Wadiblog

As some of you know I love outsourcing.

I’ve used it several times in the past and talked about it on this blog in April and again later in the year when I got the low down from a successful outsourcer.

I outsource a lot. I’ve outsourced: low ticket items like calendar management/travel arrangements to higher ticket items like content creation, programming, and website design.

Like everything outsourcing has its good times and its bad times. Mostly the bad times are opportunities to develop a better candidate screening system, learn the kinds of tasks that cannot/should not be outsourced, or learn how to market and communicate better to outsourcing companies and individuals.

This last one is often overlooked by those starting out. Sometimes even the pros mess up. I did this myself recently and learned some valuable lessons.
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I was browsing through my daily blog reads when I came across this post by Rohit Bhargava, VP of Digital Marketing Strategy at Ogilvy Public Relations. Rohit argued what many of us in Web 2.0 have figured out all along: you don’t need an MBA to be successful in social media and social media might be the new MBA. He gives a four point list on how the skills taught by a traditional MBA program can be learned by working in social media.

I for one happen to agree. Particularly because few MBA schools will teach me what I want to learn–internet marketing. I’d likely learn a lot more by doing projects and learning along the way through books, blogs or collaborating with my peers.

So what do you think? Do you have or are you thinking about getting an MBA? Do you think it is necessary to entrepreneurial or job success in Web 2.0? What about those of you in other areas of technology?

Black Crow Productions and Third I San Francisco South Asian Film Festival presents:

What: Kala Pul – The Black Bridge, a 40-minute narrative by Saqib Mausoof
When: Thursday, November 13th, 2008, 7:00 pm
Where: Brava Theater, 2781 24th St, San Francisco, CA 94110 [map it]

[San Francisco, Ca October 23, 2008] Witness an authentic representation of three days in the lives the inhabitants of Karachi, a teeming metropolis of over fifteen million and the largest city in Pakistan, a frontline state in the war on terrorism. The film has been reviewed as “Karachi born writer Saqib Mausoof has taken a different route with Kala Pul – The Black Bridge producing results not unlike Satiyajit Ray’s Distant Thunder”

The plot resolves around Arsalan, a fugitive, who returns to his native Karachi, to investigate the violent death of his younger brother, blamed on religious fundamentalists. In the ensuing days he discovers that in a post 9/11 world the gritty megalopolis sits on the fault line of modernity and militancy.

Kala Pul is produced by bay area producer Muder Kothari and was shot in 2006 by Oscar nominated Director of Photography Markus Huersch on location in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. It features the music of Dr Das, founding member of Asian Dub Foundation, Janaka Selekta and various Pakistani ghazal singers.

Tickets can be ordered online at http://www.eventbrite.com/event/193281109 or purchased at door for $10.

Additional information at kalapul.com

This 7-minute video shows the well regarded (Retd.) General Colin Powell taking a rational stand with irrefutable reasoning, and a solid explanation of his path to his decision. His reasoning in support of the two candidates, and his judgment of why he chooses one over the other, are great examples of what remains right with this country - and why it is important for us to work towards improving it to the extent we are able. Debate is our voice, and the means of standing up to the challenges of our times. This is more important in times when critical debate is attempted to be stifled. We must say what we feel strongly about, and follow examples of those trail blazers who show us how.

I would like to ask my friends to write, blog, or otherwise make known their thoughts on the political process, and for every one to try to help _ensure_ that at least ONE person ends up voting because of us. If you can make an impact on ONE person, whether or not you change their vote in favor of your own preference, you will have done something to make a difference. You will have stood and been counted with the New-Age generation coming of age, and with the most significant political selection ever made - most certainly within our lifetimes. Of course, this certainly means that if you are able to vote, then get out there and make your political presence count!-)

Coming back to Karachi after 4 years I am amazed at the social changes in Pakistan. The seven years I spent in Karachi were the very sheltered lifestyle of a ‘burger’. Yes, I am not afraid in saying that I was one of Pakistan’s many home grown burgers.

For those unfamiliar with the term, in Karachi when used for a young person a burger means someone from the middle to upper-class parts of town, who goes to an English-medium school, speaks a specific Pakistani English-Urdu mix, and is an avid consumer of global/American pop-culture such as jeans and fast-foods like burgers. The general population considers these ‘burgers’ disconnected from Pakistani culture and spoilt by the larger discretionary income of their parents. They also rightfully believe that most of us are unaware or at our best indifferent to Pakistan’s political or social problems. Although we live here there is very little tying us to the country.

