Wadiblog

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

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.

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.

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

Officials in China’s western Xinjiang province have stepped up pressure on the region’s ethnic Uighur population during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan [Al-Jazeera Report]

A question that comes to mind is, what, if anything do Silicon Valley Corporations have to say about this - especially in light of the fact that many of them pride themselves on promoting ‘diversity and inclusion’ amongst their Global employee and customer population?

 Google-Maps has rolled out support for Street View, which allows you to get a  pedestrian’s-eye view of any street Google has cruised down on your mobile device…Continue reading

While everyone has been going bonkers over the One Laptop Per Laptop (OLPC), it would appear like the China based HiVision has truly made the worlds cheapest laptop at $98 using a new cheaper chipset, WiFi, 1GB flash storage, it runs Linux, 3 USB ports, Ethernet, SDHC card reader, audio in and out. Included are Voice-chat, Skype, multi-tabbed Firefox browser support, Abiword for word processing and automatic online software updates.

Their current model is based on a public Chinese low cost case mold design and is running on a MIPS processor, they may soon also support an ARM9 with DSP as the processor and they are showing their own nice looking case design molds. All running smooth on a Linux interface.

The company will ship a MIPs-based Linux mini-notebook for $98. The company is currently offering a similar machine for $120, according to a video blog report from the Internationale Funkausstellunga (IFA) consumer electronics show in Berlin this week.

HiVision’s current offering, the “mini-Note,” appears to use one of the several MIPS-based processors now available from Chinese semiconductor vendors. It may use a Longsoon-2F chip, or perhaps the Ingenic Jz4740 Multimedia Application Processor, which powers Bestlink’s $250 ($180 in volume) Alpha 400 mini-notebook and 3K’s $300 RazorBook 400-Mini-Notebook, two other Linux-based models out of China. Both processors use MIPS-like cores…

One can only wonder what Nicholas Negroponte, founder/Chair OLPC has to say? From the video HiVision’s device appears way more “swankier” than OLPC’s. Not to mention additional functions and features HiVision has over OLPC - from the looks of it HiVision is positioned to eclipse OLPC, no?

Silicon Valley, Monday, September 1st, 2008: Last night at the MCA, the local Muslim community center in Santa Clara Muslims of Silicon Valley ushered in the holy month of fasting (Ramadan or Ramzan) with the recitation of the Holy Quran (Taraweeh). The prayer hall, was jam packed with Muslims from all walks of life standing side by side listening intently to the Imam (clergy) recite verses from the Quran.

The MCA will be hosting community Iftar’s, or banquets every weekend. All are invited to attend.

S. Joseph Simitian (born February 1, 1953) is a Democratic California State Senator, who was elected to replace the term-limited Byron Sher in the 2004 elections. The 11th Senate District encompasses all or part of 13 cities in San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz counties, including Atherton, East Palo Alto, Menlo Park , Redwood City, California, San Carlos, Campbell, Cupertino, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Palo Alto, San Jose, Capitola, and Santa Cruz, as well as unincorporated areas of those three counties. Continue reading…

Senator Simitian is a Wadiwallah in the true sense - representing cities that fall bang in the center of what is commonly referred to as Silicon Valley. According to Omar Ahmad, who is a well respected friend, and community member “he’s a guy who will likely move to the US Congress in the next few year…”

He has been intrumental in getting the following measures passed:

• Increase school funding for the kids in our low wealth school districts;
• Protect California’s precious coast from off-shore dumping;
• Get low-cost and no-cost drugs to people of modest means;
• Protect older Californians from would-be scammers and swindlers;
• Provide greater transparency in local school funding decisions;
• Increase the use of renewable energy to 20% by 2010;
• Prohibit the purchase and sale of your personal phone records;
• Bring real accountability to our educational decision-making;
• Reverse global warming; and last, but not least,
• Pass my “hands free” cell phone bill, saving untold lives in the years to come.

Learn more about State Senator Simitian here: http://www.joesimitian.com/

This article address a key issue faced today at many multi-national system design firms. Having design teams situated on two opposite sides of the Pacific is both time consuming and can lead to confusion.

These are challenges that can easily be overcome by putting stringent processes in place, and have a clearly define set of roles and responsibilities. It’s only a matter of time that the Electronic Design Industry catches up, and adopts outsourcing best practices from their counterparts in the Software Design space.

The problem is simple. Architects divorced from actual implementation tend to drift into Never-Never Land. Without drawing unflattering parallels to Frank Lloyd Wright here, these architects tend to create idealisms that are unworkable in the application, or are simply unimplementable. Conversely, implementation management separated from architects tends to lack vital information about the intent of the design—stuff that is very hard to capture in a specification but that would strongly influence how the design was implemented. Continue reading…

CIO is launching their local edition in Pakistan on the 5th of August at the Karachi Sheraton. Featured speakers feature Google Inc, OPEN Silicon Valley, IDC and SATC, along with an interactive panel discussion moderated by President of PASHA.

All those interested in attending can register by calling 0300 2133849 PRIOR to the event!

Cross-posted to OPEN Silicon Valley

Mahvish Rukhsana Khan an Afghan-American attorney from San Diego, California presents in her acclaimed book “My Guantanamo Diaries” the human catastrophe resulting from the U.S. led War on Terrorism in Afghanistan. She presents stories from inside the Guantanamo Detention camp at a book reading hosted by the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco, California on July 10, 2008.

To learn about future such readings, join My Guantanamo Diary on Facebook.

