I recently learned that Google Search Results vary for the exact same keyword queries EVEN IF one is NOT logged into Google. Thus, Google Search picks up on other aspects of your online presence (browser, location, etc), and presents you with what it believes are your optimum results. 

This appears to indicate my research will always be skewed by who I am. Watch this Ted Lecture to learn more about the subject.

If you would like to participate in an experiment, please conduct these two keyword queries, and send me screenshots of your results. Here is the experiment. I decided to go with one cultural search (Eric Whitacre) and one technical work related search (Corporate Hacking).

• Set your display to 1024×768
• Link to Google Search
  • Log out of Google (make yourself anonymous)
  • Query #1: Search on Eric Whitacre
    • Do NOT put quotes around your query
    • Take a full sized screenshot of your results
    • Name your jpg: Google-Eric-Whitacre-YourLastName.jpg
  • Query #2: Search on Corporate Hacking
    • Do NOT put quotes around your query
    • Take a full sized screenshot of your results
    • Name your jpg: Google-Corporate-hacking-YourLastName.jpg
• eMail me your two screenshots at RichardHoeg@Gmail.Com
• Include the following demographic data:
  • Your Name
  • Your Browser and Version
  • Your Location
  • Your Job

There is also an interesting philosophical question at play here also … what is knowledge … or what represents knowledge. In the past, if you and I both read Aristotle, we were presented with the same readings. In the electronic age, that may not be the case.

Here are my two results. Click upon either image to view full sized. I will report back with my research results in a few weeks. Thanks in advance to anyone who particpates.

• Post Update: Corporate Hacking Results
• Post Update: Eric Whitacre Results

Are you tired of the same old commencement addresses … old, tired dignitary delivers boring commencement address. Well, this is not your father's graduation speech. In fact, in just a few days over 200,000 people have watched Conan's speech at Dartmouth via YouTube. I guarantee as Dartmouth alum, there are no where near that many alumni alive today. Thus, the numbers indicate that his talk has broad interest beyond the "Big Green".

Enjoy his talk. He is irreverent, funny, and at the very end serious but in a non cliche manner.

Wow … my musical photo montages just hit 60,000 views. My subjects range from Tall Sailing Ships to Arctic Dogsled Trips to the Old Testament. Take a look!

I spent my Saturday at minnebar along with 1,200 other techies. While most of the concepts and technologies reviewed were not in my area of expertise, they all made me think. It is all too uncommon an occurance when we take the time to actually really sit back and reflect … to think.

One of my faorite sites over the years to get quick doses (or long) thinking inspiration is Stanford's eCorner. Thought leaders from Silicon Valley present (free video or audio) on their ideas.

Here is one of the leading venture capitalists, Geoffrey Moore. You can watch 1 minute and 47 seconds on "When Big Companies Get Stuck" (follow link for excerpt … full presentation is given below)

The Minnesota DNR has delayed the Fishing Opener, thus you have NO excuse not to attend Minnebar! 

Seriously, if you are in Minnesota (geek or not), attend the best (free) technical conference in Minnesota. Over 600 individuals will be at Best Buy's headquarters on Saturday, May 7th. Register quickly because this event always fills up very fast. 

If you are familiar with barcamps, these events are "unconferences". Any topic is allowed, but the focus is normally technical. The ability to learn about what is driving technology throughout the world is unparalleled. You also get free pizza, beer and a t-shirt! 

I plan to both attend and present. One day's investment in your knowledge will have a great return. 

For those of you who don't live in Minnesota, and are not enjoying our late Winter, plus the ability at attend minnebar … barcamps are hosted around the world. We are lucky in Minnesota that our barcamp is normally one of the largest anywhere. 

My session description: From skunkworks project to integrated production application. Learn how a a Fortune 100 company grew a 3 person private cloud microblogging network to a 5,000 person technical community which is integrated with Sharepoint and the Corporate Intranet. Expect a live demo. You've heard about Facebook for the Enterprise. See it in action with a business focus. 

Participants are most welcome to show their own corporate social networks. Bring your laptop! Sign up to attend my session.