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There are more than 18 million open datasets available, but they're often difficult to find, difficult to understand, and difficult to translate into something of value, according to Austin, Texas-based startup Data.World.

As an active participant in the open data movement, Data.World seeks to democratise the vast treasure trove of accumulated data scattered across online and offline environments.

On Tuesday, the startup, which operates as a public benefit corporation with a legal obligation to create value for society, announced that it raised $18.7 million in a Series B funding round led by Pat Ryan's family investment group. The latest round brings the total amount raised by Data.World to $32.7 million.

Founded by CEO Brett Hurt, CTO Bryon Jacob, COO Matt Laessig, and CPO Jon Loyens, Data.World can be described as one of many things: A social network, a discovery tool, a collaboration platform, or a data repository.

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By combining linked datasets with social networking features, Data.World strives to be the place where users -- whether they're data scientists or data enthusiasts, solo entrepreneurs or multinational organisations -- come to discover, discuss, and disseminate datasets, as well as collaborate on data projects to solve academic, commercial, and societal problems.

Data.World links datasets together using semantic technology, which gives concepts within datasets an independent existence, allowing people and machines to work with data without needing to learn everything about it first. The datasets are available in both public and private configurations.

Instead of just presenting .CSV files of raw data, users can visualise the data by choosing from a range of charts. By clicking the information icon, users can also get a quick overview of the datasets, including information such as the number of distinct and missing values, as well as most common and least common values.

Loyens told ZDNet that Data.World was designed to capture, store, and link all the activity -- including discussions and queries -- that take place around the datasets published on the platform.

"If you're working in a company and you're working on a data project, it's really hard to collaborate because you lose a lot of context, you lose a lot of what's been done over time with the data ... they get lost in emails, in old wikis," Loyens said.

"Everything you see is available as APIs ... As a researcher or data analyst, if you put together a really great dataset and you want to make that available to an application developer, you can just drag it and drop it in Data.World and instantly have these query end points where people can actually start creating apps against it."

Since its launch in July 2016, the startup has experienced "phenomenal" traction, according to Hurt, who sold one of his previous companies Coremetrics to IBM in 2010. He told ZDNet that Data.World's traction mirrors the global momentum around open data.

"We had such a great receptivity that it allowed us to get that funding much earlier than I ever anticipated. We now have the runway to really build out this business," Hurt said.

"We really haven't made much of a dent in that first amount, but we wanted to make sure that, with the ambition we have and the growth we're experiencing, we have enough capital available to really do the concept justice," Loyens added.

"We're going to be making sure we get into the right communities and build the features that the community really needs to thrive and collaborate on Data.World."

In addition to funding, Data.World has also attracted partners such as the National Science Foundation, Census Bureau, Anti-Defamation League, US Commerce Department National Technical Information Service, and the Pentagon.

Datasets published on the platform vary widely -- there's data on sports, education, poverty, national security, housing, mental health, and terrorism.

"What's really more important than the debt or the big partnerships or the people that we're working with are the communities that are developing in Data.World," Loyens noted.

Formed in December 2016, Data For Democracy is one of the earliest communities to use Data.World. In a few months, the group has grown to more than 800 data scientists and subject matter experts -- all working to shed light on and bring greater transparency to the democratic process and to government programs, according to Data.World. The group works with data on crime, drug spending, and the presidential election.

Another notable user is data journalist Carl V Lewis who, shortly after the US travel ban was announced, published a dataset around the citizenship status of all perpetrators of terrorist attacks against the US and Americans abroad since 2001. Another user, Marc Santolini, created a visualisation of that dataset, which highlighted the discrepancy between perception and facts.

"Data.World can quickly become the source of truth. People shared that visualisation because they knew it's backed up by real data. They can actually go look at the data. Maybe they themselves are not data scientists, but they know that data scientists are always on the platform running queries," Hurt said.

Ian Greenleigh, head of marketing at Data.World, told ZDNet that as Data.World grows, data will be brought up in every conversation.

"We feel like if data is a source of truth, and if we can host that data on the platform, then a new kind of phenomenon will occur where data will be brought up in every conversation when there are differences of opinion. They'll hopefully resolve some of those differences," Greenleigh said.

He added that the availability of data is the first step, and that Data.World wants to take the open data movement to the next level.

"What we are trying to add to that mix is a collaborative work environment and the social signals you need to decide whether that's the right data for you, whether the originator is respected in the community, whether they have credibility, whether the analysis makes sense, because you're able to dig in and see how the person got there," Greenleigh said.

The startup's end game is "a platform that accelerates research, informs policy, and helps us all combat fake news and 'reality check' the facts around us".

Data.World's founders are cognisant of the privacy and security challenges around data and do not claim to have all the answers. Like other social networks, Data.World has terms of service and rules that community members are required to abide by.

