Making Money Online in Pakistan
Wednesday, 30 June 2010
Blogging is no more a new phenomenon in Pakistan. Many Pakistani online users are writing their own and rest are reading others' blogs and interacting in meaningful ways. Their voice is being heard in the blogsphere. Getting paid for blogging is still a new idea in Pakistan though.
There are reasons for this. Ironically, corporate Pakistan is yet not aware of blogs as economical, effective and interactive marketing tool. Like anywhere else, blogs can be a welcome mat for local businesses to reach out across the world but this has not started happening yet. Which is why Pakistan blogsphere can be characterized by only anti-establishment, noncommercial write-ups and rants, mostly. Exceptions aside, Pakistan blogs are mainly personal where bloggers post purely because of their own interests.
There are reasons for this. Ironically, corporate Pakistan is yet not aware of blogs as economical, effective and interactive marketing tool. Like anywhere else, blogs can be a welcome mat for local businesses to reach out across the world but this has not started happening yet. Which is why Pakistan blogsphere can be characterized by only anti-establishment, noncommercial write-ups and rants, mostly. Exceptions aside, Pakistan blogs are mainly personal where bloggers post purely because of their own interests.
One wonder why local businesses have failed to notice the growing readership and influence of these Internet postings and the buzz corporate blogging can create particularly as a process of Search Engine Marketing or targeting online segment of consumers. But this is not about how Pakistani businesses can harness the power of blogs to reach out. This is about the options available to Pakistan bloggers to get paid for their work online.
Payments by most online advertising programs and affiliates are made through Paypal - widely used online money transfer service. Sadly, Paypal is not available in Pakistan so far. This alone puts Pakistan bloggers at a great disadvantage because without Paypal account they cannot join most of the programs.
That said, Pakistan bloggers are exceptionally good (and I am not being ethnocentric here). They have acumen for corporate writing. Their language and blogging skills and networking capabilities can be compared with any bloggers' community in the world. Internet coverage and users ' base is constantly growing. Even trend to shop online is taking off. Given chance, all this can indirectly help in efforts to make making through blogging.
Despite the odds, some of the savvy Pakistan bloggers are already using different methods to make money from blogs; Google AdSense advertising program being the first choice. Google pays through check and is liberal in taking small blogs in their program. Only recently, Google has started paying in Pakistan through Western Union and now bloggers here don't have to wait for 40 long days to get their checks cleared through normal banking channels or pay them $ 12 for every transaction.
Google's AdSense program, which started in 2003, pays Web publishers including bloggers based on how many times advertisements on their sites receive clicks. Google places the ads on participating Web sites using contextual word matching, in an attempt to ensure that the advertisements relate to the content on the page. Users' friendly AdSense also offers the opportunity to monetize site searches while providing a powerful and fast search engine for blogs sites. Google places relevant ads along with search results pages. Clicks on these ads also earn the site owner revenue. Earnings are not big mainly because there are not many local ads in Google's AdWord inventory. "Things are changing," says Badar Khushnud, Google country representative, "as Pakistan businesses have started using AdWord program."
AdBrite and Bidvertiser - both click based advertising programs that make payments through checks - closely follow AdSense.
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Bloggers can also make money through "affiliate networks," which, in contrast to Google's automated system, allow blog writers to choose which advertisements to put on their pages. They also can be paid based on how often ads on their sites lead to sales rather than how often the ads receive clicks. I have experience with Text Link Ads (they pay through check) and it is fun working with them. They sell space off my blogs and I have control over what appears on my multiple blogs.
