Who said PageRank is dead?
Saturday, 7 December 2013
An insider, Google’s head of search spam, Matt Cutts, said on Twitter yesterday that "Google won’t be pushing out a new Google Toolbar PageRank update this year." In response a tweet, Matt Cutts added, “I would be surprised if that happened” in 2014.
Traditionally, Google used to update PR once every three month. This time webmasters have been waiting for eight months for the PageRank Update (last was on February 4, 2013). Honestly, I was surprised when Saima Ashraf announced her PR jump. Of course I checked up mine.
It looks like a toolbar update was rolled out on December 6, 2013 as one of my own site is hitting at PR 5 where as my friend Odysseus Lahori's new blog Salman Rashid is up from zero straight to 3. This big jump is rare for a new blog.
Go check yours at prchecker.info and let the world know.
Go check yours at prchecker.info and let the world know.
Labels: Google PR
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Saturday, December 07, 2013,
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Iqbal Hussain Art and Women
Pervaiz Munir Alvi
Iqbal Hussain (1950- ) is often termed as the ‘controversial artist of Pakistan’. Although he is equally masterful in painting landscape and still life, yet he is best known for his portraits–mostly portraits of women that is.
He paints his landscape in romantic hues of dusty pink and soft blue and because of that has been called “Turner/Monet of the Punjab Landscape School”. But in contrast to his style of landscape he chooses to paint his women in bright colors under full light with purposeful brush strokes. He is an impressionist and a realist at the same time. It appears as if intentionally, in his impressionism style landscapes he takes his viewers to a retreat of romantic dreams, but in his portraits in a clear opposition, he forces his viewers to see life in its stark realities.
So what is controversial about the art of Iqbal Hussain? Nothing really if you ask any art critic. An artist and his art could be escapist and realist at the same time. What makes him ‘controversial’, and that is mostly within Pakistan, are not his contrasting artistic styles but his conscious choice of female models and the way he presents them. Iqbal Hussain as a realist does not exaggerate or minimize the physical characters of his subjects like say Picasso would.
Read more »Labels: Pervaiz Munir Alvi
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Saturday, December 07, 2013,
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Share to Care
For those who own and operate a gym, it is a given that they are committed to fitness and health. Running a health-centered business also includes offering value-added perks that include sharing helpful information with their clients through direct communications. Publishing health club marketing newsletters are an effective method for providing tips on diet and nutrition, exercise, and general information for living a more balanced lifestyle. The information shared helps to to empower and keep their clients on the right track. And the viral nature of email communications helps to generate interest and encouragement for non-participants to join in the fun and benefits. Successfully marketing a fitness and health care business includes using social media, providing exceptional customer service and individual attention that conveys a commitment to the wellbeing of their clients. True dedication to excellence builds confidence and trust, two factors needed to build a truly successful business.
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Saturday, December 07, 2013,
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Killer Mountain
Friday, 6 December 2013
Nanga Parbat – [called killer mountain because more mountaineers have died while climbing it than any other mountain. It is also known as "Killer Mountain" because of the difficulties of reaching the summit] - is the ninth highest peak (8125 meters) in the world and second highest in Pakistan situated on the western tip of great Himalayan. Its face in the south called the Rupal Face rises over 5000 meters from the valley floor to the summit. After a German climber Hurman Bhul scaled it in 1953, many climbers have stepped on the majestic peak including Nazir Sabir of Pakistan. Many have lost their lives in this pursuit too. This is a story of an expedition with which I opted to go as a facilitator.
I have always been eager to visit mountains that lead me to join one expedition to Nanga Parbat as a local facilitator. I met leader of the expedition Adrian Burgees - a blonde foreign national with muscular, lean and tall disposition in the Ministry of Tourism Islamabad and instantly liked him. I was responsible to see that every thing goes smooth. Later, I was introduced to all other members of the expedition and together we tied up details for journey, rations, transportation and purchase of additional climbing gears.