For example, Data.World prohibits users from uploading data that is not their own, or contains personally identifiable information, to the open side of the platform. If any violations come to light, Data.World's terms of service allow it to terminate a user's access to their account and their ability to post. It can also remove files from the site at its discretion.

"For the most part, our community is pretty good at policing itself. But you can't rely on that entirely," Loyens said. "There's the fat finger effect where somebody accidentally clicks the 'public' button. You can put as many warnings in front of them as you want, but sometimes things get out.

"We believe in full auditability, so when things like that happen, you know how it happened, why it happened, and how to correct it. This is really important to us from a design principle standpoint, from a technology standpoint. It's just as easy to make [the data] private again. We provide all the right access control measures to get the data back."

Data.World has not been monetised at scale, though the founders admitted that one undisclosed organisation has insisted on becoming a paid user.

Generally, the startup's monetisation model will revolve around enterprise use. For example, there will be enterprise-friendly features such as single sign-on and administrative controls that organisations will be required to pay for. Also, organisations that want to combine public and private datasets will be required to pay a nominal fee.

"Just like with GitHub, a lot of individual developers started using it on open source projects or personal passion projects and brought in the organisation and the organisations needed to adapt to that. We already have organisations reaching out and asking for those enterprise features, so we're trying to figure out how to navigate those worlds," Loyens said.

Data.World's users are predominantly from the US, the UK, Canada, and Australia, with a growing number of users coming from India.

Read more here:
Social network for data scientists Data.World raises $18.7m - ZDNet

Snapchat is an image messaging & multimedia mobile application created by Evan Spiegel, Bobby Murphy & Reggie Brown, former students at Stanford University. One of the principle concepts of Snapchat is that pictures & messages are only available for a short time before they become inaccessible.

Snapchat is primarily used for creating multimedia messages referred to as Snaps, snaps can consist of a photo & it can be edited to include the filters & effects & much more to it.

But now, Snapchat is planning to launch an Android Smartphone that will provide the consumers with more control over the camera features.

A California is a marketing based firm which has unveiled the concept regarding the handset equip with a 360 degree camera & buttons that let users scroll through filters & also a one touch capture function for easy sharing.

The device i.e. the Android Smartphone might also include the lock screen that will allow the user with the facility to easily swipe for the snapchat notifications & updates, messaging & syncing & spectacles. It may also cover the feature to discover the screens that combines the GPS along with the maps, Snapchat stories & advertisements & much more alignments.

In the end period of the year, Snap Inc., the parent company of Snapchat has also made it a long awaited initial public offering i.e. IPO filing public & also seeking to raise up to $3 billion.

The main aim of Snapchat is to derive most of the revenue from advertising it & where it will compete against Google, Facebook & Twitter.

Snap Inc. has recently rolled out major changes in its app & that will make it easier & quicker to navigate the app with a universal search scale thats always accessible to the top of the app.

So, now just wait for the upcoming Android Smartphone by Snapchat.

Continue reading here:
Social Networking Site Snapchat Is Planning To Launch An Android Smartphone - Facts Herald

Taking inspiration from a popular baby name of recent times, New Generation Homes has dubbed one of its latest displays The Atticus, a moniker matching the homes individual style.

With a vision to create a 12.5m-wide design that doesnt compromise on space, New Generation Homes has well and truly knocked this project out of the park with clever design and functional zoning.

Sales Manager Chris Hopkin said the home fulfilled the brief with a dedicated indoor and outdoor entertaining wing, plus separate retreats for the parents and children.

Its certainly a home that your future self will thank you for, he said. The Atticus maximises well-defined living areas without sacrificing space.

We wanted to create a social home for people who love to entertain, yet still have an opportunity to completely unwind.

Making a strong statement from the street, the home offers a clean, sophisticated exterior that can appeal to buyers with astute tastes.

The large front window on the master suite provides light and design flair, Mr Hopkin said. The PrimeLine cladding above and under the window adds a subtle industrial touch and the contrasting render completes what is a very striking design statement from the street.

The parents retreat is welcoming and opens up immediately off the entry.

It is one of the biggest spaces we have in our range with a dedicated sitting area near the front window, large master suite, his and hers walk-in robes and an indulgent ensuite, Mr Hopkins said. Plus it offers all the privacy away from the childrens wing at the rear of the home plus the main entertainment zones.

With the potential to double as an activity zone, a home theatre sits opposite the kitchen and adds yet another social space to the homes wonderful interior. Couple that with a feature bar in the kitchen, and there is no shortage of prestige and functionality. The Atticus makes for a food lovers heaven and leaves no room for disappointment, with a uniquely shaped and superbly executed kitchen.

The C shape makes it a room in its own right, but we have cleverly flipped the design so that it overlooks the living, dining and alfresco areas meaning that it is a very social hub too, Mr Hopkins said.

Storage space is also maximised here with full height pantries framing the fridge/ freezer recess and additional storage in the bar.

