Search Bias, Preferential Placement, User Behavior, and Misleading Statistics

January 20, 2011 by campo | Leave a comment

I read this blog post “Does Google Favor its Own Services?” on AlleyInsider and was annoyed by the misleading statistics and interpretation that are written. Here are the reasons this article frustrates me:

Google should be excused for providing their own service in their own top search results if another search engine also provides it as a top result (Bing also returns http://maps.google.com as a top result for example). That would seem to validate that Google Maps is actually a top result, not (just) Google promoting its own service. By my count this invalidates 3 of the 7 dings against Google.
This article should mention (if not account for) that users searching on Google are probably inclined to be more likely to be searching for Google services. It makes sense that a user trying to find the login page for Google email will go to Google search to try to find it. It then makes sense that Google (or its search algorithm) would account for a frequent user behavior (searching for “mail” and then clicking through to mail.google.com) by prioritizing prioritizing the result for mail.google.com in the future (in general, or on a per user basis).

The article should be pointing out that Yahoo seems to be the most out of whack with the other two sites (look at the results for “calendar”), but Yahoo isn’t going to get as many page views as bashing Google in the headline of the post. I hate that AlleyInsider does this all the time, but it got me to read and write about the story so I guess sensationalist blogging wins out again.

My understanding was that Bing “provides” search for Yahoo now anyways, so I’m curious as to what’s going on that Yahoo would still offer different results. Perhaps this is in the line of thinking of trying to accommodate Yahoo users searching for Yahoo services.

Perhaps we should be skeptical of the results Google (or any other search engine) returns, but also keep in mind that algorithms can be written to help create the best experience for Google users (looking for Google services) rather than a vanilla internet user. Now if Google in some way subverts my obvious preference for something else that is more dubious, but perhaps in that case we users should cast our votes for disapproval by not using their service.

Do you “trust Google’s results?” Am I crazy? Am I wrong? I imagine I’m not any more wrong than AlleyInsider in this case.

Google Kills

August 4, 2010 by campo | 1 Comment

The trending topics on Twitter right now reveal the truth about Google…

Panoramic Sweep on the Sony WX1

August 2, 2010 by campo | 2 Comments

I recently drafted up this quick little email to some co-workers looking at capabilities of the Panoramic Sweep feature on the Sony WX1. I bought this little point and shoot to take with me on my trip to South Africa for the World Cup.

Here’s what I learned taking pictures with the PanoSweep feature on the WX1 (a.k.a. the Taylor Swift camera).

It took some practice but after I got the hang of the sweeping motion the shots came out pretty well. I thought this Korean flag was pretty awesome:

What I did notice was that I had to get used to and adjust for the metering when using the PanoSweep. Early on I ended up with a lot of shots that were blown out:

With some practice I learned to compensate by focusing on the sun first to set the metering, and then taking the sweep:

For comparison I also took multiple “normal” shots with the WX1 using the standard auto shooting mode. The top photo of each is the WX1 PanoSweep version and the bottom version is a stitch composed from 4 shots using Windows Live Photo Gallery. [Disclosure: I work on the Windows Live Photo Gallery team at Microsoft.]

WX1 PanoSweep:

Photo Gallery stitch from 4 shots:

WX1 PanoSweep:

Photo Gallery stitch from 4 shots:

Overall the Photo Gallery panoramic stitch clearly wins out on quality. This makes sense because it’s composed from four higher quality (~10MP) images (The WX1 down samples the image to 5.1 MP when shooting in PanoSweep mode). That said the WX1 is far more convenient, and I remember to change the dial on my point and shoot more often than I think “let me take 5 images to stitch later.” Having the result of the panoramic available immediately on the camera LCD is also encouraging because you just end up trying the shot a few times until it looks good.