Read more »
I have always been eager to visit mountains that lead me to join one expedition to Nanga Parbat as a local facilitator. I met leader of the expedition Adrian Burgees - a blonde foreign national with muscular, lean and tall disposition in the Ministry of Tourism Islamabad and instantly liked him. I was responsible to see that every thing goes smooth. Later, I was introduced to all other members of the expedition and together we tied up details for journey, rations, transportation and purchase of additional climbing gears.
Labels: Nanga Parbat
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Friday, December 06, 2013,
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Virtual Communities
Monday, 2 December 2013
Virtual world is seamlessly getting into real world. Social side of technologies is making the World Wide Web much more localized by bringing like-minded people together and in the process creating closely knit online communities.
Combination of features like worldwide accessibility and instantaneous communication has made it possible for backpackers, globetrotters and other curious from all over the world to join together at different online platforms to exchange information, experiences and plans in their favorite pursuit; travel.
Subscribers range from the professional travel writers to hardcore travelers and adventurers and commoners who are simply interested in reading online. Travel communities are accessible by millions of interested people all over the world.
Read more »
Combination of features like worldwide accessibility and instantaneous communication has made it possible for backpackers, globetrotters and other curious from all over the world to join together at different online platforms to exchange information, experiences and plans in their favorite pursuit; travel.
Subscribers range from the professional travel writers to hardcore travelers and adventurers and commoners who are simply interested in reading online. Travel communities are accessible by millions of interested people all over the world.
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Monday, December 02, 2013,
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Acceptances and Creativity
Thursday, 28 November 2013
Sooner or later, successful writers learn that they cannot go through life expecting to find time to write - you have to make time. This inevitably involves sacrifice, taking time away from the other important things in life: family, friends, jobs and other obligations. Sometimes it also involves self-imposed exile, strange rituals, and other writer’s tricks.
Wee hours of the night – after midnight to before crack of the dawn – are moments of acceptances and creativity. Allah the exalted likes devoted adoration and worship during these hours in particular. These are the moments during which most successful writers have been accomplishing more.
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posted by S A J Shirazi @ Thursday, November 28, 2013,
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Shifting Sher Garh
Wednesday, 27 November 2013
An old sleepy and dusty village Sher Garh lies about 20 minutes drive away from Renala Khurd (Okara). The coins found at Sher Garh prove that the place was inhabited at the time of Kushan dynasty. Though “the name Sher Garh was given by the Governor of Molten, Faith Jang Khan after the name of Afghan King Sher Shah Sure,” wrote Abbas Khan Sarauni in his book Tarikh Sher Shah Suri.
On the old bank of River Beas, it is a typical Pakistani village where farmers live like rustics in the face of urban attractions. Even the electricity and telephone are a recent phenomenon. But the village has never been out of limelight. Besides heritage conscious people from all over the world, the village is venerated by a large number of devotees. Reasons, a massive mud fort and mosque which were built in the period of Afghan Sher Shah Suri. And, it is the last resting place of Saint Muhammad Ibrahim Daud-e-Sani Kirmani Bandgi.If one wants to absorb the sense of history, Sher Garh is a place to visit. Director Syed Noor has set his film Chooriyan in the background of this village. One has to possess a sensibility shaped in granite not to be moved by the village of past age that has not changed much in last 400 years. In the periphery few van (salvadora) trees, may be as old as the village stand witness to the bygone era. The village is experienced changed due to awareness about various things and agricultural advancements but at a snail speed.
Read more »On the old bank of River Beas, it is a typical Pakistani village where farmers live like rustics in the face of urban attractions. Even the electricity and telephone are a recent phenomenon. But the village has never been out of limelight. Besides heritage conscious people from all over the world, the village is venerated by a large number of devotees. Reasons, a massive mud fort and mosque which were built in the period of Afghan Sher Shah Suri. And, it is the last resting place of Saint Muhammad Ibrahim Daud-e-Sani Kirmani Bandgi.If one wants to absorb the sense of history, Sher Garh is a place to visit. Director Syed Noor has set his film Chooriyan in the background of this village. One has to possess a sensibility shaped in granite not to be moved by the village of past age that has not changed much in last 400 years. In the periphery few van (salvadora) trees, may be as old as the village stand witness to the bygone era. The village is experienced changed due to awareness about various things and agricultural advancements but at a snail speed.