Bloggers can also make money through "affiliate networks," which, in contrast to Google's automated system, allow blog writers to choose which advertisements to put on their pages. They also can be paid based on how often ads on their sites lead to sales rather than how often the ads receive clicks. I have experience with Text Link Ads (they pay through check) and it is fun working with them. They sell space off my blogs and I have control over what appears on my multiple blogs.Then, businesses and organizations from all over the world offer to pay bloggers for mentioning them, their products and or services in blogs in order to create an online buzz, get more traffic and better page rank. Many online services like Pay Per Post, Sponsored Review, Loud Launch - paypal required - and Reviewme to name just a few, have come up. These services manage growing demands by advertisers and arrange supply through interested bloggers. Few months ago, I had signed up for Reviewme because they also pay through check. Reviewme offers products or services for review. I write about whatever I like and they pay me fifty percent of what they charge the advertisers. This arrangement works fine for me.
I have tried with merchandising through my blogs as well. Attempt to sell my own books (and the one I had translated) was a good experience. While I did not have a lot of success with merchandising - I am sure other bloggers can see this as an opportunity to make some money from blogs by selling products. That is not all. Bloggers can sell branded products whatever way their entrepreneurial heart desires using CafePress by creating and adding online store's link to blogs and CafePress will do the rest. There are so many more ways to earn money by blogging for those who are interested in earning using blogs. Driven by demand, more advertising programs, affiliates and sponsors and others are coming up every day. Bloggers can experiment with different programs that suit them and can create diverse stream of earnings.
A word of caution; earning through blogging does require persistent postings of quality contents and blog promotion. Best is to keep blogging for joy and monetize blogs on the side; keeping money making expectations realistic. It is a long and slow process. Only "17 percent of most popular bloggers in NYC earn more than thousand dollars a month. That leaves a whooping 83 percent earning less," revealed a NYC Blogger Summit Survey earlier this year. But again these figures are relative.
Some of the sources that pay through check and I have experienced are Google, Link Worth, Earn $$ with WidgetBucks and ReviewMe.
Labels: Blogging, Corporate Blogging, Fine Art of Blogging, Making Money Online
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 6/30/2010 04:46:00 PM,
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Who is making money on the Internet?
Monday, 28 June 2010
Labels: Making Money Online
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 6/28/2010 01:22:00 PM,
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Who Holds the Power
Who hold the power in your TV lounge? Of course the one who holds the remote control. The one with the remote control can toggle between sports, drama, music and whatever fancies his / her liking and holds attention. The worst thing that can happen is when batteries fail. It is really unimaginable to watch TV without remote controlee these days. No?Best thing is to get a remote control that doesn't use any batteries? Fortunately, it exists, and is powered by one of the most elementary power sources. This remote control is powered by wind up power, just like a toy. Apparently, thirty twists are enough to power the device for about a week. That is definitely more efficient than my old wind-up toys.
This wonderful control comes in size 53W X 219H X 37D, 155g. Other features include maximum output voltage 5.8 volts, available voltage 4.2V~1.8V, maximum current 200nA, electric charge 1.5F, current in operation 1.000nA and under, standard existance value 0.15? and under and real resistance value 0.06. And it supports vide range of device brands from including TV, DVD, VCR, Satellite and Cables. So holding such a powerful gadgets does show the power.
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 6/28/2010 12:52:00 PM,
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Walk with Walkman
Sunday, 27 June 2010
Remember when walkman came up on the market first. Everyone wanted one and sales sky rocketed. No gadget has still surpassed the sale recordof walkman.
Now Sony's new NWZ-W202 W-Series Walkman MP3 player - a stylish device worn directly in the ears – is creating waves.
The W-Series Walkman MP3 player is made with two rectangular-shaped earpieces that are connected with a flexible cord of a neckband. When you put it on, it looks like you are wearing two Bluetooth headsets. The earpieces are magnetized so that when they are separated, music begins playing, and when they are joined together, the music is off. The controls are simple to operate - the right earpiece contains one button each to turn the volume up and down and a jog dial to skip songs. A feature called ZAPPIN allows you to preview a short clip of each song before picking the one you want. Oh, how amazing.
The W-Series Walkman that 2 GB of music, can be plugged into a laptop with the USB cord, songs can be dragged and dropped from iTunes onto the device. What is more, charge it for three minutes and it will go for 90 minutes of battery life. What else one needs.
