Arificial Intelligence

2012 Wallpaper

2011-11-25T02:30:00.000+05:00

Another year hatches.

Moving out of Windows 7

2011-06-27T02:45:00.000+05:00

An atom, is an atom. Extremely small, and useless, when by itself. Netbooks are powered by this weak intel processor: Atom.

We have, what is, a complete OS, the Windows7. Its great, and its slow. Terribly slow, if you use it regularly, especially, for hard-core work like Photoshop, AutoCAD, Office, and web videos.

If editing documents, designing arts or manipulating photos, is what your main work is. Windows7 is the place to be. However, for the more casual browsing on computer, like going through your social network, a few YouTube streams, or some new/favourite music is the thing you do with this machine, then,

Get a life
Get a new OS

A. Get a life

Start doing something. Your life is empty. You aren't working on any 'real' project? Write down things that you know. Write down things that you learnt from experience. Write down your memories. Type them. Type your work. Publish it as a proper document, as a professional looking pdf.

Work with photos. You just have to keep a lens around with you: at conferences, on trips, and even on those normal looking days. A picture's worth a thousand word. You know that. Seeing is believing. You understand. So take those photos. Go through them on your computer (I use Picasa); edit them. Remove the noise. And finally, publish. Online, if you may, so we shall all see.

And don't get me started on the importance of computation. Here's an engineer talking. Use Excel. Period.

B. Get a new OS

You have a life. You work on your 'projects', but on those odd moments of the day, you turn-on that netbook, for some fun, but what you end up getting is pain. Especially, pain in your knees and shoulders. You are waiting a long wait. A series of waits! Waiting for Windows7 to start. Then for Google Chrome to launch. Then, the website. And finally, Chrome hangs. Ctrl+Alt+Del. "Please wait. Windows is restarting", is the reassuring message.

"There goes my 'fun' time", you cry.

Get a new OS. Move(ing) out of windows, so the title goes. People often comprehend this as "get a new computer, or better still, a shiny new tablet". A few days back, even I thought on these lines.

I was snailing my way on Windows 7, and thinking, "Heck, there must be some way out of here." Just a little look around, and voila! I first found Chromium OS (Google), then, MeeGo, from Intel, and finally, JoliCloud.

Three operating systems. Ready to be tried. Yummy. I learnt, that all of them were built up using the (free) Linux system.

Disclaimer: Linux signifies speed, and ugliness, in usually 1GB of an Operating system.

First: Chrome OS (the Google OS)

Chrome had to be fast. The concept behind chrome OS, dubbed Chromium, is this: a web browser, which starts real fast, and has web apps. So you are either online and using Chrome OS, or offline, and looking at a dumb browser, that can to do pretty much, nothing!

This is a serious flaw. There are times, and there are places, where you won't be connected to the internet. For all those situations, you would prefer good 'ol Windows (Seven).

Once installed, Chrome starts up in 30 seconds. That's pretty fast if you have arrived from the Microsoft system, where anything around 2 minutes wait is quick, while three to four minutes is the normal time we expect windows to be up and running.

So imagine, I want to just look up a Geology term on the internet. Or, I simply want to check my Facebook wall, and a few other websites, I follow regularly. In that situation, Chrome OS, would prove really handy. Cool!

Okay. Come back to reality. Chrome OS, once installed, loads fast. But here's the missing feature: speed. Its so unlike Chrome, which we have known for its sleekness, and agility. It stutters. Its like King George VI (the King's speech), without the speech therapy, of course.

I, I (huh) ...

Maybe, the problem lied on my side. Chromium is meant to be a built-in OS, and not an install-anywhere OS. In that case, Chromium's prospect look even worse. Imagine a computer, that has just one software; and that, a browser.

You are now that pitiful patient, reliant on the ventilator. The pitiful user, reliant on the internet. Dependent on constant connection.

Disconnected, and lost.

The ChromeOS is a suffocating place. So, lets get out of this hole.

Second: Meego (the intel OS)

Disillusioned by the stuttering Chromium, I started with Meego, with very little hope. I was in for a surprise; in fact, two surprises.

The first surprise

On first impression, Meego wins over you. The design is slick. Especially if you are one of those tablet design fans (ipad, etc).

Meego was slippery fast. Really fast. (I had to say that twice. Because that's how much its speed amazed me). It looked like a present from the skies: Music, simple system controls, built in Chrome browser, and email application. There were tons of other goodies as well.

But.. .

The second surprise

I was waiting for the catch, and here it was: meego did not remember my settings. Every restart meant that I started afresh: giving my wifi password, logging into mail, etc, etc. Not a single byte of my settings and preferences, were saved.

So, what was the deal instead: I had to install Meego to my hard drive, and not a 'handy' usb stick to use Meego without losing my preferences. A lightning bolt struck me (from the skies, again!).

