Saturday, March 17, 2012

Googland

Googland

[G] Pwnium: great exploits, fast patches

Posted: 17 Mar 2012 01:04 AM PDT

Google Chrome Blog: Pwnium: great exploits, fast patches

Last week we debuted Pwnium, a contest based on our Chromium Security Rewards program. Both of these initiatives reward well intentioned researchers who help make the web a safer place by reporting security vulnerabilities. Our total payout to researchers for these programs is now well over half a million dollars.

We weren't sure what kinds of reports we would get from Pwnium, but by the end of the week we were thrilled to have awarded $120,000 for two excellent submissions. Thanks to Chrome's rapid auto-update functionality, we were able to update Chrome twice, in both cases protecting users less than 24 hours after the respective bugs were reported. While these vulnerabilities were reported directly and privately to us, this kind of speed is especially important if bugs were ever being actively abused to harm users.

Since the full exploits were disclosed, we were able to study them and add a range of additional defensive measures based on what we saw. These measures will make Chrome more secure from any similar hacks in the future. We'll publish write-ups to honor these two highly creative works in the coming weeks.

Also last week, a separate exploit for Chrome was demonstrated at the Pwn2Own competition. We've since learned that the bug exploited a vulnerability in the Flash Player plug-in -- affecting all browsers. The contest organizers have reported the vulnerability details directly and privately to Adobe, and Adobe will be providing a fix as part of its forthcoming Flash Player update. When that happens, Chrome users will enjoy the advantage of an auto-update and quick protection. Looking forward, Adobe and Google are collaborating on a version of Flash Player which will run inside the primary Chrome sandbox. Chrome OS devices already ship with this next-generation sandbox for Flash Player.

Engaging the wider security community is one of our core security principles, and Pwnium is a great example of the benefits of this type of collaboration. Our special thanks to the contestants for their exceptional contributions to security on the web.

Posted by Chris Evans and Travis McCoy, Chrome Security Team
URL: http://chrome.blogspot.com/2012/03/pwnium-great-exploits-fast-patches.html

[G] Mentoring Organizations for Google Summer of Code 2012 Announced

Posted: 16 Mar 2012 05:34 PM PDT

Google Open Source Blog: Mentoring Organizations for Google Summer of Code 2012 Announced







We are pleased to announce the mentoring organizations that have been accepted for this year's Google Summer of Code program. After reviewing 406 applications, we have chosen 180 open source projects, of which 41 are new to Google Summer of Code. You can visit our Google Summer of Code 2012 program website for a complete list of the accepted projects.



Students wishing to apply for Google Summer of Code will have the next 10 days to learn more about the accepted projects before student applications open on Monday, March 26, 2012 at 19:00 UTC.



Students will want to pay close attention to the Ideas Pages for the organizations they wish to work with over the summer and consider how they would like to contribute to the project. Some of the most successful proposals have been completely new ideas submitted by students, so if you don't see a project that appeals to you, don't be afraid to suggest something. Organizations have listed points of contact on their Ideas Page so that students can contact the organization directly to submit a new proposal. All organizations list their preferred method of communication on the organization homepage, available on the Google Summer of Code program website. Please see our Frequently Asked Questions page for more information.



Congratulations to all of our future mentoring organizations! We look forward to working with all of you during this exciting 8th year of Google Summer of Code!



By Carol Smith, Open Source Team




URL: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GoogleOpenSourceBlog/~3/3yHMCkz_JKA/mentoring-organizations-for-google.html

[G] Google Analytics Team Descends On #SESNY

Posted: 16 Mar 2012 05:34 PM PDT

Google Analytics Blog: Google Analytics Team Descends On #SESNY





SES New York is one of the most anticipated annual events for the online marketing industry. This year the Google Analytics team will be well-represented, sharing the latest trends, best practices and thinking on measurement and related topics. There's a lot happening so we wanted to make things easier for Google Analytics fans who will be at SES by outlining our participation.


If you are going to be in attendance, be sure to visit our sessions summarized below:


Business Optimization in a Digital Age 
Tuesday, March 20 from 9:00-10:00am 


We were promised that Marketing one day would become rocket science. Well, we are almost there! Search continues to become more complicated, and more exciting. Then there's Social and Email and Display and Video and... so many more things. It is hard to understand how to do one thing right, much less try to do all of them right. In his exciting keynote Avinash will share his unique perspective on balancing multiple media channels, leveraging super awesome metrics, grounding your digital existence in driving economic value, and leveraging the Clear Line of Sight model to ensure you are optimizing across all four of the most important business drivers (come to the keynote to learn which four!).