On July 14th, 2008 Governor Howard Dean address the Pakistani-American community at OPEN FORUM 2008. Following are recordings from his keynote address.

Part I

Part II

Part III

Part IV

Part V

Cross-posted to Siliconstani and OPEN Silicon Valley

Who are the Wadiwalleh, or Valley people? This is the very premise upon which Wadiwallah.com was established. Wadiwalleh are the people who inhabit the region commonly referred to as Silicon Valley. To the most part they are techies working, living, and breathing all things Technology and Business, or so the popular media will have you believe.

Yes it is true that the typical Wadiwallah has something to do with Technology, works at one of the big blues - the Ciscos’, Googles’, and Microsofts’ of the Valley. However, they do have a life apart from their jobs, and a dam interesting one. They are multifaceted beings - passionate about life, very social, and socially aware.

These Wadiwalleh have in recent times started to engage in conversations, both within, and without the corporate firewall. The conversation tend to go against the grain of the atypical “Corporate” mindset - in fact the average Wadiwallah, essentially a cog in someone else’s cube has a very “uncorporate” mindset, though he may not openly show his true colors for fear of loosing his job.

During the day they will have the demure of a “Corporate Boy”, a yes sir type of person - however during the nights, in a social gathering, their true colors come out. It is here that the Wadiwallah will amaze you. These guys have complicated minds - reflecting upon life, and searching for the Truth…

They are passionate beyond bounds - have dreams to transform the world, alleviate poverty, promote intellectualism, and promote grassroots innovation. Left to their own devices, with the appropriate resources, Wadiwalleh have the ability within themselves to transform lives…

The First Black Presidential Nominee….

As Americans, we dream of a President who is honest, personable, intelligent, and wise.

We want a leader with courage and integrity who has known the struggles of an everyday American. A lot of people have stopped believing that may even be possible.

I haven’t stopped believing. I support Barack Obama because he is that leader.

Join me in supporting Barack Obama, by making a donation to my personal fund page.

Still not convinced Obama is the right man for the job ?

Read on…

Top 10 Reasons to Support Barack Obama
by Sabrina Akhtar

1. He is the only presidential candidate who voted against the war in Iraq, his foreign policy record shows he voted for bills that plan to end the war in Iraq, gradually withdrawing troops, engage in diplomacy with Iran not war. He is against torture/abuse of any kind of criminals whether at home or abroad.

2. His campaign did not take one penny from lobbyists or corporate interest groups

3. Provide universal health care, nearly 47 million americans lack healthcare coverage, his health care plan helped 3 million children in the state of Illinois.

4. Obama has plans for our energy independence and creating more jobs from clean (clean fuel, alternative fuel) technology.

5. Tax relief for the middle class by providing “making work pay” tax cut. Expand child & dependent care tax credit as well as expand the earned income tax credit (EIC), which he implemented in the state of Illinois that provided 100 million of tax cuts to families

6. Help small business succeed by cutting self employed tax, providing health care for those who has their own business, eliminate capital gain taxes for start-up business, expand loan programs for small businesses.

7. Create universal mortgage credit which means more Americans will be able to afford to buy a home, for ex: his 10 percent credit will benefit an additional 10 million homeowners, the majority of whom earn less than $50,000 per year.

8. Make math and science education a national priority. Improve our education in schools by providing K12 plan-incentives for good teachers, support college outreach programs, tax credit for college students & their families which will make going to community colleges absolutely tuition free.

9. Invest in sciences & technology: Obama will double federal funding of basic research & innovation.

10. And lastly, he began a new generation of non-proliferation efforts designed to find and secure deadly weapons around the world. And knowing the threat we face to our economy and our security from America’s addiction to oil, he’s working to bring auto companies, unions, farmers, businesses and politicians of both parties together to promote the greater use of alternative fuels.

Now more than ever, Barack Obama needs your help. The battle has just begun.

Show your support…

Click to make a donation to Obama Campaign

 

Cross-posting to Siliconstani

San Francisco, 6/1: Russell Peters, the comedy superstar in much of the world, having built a massive underground following completely by word of mouth. For the past few years he’s been selling out theatres across the US and Canada, all without ever appearing on network television in the United States was visiting the San Francisco Bay over the weekend. Tonight is his last performance at Cobbs Comedy Club.

Here is a sneak peak for those unfortunate ones who weren’t able to secure tickets…

The inefficient facet of gold - It gets dug out of the ground in Africa, or someplace. Then we melt it down, dig another hole, bury it again and pay people to stand around guarding it. It has no utility. Anyone watching from Mars would be scratching their head. — Warren Buffet

Sounds absurd, no? But then isn’t the world full of absurdities…

After a long and full weekend at TiEcon 2008 and HDF events. Not to mentioning the wonderful and enjoyable time I spent with CalFriends in San Francisco it wasn’t easy hitting the laptop, and getting some work done. So I decided to venture out to Palo Alto. Ended up at the University Cafe where I was received by a cold and rude manager. Following is my review cross- posted on Yelp:

The establishment is severely overrated. No denying, the food is great here though over priced for the low-quality service you get. The waiters here are poorly trained, can barely speak a word of English. Not to mention their manager could do with a little training in the social graces as he was extremely rude, almost trying to order me around, telling where I can’t site. What the F***, how dare he tell me what I can and cannot do. I am the customer and have a right to pick my ideal seating. I came here for an elegant and classy place to sit and get some work done.

Rating:

*Cross-posting to Yelp!