Next, came the Intel disclaimer: "You can install Meego only as your primary Operating system". This meant that I had to forget windows, or say good bye to Meego.

I loved Meego. But it was time to part ways. Me Go(es).

Being without Windows is not possible. Intel should have known that.

Note: I went through many websites and forums, which claimed that it was actually possible to install Meego and Windows7 side- by-side. But the procedure was unofficial, and difficult, and I am a busy man, with lots of projects to work on.

Third: JoliCloud (the cloud OS)

Lets begin with some introduction first. The name: Joli (+Cloud), is a stupid name. Its an embarrassment to pronounce it in front of friends and family. "Hey, I am using Joli-cloud these days, instead of that slow Windows ..", and your friends look back at you with weird expression, with pity.

Next, the name has this Cloud with it. (Cloud refers to the use of internet space using high speed internet, as if it was your hard drive). What this means is: there are absolutely no apps. Whatever you get is a web site, which can, of course, thanks to Html5, behave like a complete application. Almost!

The installation of JoliCloud (oh I hate pronouncing that word, lets call it Jay Cee henceforth.), is refreshingly easy. After downloading the Jay Cee installation file, it was just a few clicks on Windows7, and deciding which drive to install the OS on, that I had a new operating system to play with. That's what the screen read.

(Note: JoliCloud intalls like just another software on your windows PC. So don't worry, the installation wont wipe the drive clean).

So I hit restart, and Jay Cee starts itself. 10 minutes of first time start up. Frankly, this is when, Jay Cee is actually beginning installation. What we did on Windows7 before the restart, was just the preparation for this installation.

Jay Cee lies in the same category as Chromium, and Meego. Its a Linux variation, and it starts up really quick. Mine starts in 25 seconds (and shuts down in three seconds flat)!

Once started. Jay Cee asked me to register for a JoliCloud account, or simply connect with Facebook. With the 'why bother attitude', I selected the connect with Facebook option. So I did not have to create a new account for a stupid sounding Operating system.

The fun began, when I learnt that Jay Cee had a few built in apps. That meant that I could work without the internet. They were: media player (VLC), photo editor (GIMP), and mail (thunderbird), and a pdf reader.

The interface was not as snappy as Meego's, but not as slow as Chromium; somewhere in between. That was fine for me.

A bundle of surprises awaited. First, I learnt that Jay Cee, is actually Chromium built into a Linux system. Confusion, confusion.

So, jay cee should have behaved exactly like Chromium did. No. It didn't. It was adequately fast. And this came as a surprise, since Chromium (see above), is just Chrome browser, while Jay Cee, is Chromium plus a little bit of Linux (ubuntu). It has an app store, with apps like Open office, etc.

Update: After a few days working on Jay Cee, I learnt that it could install all Linux apps. It supports the Debian format (.deb). So I was able to install: Google Earth, Picasa, Foxit PDF reader, plus my favourite other browsers: Opera, and Firefox.

Another surprise, was to learn that this built-in Chromium had no Flash. So much, as Html5 fans would call it dead, I realised that browsing without flash feels a tad empty. Think about being without youtube videos. Without educational, interactive, flash websites. Its when you don't have flash installed, that you realise its worth.

Again, there were solutions on the internet. Again, they were confusing, and difficult. I tried a few of the instructions to get Flash, but was in vain every time.

Update: A few days later, Jolicloud automatically updated itself, and this brought built-in Adobe Flash. Thank God.

End of story

I stopped. The testing of Operating systems stopped with Jay Cee (joliCloud). I have been using Jay Cee for browsing. Watching movies. And writing essays in a bare bones text editor. For all that, and a little more, its good.

Meego, had it been installed, would have been great. It was blazing fast, ~~and its Chrome browser had flash built in.~~

Note: Once in a while, all three: Chromium, JoliCloud, and Meego; froze, and a restart was required. This showed, that all of them were in the process of development, and by no means, stable operating systems (when compared to Windows).

Surviving but not succeeding

2011-05-30T03:47:00.001+05:00

There isn’t enough electricity. A lot of natural gas. Lots of money, with a select few. A lot of confusion, and uncertainty. Pakistan. Specially, Karachi, is one difficult place to live, to remain spirited and upbeat.

We have all the problems that any city in this country faces, plus, violence, and water shortage. There are the obvious thugs, guns and all. A lot of them.

Even more, we have those thugs which rob us out, in suits and ties. Educated thugs. They have got degrees to cheat us into lose-lose situations. Tuition centres, consultancies, hospitals.

Ethnicity.

The city is clearly divided. Each town is divided. On the basis of race, status, and religious affinity. Army areas, posh areas, slum areas, Pathan areas, Mohajir areas, Christian areas, and the list keeps going. This city is an incorrectly placed jigsaw puzzle. Its not a pretty mosaic. Its a metropolitan of problems.