One of the best device that can accompany you anywhere, especially in gym and on other outdoor athletic pursuits. May be this will urge me to start jogging again.
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 6/27/2010 06:48:00 PM,
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True Blue
Friday, 25 June 2010
Multan retains in many respects the historic form of the medieval city — the towering citadel of Multan known as Qillah Kohna Qasim Bagh with its noble monuments sheltering the dense and compact walled city shrines and bazaars below. Its history goes back to pre Islamic and possibly to that of Indus valley civilisation and even beyond.
The history of Multani arts and crafts also goes back to medieval period. Kashi work the glazing and hand painting of ceramic products is an important art for which Multan is famous all over the would. The use of foliage or branches and leaves of trees and superb richness of colours (mainly blue) in Kashi work is a evidence of Persian influence. As Persian arts themselves have been under Chinese Mongol influence, there fore some historians are of the view that Kashi work had originally come from Kashghar, China. Over a period of centuries Multani Kashi work has matured and developed a unique and distinctive style of its own.
Read more »The history of Multani arts and crafts also goes back to medieval period. Kashi work the glazing and hand painting of ceramic products is an important art for which Multan is famous all over the would. The use of foliage or branches and leaves of trees and superb richness of colours (mainly blue) in Kashi work is a evidence of Persian influence. As Persian arts themselves have been under Chinese Mongol influence, there fore some historians are of the view that Kashi work had originally come from Kashghar, China. Over a period of centuries Multani Kashi work has matured and developed a unique and distinctive style of its own.
Labels: Blue Pottery, Flooring, Kashi Work, Multan
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 6/25/2010 09:45:00 PM,
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Alexander’s Adventure from Macedonia to South Asia
Read about Alexander’s route to South Asia and camp in the Salt Range.
Labels: Travel
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 6/25/2010 01:29:00 PM,
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Diamond Flower Mouse
Are you a high net worth shopper searching for some truly unique andluxurious gift? Have a look at the Diamond Flower – a computer mousecast from 18-carat white gold and set with 59 diamonds in the shape ofa flower. Claim to fame is that this precious toy is that it one ofthe most costly mouse anywhere in the world. It is offered by Pat SaysNow.Pat Says Now is Switzerland's first manufacturer of individualdesigned computer mice. They produce mice that come in all shapes andcolors. Their corporate mice are designed and produced according totheir clients' wishes. Pat Says Now is already available at more than2,000 selected retailers worldwide.
Pat Says Now products are equipped with USB/PS2 port. Users can havean easy connection with any computer PC and Mac is guaranteed.(The PS2Adapter is delivered with all Pat Says Now mice. It can be used withthe USB plug and guarantees usability also with older computers.) Noadditional software is needed. What is more, the mouse has a 3 yearswarranty from the date of purchase.
Many people need to fake their luxury. But if you have got money toindulge, you know how t do that, and you are not afraid to pay for it.Only $23,250 can make you the proud owner of a very special mouse. Inthe shape of a flower, it has one explicit message about your tasteand status: You are rich and you have luxurious style.
Labels: Computers
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 6/25/2010 02:43:00 AM,
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Pearls Have Emotional Attachment
Wednesday, 23 June 2010
Pearls, for me, have emotional attachment. Given my own interest, I like Pearls Jewelry. It reminds me so much about life.
My pearl search took me to PeralsOnly - farm to consumer pearl company - where I was amazed to see the collection – one of the finest pearl jewelry collections at one place. Have a look at pearl necklace and shave a feeler of how it will look on you. I suggest that those who are looking for pearl jewelry must start at PeralsOnly. The entire range from Pearl Necklace, Pearl Earrings, Pearl Bracelet, Pearl Pendant, Pearl Set, Pearl Rings also loose pearls is very exciting. I am sure everyone can find what suites their unique taste.
At PeralsOnly, I specially liked their Tahitian Pearl Ring on display. “How only a wedding ring can change the life of a person forever? How a ring is cherished by spouses in all societies? Given the emotional perspectives attached to rings, people go a long way to get the best for their special someone(s),” I thought. The ring at the PearlOnly is nearest to my own dream rings.
