Personally I think that the UK's National Environment Research Council (NERC) missed a trick in ignoring the results of their own public poll when naming their new polar research vessel. The poll results where overwhelmingly in favour of naming the vessel RRS Boaty McBoatface. Unfortunately, ministers went for the much safer fourth-placed option of naming it after beloved nature broadcaster Sir … [Read more...]
The problem with spreadsheets
A 2014 report by the Aberdeen Group includes the results of a survey asking what people found most challenging about spreadsheets. The biggest reported challenge was version control issues. At least people are becoming aware of the problems---even if they are still failing to address them. One statement in the report that depresses me is ...Best-in-Class organizations are 40% more likely … [Read more...]
Confrontation between Trump and GOP
I was discussing the chaos within the US Republican party with a colleague today. House Speak Paul Ryan, the highest ranking Republican, says he can't currently endorse his party's presumptive presidential nominee---Donald Trump. Extraordinary! I built a simple confrontation analysis model of the standoff between Trump and "his" party. It doesn't look good for the Republican … [Read more...]
Designing a data strategy
Learning Tree just published my article on why it's important to think carefully about the data and techniques employed in data-driven decision-making. Throwing machine learning at existing data doesn't cut it. … [Read more...]
Introduction to Microsoft R Open and Microsoft R Server
Familiar with R and wondering what Microsoft R Open and Microsoft R Server bring to the table? Then check out Lixun Zhang's article. … [Read more...]