It keeps running. How?

Yet, there is one thing which keeps this city running. Its people. The are durable. A lot like the ‘cockroach’. It survives the atom bombs of violence, electricity shortage, and traffic jams. Daily. Without giving in. The Karachiite, just keeps going on. The city keeps living.

However, just like that durable cockroach, the Karachiite, does not have anything special in itself. Its only speciality is its art of survival. You will find that the people living in the city may be good, but they are seldom, amazing.

Partly, this is because they are so transfixed on their day to day affairs. There is a serious dearth of long term vision. The end goal every Karachiite seeks is a better life. The focus, is never on the more revolutionary mission: better city.

Yes, there have been moments of brilliance. We have had campaigns like I own Karachi, and radio stations, like Apna Karachi, which have tried to capture, and enhance the essence of the city. We may have the Kara Film festival, the Kucha-e-Saqafat (Culture street), but en masse, this is a dead metropolitan.

The citizens, have learnt to live with it. This is a dangerous situation. An acceptance for mediocrity, leads to imminent failure. The Karachiite, has to stand up.

The Karachiite has to stand up.

He has to ensure that its education system is dynamic. He has to ensure that the examination system is fair. He has to have a leader. Someone to lookup to, in times of happiness, and in times of anxiety. A leader who meets the spirit of Karachi.

Again, there was this flash of brilliance. The city looked beautiful, heading towards prosperity. The city had a mayor, whom everybody looked up to.

Again, this was temporary. This leader had to leave. The city left wanting. Again, the Karachiites, continuing to brave out the tyrannies of Karachi.

Brave it out. Over, and over, again.

Tuition overdose

2011-03-10T22:29:00.000+05:00

Karachi. Lets get the facts straight. Around forty percent of the students at NED university give tuitions. That’s a big number. Almost all students in Karachi turn to tuitions after year 8 of their school. Hence, NEDians can earn as much as thirty thousand rupees every month.

I had once asked the position holder from our class, “Why do you give tuitions? And why do you charge for it? Education should be spread for free. It should not be used as a means to financial rewards.” His eyes sparkled, the way it used to sparkle when he used to literally drool over the thought of the opposite gender, and said, “We have some financial needs as well.”

Taking to tuitions

Students taking the tuitions say that they do not have good teachers at their schools. Their parents double agree.

So, is it a win-win situation. No. This may be a rude analogy, but kids coming out from the tuition process are like the artificial, domesticated chicken. They have got wings, but don’t know how to fly.

The education system is flawed. Our tutoring, constant tutoring, has made our kids dumb. They are painfully unoriginal. They are one hollow structure, full of disconnected equations, laws and quotations. The ultimate goal for this hollow being is that proverbial big house, luxury car, and a team of helpers. Whoever gets their, gets the crown.

The solution

For the time being, there isn’t any. The people of Karachi, (just being specific to a city), are not ready.They may walk the extra mile to get the most feature packed internet connection, the best Cable TV system. 99 TV stations, anyone?

Then, we make the extra investment. We build a house in a posh locality. Most Pakistani’s spend ninety percent of their income to build that dream home.

Finally, we unite. We unite to uphold the the Sanctity of Muhammad (SAW)’s name.

17 million people is a big crowd. Once they get going, it snowballs into a magnificent avalanche. Even the biggest of tyrants have to give in.

The problem is that we unite only on a select few issues. Most of the times, the issue at hand is more symbolic in nature, than rooted in reality.

The tutor

I asked Ali. “Why do (so many of ) my class fellows give tuitions?”. Ali gave an emotional reply: “Not everybody has wealthy parents. Therefore, some people have to start making money, even while studying.” And then, he fired the final bullet, “Not everybody has the luxury to go back home, and relax all day, sleeping.” He was pointing at me. (I can sleep 14hrs at a stretch.)

Now, to be of any financial help to the family, this poor kid will have to give four to five hours, daily, to get twenty to thirty thousand rupees home. You know what routine does that translate to:

8:00am – 3:00pm: NED university
5:00pm – 10:00pm: Providing tuitions ($)

Its a disaster. When is this kid going to sit down, and have that idle chat with the whole family? What about his hobbies? When shall he spend some time having fun with his friends?

Bing!

This tutor has a bright idea. He has found a way out: Party hard at the university, and then work hard at the tuitions. This is a simple, yet realistic plan, since NED literally awards degrees to all the students. Students have to put in some effort to fail over here.

Four years later, we see him, smiling with the degree in his hands. Its a superficial engineer that has been generated. Irony, of ironies; the society needs him. He is low on principles, and that is what all our Project contractors and government agencies need.
Good. So not only did this guy earn a lot of bucks while still a student, he is now going to get even more; bucket loads of money, waiting!