The one question I got about the PanoSweep images was if they are cropped automatically. The answer to that is both yes and no. The image from the WX1 comes out cropped automatically, but that’s because if you veer too far from center vertically while capturing the panorama, the camera will spit out a message saying something to the effect of “Please move the camera steadily horizontally.” I’m assuming the WX1 is actually capturing somewhat above and below what I see as the final shot, and only spits out the middle vertical section of what is captured as the “final image.”

You can also change the PanoSweep setting to expect the camera to sweep upward or downward. Again, I assume the WX1 just has an accelerometer in the camera that keeps track of how close your sweeping motion is to center. Also, if you’re hoping the WX1 will let you shoot an infinite panorama, you can’t capture indefinitely. The camera senses a certain range of motion and once you’ve completed that range it spits out the panorama. This probably helps keep the WX1 panoramic stitching within the processing capability of the camera.

South Africa 2010, Day 0: Welcome to Africa

August 1, 2010 by campo | Leave a comment

Date: Thursday, June 10th, 2010

Location: Doha, Qatar

Location: Johannesburg, South Africa

The day starts out on a flight to Doha, Qatar and is the fourth day of the week I’ve been on a plane. I just checked Europe off my list of firsts and today I also check off the Middle East and Africa. Qatar Air is one of the most enjoyable airlines I’ve ever flown on. The service wasn’t completely perfect but the flights went smoothly nonetheless. The Airbus fleet is nice (Look out Boeing!) and despite having less legroom than Icelandair had LOTS of headspace, which is great when you want to stand up for a bit on a long flight. Qatar air also gives you a nice little packet with a blindfold, earplugs, and a toothbrush which makes you feel special.

Despite sitting down at my seat to find the in flight entertainment system listing our destination as null we make it to Doha without incident.

Upon arriving in Qatar I learn an obvious lesson first hand. Qatar is really fucking hot. It’s 98 degrees Farenheit at 6am. Qatar is bidding to host the World Cup in 2018, and this heat convinces me there is no way the tournament could be held here. However, I’m told Qatar has enough money to air condition the entire country if necessary, so maybe they still have a shot.

The plane touches down on the runway about 5 minutes before my connecting flight to Johannesburg is scheduled to take off. I don’t really freak out because I have no control over the situation, so I just get on the shuttle bus to the terminal. When we unload at the terminal we learn that we have to go through security again before boarding our connecting flights. This line for security is no joke either. Flight was scheduled to take off 5 minutes ago, things aren’t looking good.

I get through security before almost everybody else on my plane (I’m sneaky like that), and once I get to the gate I realize the flight is being held because there are enough people connecting from London. As I get on the shuttle bus to the plane I count the people connecting from my flight. The bus fills up when my count reaches 92. People are still waiting at the gate to get on our flight. I guess scheduled take off times don’t matter when ALL the passengers show up late. I make a stop at the restroom, and try to get some sleep.

A nap, Invictus, and most of Shutter Island later we arrive in Johannesburg. Getting through customs is easy and consists solely of answering one question: “Are you here for football?” A simple answer of yes gets you a stamp in your passport and free entry into South Africa.

Immediately after exiting the customs line I’m given a free can of Coca-Cola (a.k.a. the Nectar of the Gods). For the first and last time I think South Africa is the greatest place on Earth.

I make my way out of the international terminal and to the MTN store to buy a local SIM card for my cell phone. I wait patiently in line as the store workers are helping other customers. 45 minutes of being completely ignored later I’ve learned a valuable lesson about Africa. If you need something, take it. I finally get a free SIM card from the worker and get it activated. Once the activation is complete she asks me if I would like to top up the phone so I can make calls. I tell her that adding money to the phone is probably a good idea, or I wouldn’t have wasted my time getting a SIM card. Education is not a big thing in South Africa.

With the phone taken care of I ask around about the shuttle van to my hotel. A completely uninformed volunteer instructs me to wait two hours for a shuttle different than the one I asked about. Another 45 minutes later I end up on a FIFA sponsored VIP/media shuttle and get a free ride to what I think is my hotel. I don’t complain, I might as well adventure while I’m in Africa. We arrive at the hotel. I confirm it IS my hotel.

