It Took A Musician's Ear To Decode The Complex Song In Whale Calls

(8/6/2015) I heard this touching story of whale's singing from NPR today. I am surprised to hear that scientists use 'data analytics' to decode the song of humpback whales's singing. You will see 'visual representations' used in her methodology in decoding whales' songs. Not only that, scientist Payne found the whales' song evolved over time. "But over time, some parts of a group's song gradually change, too — in rhythm, pitch and duration — as the whales listen to each other, and together take up variations that eventually become a new tune."

Morning Edition's audio file

Jeep Cherokee Owners File Lawsuit Against Fiat Chrysler, Harman After Hackers Wirelessly Hijack Vehicle

(8/5/2015) This is one of times that "less is more." High-tech cars now are subject to WiFi hijack.

No WiFi technology in the car, please. I don't even want those technology package or upgrade at all. More technologies in the car, more mechanical problems will send the car to the repair shop.

Should UPS worry about Amazon's Drones?

(7/29/2015) I think worrying Amazon's Drone flyers will replace UPS in the US exaggerates its potential impact. How many houses will be able to be delivered by Amazon Drone fryers? How heavy could a flyer carry? What's the dimension it can carry without worrying balancing issues? How geographic density can Amazon build operating offices to handle drones?
      UPS drivers delivery and pick up packages in Milk Runs, which mean UPS can drop off can pick up maybe 100 times along all its way for an 8-10 hour shift. Can Amazon Drone do that? Or it always needs to return back to the center to do the 2nd, then back again for the 3rd delivery? All drones' back flights are empty loads. How many trips can Amazon fly in one battery charge? City might be good for Amazon? But the air space in the city is congested and difficult to navigate and the rent and facility cost will be expensive. After thinking of these issues, I think UPS has not much to worry about YET.

Cracker Rage Costs United Airlines $550,000

(6/25/2015) Last week, United Airlines Flight 971 flying from Rome to Chicago made an emergency landing in Belfast. Around 270 passengers are forced to sleep in the airport terminal because Belfast has not enough hotel to handle so many passengers. This type of air traffic disruption became more common recently and most of them are caused by unruled behavior of passengers. This episode was the same. However, after investigation, we found that the cause was because a male passenger demanding extra crackers several times and become a safety concern. The cost of this landing is estimated to be around $550,000.

Amazon 'Improve' Product Reviews

(6/24/2015) Based on Dimensional Research’s survey in 2013, 90% of consumers say buying decisions are influenced by online reviews. Another survey also indicates that about 88% of consumers trust online review as much as personal recommendation. It's not surprising that many companies try to influence their own product or competitor's product review on the internet.

Amazon now announces their new updated review rating system. Amazon will give 'more recent,' 'more helpful' reviews higher weight to counter those illegitimate (complaint on shipping delay) or fake reviews that confuse consumers. But let's wait and see the mouse and cat chasing in the next round. Fake reviews won't die easily.

Mulberry Harbor -- Evidence of the Importance of Operations Management

(6/6/2015) When I teach the first class of Operations and Supply Chain Management, I always ask students whether they play war game. The origin of modern operations and supply chain management is from warfares, especially from World War II. Watching some D-day special program on TV today, it mentioned Mulberry Harbor played a critical to the success of D-Day. In this site, you can see how Mulberry was constructed.

Airlines try to save time with speedier boarding process

(6/2/2015) If you fly with several different airlines, you will notice the processed that airlines use are very different. Southwest does not assign seats and board passengers by A/B/C groups that passengers compete (with extra payments) on their seats. Other airlines that assign seats normally have different boarding groups, among them some board passengers in the front first, some board passengers in the back first. You may wonder what is the operational logic behind their processes. Now, Southwest and Delta are trying new approaches to improve their boarding process. If you are their frequent flyer, check if their new process makes a difference.