Quoin Blog

Search remains one of the most widely used applications on the Internet. According to a recent study, Internet Trends 2008, 84% of Internet users engage in geneeral web searches. Although other applications such as social networking and reference are growing at a faster rate, search will continue to be a key function in these applications. Search as a core technology has encouraged the development of new approaches – faceted search, related content or products, and categorized results. However, the basic model of indexed content and paginated results based on some forumula seems unlikely to change. Thus, I was interested to see a new approach to this core technology. The Collaborative Intelligence Platform (CIP) from Baynote enables a site to take advantage of its user community to improve search results and deliver related content.

Here are a few observations from the CM Pros and Gilbane Conferences last week.

• Steve Powers (Forrester Research gave a very good presentation to open the CM Pros Summit, His key point was that CMS vendors need to significantly improve support for user-generated content and other information derived from interactive social networks. Steve did not identify any particular leaders here.
• Summit participants were interested in how to integrate blogs and social networks into conventional web sites. However, the consensus was that the resources and commitment were missing in most organizations. The only realistic tactic discussed was to recruit an individual willing to put in the time and effort required to generate interesting content.
• Udi Manber (Google) provided an interesting keynote to the Gilbane Conference. His wide-ranging talk focused on user-driven innovation in search.
• Enterprise search continues to be a vibrant sector of content management. The most interesting vendors were Baynote and Connotate. (I will look at each of these in subsequent posts.)
• WCMS vendors offered nothing new. I think 'mature' does not capture this, perhaps 'moribund' is a better description.
• The newer WCMS products are predominantly built on the .NET platform.
• "Web 2.0" and other superlatives were found in shocking abundance.
• I enjoyed participating in the sesssion on XML Strategies for Content Mangement with Bill Trippe, Jake Sorofman (Just System), and Eric Severson (Flatirons Systems). We each addressed an aspect of the evolution of XML – emergence of XML standards such as DITA, convergence of ECM and WCMS, and the use of XML as a general integration technology.
• San Francisco remains one of the best cities in the US for visitors. My pick for dinner outside is still Cafe Tiramisu. I first went to this Belden Place restaurant in 1988, and it's still a great place in the middle of the city.

I have posted my presentatiion on XML Architecture and Design Patterns on the Technology Presentations page in the Technical Resources section.

Recently at Quoin, we undertook a project with a client to redesign and add community building functionality to an existing high traffic website.  The client’s major requirements were for users to be able to create accounts and rate and review content in various ways.  Users can then search and view this user-generated information via numerous JavaScript widgets.  With the expectation of thousands of users interacting with the site’s content, the database server would need to process a large amount of data quickly in order to present that data to users.

Brad Kain will be speaking at the Gilbane Conference, 18 - 20 June, in San Francisco. Here is a description of the session.

XML Strategies for Content Managemnt

XML is recognized as a critical technology for content management. Yet, there is a broad range of uses from content acquisition to delivery. Based practical development experience, this session will examine best practices for use of XML. We will discuss how to use XML for personalization, online community tools, internationalization, and content interchange. In addition, we will present design patterns for delivery of XML content, including dynamic transformation, pipeline-based delivery, and XML query. The presentation will be a collaborative effort fof the senior technical staff at Quoin, and draw on paterns and anit-patterns for effective use of XML. We will post more details here, as we put together the slides.

I was invited to participate in the "My Technology Lawyer" online radio show on 1 May 2008. Bill Trippe, Mary Laplante, and I spoke about the Gilbane San Francisco conference. The show is an interesting forum for IT topics,and is hosted daily by Scott Draughton. You can listen to the complete show.

Here is a description of the program.

If you want to keep up with the Technology Industry and issues that affect you and your business, then join your Host Scott Draughon every week for a lively and informative Radio Shows. In our Supreme Court radio series Scott covers recent decisions, pending rulings and up-coming cases. Scott talks to the actual lawyers who file the briefs and represent thier clients in these important proceedings. In Legal Questions, Scott answers all of the legal questions coming into the website and covers key contracting issues. Our Membership series introduces you to the products and services of MyTechnologyLawyer members and subscribers and serves as a great networking tool. You can call-in and talk directly with Scott and his guests. Send in your questions as well as show topic suggestions by email. Listen LIVE or tune in later at your convenience to hear the archived version of the Show.