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Michael A. Covington, Ph.D.

Consultant and Author

+1 706 549-4633

Credentials:

Ph.D. (Linguistics), Yale University, 1982

Senior Research Scientist and Associate Director,
Institute for Artificial Intelligence, The University of Georgia

Senior Member, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers

Artificial intelligence and natural language processing

As a computational linguist, I am trained in the computer processing of human languages and the computer modeling of human logical reasoning.

I can develop software that understands English. For example, in a recent demonstration I developed a web page that answered questions in English to help the user choose the right pair of binoculars from a large catalogue. A more common task, which I've tackled several times, is to extract information from natural-language text, or to classify texts according to their content.

I am a widely recognized expert on the Prolog programming language. (Contact me if you need to make an existing Prolog program run faster.) I also use other programming languages to fit the task, especially C# for Windows.

Natural language processing is a hot area for investment right now. I can help you evaluate software, inventions, and patents for potential investment.

Sentiment analysis and text mining

My main current research topic is sentiment analysis, getting computers to read Web pages or other texts and rate how much people are saying good or bad things about a given subject. This is a form of text mining or web scraping, gathering information from the Web or other written sources — sometimes even information the writers didn't know whether they were revealing.

I am also familiar with forensic linguistics (author identification), comparing authors to each other to determine who wrote something, or whether it could have been written by a particular kind of person. Unlike those who make more audacious claims, I don't skip an essential step — I always measure how much an author's style varies within itself before comparing it to another author.

User-friendly software for any application

I can turn your ideas into software. I specialize in creating user-friendly Windows software to meet a client's needs. Recent projects range from business information management to video editing. I normally program in C# using the Microsoft .NET Framework, but numerous other programming languages and methodologies are available.

Microcontrollers and electronics

I develop microcontroller firmware, microprocessor-controlled equipment, and unusual PC interfaces. My "NOPPP" programmer for the PIC16F84 has resulted in two manufactured products, several magazine articles, and about 100,000 web site visits.

No project is too small (when I'm available). I enjoy quick, simple jobs.

Free download:

• 555 astable multivibrator design program (one of the first IBM PC programs I ever wrote, still handy after all these years). (Written in 1983, still runs in DOS and 32-bit Windows, including Windows 7, but not 64-bit Windows.)

Sample of my magazine writing:

• "Single-Chip Frequency Converter" (my article about the NE602/SA602 integrated circuit, in Radio-Electronics, April, 1990).

Writing, editing, and book evaluation

I am an experienced writer, and with a Ph.D. in linguistics, I don't just write — I've done research on how to write clearly. Capabilities include documentation writing, technical editing, and evaluation of books in my specialties (in several languages; I read German, French, Spanish, Italian, and others).

I've written half a dozen books and hundreds of magazine articles and have reviewed books and articles for perhaps fifty publishers and journals. Let me know if I can assist you with a writing or publishing project, including grant proposal writing.

Recent consulting projects:

• Developing intelligent analytics in the financial sector (for FormFree Holdings Corporation)
  
  
• Developing sentiment analysis software tools for a government-related application (under nondisclosure)
  
  
• Applying artificial intelligence in an educational game package for a major software manufacturer (under nondisclosure)
  
  
• Engineering support for development of patent claims for an information retrieval technique (under nondisclosure)
  
  
• Developing documentation for CORAID, Inc. (samples here and here)
  
  
• Implementing a commercial software product for business knowledge management (TIP Software)
  
  
• Prototyping a commercial software product involving knowledge management and video editing (under nondisclosure, not commercially released)
  
  
• Use of natural-language understanding techniques in psychological research (under nondisclosure, but click here for related published work)
  
  
• Development of natural-language understanding techniques for classifying incoming e-mail (under nondisclosure)
  
  
• Natural-language processing software evaluation for potential investors (under nondisclosure)
  
  
• Conversion of a Department of Agriculture food database into a nicely typeset book (for Barron's Educational Series in collaboration with Melody Covington)
  
  

Résumé and Terms

Consulting rates: On request.

I work for The University of Georgia full-time during the school year, and private consulting is a part-time activity.

Another way to procure my services is through a research contract with the University. The total cost per hour of work is comparable, and much larger amounts of my time can be procured, as well as access to laboratories, other scientists and engineers, and graduate students. Research contracts can be as small as $5000 or less, can include nondisclosure agreements, and can be set up quickly. Their only limitation is that the University cannot produce "works made for hire" — instead, the University retains the copyright and patent rights, which can then be licensed to the sponsor. If you think a research contract may be appropriate, please let me advise.

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