Saturday, May 29, 2010
Richard Sweeney :: design, photography, craft and sculpture
Richard Sweeney | | | (Fine Print: If you would rather not receive my blathering and such please let me know and I will remove you from my list.) |
Posted by William Meloney at 9:52 AM 0 comments
Friday, May 28, 2010
Senators Propose...
Senators Propose Mandatory IDs For Prepaid Cell Phones
by W. David GardnerPosted by William Meloney at 7:15 AM 0 comments
A case of Big Iron-ic
Scientists devise algorithm to detect sarcasm | |
A computer algorithm capable of identifying sarcasm in written text has been developed by Israeli researchers. The novel formula could pave the way for more sophisticated communication between humans and computers. Devised by computer scientists at The Hebrew University in Jerusalem, the algorithm has been programmed to recognise sarcasm in lengthy texts by analysing patterns of phrases and punctuation often used to indicate irony. In tests on 66,000 product reviews posted on the Amazon shopping website, the algorithm had an impressive 77 per cent success rate in picking out sarcastic comments - arguably higher than some humans. The researchers 'trained' the algorithm to recognise sarcasm by teaching it nearly 5,500 sentences from Amazon reviews that volunteers had marked as either sarcastic or non-sarcastic. From this list of phrases, the algorithm was taught to recognise patterns of words commonly used by writers to show that they do not mean to be taken literally. The algorithm was tested on tens of thousands of other Amazon reviews which had also been tagged for sarcasm, or otherwise, by human readers. It produced accurate answers in 77% of cases. | |
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UNU-MERIT provides insights into the social, political and economic factors that drive technological change and innovation. The Centre's research and training programmes address a broad range of policy questions relating to the national and international governance of science, technology and innovation, with a particular focus on the creation, diffusion and access to knowledge.
Posted by William Meloney at 6:20 AM 0 comments
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Zappa Statue
Frank Zappa statue to go near Highlandtown library
So the Public Art Committee finally found a home forthat Frank Zappa statue: Outside the Southeast Anchor Library, a branch of the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Highlandtown.
The bust of Zappa (who was born in Baltimore) will go up sometime next year, according to committee chair Anne Perkins.
"We think this is a great place for it -- a terrific neighborhood" Perkins said. "I think it will be the focal point for a lot of really fun festivals."
Here's a link to the full story.
At first, I was a little surprised at the site they chose. Highlandtown might get a decent amount of foot traffic, but probably not as much as the other sites they were considering -- such as Fells Point.
And besides the Creative Alliance, Highlandtown really isn't known for its arts and entertainment..
Then I spoke with Zappa's widow, Gail, who cleared things up for me ...
Gail said Zappa would have liked the location, because his mother, Rose Marie, was a librarian. Gail actually lobbied to have the bust placed near a city library.
"I'm thrilled," she said. "That's where he went to school, in the library. The library was a really important place for him in his teen years."I asked her if Zappa would have even wanted a bust of himself anywhere, let alone in Baltimore, and she laughed.
"It's the ultimate bust, isn't it?," she said. "It's a beautiful, beautiful bust. I couldn't be more pleased with the outcome. It's stunning. It really represents Frank's character beautifully."
(Pictured is a Zappa statue in Lithuania, similar to the Baltimore statue. AP photo.)
(Fine Print: If you would rather not receive my blatheringand such please let me know and I will remove you from my list.)
Posted by William Meloney at 12:52 PM 0 comments
New Method of Pressure on Journalists
Russia: Taking Children as a New Method of Pressure on Journalists
by Gregory Asmolov
By Gregory Asmolov
Children of Galina Dmitrieva, an oppositionary journalist and activist, were taken by Russian police after she published an investigation about Russian car manufacturer Avtovaz [EN], Anatoliy Baranov reported[RUS]. After instant blog-campaign her children were returned. Blogger Marina Litvinovich suggests [RUS] this method was used before against at least one oppositionary journalist.
Posted by William Meloney at 11:41 AM 0 comments
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Lessons on Life
Posted by William Meloney at 10:31 AM 0 comments
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Iran: Student activist started hunger strike
Iran: Student activist started hunger strike
Majid Tavakoli, Iranian student actvist, started his hunegr strike in prison in Tehran. Sight writes [fa] “Tavakoli is not only a name. He is a legned. He started his hunger strike but the world does not pay attention.”
Hundreds of Iranian men have dressed as women in Hijab to support Majid Tavakoli, a student activist who was arrested on December 7, and express solidarity with women. Iranian authorities claim Mr. Tavakoli was dressed as a woman to escape after delivering a speech in Tehran on Student Day.
However, human rights activists in Iran have published a report from an eyewitness saying: “All the pictures published by the state media are false and a clear use of immoral means against student and civil activists in Iran.”
Hundreds of Iranian men are now dressed as women in their FaceBook profiles. Here is a YouTube video in support of Majid that has collected some of these photos (begins after 42 seconds).
Posted by William Meloney at 6:09 AM 0 comments
Monday, May 24, 2010
Zappos Values
- Deliver WOW Through Service
- Embrace and Drive Change
- Create Fun and A Little Weirdness
- Be Adventurous, Creative, and Open-Minded
- Pursue Growth and Learning
- Build Open and Honest Relationships With Communication
- Build a Positive Team and Family Spirit
- Do More With Less
- Be Passionate and Determined
- Be Humble
Posted by William Meloney at 7:34 PM 0 comments
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Before the Deployment
Posted by William Meloney at 9:33 AM 0 comments
Chrome Extension Of The Day (CEOTD): Frame Two Pages
Posted by William Meloney at 8:31 AM 0 comments