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Wolfram|Alpha

Wolfram|Alpha is launching tonight.  It looks to be another step forward in Search.  Billed by Wolfram as the “computational knowledge engine” the reviews so far are good.  You can watch a powerful screencast showing the power of Alpha here.

Wolfram|Alpha search engine
Wolfram|Alpha search engine

The launch does not mean Alpha is a Google killer as many have written, but rather a step forward in our ability to tap vast amounts of data in new ways.  I’m looking forward to utilizing the power of Alpha.

Tags: Search Engine, Wolfram, Alpha, advanced technologies, trends

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Design Education Globalization Network OpenSource Reading Rich media Smartphone Technology

Latest read: The Future of Music

Would you like to access music the same way you access water?  David Kusek and Gerd Leonhard have written an amazing book about the music industry, artists, record companies and how massive changes are underway that will benefit everyone who enjoys music.

The Future of Music: Manifesto for the Digital Music Revolution proves that indeed access to music can be modified to be as simple as finding water.  If you are interested in education David and Gerd actually spell out something special in chapter one … maybe without even knowing it.

Without a doubt they have The Future of Music nailed down: Mobile and Digital.  The book is labeled a Manifesto for good reason.  If you want to understand the music industry from the inside, gain a better perspective on how the record industry stacks the deck against musicians and how mp3 + iPod + iTunes = Revolution then you will really enjoy The Future of Music.

Authors David Kusek and Gerd Leonhard have combined their knowledge and talent to truly place a wonderful series of ideas, thoughts and experiences from the music industry into a book that will show how radical changes to the digital distribution of music will actually make everyone happy, kill Digital Rights Management in the process yet make the music business profitable.

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Design Education Globalization Internet2 Network Reading Technology

Latest read: Planet India

India is the second fastest growing economy in the world, second only to their Asian neighbor China.  Both have embraced globalization yet are racing to secure resources as their economies, populations, markets and environments grow out of control.  India has the second largest population with almost 1.5 billion citizens.

Planet IndiaMy understanding of India’s impact on the global market continues to grow after reading Planet India: How the Fastest Growing Democracy Is Transforming America and the World.  Mira Kamdar’s has hilighted both positive and negative (poverty, piracy and global warming) developments in India.

I’m very impressed by India’s innovation in creating the world’s next motion picture industryBollywood will not compete with Hollywood in America, it will simply run it over as India’s youth overtakes America.  Remember their population is growing and has acquired new-found wealth as a result of globalization.  It is a safe bet their children will be interested in watching movies like American teenagers.

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Design Education Flat World Globalization Network Reading Technology

Latest read: Bangalore Tiger

Y2K.  Remember the rush to fix computer software that was programmed to stop working on January 1 2000?  Many Americans probably did not realize their software fix was coming from Indian companies including WiPro located in Bangalore India.  Today American business is filled with examples of India’s outsourcing success.

Bangalore TigerBangalore Tiger is a must read for everyone working in Information Technology. Organizational leaders will learn how one of the larger tech companies in India is changing the rules of business competition in today’s globalized marketplace. If you read

The World Is Flat then you already know about all the success coming from India’s technology outsourcing giants in Bangalore.

If you want to learn how a company located in the heart of India’s globalization capital can thrive this book is really for you. The early chapters focus on how Wipro is taking on the West (and winning) as a new breed of tech company.

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Design Education Globalization OLPC OpenSource Technology

Amazon to sell OLPC

As reported by the BBC and others, Amazon has announced it will begin selling OLPC’s XO unit this fall.  The new unit will support dual boot to SugarOS or WindowsXP.  OLPC’s first GiveOneGetOne (G1G1) program struggled late last year.

Many canceled their orders when shipping glitches and production delays hit the first XO laptop.  This new unit is expected to begin in November.  Pricing has not yet been announced.

Tags: OLPC, Sugar Labs, Amazon, XO, open source, globalization, trends