IT Conversations

John Kestner - How Twine Can Tie The World Together

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

According to the Supermechanical website, "Twine is a wireless module tightly integrated with a cloud-based service. The module has WiFi, on-board temperature and vibration sensors, and an expansion connector for other sensors." Developer John Kestner describes the device and its development. He reviews how it works, what decisions were made in its design, and how It allows you to connect things to the Internet. He also discusses the community that is working to make the product better.

Gabe Zichermann - Designing for Engagement with Gamification in Open Source

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

Gabe Zichermann shares tips on how to use gamification techniques to increase end-user engagement in open source software. Gamification is the process of using game design techniques to solve problems in other domains that are not game related. Gabe is an entrepreneur, a blogger, an author and a gamification thought leader.

Kevin Kelly - Trends and Social Consequences of Technology

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

Our long-term interaction with the web will be defined by six trends. These trends will will involve dramatic changes that will make computing more like what we are used to seeing in many of today's movies. Kevin Kelly explains why he believes that soon the internet will beneficially surround us in ways that most users don't imagine today.

Ben Huh - From Blogs to Books

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

It is hard to imagine getting advice on the future of publishing from the Cheezburger Network. Then again, questioning the status quo, and delivering what people really want, is exactly what Ben Huh has done. By using unconventional practices, he has built a group of very popular websites. So maybe it isn't such a surprise that they have published several hit books. In this keynote Huh discusses how they they engineered their books to be best-sellers.

Mark Burgess - Change = Mass x Velocity

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

Linking information technology management to popular public technology and physics, Cfengine's Mark Burgess describes the fluidity and diversity necessary to keep up with changes in information technology. Rather than the standardization and bureaucracy that globalization tends to bring, Burgess advocates cultural diversity and human input in IT management but with a universal focus on speed and predictability.

Hal Varian - The Economic Impact of Google

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

In discussing the economic value of Google, Hal Varian focuses on the impact of Google Search in terms of time saved, and advertisements on Google in terms of profit, publicity, and communication. Presenting gains and losses with mathematical equations, social norms, and increasing use of technology, Google's Chief Economist presents Google's impact on the world at large and for specific demographics.

Paul Fenwick - All Your Brains Suck - Known Bugs And Exploits In Wetware

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

Brains have bugs. Our memories can be faulty, emotions are hard to judge, and we're terrible at rating the value of anything. All in all, Paul Fenwick says, human minds make a lot of mistakes, and we're all easy to manipulate. Listing a number of studies, experiments, and business plans, Fenwick dives into how the mind works, where the mind goes wrong, and how businesses can influence people into buying their products.

Steven Naifeh - Van Gogh and the New Biology

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

Dr. Moira Gunn talks with Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Steven Naifeh, about new insights into biology from the pages of his new book, Van Gogh: The Life.

David Haussler - The Cancer Genome Hub

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

Dr. Moira Gunn learns how the war against cancer has moved from the microscope to the computer from University of California at Santa Cruz professor, David Haussler.

Andy Piper - MQ Telemetry Transport (MQTT)

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

As stated on the MQTT website, MQ Telemetry Transport "is a machine-to-machine (M2M)/"Internet of Things" connectivity protocol." Meant to be used remotely particularly when bandwidth is at a premium, it can be used in both mobile and dial-up situations. Developed as part of his work at IBM, Andy Piper discusses the project, including its concepts and background. He also reviews examples of its use and reviews future development plans.

Michael Jackson - Finding Disruption

Sun, 15 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

The disruption of innovation has yielded as many opportunities for those prepared to take advantage as it has brought disruption for those unprepared to adjust. New businesses have been able to profit with solutions that solve problems or enable previously excluded people to participate on their own terms. Michael Jackson explores some history and characteristics of disruptive technology.

Theo Schlossnagle - What Is A Career?

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

Many young professionals apply for positions based on what they studied without much experience actually working in the real world. Instead of considering themselves to be experts in many areas, Theo Schlossnagle of OnmiIT argues that professionals "must treat what you do as a craft". He discusses how his experience with both software development as well as running a company gives him a unique view on how tech professionals can be successful in a career.

David Willetts, Steve Burrill - Biotech Nation

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

Dr. Moira Gunn gets a glimpse into cabinet meetings at #10 Downing street from UK Minister of State for Universities and Science, David Willetts, and then hosts the annual biotech industry wrap-up with CEO of Burrill & Co, Steve Burrill.

Peter Meyers, TJ Zark, Scott Stevens - Tablet Success

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

In a time when iPad apps may become as popular as the Barbie dolls or Hot Wheels toy cars of the past, there are only a few that rise to the notoriety worthy of a closer look. Peter Myers briefly interviews two people associated with unique successes on the tablet and touch-device landscape.

Robert Stephens, Marko Gargenta - A Conversation With Robert Stephens

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

Google's acquisition of Android Inc. in 2005 silently marked the inception of a powerful mobile software ecosystem consisting of tens of large companies and thousands of application developers. Robert Stephens, the CTO of Best Buy and Founder of Geek Squad talks to Marko Gargenta, the founder of Marakana at O'Reilly's recently held Android Open Conference. They discuss the exciting but challenging days ahead for Android, not just in smartphone and tablet space, but also in home automation as Google's projects like Android@Home gain momentum.

Cory Doctorow - The Coming War on General Computation

Mon, 9 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

The issue of copyright continues to be a major problem over the life of the personal computer. Companies have consistently tried to limit the ability of users to make the most of their machines, using a variety of protection schemes. In his talk at the 28th annual Chaos Communication Congress (28c3), Cory Doctorow reviews the history of the copyright fight and discusses how developers and political organizations will continue to limit the use of the general purpose computer.

Josh Berkus - Scale Fail

Sat, 7 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

With a good deal of sarcasm, Josh Berkus presents a sardonic critique about scaling tools that are trendy rather than reliable. Josh Berkus, CEO of PostgreSQL, gives a facetious list of do's and don'ts for database creation and application design that, while often popular today, are not stable techniques. In the same cynical tone of this short presentation, Berkus sarcastically places sexiness at the top of the list of qualities to maintain when scaling website elements.

Gus Balbontin - From Gutenberg to Zuckerberg - Lonely Planet's Publishing Challenges for the 21st Century

Fri, 6 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

Like most travelers, Gus Balbontin loves new journeys. In this keynote, he shares a collection of stories about adventure. Some of them are about the history of Lonely Planet and some are about his own history with the company. By leading the shift of Lonely Plant from print to ebooks and apps, he may be on his biggest adventure yet. But this isn't the first transformational journey Lonely Planet has been on. Balbontin shares three three lessons learned, to guide anyone wanting to take the ebook transformation journey.

Jim Fruchterman - Making the Book Truly Accessible

Tue, 3 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

Jim Fruchterman of Bookshare believes accessible books can become a profit center for publishers, while still protecting copyright. Formerly, preparing accessible books required an extra step. Now, accessibility can be generated as a by-product of book production. Bookshare has been serving the one percent of individuals qualified through federal funding for free access for the print disabled. But there is an untapped market of others who would willingly buy accessible materials.

David Messenger - Business Perspective on Technology Advances

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST

David Messenger, EVP at American Express, discusses the drivers, or central forces, behind the changing technological world. He names four that he considers to be the most important, as follows: cell phones, rapid wireless data speeds, social networks, and new technology in general, both hardware and software. Presenting these changes with a business perspective, Messenger also discusses changes such as digital cash, security, and unlimited communication.