The next stages are the same old: the big house, a pretty wife, some kids, and that dream car.

Any problem?

Absolutely. Disillusionment. The feeling of uselessness. This money making machine gets tired of piling up money over money.

Where's the fun?

The hunger for material success has turned us into sadists. We leap at every opportunity to get some fun, be that at the expense of someone's emotions or physical health.

So today, it is deemed a real entertainment, when two people fight. The fun increases exponentially, as the number of people involved in the fight increase. Ironically, our religion preaches peace, and its a sin to set two animals fighting.

They look deep into people's personal lives; in search of some odd news to be verified.

Fun. None?

The parents can be the solution. In this whole tuition farce, parents are the most to blame. They are the one’s who feed this tuition system. They assume that by giving their kids the best tutor available in the market, they have done their job of parenting.

Parents, especially those oh-so-busy and am-so-rich, should understand that the reason the tutor is teaching your (spoilt) kid is purely financial; he is not on an education crusade. The tutor loses nothing if the kid grows to be an idiot. The parents would have a lot to loose then. Maybe, then they shall try to solve the issue with some more tuitions. More expensive tuitions.

Parents have to understand the psyches of the tutors. They have to realise that their kid may be getting all the good grades; but only after a little bit of cheating, and a lot of rote learning.

Ali disagrees.

He says that with the help of his tutor, a student can learn in 20 minutes, what he would have otherwise grasped in 3 hours, studying on his own.

Ali, for you, this is the movie, 3 idiots. A three hour movie, for you, in just one minute:

Friends: Raju + Farhan + Rancho
Farhan: Photographer
Rancho: Cool + Position holder
Place: University
Ending: Rancho= Scientist.

Just saved you two hours and fifty nine minutes.

Give me another chance

Loser. Should he bother to run?

2010-09-21T18:59:00.001+05:00

Imagine this race. Forty nine contestants, a two mile track. Imagine that one of the runner is instead in a car. The race begins. It would be hilarious to see the other forty eight runners vainly catching up with the car.

Now imagine that the track distance is increased to 20 miles. Not funny anymore. The person in the car shall reach earlier, safely, and without much effort. The rest shall reach the finish line physically and emotionally shattered.

The winner was already decided before the race. It was a race they should have opted out from.

Stop imagining. Now come to reality. It could be difficult to comprehend this race in real life. It simply doesn’t make sense; running catch up with a car. Totally absurd. Imagine an American Idol with a bad voice; or a Noble prize for an ordinary project.

Take a closer look.

You are part of this race. You are running as fast as you can. Sacrificing your time, health, and feelings in a bet to reach the finish line first. To claim the grand prize; the prize you deserve.

But alas! It is not a fair race. You are destined to lose. The worst part is that you didn’t have a choice. You couldn’t opt out of this (traumatizing) race.

Port this scenario to real life situation

The venue is the university. The grand prize: the first position. Gold medal, and then a great job. To get to the top, the student has to pass a series of tests. A fair competition, it appears.

The students work day and night. Some even keep working despite poor health, financial constraints. Loved ones may be lost in the way, but the student may not even have enough time to weep back to happiness.

The best years of their lives are spent out working on this race.

But alas! The race isn’t fair. There are certain people who can ‘drive’ their way to the top, with the slightest of efforts. Whereas the rest work their way to the top, they, instead, talk the way up.

Good PR. Period. Keep that intelligence, and hard work to yourself.

Loser! Why did you even bother?

The Charity show

2010-07-11T22:31:00.001+05:00

Let’s start from the car. A beggar comes in. A theater is in progress, except that the actors here are amputated or terminally ill. A knock on my car’s window, “Give, in the name of God”. The feeble beggar stares at me and then at his own troubled body. It is my father’s money, can I give it to her, give her a chance to smile?

Fast rewind. 1994, sixteen years back. I used to get two rupees as pocket money. I kept a rupee to myself and gave off the other to any beggar I met. I believed that I was helping the poor out. But this one rupee, daily stunt was between me and the beggar. Ask my friends, my family members about it, they wouldn’t be knowing. It was never a charity show. At times, I was so moved, that I would give off all two rupees. Believe me, the fun just doubled. I felt so happy.

Ever since completing my high school, my pocket money ended. Dad says, “You may take whatever amount of money you need, and yes, spend the money judiciously”. Hence, the concept: my father’s money. The money which I can spend judiciously.

Effectively, I don’t have my own money today. So the kid begging on my car’s window gets a sorry, always.

It is a paradoxical situation. I feel bad that I can’t help the needy anymore, but I (would) feel guilty of doing a ‘charity show’, if I give off money to the needy. I am damned, both ways.

The beggar leaves, with a sour look on its face. I stare ahead. There is this poster of a bearded guy, in bold captions, it reads: Mr. Ramzan Chhipa. His organization runs ambulances throughout Karachi, the way Edhi ambulances circulate the whole of Pakistan. Indeed, to save lives is a noble act.

