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Kat Sommers

Listed below are comments made by Kat Sommers between Friday, 13th March 2009 and Tuesday, 8th December 2009.

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Shownar: reflecting online buzz around BBC programmes 5:47pm on 08 Dec 2009 #25

Hi @HD1080,

Sorry for such a late response! I didn't see your comment until now. Keywords were considered for the system, but because it is automated, and has over 8,000 programme names in a moving 15-day window to contend with, it was difficult thinking which keywords could be used for each.

For instance, searching for "apprentice" wouldn't bring up very good results for one of our most popular shows. But looking for http://www.bbc.co.uk/apprentice would.

We hope to include keyword searches later in the project, but for now decided to focus on what was possible in the short-term, and build a scalable system.

Thanks for your comment, and sorry again for my late respnse.

Kat Sommers, BBC
What was my goal when I came up with the idea of creating a free encyclopedia for everyone? 2:44pm on 22 Jul 2009 It's a confusing post, but I think Jimmy is simply putting the emphasis on "edit" rather than "write". It's the encyclopaedia anyone can EDIT, a collaborative exercise in editing rather than writing.

Arguably there's something inherently elitist in being an editor as opposed to a writer... either way, anyone in academia will tell you it's all about the editing :)

So rather than demolishing what Wikipedia originally stood for, Jimmy's explanation is trying to adjust what we perceive that original mandate to be. It was to build a platform that allowed anyone to get involved in the debate, and a platform on a par with academia rather than at war with it.

Seems to me it's not the information disseminators (wheher so-called experts or the man on the street) who have necessarily changed, just the medium used to disseminate information.

Kat Sommers, BBC
Shownar: reflecting online buzz around BBC programmes 11:00am on 03 Jul 2009 #20

Hi James,

Thanks for your interest. The prototype aimed to demonstrate what was possible with a limited number of data sources. As such, it currently only links to blogs, and doesn't specifically search forums and messageboards (although some do creep in).

We'll try to keep everyone updated on its development, but in the mean time you can send feedback here: http://www.shownar.com/about/contact_us

Kat Sommers, BBC
Shownar: reflecting online buzz around BBC programmes 12:41pm on 02 Jul 2009 #17

Hi @Tengsted,

That functionality is available (though we're aware it's a bit hidden). On the home page, scroll down a bit until you get to the "Show Finder" on the right hand side of the page. You'll see a link to change regions/frequencies next to it.

Hope that helps.

Kat Sommers, BBC
Shownar: reflecting online buzz around BBC programmes 11:52am on 02 Jul 2009 #15

Hi @cping500, thanks for your feedback!

Shownar does use search data, but I think its primary function is not as a search engine, but navigation. It helps you find unusual and interesting BBC programmes. It also does a lot more than filter noise - there's more about that here http://www.shownar.com/about/technical.

Any suggestions for how we could improve it?

Thanks!

Kat Sommers, BBC
Shownar: reflecting online buzz around BBC programmes 10:42am on 01 Jul 2009 @boilerplated

Thanks for your feedback! I also worked on Shownar, and hope I can answer your question.

We decided to limit the number of data sources searched for the prototype. And although the data currently used by Shownar includes some from messageboards and forums, we'd love to get more. This is a work in progress, so any suggestions for other places to look are welcome.

Kat Sommers, BBC
Psychoville: Joy and Freddie 6:06pm on 18 May 2009 Waargh this looks good. Dawn does a good line in sinister.
Vidiotic 4:04pm on 23 Mar 2009 Another late night pilot is Things Talk by Stefan Golaszewski: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00jcdx5

Very very funny with lots of up-and-coming comedy talent (er, and Les Dennis and Leslie Phillips).
My backstage antics by jack dee 10:49pm on 13 Mar 2009 Ha ha, excellent! Somehow he even writes grumpily.
Types of Relief 10:45pm on 13 Mar 2009 pain relief

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