I recommend that you explore PeralsOnly and see what they are offering and how. They deliver the best quality pearls on the market at the best prices and they do it with care. Indulge your self an shop for pearl jewelry at PearlOnly.
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 6/23/2010 01:16:00 PM,
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How a Failed State Looks Like?
Tuesday, 22 June 2010
Pakistan was ranked the 10th most failed state in the world, just three places below Afghanistan, in a US survey released on Monday. Somalia tops the 2010 Failed States Index followed by Zimbabwe, Sudan, and Chad. Read at Dawn.
Related: Learn Governance from Hazrat Ali (AS)
Related: Learn Governance from Hazrat Ali (AS)
Labels: Governance
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 6/22/2010 08:20:00 AM,
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New Scam
Monday, 21 June 2010
It all started when I received a call from someone claiming that he was from my mobile service provider and wanted me to shutdown my phone for 2 hours for 3G update to take place. As I was rushing for a meeting, I did not question and shutdown my cell phone.
After about 45 minutes I felt suspicious as the caller had not given me his name or designation etc. I turned on my cell phone and found several calls from my family members. There were also a few calls from the same number that had called me earlier.
I called my parents and was shocked to see that they sounded highly scared and perturbed. They asked me repeatedly if I was safe. It took me time to convince them that I was Okay. They had received a call from someone claiming that they held me with them and asked for ransom money to let me free. The call looked very realistic and my parents even heard \'my voice\' crying out loud asking for help. My father was at the bank waiting for their next call to transfer the money when I told him that I was safe, not pay money to anyone and asked him to lodge a police report. A narrow escape!
Right after that I received another call from the guy asking me to shutdown my cell phone for another 1 hour which I refused to do and hung up. They kept calling my cell phone until probably their battery ran out.
I myself lodged the police report and was informed by the officer that quite a many such reports had been filed with the department. In MOST reported cases the victims had already transferred the money, which was impossible to get back.
Please be careful as this could happen to anyone. The thugs are real professionals and very convincing during the calls.
If you are asked to shut down your cell phone for updates by the service provider, Ask around.
Thanks to Brig Jalal HB Col Riaz Jafri (Retd), Col Islam ul Haq (Retd) and Col Zaffar Iqbal Durrani (Retd)
Labels: Scam
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 6/21/2010 09:53:00 AM,
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Magnum Publishing Forum
It has been noticed that a large number of writers do not succeed to get their writings (novel, short stories, poetry, auto/biographies, general books) published owing to different hurdles. First of All, amateur writers do not seek guidance as how to turn their ideas into book form. If they succeed to do so in one way or other, the publishers reject their manuscripts by considering their work not worth publishing. Even the great writers of the world had to face the indifferent publishers in the beginning of their careers. Once those writers got their work published, they got response on wide scale and they became celebrity in the short span of time.
What if they had not got their work published? They would not have come to limelight. It is feared that a great number of writers have not yet hold niche in the society due to indifference of publishers from their work.
Keeping in view the prevalent situation, Magnum Publishing Forum has been established to help amateur writers publish their work.
Magnum Publishing Forum offers editing Service to make your work worth publishing. Magnum Publishing is a platform to turn your ideas into a complete book by offering services such as editing, designing, title formation, composing, binding and more. Magnum Publishing Forum has also created a network to spread your work in different cities, / province(s)/ Country. Approach Magnum Publishing Forum for free consultation (Call 0301-4008910).
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 6/21/2010 08:38:00 AM,
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Sage Advice from Famous Fathers
Sunday, 20 June 2010
To celebrate Father's Day, Council of Dads author Bruce Feiler collects the top ten inspirational messages from iconic American fathers, including Ben Franklin and John Wayne.
Read at the Daily Beast
Previous: Are the Glory Days of Fatherhood Over?