However, what do you make of this larger than life wall poster of yourself, and a free ambulance service. It is charity, they say, but to me , it looks like cheap fame as well.

A logo would have done the trick, but no, this world is not in black and white, there are so many shades in between. Hence there is this great ‘free service’, plus self indulgence and cheap fame.

If it is in the name of charity, then let my name not be known. Let not the whole world be told that I, an individual, have done a favor to society by doing an act of kindness. Or even better, in the words of Muhammad (PBUH): "Let not the other hand know that you have given charity.”

Edhi. Chhipa. Gates foundation. USAID. Aren’t all these philanthropic organizations an instrument to gain popularity and fame. Can’t they do their nice work without the self-elating drumbeating.

Then, there is this counterargument: giving philanthropy the celebrity status would keep charity in vogue. The common man would strive to emulate the ‘kind’ Edhi, the Chhipa, the Bill Gates. The world needs role models. The world needs new Mother Teresas.

My argument is that this system of charity with social recognition is flawed. Bill Gates may be helping Africa rid Malaria, but his kind act is also giving his company a positive image, a much needed edge it wants ahead of Google, Apple, et cetera.

Check out their website. Its good.

Edhi, the Pakistani icon, lives in a plush house in Clifton (Karachi). He is a great man. That is what we have seen. We have been shown his niceness over and over again, on tv shows, at Radios, and in newspapers.

About edhi at edhi.org

And then there is Chhipa as well. “What a nice guy he is”, we all say.

I say top this rant. If you want to help the poor, do so quietly. What’s with his loud self-promotion. Can’t the Bill Gates foundation be named ‘the End-Malaria foundation’, or some other better, non-individualistic name? Can’t Edhi rename his ambulance service to some non-edhi name? Can’t Ramzan Chippa work without his portrait picture as his organizations brand logo?

Psst . . can we be nice without telling anyone? Can’t we hide behind our niceness?

Charity must go on, but this charity show must end.

Wanted: An Ideal Teacher

2009-11-29T03:01:00.001+05:00

Written by | Arif Samoon

The position for the ideal teacher is vacant. The applicant must be a dedicated, charming and influential teacher who has a keen interest in his subjects and students.

This ad should be placed in the dailies. It should be on billboards across the country. Especially by the science universities of Pakistan. The young energetic student of today wants to go deep into science. He wants to do things a different and better way. He has all the resources. He is well equipped with laboratories, computers, best selling textbooks, and has time at hand. And yet, there is a hush, a gut feeling that even they would become a Lost generation as-well. This is because the ideal teacher, the most vital ingredient of an education system, does not exist anymore.

A success story in the field of science comes after the marriage between the ideal teacher and his admiring student. For all those who read this analogy with a grin: Stop reading. This discourse is above your current mental level.

They say that the financial crunch killed the ideal teacher. I feel that the materialism has stabbed him to death. The teacher of today wants to sell his knowledge. He does not want to share or enjoy it with his disciples.

Everyday is just like any other day to him: "Breakfast, and then straight to my reputed college/university. The course outline for my subject hasn't changed for years. So I have got hold of last years lecture notes. Life's easier now. I transfer the notes to the blackboard, and being a good teacher, I read them out loud as well. My students transfer the notes to their lecture copies. In the end, we discuss the Paper pattern. We also discuss in detail a sure-fire Guess paper.

I don't know, but my students say that I am a good teacher.

Thanks to the good name of my university, I am a hot commodity even outside the campus. I am currently hired by a famous tuition center. They pay me well.

At night, I give home tuitions. Home tuitions are highly rewarding.

The day has ended. I am going to bed satisfied doing my job. In fact I have been so successful that today I live in a well furnished bungalow, in a posh part of the city."

Dear, oh Dear. What a sad being. From sunrise to sunset: no discoveries, no fun with sciences, only the piles of cash earned, which would satisfy nothing but the physical being. The sad part is that almost all teachers of Pakistan, across the 471 cities, 219, 805 schools and 116 universities, follow this life pattern. A day arrives when the heart stops beating. The teacher has passed away, but nobody cares. He led an ideal life, but was ideal for nobody.

Click here Complete Education Statistics of Pakistan

Most teachers would have stopped reading by now. My ideas would have disgusted them. After all, they have better things to do in life: Teach and earn. Earn then teach. Earn, earn. R.I.P.

They have missed reading the best part: "How to be an ideal teacher?"

An ideal teacher is one who has time for his students. He is in love with his field, and is working to make a good repute in it. This is his mission, not the money he earns from this.

His students love him for this, and he cares for them in turn. Never does he compete with them, nor does he silence a difference of opinion. His ego is asleep when he is teaching.