Keynote Speaker:
Avinash Kaushik, Digital Marketing Evangelist, Google


Social Media as a Performance Channel with Google Analytics
Tuesday, March 20 from 11:00-12:00pm


Social media has changed the way we shop and interact with brands, but marketers still lack a clear way to measure how their social investments lead to more sales. According to MarketingSherpa, only 20% of CMOs think social media marketing produces measurable ROI, while 62% consider it to be a promising tactic that will eventually yield ROI.


The good news is that better measurement can help marketers make smarter decisions about their investments in social. Vanity counters, such as friend counts and reshares, can be augmented with bottom line metrics like conversions and purchases, allowing marketers to measure true social ROI of each campaign and compare the effectiveness with other channels.


Join Phil Mui, Group Product Manager and Ilya Grigorik, Lead Engineer to learn how to tie the influence of the social web to the metrics you care about using in Google Analytics.


Speakers:
Phil Mui, Group Product Manager, Google Analytics
Ilya Grigorik, Lead Engineer, Google Analytics


We hope to see you at the event.



For those who can't make it, be sure to follow the #SESNY hashtag on Google+ and Twitter to stay up to date.


- The Google Analytics team


URL: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/tRaA/~3/lFG5q4rBKyo/google-analytics-team-descends-on-sesny.html

[G] One year of Syrian protests, Japan Earthquake anniversary, Clooney visits Sudan

Posted: 16 Mar 2012 05:34 PM PDT

YouTube Blog: One year of Syrian protests, Japan Earthquake anniversary, Clooney visits Sudan

Everyday on the CitizenTube channel (and @CitizenTube on Twitter), along with our curation partners @storyful, we look at how the top news stories are covered on YouTube. Each week we post a weekly recap of the top news stories of the week, as seen through the lens of both citizen-reported footage and professional news coverage.
Come back next week to see the news unfold on YouTube.

Olivia Ma, YouTube News & Politics, recently watched "Raw Video: Clooney Arrested at D.C. Protest"



URL: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/youtube/PKJx/~3/wblRPPn19Is/one-year-of-syrian-protests-japan.html

[G] Web Analytics TV #24 - The Ninja Show

Posted: 16 Mar 2012 05:34 PM PDT

Google Analytics Blog: Web Analytics TV #24 - The Ninja Show

Welcome to the ninja show, aka Web Analytics TV! Web Analytics TV, as you well know by now, is powered by your amazing questions. In this awesome episode we had questions from Dubai, India, Germany, Sweden, France, Norway, Sweden, The Netherlands, and the US.
If you're new to this show, our process is simple.

Step 1: You ask, or vote on, your favorite web analytics questions. Vote on next week's questions using this Web Analytics TV Google Moderator site.

Step 2: From a secret undisclosed location at the Googleplex Avinash Kaushik & Nick Mihailovski answer them. :-)

In this episode we award the "Ninja of the Episode" and award it to Joe for a great question about the difference in data between the Visits to transactions report and the multi-channel funnels path length report. Joe, just email us and we'll send you a signed copy of Web Analytics 2.0.

OK. Here is the list of last episodes questions.




In this action packed episode we discuss:



  • (0:28) Determining what caused your visitors to become return visitors

  • (2:25) Calculating click though rate on site visits

  • (3:43) Best way to report on internal user traffic to your site

  • (5:23) Does sampling use a random set of sessions

  • (6:20) Differences in visits to transactions and path length in multi-channel funnels

  • (9:20) Using events in a goal funnel

  • (9:46) Best ways to debug iOS and Android apps

  • (10:37) Calculating number of events happen per session

  • (11:40) Best practices for tracking duration in a video

  • (12:43) Differences in how JavaScript and Android libraries persist visitor info

  • (13:35) Differences in unique visitors and repeat visits

  • (14:43) Impact of setSessionCampaignTimeout on multi-channel funnels

  • (15:45) Importing conversion goals from AdWords into Google Analytics

  • (16:48) Viewing Google Analytics on an i-device

  • (17:53) Using outbound link tracking to track exit links











Here are the links to the topics we discuss:








In the fourth question we answer if sampled (fast access mode) data uses a random set of sessions. Just to recap, in most reports, Google Analytics pre-calculates report data and there is no sampling. But in some cases, like when you apply a secondary dimension, the report data needs to be calculated on the fly. In this case, Google Analytics might only process a subset of sessions so that it can return the report in a timely manner. Here's how the subset of sessions is determined.