Labels: Clicked This, Fathers' Day
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 6/20/2010 09:06:00 PM,
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Powerful Paradigm
There is a statue in a square of Rotterdam. This effigy has been carved out of stone. It is a human looking up into the sky, as if trying to stop what is coming down with his hands raised and there is a hole where his heart should be. Disproportionate, parts of the figure are not at the right places nor are seemingly fitting in the scheme of sculpture – neck is not exactly in the centre of the shoulders and is sticking out, elbows are at a little distance from arms. Similarly, legs, ankles, feet, stomach and chest all seem out of place. Seeing the sculpture from a distance gives an impression that it will wither away with the wind.This Artwork was put on display in Rotterdam in 1951. Reflection of thoughts of sculptor Ossip Zadkine, thinkers of the city as well as the municipality, this statue was erected here after the World War II to commemorate bombing and burning down of the city.
What does it reveal? I think the statue reveals human inner conflict; Disorder in times of turmoil deep within. And what you think?
What does it reveal? I think the statue reveals human inner conflict; Disorder in times of turmoil deep within. And what you think?
Ossip Zadkine Research Center (Thanks to Mandi G)
Update by Irving: The statue is called "The Destroyed City" and is depicting the horror of the carpet bombing by the Germans in 1940. The figure seems in horror of the bombs falling. Here is a link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ossip_ZadkineLabels: Avatar
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 6/20/2010 12:44:00 PM,
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Me Plagiarist; Prove it
"If you steal from one author, it's plagiarism - if you steal from two, it's research," Read my article on Plagiarism that appeared in the Daily Nation today (June 20, 2010)
Labels: In Print, Plagiarism
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 6/20/2010 11:55:00 AM,
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Fans Bring Football's Home
Saturday, 12 June 2010
Sports fan Mark Thompson has spent £400 transforming his living room into a football stadium. Mark, 45,and his 55-year-old wife Karen decked out their lounge with England emblem wallpaper, erected a towering stadium mural, festooned it with St George flags and marked out their green carpet with a six-yard box and penalty spot. The project features three false walls, including one covering the entire front window, a painted crowd of spectators and flags and bunting extending into a St George-themed gazebo in the back garden.
Living room now and before the change
Now the sports-crazy couple, who have been together for twelve years and have three grown-up children between them, are looking forward to holding a host of World Cup parties as friends and family round to watch the tournament over the next month, with food themed to each country the Three Lions are taking on.
Joiner Mark, who has lived in the house in Oldham, Greater Manchester for the past twelve years, said: 'The neighbours just keep laughing and they think it's really cool, all the young kids too. I'm a hero on our street. 'We're going to be watching all the games at our house. We've got a theme for every match. We're doing a food theme for each one. We're having burgers for the USA match then curries for Algeria then goulashes for the Slovenia game. Where are you watching this wold cup?
Read more »Labels: World Cup
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 6/12/2010 12:15:00 PM,
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Congratulation to ATP
Congratulation to All Things Pakistan on turning four. Collective work of Adil Najam, Owais Mughal and other writers at ATP is a loud voice in this din that is being heard. Keep it up boys. My best wishes for you.
Labels: All Things Pakistan
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 6/12/2010 10:58:00 AM,
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FIFA World Cup South Africa - 2010 - Begins
Friday, 11 June 2010
Labels: World Cup
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 6/11/2010 10:35:00 AM,
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Pakistan’s Football Industry
Thursday, 10 June 2010
Soccer or football is the most popular sport in the world. And for many, this means great economic opportunity. At one time, Pakistan’s export city of Sialkot was catering to 85 per cent of the total world demand for high-quality hand-stitched inflatable balls.
A workforce of 85,000 was employed to produce 60 million balls per year worth $210 million. In Fifa World Cup years the demand for stitched balls rises by 70 per cent. Consecutive governments however, ignored this industry and failed to plan ahead to tackle the growing competition from China, India and Japan.
For a long time this vital industry also faced criticism from European countries and especially from United States with allegations of using child labour. The Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry took prompt measures to curb child labour from the soccer ball industry in accordance with the Atlanta Agreement signed with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and Unicef in February 1997.