As a burger, I grew up knowing more about Western historical figures and writers then South Asian ones. I didn’t even know of the many desi English writers who are well known in literary circles. As for Urdu, or any other Pakistani language, my grasp sufficed for basic conversation but not for conversations on non-shallow ideas.

The burger consumerism and nonchalant nature was not something entirely self-created, for after all we burgers were the products of our environment. Everything western seemed to offer the opportunity for discussion and growth, which the Pakistan around me did not appear to offer. So like many burgers I chose what seemed Western and was very much at home when I finally moved out there. Ironically I learned more about Pakistani history and literature while at college in America then I did through the course of my life, growing up in Pakistan.

But the Pakistan I have now returned to is very different.
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Senator Joe Biden, Barack Obama’s VP nominee is due to visit Silicon Valley this coming weekend. This will be the Senator’s last, and only visit to California before the November elections.

While in California, the Senator is scheduled to attend three Obama Victory Fundraisers:

Luncheon and VIP reception:11:30 a.m. reception, noon lunch, at the home of Steve and Anita Westly, Atherton. Cost: $2,500 for lunch or $14,250 for VIP ticket.

Afternoon reception: 4-6 p.m., the home of Derek and Rachel Benham, in Piedmont. Cost: $1,000 for the reception or $10,000 for a photo with Biden.

Dinner: 6:15 p.m., home of Doug Hickey in San Francisco. Cost: $5,000 a person

Also, on October 23 the South Asian American Leadership Council has the privileged to host Governor Howard Dean, chairman DNC in a Town Hall style event at the Plug and Play Technology Center in Sunnyvale. Click to RSVP for the event. Cost: $500 for cocktail reception; $1,000 for dinner, $5,000 to attend as co-host, or $20,000 to attend as a co-Chair. Sign-up as a Co-Host before October 18th and attend a reception with Joe Biden. For information email here.

The event theme will center around South / South-West Asia, emphasizing Senator Obama’s South Asian policy.

Sunday, October 13, 2008 at 10:28 pm a friend from San Francisco posted to their Facebook status “Angel Island on fire! i see it from my roof…” Following are photo’s she posted to Flickr…

Photo’s Courtesy Shaherose Charania

View more photo’s by Shaherose here.

Continue reading more about the fire at SF Gate.

About Angel Island

The The movie, “Iron Jawed Angels”, is set in the period from 1912 to 1920 and is a spellbinding film of the fight to win the right to vote for women. Hilary Swank and Frances O’Conner star as young fiery suffragettes (Alice Paul and Lucy Barns) who band together with other suffragettes in the struggle to obtain the right to a voice in the United States of America.

These women faced seemingly insurmountable obstacles and incurred the wrath of no less a person than the President of the United States, Woodrow Wilson when they picketed the White House. He even tried to have Alice Paul declared insane so that she could be permanently institutionalized! The psychiatrist apparently refused and stated that, “Courage is often mistaken for insanity in women.” The suffragettes remained unwavering in their focus and stood firm in their resolve to obtain the right to vote, despite being beaten, jailed and held in contempt by society.

While in jail, they, prison guards wielding clubs and with their warden’s complicity went on a rampage against the 33 women wrongly convicted of ‘obstructing sidewalk traffic. They were fed slop with worms and affidavits describe the guards beating, chocking, slamming and pinching these brave souls. They persevered and on August 18, 2008, the nineteenth amendment, guaranteeing women the right to vote was ratified!

It was because of the struggle and sacrifice of brave women such as the ones portrayed in the film “Iron Jawed Angels” and those who fought before them that we women today have the right to vote. In the next election, more than ever, we need to exercise this right. Our nation is in serious crisis and we have many issues to address. And we need to go beyond voting to continue to engage with government because, ultimately, the responsibility lies with us; in a democratic society, we the people can not afford to relinquish our sovereignty no matter how insignificant our individual voices may seem. There are many resources available to assist us in making a thoughtful decision at the polls on November 4^th or via absentee ballot. One excellent resource on the internet is www.smartvoter.org; this website is sponsored by the League of Women Voters of California. The League of Women Voters (“LWV”), which now also includes men, is a direct descendant of the struggle for women’s suffrage and is organized at the national, state and local levels, mirroring the structure in our governmental system.

On October 18, 2008, our local arm of LWV, the League of Women Voters of Fremont, Newark and Union City will proudly host a showing of the Iron Jawed Angels at 2:00 pm at the St. James Episcopal Church located at 37051 Cabrillo Terrace, Fremont. This location is right off of Thornton Blvd.For more information visit our website at www.lwvfnuc.org or contact us at (510) 794-5783. We look forward to having you join us as. We will also have registration forms for those who have not yet registered.