I get the keys to my room and head upstairs. I close the door survey the room. It’s not luxurious but it definitely has everything we we need. Even the toilet paper has World Cup fever.

As cool as the toilet paper is, I’m exhausted, so at 4pm I’m ready for a nap. I jam the desk chair behind the door. I don’t trust Johannesburg, so if somebody’s coming into my room while I’m alone sleeping, I’m going to hear it. I wake up in a daze at 7pm with my stomach aching for food. I decide continuing to sleep is more important than eating. I decide to deal with the food problem in the morning and close my eyes again to sleep until tomorrow.

South Africa 2010, Day–1: Wandering London

July 31, 2010 by campo | Leave a comment

Date: Wednesday, June 9th, 2010

Location: Reykjavik, Iceland and London, England

Icelandair had the most leg room of any airline I’ve ever been on. Even though I’m short enough that a lack of leg room doesn’t bother me that much, I could definitely appreciate it while flying across the Atlantic. The headrests were covered with small notes about Iceland, which is how I learned to recognize the word for “thanks” in Icelandic.

I didn’t realize that the airport in Reykjavik would be so remotely located. It reminded me of the airport back home in North Dakota.

During my hour long layover, I went through security again, got two stamps in my passport, and learned that Keflavik won the award for best European airport. They even had the trophy on display.

I got two pictures while the plane was taking off for London. I guess I don’t put a lot of stock in that warning to turn off all electronic devices. The plane made it into the air safely.

When we landed in London we were locked in the jetway. I found this a bit annoying because I Dean and I knew we were going to have similar layovers in London at the same time so we had arranged to meet in the city at a specific time and place. As a result I wanted to get through customs as quickly as possible. Eventually somebody unlocked the door and let us out.

I made my way to the Tube stop at Heathrow to head into the city. It was about an hour ride on the train from the airport, but I had a twelve hour layover so it seemed like as good a way to kill time as any.

I met Dean outside the Westminster tube stop. I didn’t see him at first so I tried calling him from a local payphone. The phone ended up charging my credit card a fortune and his phone never even rang. I guess I won’t try that again in the future. We walked to a nearby pub Dean had found on a list of “Best pubs in London” for a pint. Then we took a walk around the city and checked out some touristy spots.

I got the single greatest picture ever taken in front of Buckingham Palace. Smiling is for chumps.

Dean also gave me the single greatest tour of Buckingham Palace the planet has ever seen.

Ryan Dean tour of Buckingham Palace.

Eventually we decided to find a place to sit down and get something to eat. We each had a Guinness pint because they’re oh so much better in England.

After a long day of walking around the city, we were pretty tired by the time we caught the train back to Heathrow. Dean got a nap in.

Dean and I had different flights to South Africa so we separated at the airport. The next leg of travel I purchased as a round trip flight from London to Johannesburg, with a stop in Doha on Qatar Airways. Off to Africa!

South Africa 2010, Day -2: Goodbye America

July 30, 2010 by campo | Leave a comment

Date: Tuesday, June 8th, 2010

Location: New York, NY

I left the United States on Tuesday evening on a flight from JFK to Reykjavik, Iceland. This is the only picture I took that day. I booked this portion of the journey as a one way trip from New York to London with one stop.

South Africa 2010, Day -3: History and Hope

July 30, 2010 by campo | Leave a comment

Date: Monday, June 7th, 2010

Location: Port Authority, New York, NY

In anticipation of the tournament ESPN had a series of advertisements made up in the form of a mural representing each team in the World Cup. Each ad conveyed some sense of the nation’s history in the tournament, and in some ways the significance of the World Cup to that nation. The ads covered the windows of the old Virgin Super store at the Port Authority bus terminal so I walked over to look at them in the afternoon.

Fernando Torres represented the favorites, Spain. He ended up losing his starting spot, finishing the tournament without scoring a goal, and injuring himself yet again. But he left with a winner’s medal so while it may not have been a perfect tournament for him I think he’ll survive.

