Editor’s Choices for Week Ending Jun 1, 2012

Article of the Week
Freaks, Geeks and Microsoft (NYTimes)
Big Idea:  Illegal hackers or creative partners?  Microsoft, traditionally anti-hobbyist hacker, has embraced the Kinect community that has built PC-based implementations of their motion-sensor device.  Microsoft is now providing an official software developer kit.  Was it a strategic vision from Microsoft or did the hacker community bully them into the position?

Editor’s Choice Articles
Datahero aims to turn us all into analytics stars (GigaOm)
Big Idea: Do you have what it takes to be a data hero?  The startup Datahero is trying to simplify the process of cloud-based data analysis and visualization.  By applying simple to use tools and familiar user interface design concepts from tools like Mint.com, Datahero hopes to reach the utopia of 100% self service BI.

Inside Google X’s Project Glass, Part I (FastCompany)
Big Idea:  Can Google make the shift from a software and Internet company to hardware and personal fashionistas?  That’s one of the many challenges they face with their futuristic Google Glass project.  This interview with product lead Steve Lee provides some insights into the ultra-secretive project.

With $1.5M, SumAll brings data to the mom and pop shops of the Web (GigaOm)
Big Idea:  Small and medium size businesses are very much underserved when it comes to tools large enterprises have access to like business intelligence.  SumAll is trying to address the 25+ million US SMBs and their needs by providing simple data analysis tools.  With a finicky and sometimes time-strapped user base, SumAll has their work cut out for them.

GE Gets Agile (Forbes
Big Idea:  Improved quality, opportunity for mid-project correction, improved satisfaction, better alignment and improved time to market are all reasons why fortune 500 companies like GE are adopting the Agile methodology to their IT delivery capabilities.  Can management make the same leap to agile concepts?