Labels: Travel
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Wednesday, November 27, 2013,
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Envy, love, desire, prejudice or self-indulgence
Tuesday, 26 November 2013
We, human beings, live in four cells as per empirical observations of one scholar: First are natural restrains. Humans are bounded by natural environment, seasons, atmospheric conditions, other living beings, calamities and every thing else present in the eco system. Second confine to humans is history -- the chronology of the past. It is so very difficult to get rid of the past. Third is society. Humans simply cannot live oblivious of the societal traditions and customs. It is not possible to live alone nor is it workable to violate folks, mores and norms of society while living as its part.
And last is own self: Envy, love, anger, joy, desire, sex, prejudice, self-indulgence and fears that compel humans to restrict behind the walls. I also find some friends living in self denial.
How can one throw away all these yokes and truly set free. Science can take control of nature. Understanding of philosophy can free the humans from burdens of what went before. Knowledge of social sciences can steer them safely through the society. But getting away from self is the most daunting of the tasks. For that one needs altruism. And that can only be attained through passion for others. Can you suggest any other way?
Follow Light Within on Facebook and follow sAJs on Twitter for much more.
Labels: Love
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Tuesday, November 26, 2013,
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Historiography of Architecture of Pakistan and the Region
Monday, 25 November 2013
Excerpt from Historiography of Architecture of Pakistan and the Region - available at THAAP Office (43-G, Gulberg-III, Pahore, Pakistan). Email: thaap.conference@gmail.com
Philosophical base for architecture in the country, without the steadying influence of well understood history, has lurched, from one end to another, depending upon the particular penchant of the ruler of the time. Thus, in this discussion, changes in architecture are referred to by the name of the ruler, however inappropriate that may sound to a serious scholar. The arbitrary power, and its various legal instruments and codes, over the people of India that the colonials usurped, has been passed onto the successor states. Democracy in name only, the rule of the police and revenue collector has continued unchecked. Architecture is dictated, rather than allowed to organically evolve, in the post-partition, ex-colonial officer dominated society; like the Kammee of the village, the architect only seeks the pleasure and handouts of the rulers. It is no wonder then that, barring the solitary example of 'Archi times' magazine from Karachi, there is an absence of serious architectural discourse or dialogue among the professional circles.
Read more »Labels: Architecture, Books, Built Heritage, Pervaiz Vandal, Publications, Research, THAAP
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Monday, November 25, 2013,
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Book Launching - Deosai: Land of the Giant
Saturday, 23 November 2013
Salman Rashid’ book Deosai: Land of the Giant was inaugurated in Lahore Gymkhana Library [November 22, 2013]. The author spoke about Deosai as well as his three decades of travels through length and breadth and some real off the track corners of Pakistan. Besides Deosai and preservation of bear population there, he shared experiences he had during three decades of his writing career.
Story teller that he is, it is a treat to listen to Salman Rashid. Inspiring talk was followed by a long questions and answers session and he answered very informed questions by the enthralled audience (Gymkhana Library hall was full to capacity), and later by book signing.
Who says there are no readers in Pakistan?
Related: Deosai: Land of the Giant
Labels: Books, Deosai: Land of the Diant, Salman Rashid
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Saturday, November 23, 2013,
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What Matters Most, Men or Machines
Wednesday, 20 November 2013
Developments in computer technologies, in the past decades, have had their impact on human life in more than one way. But where this increasing interaction between human beings and computers is leading and how is it defining the focus of research in the field are some of the valid fields of study that are likely to make difference in human lives in future.