It is estimated that some 93 per cent of child labour was progressively eradicated from this vital industry and necessary steps were taken to provide social protection to children and their families. The children who were associated with this industry were provided with good schooling. The vital steps taken by the soccer manufacturers and exporter were highly praised by the then United States President Bill Clinton in the address at the ILO convention at Geneva in June 1999.
The Sialkot football industry has been contributing millions of export dollars to the national kitty but in the year 2006 the industry’s share in the international market took a significant hit with the entry of new players in the market, notably China and India. Manufacturers from these countries were able to supply balls at a much cheaper rate.
According to industry sources, local soccer ball manufacturers have been able to grab around 30 to 40 per cent of the total orders floated globally for the upcoming Fifa World Cup. This is a sharp decline from the 70-80 per cent bagged during the 1998 and 2002 World tournaments. The local football industry earned $164 million in export earnings in the financial year 09, as against an average of $221 million per annum earned during financial years 2005-08. Power and gas shortage are not making it any easier for the industry, and sources say that a number of business have failed to meet deadlines which has dented their reputation.
Technology was also a major factor in tilting the balance against the local industry. The penetration of machine-made balls hit the Sialkot hand made stitched soccer industry.
And in the present scenario of fast growing globalisation hand-stitched balls will not be able to compete with machine-made footballs. It is important that the local industry moves forward and embraces new technology to meet the needs of the international market.
Industry sources also say that China has received large export orders of footballs from a number of countries ahead of the June 2010 Football World Cup. Pakistan Sports Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association is rightly concerned over this state of affairs.
According to Arif Mehmood Sheikh, a former chairman (PSGMEA) the shift of a large number of orders to China should serve as an “eye opener” for every one. He said that the factors behind the diversion of export orders to China was a combination of rising cost of production and inability to meet deadlines, which in turn were caused by rising POL prices and unreliable power supply. This has made it difficult for Sialkot exporters to compete with manufacturers in China, India, Nepal and Thailand.
With the government looking for new avenues to bridge the fiscal deficit and the trade deficit, it is very important that measures be taken to build upon the advantages that Pakistan holds in the global market, and not allow others to encroach upon them. The Sialkot exporters have urged the government to come up with some sort of trade related package to stop the diversion of football export orders through the Trade Development Authority, likewise enforcing suitable measures to encourage the export of hand stitched fooballs.
Outdated manufacturing techniques still in use by the local industry is a major hurdle in enhancing exports. This industry for its survival is in dire need of advanced technology and early provisioning of skilled labour. The Sialkot manufacturers and exporters have realised that in the event of a change in the global trend from hand stitched balls to mechanically stitched balls they will also need to make the shift.
In order to cope with the menace of machine made balls, the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Authority has at put in place the final steps for the establishing of the Sports Industries Development Centre. It is expected that this project worth Rs435 million will enable the Sialkot sports manufacturing industry to adopt modern technology, without which there is no going forward.
Labels: Football, Industry, Soccer, Soccernomics, Sports
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 6/10/2010 02:28:00 PM,
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Jobs Market
Wednesday, 9 June 2010
With today's slow economy, the Pakistan job market is tough. It is tough alll ove the world. Students graduating every year with little or no work experience find it especially difficult to land that first professional job. It is even harder for those experienced professionals who retire, are fired from one job or come back home after serving abroad but still need to find another one.
Attain higher education, engage in deliberate self-assessment to understand the types of industries and jobs that would be the best fit for your skills, write good resume research specific companies and organizations, use a three-pronged approach to identifying viable jobs in that field — reviewing job listings, networking and prospecting - but you still may not find a job. The openings may not be there or if they are, they may be filled up using non standard recruitment practices characterized by safarash, rishwat and or both. Lack of opening is not only typical of Pakistan but economic employment growth has always been a lagging indicator anywhere in the world. Even globalization and Internet are doing little in this case of employable and well conversant with English language workforce available in Pakistan. What to do?