It is framed nicely with a new feature in our range a bar with built-in wine rack and cabinetry for extra storage. The bar is Essastone with waterfall edges to the top, back and sides, meaning it looks seamless and adds a sense of class to an already refined design.

This home is open Mondays 2-5pm, Wednesdays 3-5pm, Saturdays and public holidays 1-5pm and Sundays 12-5pm.

Original post:
Social networking - The West Australian

Human survival has witnessed humongous technological advancement. Three decades ago, we communicated with our colleagues and family through postcards and letters. But then, our way of communication changed from letters to emails through the .

Since the advent of internet, our lives have become more fascinating and compelling than earlier. Internet made everything effortless, whether it be our studies or something else that is difficult to find in books. Through social networking, our ties with our next of kin have become much more intense than they used to be.

Some social networking sites were founded on the mechanism they would connect people staying far away or travelling around the globe. Through these sites,people could be in touch with each other irrespective of the time and place. However, as everything else, social networking also has a negative and positive aspect. Despiteuplifting the standard of living of people, it has started , tumultuously plundering our lives. This could also be true that social networking has had more negative effects than positive.

To make it easier to understand, let take the example of the most popular social networking websites i.e., Facebook, Instagram and SnapChat.

With the advent of the Facebook, the youth that is supposed to be the power of any nation, is now much more interested in gossip and late night conversation on Facebook rather then on physically meeting colleagues and friends. They spend hours and hours on chatting. They have lost their ability to utilise their energy in pursuing their career. A small faction of the youth actually knows the relevance of social networking websites but a large portion is unable to figure out whenthey are being arising from the virtual world.

They put their heads into the number oflikes and followers than about the issues trending on the websites and they believe their fabricated lives more and more. This mess has got students nurtured over years, addicted to it. They waste their potential while they scroll down their Facebook newsfeed and on it.

For more efficient means of enjoyment and amusement, they are interested in possessing electronic gadgets, spending thousands of rupees on iPads, laptops and smartphones.

We cannot ignore the truth, for whosoever has tasted its pseudo-pleasure, Facebook has retained the possession over their minds. Every second person in this world is addicted to it. As soon as the day begins, what every person on Facebook does is to check other peoples status messages and see if anyone new has started following them. Research says that the addiction to social media is higher than the level of addiction to cigarettes and alcohol. Meanwhile, some conspiracy theories claim it to be a Zionist plot and the conspiracy of the corporate world. Usually every person finds their bliss on Facebook. The following limits are sky-rocketing on a day to day basis. Facebook is the largest social network in the world with 1.86 billion active users in which 1.15 billion are the mobile daily active users.

Followed by Facebook, Instagram has a fine position in the social media market. Those who tired of Facebook, shifted their stands to Instagram. This site has various modifications like sharing photos i.e., posting your photos and following other people while having followers of your own. More importantly, it has one remarkable feature that Facebook doesnt provide, no one can download any photo from anywhere. With this change, one feels their private space more protected than that on Facebook. However, this doesnt affect Facebooks market because the users previously only on Facebook now have an additional account on Instagram. So from now, the hours dedicated to social media in an individuals life increase since, instead of maintaining one account, they now maintain two.

This legacy has been carried forward by SnapChat, taking up the remaining space left for the victims me time. Snapchat has secured its importance in the heart of social media victims in such a way that people have difficulty in quitting social networks because of FOMO (fear of missing out). I was appalled when I observed that snap chat is emphatically used for the sake of . This is a matter of concern as I have talked about only three prominent social media networking sites.We cannot anticipate the amount of addiction for the rest of other like Whatsapp, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, Tumblr and Telegram.

When technology didnt have deep roots, we were fascinated about it and now when it is rooted in our very minds we find ourselves in quandary with regards to our bliss and happiness. When the Internet was in afostering stage we found pleasure in it, but now that it has been nurtured completely we are trying to get away from it, finding escape somewhere in nature for peace and harmony in our lives. It has made anxiety a way of life for civilians.

No one can be left out from this drift because almost everyone has joined at least one of the social networks. It is time that we take a break from all the mess and chaos and ask ourselves, what are we trying to get from this intangible virtual world? Why we are wasting our precious life in ? Is it really worth it to continue doing whatever we have been doing since a long period of time? Shouldnt we only limit ourselves to enjoying social media rather than be a addicted to it ?

Before raising our voices against atomic bombs, we should understand what really is a weapon of mass destruction.

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How Social Media Is Making People Less Social - Youth Ki Awaaz

Digital News Asia

Mac owners more likely to use social networks for dating Digital News Asia IN THE run-up to Valentine's Day, Kaspersky Lab had identified the peculiarities of romantic behaviour on social networks. It turns out those users who mostly access the Internet on a Mac desktop stand out for their greater displays of amorousness on ...

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Mac owners more likely to use social networks for dating - Digital News Asia