Soon, the ideal teacher finds the dedicated student. There is a marriage of ideas. Long, fulfilling experiments follow. New theories are put forward, outrageous looking laws proposed. Another success story has been added to the history of mankind.

Note: I had numerous real life examples as well, but being a student, a teacher's wrath could ruin my career. Certainly, not an ideal situation for an ideal student.

Technorati Tags: Ideal teacher,money and work,Arif Samoon,ned University,karachi

About the author

Arif Samoon is a Second Year student in Urban Engineering. He is also the editor of this blog.

Happiness

2009-10-19T20:04:00.026+06:00

Written by | Arificial Intelligence

A word, a feeling which has indeed become rare. Like everyone else, I too am in the unending race for having more in life. I am not happy; and take my word, neither is anybody else in this race.

Happiness. Is it spelled with a single 'p' or a double? Spell check should tell me, for I do not remember how to spell this word. It is hardly used. Back to the subject: Happiness, is a state of mind, and mood in the heart, which is satisfied. It is in a blissful trance.

Keep your maths away from life

Contrary to popular belief, happiness is neither directly proportional to the number of successes we achieve, nor inversely proportional to the amount of failures life puts us through. In fact, life is a punch in the stomach for the engineer, the mathematical. Their belief is,

RHS = LHS;

so if they add something nice to someone's life, they anticipate something nice would be added in return. This never happens, and that is why we see so many educated minds unhappy. It seems a waste to them to be nice for the sake of being nice. They are jubilant and joyous only when:

My successes > Their Successes.

May be, statistics could help. It says that the probability of this inequality being true is zero; correct to three decimal places. The problem is that 'Their Successes' implies that we compare our successes with an infinite number of people; most of these would be lousy, but a fair share would be competent as well. Just one person more successful than you, and this equation stares angrily at you. Now, you are happy no more.

The above analogy may seem absurd, but this fact governs our actions. All we have to do is stand in front of the mirror, shut all the windows and doors, and speak the truth to ourselves. Aren't we all ruining our lives following these equations of hate and pain. The mirror may lie as well, since we are mostly in a state of denial about our selves or have given grand terminologies such as competence, mission, et al, to it that we don't realize that we are governing our satisfaction levels using these equations.

I think I am being over-critical. Society today is not so bad after all. There are so many good things happening, both through my efforts and naturally forces, that I should rejoice for each and every one of them.

You always wanted an iPod, but could never afford it! Turn on the radio, your favorite is already on air. This could make you smile; you could qualify to be a happy person. It helps to enjoy what is at hand, than to whine for the absence of your dream, the impossible.

Here is another gem

The rich are happy, the poor are always in a state of misery. We always hear the rich being genuinely concerned about the miserable poor. The lady talks about her miserable maid. The poor woman has got to earn money, and then return home to do the cooking. Her husband beats her black and blue whenever she fails to yield money.

The guy talks about the poor security guard at his office. Earning a measly 8,000 ($129), he is malnourished, and his family is in doldrums. In between, their is talk of their kids:"Poor, stray kids, they have got no future", the rich exclaim with a heavy heart.

I call the rich to calm down and take a closer look into the lives of the poor. Observe them in their dwellings. It is ironic to note that they are one happy lot. The poor kid may not have the latest Xbox to enjoy first person shooting, but what he has with him is hundreds of outdoor games; a dozen of which he may have invented himself. He has the whole day to play. Surely, this must keep him happy.

The poor women may not have television sets to enjoy soaps, but what they have is endless gossip, a song for every occasion, customs and weddings. Even mournings are enjoyed as get together occasions. Missing are birthdays, sophisticated parties and anniversaries.

The guys. They have their thrilling donkey races, affectionate pigeons, and clandestine gambling on a game of cards. All this keeps them happy. And when they are not, they can always return home and beat up their wife. The wife can shout till the top of her voice. Kids would run away and play their games outside, while the people of the slum would gather in. Decisions would be made, gossip would circulate. Life continues, lots of happiness, a lot of days bad.

Still not happy? To keep us happy, is the promise of God. No matter which class of society, which age group, which religion or race you belong to, happiness will reach to you like your share of oxygen, naturally, or with the slightest effort.

Don't worry, be happy.

About the Author

The author is a Second Year student in Urban Engineering. He is also the editor of this blog.

Are you happy?

What makes you happy?

Why is everybody so sad?

Technorati Tags: Happiness,Arif Samoon,Poverty,Equations and life

Urban Engineer Logo

2009-09-09T00:46:00.001+06:00

A design by | Arificial Intelligence

About the Designer

The designer is a Second Year student in Urban Engineering. He is also the editor of this blog.

Do you like this logo?

How is the stitched version of the logo?

Designing. Is it the work of students?