England is depicted with Lamps, Rooney, and Stevie G trying to tear down the pressure of 1966 (the last and only time England won the World Cup) under the guidance of Fabio Capello. It didn’t really work out, and this mural could probably be used unchanged for the 2014 World Cup.

Karim Benzema was depicted as one of the Three Musketeers in the France mural but wasn’t even selected to the team. Henry’s face is vandalized with the word “CHEAT” and he didn’t even play until the final match after France had completely imploded.

Messi looks like the savior of Argentina, and while Higuain scored all the goals, Messi is pretty much the shining light of Argentine football.

While Japan didn’t slay the Netherlands they did manage to make it out of their group.

Kaka didn’t have a particularly stellar tournament.

The Elephants of Ivory Coast may have been the biggest African disappointment.

Australia didn’t really do much at all. I guess this is what a Socceroo looks like.

South Korea managed to break through the group stage again in 2010 but it wasn’t quite the 4th place finish of 2002.

Cristiano didn’t really work a whole lot of magic this tournament.

Aguirre led Mexico to what is becoming a pretty standard second round exit for them.

North Korea played surprisingly well against Brazil before getting thumped by Portugal.

New Zealand had a player who wasn’t even a professional. I wonder if he’ll do the Haka before business meetings at his banking job.

Cameroon.

Honduras carried the hopes of a nation. We met some Honduran guys in one of our hotels. They were really cool, and they told us that the president of Honduras offered American player Jonathan Bornstein a free vacation to Honduras because the late goal he scored gave Honduras the last World Cup qualifying spot from North America. He’s a hero in Honduras.

On the way to dinner we found this mattress in the street.

In the evening we went to B Café. If I recall correctly I had a steak which I enjoyed and Tracy was prepared to give it a solid 3 star review on yelp. She even ordered this cool Belgian beer that came in a glass with a spherical bottom so it was served with a cool handle so it wouldn’t fall over!

I saw this ad on the way home. Brazilian clubs make most of their money by selling talented players. Apparently some banks make money by financing that.

South Africa 2010, Day–4: Cards and Beer

July 29, 2010 by campo | Leave a comment

Date: Sunday, June 6th, 2010

Location: Brooklyn, NY, USA

The main activity for Sunday was a group trip out to the Brooklyn brewery. We were a bit behind schedule when we arrived around 12:30pm, about half an hour after the brewery opened. Fortunately for us the brewery is not nearly as popular a Sunday activity as I’m told it is a Saturday activity.

The first order of business upon entering the brewery is ordering beer tokens. They came at a fairly reasonable price of 6 for $20. The beer token idea is great because it simplifies the ordering process as much as is possible. 1 token = 1 beer. Also beer tokens just look cool.

The brewery has a pretty nice logo, and the beers are all great. I tried as many as I could, and I didn’t find one that didn’t taste delicious.

A lot of people that go out to the brewery from Manhattan spend the better part of the day there. The brewery even lets you order in food so you really can spend your entire day there if you want. We stayed right up until closing time at 6pm. To pass the time some groups starting building pyramids from their cups. Other tables of people even contributed their cups to the cause. I’m sure the brewery staff see this every day and are completely incapable of finding a pyramid made of cups impressive.

We even played some cards. Tracy was really focused.

Not all of the games we played were very well organized. They did however make for a picture I like.

The brewery even had some specialty beers. These were the only beers that cost more than one token to order. We tried to order a bottle, but they weren’t available for some reason. Maybe next time.

After we left the brewery the obvious next step was to track down the closest pizza place. We managed that part successfully, and as a reward Tom Hanks was more than happy to receive our trash.

Back in the city we came across one of these ESPN advertisements. It’s a great advertisement. It’d be even better if injury hadn’t ruled Ballack out of the tournament for Germany.

South Africa 2010, Day -5: Across the U.S.

