NEW RESOURCES

The United Arab Emirates has launched a new database for access to government services. “The new smart portal features all the federal government entities and facilitates the process of entering, modifying and updating the data of their services in line with the objectives of the Smart Government initiative launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to improve government services based on an innovative vision.”

New-to-me: there’s an online database of gender-neutral bathrooms. “REFUGE is a web application that seeks to provide safe restroom access for transgender, intersex, and gender nonconforming individuals.”

For more historical South Dakota newspapers are now available online. “The Forest City Press 1903-1919, Hot Springs Star 1887-1892, Hot Springs Weekly Star 1892-1917 and Turner County Herald 1883-1896 have recently been added to the Chronicling America site and are available for researchers.”

TWEAKS & UPDATES

The British Library’s Catalogue of Illuminated Manuscripts has added several new entries. Even if you’re not particularly interested in manuscripts in general, please visit the blog post. These manuscripts are stunning.

USEFUL STUFF

Filed in case I need it later, from How-To Geek: How to restore system image backups on Windows 7, 8, and 10.

From Blogging Pro: 7 Free Online Plagiarism Checkers for Publishers

Lost Russian Family has some hints for doing genealogy searches at The Russian State Library. “After years of wondering where the Russian government has been unloading its electronic treasure trove, I think I have found a gem for genealogy. Thankfully, the database comes with the tools that help avoid sweating to find the treasures.”

For all you presentation MacGyvers out there: How to make a quick presentation using Evernote.

Deep learning’s getting to be a hot topic, and now Google’s teaching a free online course. “The three-month course, which requires about six hours of work per week, are comprised of four main lessons that teach students the benefits of deep learning systems and train them to build their own learning models. Students will also learn how to use TensorFlow, the open-source machine-learning software that Google uses in its own products.” please note you do have to have some programming background – this is considered an intermediate-to-advanced level course.

AROUND THE SEARCH AND SOCIAL MEDIA WORLD

Is Google working on its own VR hardware? Besides Google Cardboard. Being cardboard, I’m not sure it counts. “Google appears to be doubling down on virtual reality as they look to begin building ‘multiple’ consumer hardware devices, according to new VR job postings on their site.”

SECURITY/LEGAL ISSUES

Google has agreed to pay some back taxes to the UK. “Google has agreed to pay £130m in back taxes after an ‘open audit’ of its accounts by the UK tax authorities.” If you’re interested in the issue at all, I encourage you to check out some UK/EU media. There’s a lot of pushback from critics who feel the number is too small.

RESEARCH AND OPINION

The Digital Policy Council has released its update of world leaders on Twitter (PRESS RELEASE). “The Digital Policy Council (DPC) released its sixth annual ranking of world leaders on Twitter as a means of communication and diplomacy within the political landscape. Mirroring last year’s trend, new sign-ups by heads of state remain almost negligible in 2015. Analyses as of December 2015 reveal that 83% heads of state worldwide are active on Twitter. A total of 139 world leaders out of 167 countries had accounts on Twitter set up in their personal name or through an official government office, which reflects a mere 1% increase over 2014.” Good morning, Internet…

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