Technorati Tags: Urban Engineer,NED University,Arif Samoon,Stictching,Logo,Karachi

CommuniCat 2009- A review of the Launch

2009-08-16T06:54:00.002+06:00

Written by | Arificial Intelligence

hey say that don't judge a book by its cover. This is so true for the book I have in hand at the moment. Not really a book, its actually a magazine; annual magazine to be exact.

CommuniCat 2009 was launched amid great hype at the NED Auditorium. There were sparks of maturity and professionalism, and gasps of amateur attempts. At one moment they looked spectacular in their confidence, style, lighting and visuals, at others, it was unbearable.

The start was special. Faisal Ahmed Jafri; a member of Team CommuniCat, gave an ideal start. As he galloped up and down the auditorium, he blew everyone away with the charisma, conviction and intent matching Mani's; and he did this in a soothing English accent; a rarity in Karachi.

Don't know their names, but theirs was a remarkable concept; at par with CNN, if not BBC.

He was asking simple questions from the Telecommunication crowd, like: "What is CommuniCat to you?", but the answers were often complicated and in grammatically poor English. Yet, with Faisal Ahmed Jafri, even that was a treat to the ears.

An announcement on stage: "We are proud to announce that the Vice Chancellor of NED University would start the proceedings fro the launch of CommuniCat 2009." Everybody cheered and clapped. Our Vice Chancellor, despite his feeble age, is a very charismatic person. His voice is a treat, it resembles that of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the father of the Nation.

A moments gap. Another piece of announcement, "This is to announce that the Vice Chancellor of NED University would arrive at the end of CommuniCat 2009 launch." What a mess. There was a hush of disappointed all over the hall.

Sohaib Tahir and Ms.Maham Khan, wearing the patriotic greens and white, took over. (Whatever Pakistan has to do with a Telecommunication's Magazine launch). Hitherto, the dressing, the delivery was fine, but Sohaib Tahir was not impressive. He sounded low on gas, and his Urdu accent for English didn't help either.

Click here for Team CommunicCat Photo

A refreshing change

Two orators from either side of the stage arrive with the start of a slide show, "The Making of CommuniCat 2009". Don't know their names, but it was a remarkable concept. Their presentation was at par with CNN, if not BBC.

They said that their first two attempts at launching the magazine had gone in vain. So they tried again, and were successful in launching the magazine on its second issue. There was a roar of claps.

The editor in chief of the magazine took over. He talked about the magazine, and their efforts in producing it. Whatever he said was spot on, but it was all in such a bored-down tone that no one bothered to applaud.

Then the Honourable Dean of Telecommunication Department, Professor was requested to share a few thoughts. From his awkward dressing, to his deplorable pronunciation, nothing was right. Sadly, he was a laughing stock; a matter of shame for Telecommunication's students. In his English, value became 'wallu', and two turned into a spitting 'thu'. Nevertheless, he had some facts to share:

The Telecommunication Department is ISO 9000 certified.
It has had 7 batches, out of which 3 have already graduated.
The PEC recognition is pending, but is highly expected to come this year.
There is a good demand of Telecommunication's engineers from Pakistan at places like Canada and the United States.

The ten minute speech end. It was like an hour of pain. A sigh of relief, like a crowd wave, passed around the hall.

Then the Dean aided by the Chief guest, officially launched the magazine by ribbon cutting. I couldn't get a glimpse because of the camera men (see picture to the right). Just look at the darkness. It looked like the last scene of a tragic opera.

A teacher of the Telecommunication department was next. This was a 180 degrees shift: Proper English, Cool walk, top notch dressing and an air of confidence. He had worked for Mobilink previously. So, lets call him Mr. Mobilink.

Mr. Mobilink began by saying that since he had a throat infection, he wouldn't speak for long. But when we started, he went on and on for 30 minutes. He was conveying the right point of seeing the potential in Telecommunication, but he was taking too long.

Actually the start was quite interesting. He talked about how bad the recession was, and how bad it would be for the telecommunication's industry. He asked us if we agreed. A boy stood up and said, "I don't agree with you." Everybody laughed at his foolishness. Mr. Mobilink asked him to explain his argument. He said, "Eighty percent of the foreign investment coming into Pakistan today is going into the Telecommunications industry. The industry is still going." A matter of seconds and the same people who called him foolish were clapping and cheering over his heroic reply.

The Vice Chancellor arrived, but wait a minute; wasn't he supposed to arrive at the end of the launch? Mr. Mobilink could have gone on and on about telecommunications and its potential, but the Vice Chancellor spoiled the show. Just a little more hunched than the last time I saw him, the Vice Chancellor climbed up stage and and began: "Whoever thought of the name, that is, CommuniCat, it is, indeed a very catchy name. I wish the magazine many successes in the years to come." The voice was clearly weak, no match for Mr. Jinnah's. I was really disappointed.