The emergence of information technology (IT), the availability of the web, and the user friendly designs are rapidly increasing the use of computers. Despite odds like literacy, availability (and reliability) of phone connection and affordability, the use of computers is significantly increasing in Pakistan as well. E-mail, real-time text correspondence and voice exchange are already popular asides from word processing and spread sheets. But in Pakistan, most of the new concepts are still untested, which makes any analysis inconclusive.
Labels: Information Technology
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Wednesday, November 20, 2013,
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Youm-e-Ashura
Friday, 15 November 2013
Related: Youm-e-Ashura, Muharram, 10 Moharram - Youm-e-Ashur
Labels: Salam Ya Hussain, Youm-e-Ashura
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Friday, November 15, 2013,
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Portrait of Lahore – Lahore nu Salam
Thursday, 14 November 2013
I remember when researchers presented their papers during the second THAAP Conference on ‘Portrait of Lahore: Capital City of the Punjab’ that described the city as an integrated human endeavor. Architecture, city planning, urbanism are important specialized fields of study, however, urban agglomeration results from humans seeking a better life, and thus life becomes the focal point of any composite and meaningful study of towns. That is what Portrait of Lahore – Lahore nu Salam is all about.
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posted by S A J Shirazi @ Thursday, November 14, 2013,
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Names of 72 martyrs in Karbala
Banu Hashim
Hazrat Imaam Hussain Alaye Salaam
Hazrat Abbas Bin Ali Alaye Salaam
Hazrat Ali Akber Bin Hussain Bin Ali Alaye Salaam
Hazrat Ali Asghar Bin Hussain Bin Ali Alaye Salaam
Hazrat Abdullah Bin Ali Alaye Salaam
Hazrat Jafer Bin Ali Alaye Salaam
Hazrat Usman Bin Ali Alaye Salaam
Hazrat Abu Baker Bin Ali Alaye Salaam
Hazrat Abu Baker Bin Hasan Bin Ali Alaye Salaam
Hazrat Qasim Bin Hasan Bin Ali Alaye Salaam
Hazrat Abdullah Bin Hassan Bin Ali Alaye Salaam
Hazrat Aun bin Abdullah Bin Jafer Alaye Salaam
Hazrat Mohammad Bin Abdullah bin Jafer Alaye Salaam
Hazrat Abdullah Bin Muslim Bin Aqeel Alaye Salaam
Hazrat Mohammad BIN Muslim Alaye Salaam
Hazrat Mohammad Bin Saeed bin Aqeel Alaye Salaam
Hazrat Abdul Rehman Bin Aqeel Alaye Salaam
Hazrat Jafer Bin Aqeel Alaye Salaam
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Labels: Muharram, Youm-e-Ashura
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Thursday, November 14, 2013,
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Pakistan’s Weltanschauung
Tuesday, 12 November 2013
The book, ‘Geopolitik Pakistan’ is a major contribution on the Pakistani intellectual scene. This seminal endeavour on Geopolitiks from Pakistani perceptive is even more astounding. The book aims to introduce a critical subject with new thinking for the benefit of Pakistani nation and the world at large. Pakistan’s Weltanschauung or world view is indeed a pioneering Geopolitikal work of the author Brigadier Nadir Mir (R). His first book was ‘Gwadar on the Global Chessboard’ which was on Geo economics and greatly contributed to rekindle the Gwadar Project.
Pakistan’s Weltanschauung or world view is the abiding theme rather than foreign imported concepts and ideas. Geopolitik, in this book is a combination of National Security Policy and Foreign Policy. It commences with an appraisal of Global Geopolitikal environment which is heading towards a Non Polar World rather than an imminent Multi Polar World. In essence, even as the western world’s dominance recedes no new hegemon would be globally dominant. The critical importance of Geopolitiks for Pakistan and the subject’s evolution are discussed thread bare initially.
Read more »Labels: Geopolitics, Nadir Mir
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Tuesday, November 12, 2013,
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