links for 2009-12-25

Complex networks describe a wide range of systems in nature and society. Frequently cited examples
include the cell, a network of chemicals linked by chemical reactions, and the Internet, a network of
routers and computers connected by physical links. While traditionally these systems have been
modeled as random graphs, it is increasingly recognized that the topology and evolution of real
networks are governed by robust organizing principles. This article reviews the recent advances in the
field of complex networks, focusing on the statistical mechanics of network topology and dynamics.
After reviewing the empirical data that motivated the recent interest in networks, the authors discuss
the main models and analytical tools, covering random graphs, small-world and scale-free networks,
the emerging theory of evolving networks, and the interplay between topology and the network’s
robustness against failures and attacks.

At this milestone, we wanted to take a second to report some of our findings. Our goal is not to rehash the same old insights but instead to give a new picture that only looking at five years and a billion data points can produce.

Microblogging, integrated with other social software, will be more useful for the general populace as a technology at work than it ever will in their consumer life. Here is why enterprise microblogging will affect more people, and their day-to-day, than Twitter

Ten years of Apple, starchitects, and design for change.

Chief marketing officers will increase their spending on social media marketing next year and more often tie that spend to their revenue expectations and overall business goals. However, many are unsure about their return from marketing on social networking Web sites, according to a survey from industry group The CMO Club and Bazaarvoice, a social commerce vendor.

Have you ever wondered how some Twitter users manage to gain a huge following, despite having fairly limited online profiles otherwise? Welcome to “gaming”, a practice causing huge controversy in the Twitterverse. Put simply, gaming involves a small number of Twitterers who follow hundreds of people at a time (manually or using software), then “unfollow” those who don’t return the favour. This causes an overall long-term rise in their total follower counts, which artificially boosts their reputations online. Big tech industry names, all of whom have gained their followings “organically”, tell me they are keen to stamp out this practice.

An escaped prisoner has taunted police by posting messages on Facebook.

Craig Lynch vanished from Hollesley Bay Prison in Suffolk in September, close to the end of a seven year sentence for aggravated burglary.