Labels: Education, Higher Education, Jobs
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 6/09/2010 10:00:00 AM,
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The Netbook
Monday, 7 June 2010
Laptops and cell phone are converging; laptops are shrinking in size and price where as cell phones are expanded in size and capabilities. It seems that soon both the gadgets will fully overlap each others’ functionalities.Tiny laptops, called netbooks with built-in cellular modems, at low, subsidized prices are already in market.
Now Verizon Wireless – one of the largest U.S. wireless carrier – is going to follow selling a netbook model made by Hewlett-Packard. The H-P Mini 1151NR, a version of H-P's Mini 1000 series with a cellular modem built-in sports a 10.1-inch screen, and yet is very compact. It weighs just 2.45 pounds, is about an inch thick, and is only about 10 inches long and 6.5 inches deep. It has an Intel Atom processor, common in netbooks; runs Windows XP; and includes one gigabyte of memory, a built-in Webcam and an 80-gigabyte hard disk. Like most netbooks, it includes Wi-Fi, but lacks a DVD drive.
This netbook seems an adequate light-duty computer. The Verizon H-P netbook works at a reasonable speed. I can download and run common third-party programs like Firefox and iTunes. The built-in Verizon software for managing the cellular and Wi-Fi connections also works well, and can be upgraded to a new version with added features.
Those who travel a lot and like using a cellular modem, the machine is compelling.Give it a whirl.
Labels: Cell Phones, Laptop
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 6/07/2010 04:44:00 PM,
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Virtual World
In this attention age, 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.
Out of some major and hundreds of less noticeable travel forums on the Web, I have had the fortune to belong to a few and have been visiting some others for my travel information needs.
Exceptions apart, all virtual travel communities have some common features: Communities mostly provide a warm, trusting and supportive atmosphere. When members give information, they do it with great care and responsibility. They rely on each other more than they do on outdated travel guidebooks or on second hand and static information from conventional travel literature.
Visit any online community and one finds anything related to travel, along with flames and off topics, which are informative, sometimes funny or even annoying. The mutual exchange of information is not restricted only to destinations, affordable places to stay and dine in, security issues, maps, weather conditions there and where to have best bargains and how to find public restrooms or which Websites better describe any particular place. Or which dress a female anthropologist going to study Kalash clan up in northern district Chitral should wear during her extended stay there. It goes much beyond to helping in finding work, selling and promoting each others in local markets.
“Travel forums have become hunting grounds for meeting fellow travelers and making new friends. You really do not require any other reason to join a community or two,” says Atoorva Sinha who intends building up travelers’ community at Mindzwine.
Carla King is founder member of one virtual travel community called Wild Writing Women for female travelers. She emailed, “When we published Wild Writing Women -- Stories of World Travel (an anthology of women’s travel stories) -- we got a lot of publicity. People wanted to know how we traveled solo and weren’t afraid, and just how we went about it. We started giving workshops. We also started giving writing workshops and hosted a free monthly literary salon. People just gravitated, and we accepted them. We made a business of it and formed the online community. So it’s a profitable business for us to expand the community, and also, happily, it’s close to our hearts.”
Members are slow in response sometime. Chris Heidrich, the Director of a BootsnAll says, “One has to be patient in waiting for a response from members and insiders. It should be understood that it is a voluntary favor and some people do not come on board or check email as often.” Court who is always found on board in the same community adds, “Some time they may be away traveling to yet another location.”
The recipients of information have to keep in mind that what ever comes is based upon individuals’ personal experiences or empirical observations. One member may have had different experience than others. When I posted a query about Virtual Travel Communities (for this article) at BootsnAll community; the first reply referred me to Nick mediator at another community at Bali Blog who in turn advised me to email direct to all on his mailing list. The replies I am still receiving are varied showing so many perspectives. “There is nothing like variety,” says Nick.
The virtual world is composed of information rather than physical identities. Information spreads and diffuses. Those who belong to these impalpable spaces also diffuse, you are free to take it or leave it.