For those iPhone wallah’s out there - check out this new Applications called Jaadu. It was developed by Jehanzeb Sherwani, the first developer from Pakistan whose application has been accepted into Apple’s iPhone App store!

I haven’t tried it out, but read the description at the iPhone App Store and it looks compelling.

Jaadu is a groundbreaking application for the iPhone and iPod touch that lets you control your computer from wherever you are in the world.

In a nutshell it is a VNC tool for iPhone. That is , it enables you to login to your Windows, Linux, or Unix based PC from your iPhone device.

It costs $25 to download.

let me know what you think if any of you get a chance to play around with it .

Jahanzeb will be presenting a demo of Jaadu on Saturday, October, 11, 2008 at The Second Floor Cafe (T2F) in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. I would hope T2F will publish the  VoD from the event.

Cross-posting to Scitechwire

Inventions have been the hallmark behind Silicon Valley’s continued success. Inventions by ordinary people - from William Shockley and Gerald Pearson, who built the first operational version of the Transistor, to Leonard Borsack,Sandra Lerner , and William Yeager who developed the first commercially available Router. If it weren’t for people like these, ordinary people, who did extra ordinary things, the Valley of today would be a mere figment of someones imagination, an Utopian concept of an ideal society, perhaps!

Even to this very day the spirit of invention, coupled with the entrepreneurial drive is still the main force behind Silicon Valley’s continued growth. However, lets not forget all that goes into protecting this innovative spirit that most of us tend to take for granted - from the numerous patents filed to protect individuals Intellectual Property (IP) rights to the armies of lawyers engaged by individuals and corporations.

Having trust that your invention is protected from piracy is pivotal in fostering the innovative spirit. However, on more than one occasion we find the system has broken down, and broken down it has for the lone warrior such as in Dr Robert Kearn’s case, where we have bully’s who undermine the system with their inflated Corporate wallets and fancy rhetoric to gain access and rights over ideas for pennies to the dollar.

The Flash of Genius, based on a true story is a must see film for Silicon Valley’s bright and smart denizens. Silicon Valley owes a debt of gratitude to folks such as Dr Kearn who fought to protect individuals intellectual property rights, thus setting a precedence of ensuring the rightful owners of Ideas are recognized, and duly compensated.

The Obama campaign continues to be the most tech-savvy ever. Or, to be more accurate, it is very much the first–2nd/3rd, actually, if you count Dean and Ron Paul–Open Source campaign. I still haven\’t been able to acutually use it, but here\’s a sceen dump of the Obama iPhone app.

Amidst todays fiasco on Wall Street and Capitol Hill people on “Main Street” have been worried sick about their personal investments. From 401(k)’s to stocks, your entire portfolio is at risk if you ain’t savvy on how and where to reinvest.

The concern amongst Silicon Valley denizens is no more less than that elsewhere in the country.

While perusing the web I found several useful articles that I’ve listed below. Also, I’ve attempted to highlight a few of the key take aways on managing your money. Much of this may sound like common sense to you,  but then common sense is what’s missing from the market and economy today, wouldn’t you agree?

1. Is my money safe? - And Questions to Ask
2. Without the $700B Fed bailout, whats the cost to taxpayers
3. Suze Orman on your money - Anderson Cooper Blog

Key take aways from my readings:

• Take advantage of employers 401(k) matching program
• If you are within the FDIC limits of a bank account, if you happen to be at a credit union, if you’re within the limits of the NCUA (National Credit Union Administration), you have to understand your money is absolutely safe and sound. As long as you’re within the $100,000 per account limit. Moral if your total cash investments exceed $100k, diversify between multiple accounts
• Secure High-yield savings account:: HSBC and Capital One online savings accounts.
• If retired and living off dividends, consider selling of some shares.
• If near retirement: Consider delaying for a couple years, or take up a part-time job so as to avoid dipping into your retirement portfolio.
• Confirm you bank account balances are FDIC insure by visiting http://www.myfdicinsurance.gov/ and using the online calculator program.

Finally keep in mind the rule of thumb Suze Orman quoted on Anderson Cooper,

Your rule of thumb is money that you need within ten years is not money that belongs in the stock market because of the deterioration we have seen and will continue to see if they do not get their act together.- Suze Orman

On Saturday, September, 29, 2008: The Pakistan American Democratic Forum (PADF) hosted the renowned author, Tariq Ali in Newark, California.The event was well attended by Bay Area Pakistanis of all walks of life. From the Silicon Valley Pakistani-American yuppi to Pakistanis of the wider Bay-Area, not necessarily associated to Silicon Valley.

