.  Server-based software is still essential to a fully functional distributed K-Logs system.   Here are the ways I see server software playing an important role:

1) As a place to post a K-Log on the Intranet.  K-Logs need to be posted to the Intranet to gain from centralized search and taxonomy engines.  This central repository also serves as an essential back-up to desktop K-Logs and as a way to preserve knowledge after an employee leaves.

2) Community functionality.  Central servers can provide a way for people to find Weblogs that fit their interests.  Hotlists, recently updated K-Logs (Weblogs.com), and link bots (Blogdex) need a centralized location.

3) Subscritptions.  RSS (news headlines) subscriptions are best done through reference to a central repository. 

4) Remote access and behind a firewall access.  [John Robb's Radio Weblog

Buffyverse. Dawn's kiss, Willow's kiss, and more fine writing [Mark Bernstein]