Currently fast-access model (sampling) can be controlled via a slider and the default is to process 250,000 sessions. This means that in the date range, only 250,000 sessions will be used in the report calculation. In Google Analytics, visits count sessions. So say a site received the following 3 days of visits.



Day 1 : 500,000

Day 2 : 250,000

Day 3 : 500,000



So, a total of 1,250,000 visits occurred in the date range. To determine which sessions are selected in the fast-access sample, Google Analytics first calculates a multiplier by dividing the total visits in the date range with the number of visits selected on the slider.



multiplier = 1,250,000 / 250,000 = 5



Then for each day, the total number of sessions is divided by the multiplier and only that number of sessions is randomly chosen from each day to be processed.



For Day 1 : 500,000 / 5 = 100,000. So 100,000 sessions are randomly chosen from day 1 to be processed to generate the report data for that day.



For Day 2: 250,000 / 5 = 50,000 sessions are used

For Day 3: 500,000 / 5 = 100,000 sessions are used



Once Google Analytics has determined which sessions to use, the sessions are all processed into a report. Then the report values are then multiplied by the multiplier to scale the final results.



Whats nice about the new fast-access mode slider feature, is that you can use the slider to change the number of sessions used in the processing. And by comparing the number of sessions used, you can see the impact of sampling on your data.



Ok great question.



As always, if you need help setting up Google Analytics or leveraging the advanced configuration options, we recommend hiring a Google Analytics Certified Partner.



If you found this post or video helpful, we'd love to hear your comments. Please share them via the comment form below.



This series would not be possible without your awesome questions. Please submit them on our public Google Moderator site, and while you're there don't forget to vote for your favorite questions.  Avinash and I will answer them in a couple of weeks with yet another entertaining video.



Thanks!



Posted by Nick Mihailovski, Google Analytics team


URL: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/tRaA/~3/QsXrtjXroNQ/web-analytics-tv-24-ninja-show.html

[G] Bipartisanship, new businesses and new jobs, with a little help from your friends

Posted: 16 Mar 2012 05:34 PM PDT

Google Public Policy Blog: Bipartisanship, new businesses and new jobs, with a little help from your friends

Posted by Pablo Chavez, Director of Public Policy

As we highlighted in a recent post on Google's Policy by the Numbers blog, entrepreneurs need access to capital to make grow their ideas into successful companies. We are excited to see members of Congress working to promote entrepreneurs' efforts to build new companies and create new jobs.

Last week, the House of Representatives passed the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act with nearly full bipartisan support. The JOBS Act makes it easier for startups to raise capital. The crowdfunding provisions drafted by Congressman Patrick McHenry and Majority Leader Eric Cantor are particularly exciting and we applaud the House for its focus on helping to promote innovation and economic growth.

Crowdfunding means raising small amounts of money from a large crowd. Already, thousands of new companies have been funded by crowdfunding platforms like Kiva, Kickstarter, and IndieGogo. With the growth of social networks and other online platforms, crowdfunding is a promising investment model that would allow more Americans to invest in a new company simply by using the Internet to connect with entrepreneurs.

Earlier this week senators from both sides of the aisle -- Senators Merkley, Brown, Bennet, and Landrieu -- introduced the Capital Raising Online While Deterring Fraud and Unethical Non-Disclosure Act of 2011, known as the CROWDFUND Act. President Obama has also expressed support for signing into law crowdfunding legislation.

Google was started by two graduate students in a garage with a check from one (trusting) investor. The next Google, Facebook, Apple, or Amazon could be funded thanks to crowdfunding legislation, and that would be a great thing for our economy.

URL: http://googlepublicpolicy.blogspot.com/2012/03/bipartisanship-new-businesses-and-new.html

[G] Upcoming webinar on March 22nd: “GoMo for publishers”

Posted: 16 Mar 2012 05:34 PM PDT

Inside AdSense: Upcoming webinar on March 22nd: "GoMo for publishers"


Did you know: 8 in 10 consumers instantly abandon a mobile site if the experience isn't up to par?1  Mobile consumers have high expectations from content publishers today. With Google mobile searches growing 400% in the last two years, it's increasingly important for publishers to satisfy the needs of a mobile user by building a mobile-friendly site.  That's why we recently launched GoMo for publishers, which brings publishers a new set of tools to help build mobile-friendly websites.  



