On microformats, AI and non-google map solutions
- 21st December 2006 | permanent link
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As some of you might know I am one of the lead developers for Dhimahi, and our current project (and a project for the ages) is the implementation of a ticket web shop for Eventim. With all the basic features implemented, I've now moved my attention to details and enhancements. Here's a quick behind the stage VIP pass of what is in the works.
Microformats
I've succumb to the microformats movement and persuaded my employer to implement them forthwith. They're really a nice way to describe the content (not only for machines but humans as well). For now only the implementations for hCard (for the company data) and hCalendar (for events) have been implemented. Hope all the search engines will take on the task to implement microformat search. Imagine not having to muddle your way through all the garbage just to find the tickets for a specific event. Just brilliant!
AI
Another big thing in web development right now is artificial intelligence (or AI for short). When talking about AI most of you think of robots running around acting smart and what not, but the basis for AI are mostly algorithms. Bunches of algorithms.
For the mentioned Eventim portal, a very interesting AI implementation is (or will shortly be) in the works. With mountains of data piling every day and just sitting in the database doing nobody any good, the plan is to use machine learning in a way that Amazon does it. I'm thinking of the personalized shop Amazon offers their registered users. The system tracks what you are clicking and with AI we are able to use the users and other users data to recommend other similar events that might be interesting. Now you just won't be able to get away from all the recommendations :)
Map24
And which site is complete without a map and driving directions for an event. Sadly Google Maps are no good for this part of Europe. The maps just aren't that detailed yet, so I was forced to find a better provider - Map24. They cover Austria and even my country Slovenia in astounding detail and have proven to be the right choice. Their map implementations are rock solid and offer many features (driving directions, animations and 3d view to name just a few).
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