July 29, 2010 by campo | Leave a comment

Date: Saturday, June 5th, 2010

Starting Location: Seattle, WA, USA

End Location: New York, NY, USA

I depart Seattle the morning of Saturday, June 5th. For this leg of air travel I purchased a round trip ticket from Seattle to New York on Southwest Airlines. Every time I fly on Southwest I’m reminded that checking in online is key because they allow you to board the plane in the order you check in.

The flight to Chicago goes without incident as does the continuing flight to NYC. While I’m waiting in Chicago I use my phone to buy a $15 one way ticket for a bus ride from LaGuardia to the city. When I arrive at the bus stop for New York Airport Service the attendant tells me I have to buy a new ticket with cash because I don’t have a printout of my receipt (even though I have the email to show him on my phone). I purchase a new $12 ticket in cash (which I assume the guy just pockets). Less than one day in and I’ve been ripped off (in my own country no less).

As a result of this incident I find the sign on the bus requesting tips hilarious. I give no tip. If the driver has a problem with it, try working for a company that honors the tickets it sells. So far I’m out $15, so the driver is out 1 tip. Hopefully the driver will improve the actions of his co-workers. This being New York, I highly doubt it.

As usual, traffic in the city is ridiculous. I always try to imagine these scenes with the mindset of a person back home in North Dakota who has never traveled to a real city. Even my own brother has never been to New York City. The first time I ever visited New York was during spring break my freshman year of college. I couldn’t keep my head from drifting upward because the buildings are everywhere. This is probably why I always feel like I can visit New York for a few days at a time, but I wouldn’t be able to live there.

I happen to arrive earlier than I expected and Tracy is still at the Belmont Stakes. Fortunately she left me a key at the front desk of her apartment building. Unfortunately there’s a bit of a “jiggle” required for the key to work and I can’t quite get it down. I go for a walk around Hell’s Kitchen and take in some adult softball games. The weather is nice so it ends up being a good change of pace from sitting on planes all day. I walk past Pony Bar, which is a great place to get delicious beer.

When Tracy arrives home I made her try to open the door with the key left for me to prove it wasn’t just me who couldn’t get the door open. She gets the door unlocked almost immediately.

A lot of people had been out at the Belmont, so getting back to the city takes longer than expected. We change quickly and head out to meet a bunch of people for dinner. I order a lot of sushi, and the meal is pretty much “OK.” Tracy hates Asian fusion restaurants ~~so she’s probably~~ and has already given it an unfavorable review on Yelp ~~by now~~, because she’s like that. I should add this picture to Foodspotting, but I don’t remember the name of the restaurant [edit: the restaurant was Blue Elm], and I don’t expect I’ll return any time soon.

After dinner we go out for drinks a few different places. Places aren’t too busy for a Saturday night and our group of people is having fun together. I take this very flattering picture of Tracy.

Towards the end of the night we get our last round of drinks at Lansdowne Road (which I love because they show soccer on the TVs all day long). For some reason there is a pigwheel on the wall of the bar. We discover possibly the greatest and most overlooked game of all time: Spin a wheel with numbers on it, everybody bets $1 on a number, winner gets all the dollars, repeat. As you can tell, Tracy did very well for herself that night.

A departure from the everyday routine, a fun night out, and time spent with important people. A pretty good start to a big trip I think.

MacHeist NanoBundle 2

March 8, 2010 by campo | 1 Comment

I purchased the MacHeist NanoBundle this morning. I haven’t gotten much of a chance to look at the apps included yet, but a big draw was MacJournal, which appears to be compatible with independent wordpress installs (this is my test). Also Tracks looks like it could have some serious potential. It’s a little menu bar icon that allows you to search your itunes library and find/play a specific song super quickly. It also scrobbles to last.fm for you if you want (I do want). I’ll put up some more info as I have a chance to play with the applications more, but until then you’re probably best of going to macheist.com to look at the list of programs yourself because I believe there’s only one more day left to purchase.

JoshCampoverde.com

Life, Technology, Music, and Soccer; not necessarily in that order