Netflix and data mining

In a few of my classes, the topic of data mining came up.

Basically, it comes down to taking existing data and drawing conclusions from it. This can be seen, for example, if you have an amazon.com account. Amazon shows you suggestions of other items that you might be interested based off of what you are viewing. The way that is done is through a process called data mining.

Basically, it doesn't take a genius to say if someone buys season 1 of a TV show (say, House, M.D.), they may be interested in season 2 of that same TV show. However, if you like House, M.D., you might also be interested in something that may seen completely different - let's say, a Sherlock Holmes mystery. Amazon can tell that by taking everyone's past purchases and analyzing what people who bought a certain DVD liked, and comparing that to your past.

There are many other places where this happens - for example, credit card companies use data mining to guess if a transaction is fraudulent or not - based on your purchasing habits. For example, my credit card was rejected when I tried to go skydiving, because based on what I've charged, they thought that it was so out of character for me that they blocked the transaction, and I had to call in and verify that it was indeed me.

Another place that this happens is on sites like Netflix and Blockbuster Online. Of course, they want you to enjoy movies, but the underlying reason is so that you come back and stay a subscriber. Therefore, it is best for them to have a good data mining algorithm in place to show you movies (and therefore keep you subscribing).

As a matter of fact, if you can provide them a better algorithm than they have, you can be eligible for prize money - up to a million dollars, if your data matching algorithm is substantially better than theirs.

Web Link:

• netflixprize.com

Thanks to Brian E. for the heads up!

The Paterson Garage is open...finally!

You may have received the email, but after about a year's worth of delays, the PCCC/Paterson Parking Garage is opening tomorrow (Monday, 10/29). They will be shutting down a few of the student lots gradually in an effort to consolidate security in to one general parking area, so keep your eyes open from email from the school on that.

For those of you who haven't noticed, it's the new parking garage located next to Wendy's, across from the Dunkin' Donuts and PCCC Bookstore. Make sure your hangtag is in place and you have your student ID, because I would bet the security is tight at first.

Transfer Events @ PCCC: Fall 2007

If you are planning to transfer to a four-year college, PCCC invites many local Colleges and Universities to come on campus and meet with you. Caldwell College, Felician College, Rutgers University, New Jersey City University, NJIT, St. Peter's College, and William Paterson University will all be on campus at some point this semester.

Link to school visit calendar

Magic at PCCC

Earvin "Magic" Johnson, former NBA star, is coming to PCCC.

I remember hearing the news in 1991 that he got AIDS. A neighbor told me about it, and I was just floored. He was really the first person I knew of who contracted HIV. I rooted for him as he made a comeback, and he's really proved how much progress has been made in treating HIV. People used to think of it as a death sentence, but here's Magic, 16 years later, going strong, and promoting awareness of AIDS/HIV.

Magic's bio on Wikipedia

Anyway, here are the details!

Join Magic Johnson at the PCCC Gymnasium for the Stand With Magic program!

Tuesday, July 17
5:30 pm (doors open at 4:30)
PCCC Gymnasium, Ellison Street Entrance
Special appearance by Earvin Magic Johnson

Food and beverages will be served.

All PCCC students are invited. College ID required for entrance. No one under 16 allowed!

Come learn how you can make a difference in the fight against HIV/AIDS in your community!

For more information call 800-401-4590.

Sponsored by PCCC and ISTANDWITHMAGIC.COM, part of the Campaign To End
Black HIV/AIDS.

Free workshop tomorrow

I am giving a workshop to our lab staff tomorrow at noon. The topic is the software tool Fireworks (an image editing tool).

I figured that if anyone was interested in coming by, you could feel free to sit in. We'll be in the Hamilton building somewhere, probably in H306 or H311.

Come on by!

Career Fair: Thursday April 12

Another Campus Announcement!

Career Services Presents

CAREER FAIR 2007
Thursday, April 12
11:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
PASSAIC COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Gymnasium
PATERSON, NJ

SOME INVITED EMPLOYERS ARE:

* Aramark * IKEA * Commerce Bank * The Record * State Farm
* UPS * FEDEX * Bank of NY * WAMU * Earthlink * METLIFE
* Sprint Nextel * KNTM * Hoffman-La Roche * WMBC TV
* Chilton Memorial Hospital * Cingular Wireless * Primerica * Comp USA

Job Fair Success Tips for Students
• Dress Professionally
• Bring lots of copies of your resume
• Have a pleasant attitude

For further information, please contact the Career Resource Center at (973) 684-6797.

Campus Events: Nets Tickets for $15

Student Activities is hosting a trip to the Meadowlands for the Nets versus the Heat. Tickets for students are $15 - this is a good price - and the school is providing a bus from Ellison Street.

Tickets go on sale in the Student Activities Office (near the Security office) on February 19th.

Here are the game details:

Thursday, March 15, 2007, 7:30 pm
Bus Departs from Ellison street 5:15pm

Free Campus Event: Mind Reader

There is a mind reader coming to PCCC.

His name is Robert Channing, and he will be here on February 15, 2007 at 1:00 PM (until 2:30 PM) in the Theater.

From his Web site, RobertChanning.com, he looks very impressive.

For free, it sounds like it's worth checking out!