Join Google on Thursday, March 22nd at 10:00 am PT/1:00 pm ET, to discuss why it's imperative to build for mobile and delight your fastest growing audience.  We'll show you all the tools you need to get you ready to go mobile. Sign up today and learn... 


  1. Why go mobile? 


    • Your users have gone mobile in a big way, hear why you must follow suit.


  2. 10 tips for building mobile sites   


    • Mobile is different. Learn 10 practical tips for building engaging, uniquely mobile experiences.


  3. Best practices in action   


    • Hear from web publisher FindTheBest about the success they have seen from going mobile.


  4. How to get started  


    • Google is here to help. Learn about tools we've created to get you started on the path to delighting your users and maximizing your mobile revenue.







Sign up for the webinar today.  We look forward to seeing you on March 22th!



Posted by Joseph Corral, Product Marketing Manager, Google Mobile Ads



Source (1) Limelight Networks, Inc. 2011


URL: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/tuAm/~3/NCD5P1968Pk/upcoming-webinar-on-march-22-nd-gomo.html

[G] Infographic: YouTube Ad Blitz post-game report

Posted: 16 Mar 2012 05:34 PM PDT

YouTube Blog: Infographic: YouTube Ad Blitz post-game report

From brewskies to Bradshaw and celebs to salsa, the 2012 Super Bowl brought millions of you from across the globe to YouTube's Ad Blitz channel to vote on your favorite commercials. When the final tallies came in, Ad Blitz saw more than 89 million views worldwide, and the day after the game, 26 percent of those came from outside the US.



The Ad Blitz team was so excited by all of you that participated, so to thank you we pulled together an infographic about the activity from the big game.







If you're as inspired as we are by some of these commercials, check out more creative campaigns on YouTube to spark some ideas of your own.



Lexi Turpack, YouTube interactive programs analyst, recently watched 'Vitalic - Poney Part 1.'


URL: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/youtube/PKJx/~3/R5HAuUv4FaY/infographic-youtube-ad-blitz-post-game.html

[G] Hoop fans rejoice... the tournament is back!

Posted: 16 Mar 2012 05:34 PM PDT

Google Lat Long: Hoop fans rejoice... the tournament is back!


Are you ready sports fans? College basketball nirvana has returned and the anticipation is building on campuses across the country. To celebrate this most wondrous time of the sporting year I've produced my fifth edition college basketball tournament map. Whether you're using Google Maps or Google Earth, we've got you covered. To kick things off, I've created a Custom Map to serve as an easy reference for the home bases of all participating teams.


Next, watch the video below for a bird's eye peek at the home stadiums in 3D across the country, as seen in Google Earth.


Want to explore a little deeper? Download this KMZ file to view all home cities and stadiums as an overlay directly in Google Earth. With 3D models of many of the 14 tournament venues, you can get a sense for what it'd be like to visit the stadiums without ever leaving your dorm room, living room, or office.

While creating this year's map, I also came across the following bits of trivia you can use to flaunt your hoops knowledge and amaze your friends:
  • This year's field is resplendent with color: Orangemen, Crimson, Bluejays, Blue Devils, Golden Bears, and Golden Eagles
  • As usual, the field contains a cast of characters: Billikens, Commodores, Mountaineers, 49ers, Aztecs, Cavaliers, Hilltoppers, Hoosiers, Runnin' Rebels, Musketeers, and Titans
  • Finally, the traditional adversaries of dogs and cats are well represented: Bulldogs, Greyhounds, Lobos, Huskies, Hoyas, and the Wolfpack versus Bearcats, Bobcats, Wildcats, Tigers, Catamounts, and Cougars
For even more tournament tools, visit College Hoops 2012 -- Google's one-stop-shop providing basketball fans with everything they need to follow their favorite teams and connect with other fans. For our tournament picks, we looked back at search trends to see how Google would have fared if we used search volume to fill out our brackets. You'll also find details on Google+ hangouts with teams around the country, a Zagat dining guide for recommendations on where to watch the game, and search tips for finding scores for the most recent buzzer beaters.

Enjoy the games and best of luck to all the competing teams!

Posted by Adam Hughes, Google Play Developer Support and college hoops fan
URL: http://google-latlong.blogspot.com/2012/03/hoop-fans-rejoice-tournament-is-back.html
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