Tags: Travel, Virtual Community, Online Culture
Tags: Travel, Virtual Community, Online Culture
Labels: Technology, Travel
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 6/07/2010 11:14:00 AM,
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Fine Art of Blogging
Sunday, 6 June 2010
Internet is a lonely place without Blogging; a fine art, science, also economics. Blogs are different to different people and everyone blogs differently. How You Blog asks you to share your views on the phenomenon, blogging style and techniques that have worked well for you.
Join Fine Art of Blogging or read what those able bloggers are writing there.
Labels: Fine Art of Blogging
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 6/06/2010 01:30:00 PM,
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Wathing TV Shows from Mobile
Saturday, 5 June 2010
How about downloading TV shows and watching them from a mobile device. The device is known as Bitbop. At present it's beta version is available. Lot many other details aren't available yet.The beta version is available for Blackberry and you need to download an application to use it. The good part is that you download the TV shows without ads. Being the beta version, a number of improvements need to be made e.g. at present, you can only download two recent shows. Bitbop is available for only US $ 10.00. It's worth trying.
source: bitbop.com
Labels: Cell Phones, Entertainment
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 6/05/2010 10:05:00 AM,
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Cyclone Phet
Thursday, 3 June 2010
Sindh and Baluchistan coast are facing a Cyclone threat. This is projected to be a big one. It has already qualified to have a name of its own. It is called ‘Phet‘. Phet is a Thai language words which means ‘diamond’. At the time of writing of these lines Phet is 900km South of Karachi and it has wind speeds of up to 120 knots at its center.
Computer Models show that it will first go north-west towards Oman and after making land fall there it is likely to turn right (east) towards Sindh-Balochistan coast and the Indian state of Gujrat. Atleast in some models the city of Karachi appears to be on direct path of Phet. It is estimated that in next 24 hous, Phet will become a Category-5 hurricane with speeds of upto 156 mph (253 kmph) - imagine this!
However the hope is that after making landfall in sparsely populated area of Oman, Phet will lose strength and when it makes landfall in either Pakistan or India, it will be a weaker storm.
While Sindh and Balochistan coast do get occasional cyclones hits, Karachi has so far been spared of this natural calamity. Atleast as far as living memory of current generation goes there have been no direct cyclone hits to Karachi. While all areas of Pakistan are as important as others, I am mentioning Karachi because it is the city with the highest population density and lacks any meaningful evacuation plans for a city this large.
The occasional monsoon rains cause havoc in Karachi almost every year, therefore a cyclone grade heavy rain is expected to cause wide-scale flooding and hardships. I doubt that any kind of preparation by the local government will be able to drain water quicker because all major water draining arteries like Gujjar Nala, nehr-e-khayyam, Manzoor Colony Nala, Tipu Sultan nala etc have either been encroached upon or need serious dredging. River Lyari has been channeled thanks to Lyari Expressway therefore it is expected to hold well. However if the cyclone causes high tide - which it most likely will, it is going to make Arabian Sea swell and move inland into Malir River, Gizri channel, Hub River and Lyari River deltas and won’t let the city drain its rain water into sea fast enough.
While meterological details of this event are pouring in from every news channel, we want to extend our prayers for everyone’s safety. Reports form Pakistani press suggest that Government has imposed section 144 in coastal areas and is working on people’s evacuation. Hopefully the country which is already battered by all kinds of man-made calamities, may not have to bear the burnt of this natural disaster.
Impact on Hub Dam: It is expected that the rains in catchment area of Hub Dam are likely to fill up the reservoir. The dam supplies drinking water to Western districts of Karachi and Balochistan and is currently down to only 2 months worth of water supply. Reportedly, people have been offering namaz-e-istasqa (prayers for rains) at The Hub Dam.
Labels: Cyclone, Environment
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 6/03/2010 11:50:00 AM,
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Drunken Australian Parrots
[Via]
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 6/03/2010 08:05:00 AM,
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