Mr Ali discussed the current geo-political situation in Pakistan. A detailed video account of the event will be posted shortly by Cemendtaur a freelance WadiBlogger, however I’d like to highlight a few points I jotted down on my Facebook Blog:

• He said “it is unfair to blame the war exclusively on Pakistan.”
• Ali says it’s sad the Presidential candidates are promoting bombing of Pakistan. He says Pakistani-American need to organize and take lesson from their AIPAC counterpart.
• Ali says frankly Muslims are under attack because of the oil that exists under Muslim lands. And Pakistans geographic location is key. He further remarks that Islam is not the enemy of the west, it’s been made out to be due to the oil wealth Muslim nations are sitting on. If it were, say Buddhist nations sitting on the worlds oil reserves then we’d be hearing about Buddhists terrorists.
• Ali has a colleague doing research for him and says what they’ve found is the language being drafted on how to deal with Muslims is similar to the language used in the 20s and 30s against Jews
• Ali says Barak Obama is disappointing - he started out fine but doesn’t like how he has been pushed into a corner by the system.
• Ali doesn’t accept Robert Fisk statement that Pakistan nuclear power is the issue. He is surprised at Fisk for making such a remark, as he is a very capable journalist, and ‘no Pakistan is not the powder keg of the world.’
• Tariq Ali further goes on to quotes a UNDP study: 60 percent of Pakistanis born today are stunted. He said that instead of pouring billions into combating extremism the world powers need to find ways to pump those same dollars in to social reform issues - such as overhauling the Education System in Pakistan to job creation and sustainable income generation schemes for the masses.

Hi folks,

Our friends at RoomFullofPeople are having the third SNAP Summit on October 28th at the Parc55 Hotel from 9:00am – 5:00pm. SNAP Summit is the premier San Francisco conference on social application business and development. Speakers include Mark Pincus of Zynga, Jim Benedetto of MySpace, Seth Goldstein of SocialMedia, Sandra Huang of Facebook, Ian Swanson of Sometrics, and many more. There are over 350 developers, founders, business executives, and bloggers expected attendees.

The agenda isn’t announced quite yet, but that is because they are asking attendees to vote on possible topics.

Like last time Wadiwallah readers get 10% off their tickets. The link for the discount is at:

http://snapsummit3.eventbrite.com/?discount=WadiReader

See you all there!

Father sells infant of Rs. 100 (US $1.30) in Badin, Sindh, Pakistan

BADIN: By being sick of poverty in Golarchi area of Badin district, a father sold out his infant of Rs. 100, who was born two hours ago on Friday.

Police raided the alleged buyer’s home on complaint of infant’s mother and recovered the baby.

Police recovered the baby having raided the home of alleged buyer on complaint of infant’s poor mother after five hours of the incident and arrested the seller (father) and buyer, police sources said.

Alleged buyer told the police that the infant’s father was unable to bring up his child that made him sell the infant. He then paid hundred rupees to the alleged father in return to buy sweets and guaranteed to bear the infant’s living expenditures in future. [GEO NEWS]

Your first reaction may be what, how could he sell his infant? But this is coming from folks living high in their ivory towers looking down at the impoverished masses. If you are reading this blog post then you most likely are one of those new age elitist, and I include myself who come up with grandiose ideas on how to eradicate poverty - from creative financial schemes to job creating projects. All is well and good, however where has it gotten us? Yeah, perhaps it has helped a few people - however there are still countless people, like this father with next to little avenues to turn to for help.

I am beginning to wonder, how can one talk about projects such overhauling the National IT policy or establishing centers of higher learning when the basic necessities of the common people are still to be met? Lets first find ways to alleviate poverty, then talk about other nation building ventures - which if you ask me are luxuries we can do without for the time being. This is where the Government can help. Yet, they are too busy building their own ivory fortress to give a hoot about the common man.

It’s easy to say: “Oh why don’t they go get jobs?”, for crying out loud how are they to find jobs when their are none to go around?

We need sustained income generation programs that recognize peoples innate skills, and land them in jobs, or help them establish business that pay decent wages.

In addition macro-Economic reform is needed. Inflation needs to be curbed. Government subsidies on essential goods and services will help. And finally, a Universal health care program is needed.

Who will do this? From the looks of it, the Government does not appear to be in a position to act.

However, all hope isn’t lost. I’d like to take the opportunity to propose a Poverty Alleviation Program to support “grassroots” entrepreneurs in impoverished parts of the world. For starters we’ll focus on Pakistan.

The program will launch under the aegises of PakSEF (or the Pakistan Science & Engineering Foundation). PakSEF is a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) California based organization.

PakSEF is dedicated to the proposition that making discoveries, and applying scientific knowledge to solve human problems is the birthright of all free people.

To find out how you can participate in this program email ideas@paksef.org. Or you may also make a monetary donation of an amount of your choosing to PakSEF’s “grassroots” Entrepreneurship Program.

Let’s help people help themselves by realizing the power of their own ingenuity!

For pennies to the dollar we can help establish 1 person in a vocation of his choosing, and ensuring one family with a chance at a decent, and steady livelihood.

The funds collected will be distributed to pre selected individuals on a case by case basis. To learn more about the program or to participate email ideas@paksef.org.

All donations are tax deductible under
section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue code
Taz ID# 20-2950808

*Cross-posting to Scitech Wire, Siliconstani

Copyright C. Abdulrahman Rafiq

I am not sure I completely agree with, or endorse the thought, but this bears quoting. It’s something Nowsherwan Yasin said on a mailing list this morning about the whole Zardari hits on Palin brouhaha (in case you’ve not followed it, check out the post and discussion Teeth Maestro’s blog here.):

Although I agree that such statements are inappropriate in foreign relations, I can’t help but see an unintentional advantage (of sorts) of Pakistani chauvinism in dealing with such a character. The politically correct, hidden misogyny of the American politician really has no answer for the snide, smart @ss, belittling demeanor that Palin seems to exhibit. She reminds me of the typical sitcom girlfriend, you know the one that will not let passive guy X go out with his friends and Y humiliating him to a laugh track, constantly nagging and yelping without any real knowledge of anything.

But good old sexism, in societies where it is acceptable, such as Pakistan, provides a trump card.

Technorati tags applicable to this post: Zardari - Pakistan - Palin

SAJA BRIEFING: The South Asian Blogosphere and How Its Changing the Media 8:35pm
Website: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/saja/2008/09/26/desiblogs

The South Asian Journalists Association presents an online panel discussion among some of the best-known names in the South Asian blogosphere. They will discuss the state of the blogosphere (South Asian and otherwise) and how it is affecting how news and information about South Asia and the diaspora is gathered and shared. Sabahat Ashraf of iFaqeer; Anil Dash of AnilDash.com; Karthik of Uberdesi.com; Maria Giovanna of Filmiholic.com; Arun Venugopal of SAJAforum.org

A friend sent me a link to Historia de un letrero (The story of a sign) winner of the 2008 Cannes Film Festival. It’s a short 6 minute film demonstrating how a simple change of words can change people’s feelings and bring out very different reactions.

A beautiful lesson in communication, empathy and kindness. Enjoy!

Just installed the 3.0.2 update for Firefox. I really hope it improves the memory management on that browser, because I am also using Chrome and I am loving the way it uses and, particularly, lets go of memory when you’re done with a tab.

The reason I am loath to let go of Firefox, frankly, is not sentimental or one of principle. It can be summed up in one word: Foxmarks. It is just a huge convenience to have my bookmarks synchronized across machines–and platforms!–and I really don’t see why I have to live without that convience. I still can’t believe Chrome still doesn’t synch up with Google Bookmarks! Talk about being dead to user needs, man!!

And I can’t end this post without saying a word about Opera. I rediscovered it because I am currently using a Mac at home and Chrome isn’t out for the Mac yet. And boy, is it superior in speed and memory management!

Comments anyone?

Melancholy Moods, my gifts of nature are..
hiding in their breasts, wonders though they scar -
my fingers and mind, as the pen continues on..
and my Melancholy Moods, gift me wisdom when they’re gone.
-
I write better as I drive, inspiration deeper still.
Free my inspiration flows, when the mind has had its fill,
and reacts unknowing with its outlets unconfined..
as my Melancholy Moods show me ‘knowing’ I then find..
-
amazingly oh!@@? amazing so! Why does inspiration flow -
when in melancholy mode, the pen takes over, I let go?
What key melancholy holds, letting out what’s locked inside?
Why is inspiration linked - to my deeper, inner glow?
-
I wish joy could know the ‘knowing’ feelings melancholy bring.
So then being joyous moi, I’d let inner wisdom sing..
And inspire and rejoice, though I realize - what’s true,
that in Melancholy Moods, is wisdom mine coming through.