Nevertheless, he went on, "In the 1930s, when there was the Great Depression, my father said to me . . . .", after that I didn't get a word. It was as if he was talking in sleep; the voice dying out at the wrong moment.

1930s. Retirement, anybody.

A few more presentations, some reading efforts. Four twenty and the launching ceremony ended with an announcement by Faisal Ahmed Jafri , "Students, please be seated, as the VC and the Chief guest leave. The magazine shall be distributed once they leave."

The dignitaries left. No magazine. Another announcement, "The magazine shall be distributed at the counter. Please proceed to the counter." No this was mismanagement at its peak.

All in all, it was a good show. It had its ups, and it had its downs. I dream of launching my blog this way, someday.

The book was a souvenir for Telecom students only. Ali and I stood in line at the counter half scared, half excited; hoping to somehow get the magazine. The girl asked our roll numbers, Ali said 03, she scrolled the list looking for Roll Number 3, it was there. Ali got his copy of CommuniCat 2009. I was next. "Roll number 6", I said. She asked, "Second Year?", I nodded a yes to get my copy.

The magazine was in our hands. We couldn't believe it. We laughed all the way.

I decided to read and review the magazine, and place at at my blog. Also, I felt guilty of taking Roll Number 6's copy. It was his souvenir. I must return and review this magazine before it is too late.

About the author

The author is a Second Year student in Urban Engineering. He is also the editor of this blog.

Were you present at the book launch?Share your thoughts then.

What are your thoughts about CommuniCat 2009?

Launching magazines. Is it the work of students?

Technorati Tags: CommuniCat 2009,Telecommunications,NED University,Arif Samoon,Magazine Launch,Team CommuniCat

A Different Rule for a Different People

2009-07-26T15:42:00.000+06:00

Written by | Arificial Intelligence

ne of those days where I can't sleep. My knees are sour, head aching, but it is still impossible to sleep. A person has been wronged. How could I go to sleep?

A career could be saved or lost. Action could be taken. But are we bothered?

I believe that my timely intervention might bring justice. At best the boy would be treated fairly; at worst, I shall face harshness. As I lie on my bed, I ponder over the issue.

My eyes are burning,but the heart is beating so fast that sleep, though inevitable, looks distant. A gush of emotions: I imagine myself storming into the Chairman's office, blurting out the whole case and demanding justice. A moment of sanity and I am writing anonymous letters pleading a reconsideration of the whole case.

The boy's been penalized for 14 lectures. His crime: perpetual disobedience, and a cause of trivial irritation. Is this a crime big enough to cost 14 lectures (25% of a year-full of study)? Besides, what good would this penalty do. The boy may decide to 'enjoy' the punished free periods, or he may decide to revolt. Since the system is to rigid, he would revolt against himself, and his education. He may never say it, but his whole being would be blurting out,"The hell with this engineering!"

A better penalty could be to plunder him with extra assignments. This way he may be re-connected with his education.

Click here to see the cartoonic version.

And Yes...

There are students who are much worse than him. They are most unruly; the cause of constant chaos. Is it then a case of a different rule for a different people.

A career could be saved or lost. Action could be taken. But are we least bothered? (I fear not. Please prove me wrong, and stand up for whatever is the right way).

Maybe, I can sleep now.

*Names and intricate details have been omitted to protect privacy.

About the author

The author is a Second Year student in Urban Engineering. He is also the editor of this blog.

Whose fault is it anyways?

Is there anyway in which this guy could be helped?

Tell us your story when you were treated indifferently by a teacher.

Technorati Tags: Injustice,NED University,Unfair,Arif Samoon,Teachers

Cheated

2009-06-14T19:04:00.000+06:00

Written by | Arificial Intelligence

feel robbed; as if someone has taken from me all my property. Just an adolescent, what could my property be? It is the recognition which follows hard work that I have been robbed off. Below is the FIR.

7 May: The Test

It was a jolly news for all my classmates that the test paper has leaked. Fine, the paper is out, but everybody was clueless on how to solve it. An intelligent boy had to be approached. It is a matter of pride that I was approached. It is a matter of even greater pride that I declined to help them.

Nevertheless, they got hold of another intelligent chap. He, with the help of textbook, notes, and intelligence, solved the entire test paper.

Lovely. So now, not only do we have a leaked paper, we also have the leaked solution. A sigh of relief. This could have been an otherwise impossible test to pass. Everybody thanked God. It would have been more fitting had they thanked their evil minds and the devil. What has God to do with this cheating business?

20 May: The Result

I was damned. My class rank had fallen from 'top 5' to 42, and there are only 45 students in the class.

The test result is announced. More thanksgiving. God has saved them their grace, they said. But would their God have done this: 60% marks awarded to those who had not seen their notes prior to the test, and 20% marks awarded to those who prepared for the test. Again, I take pride, being in the latter category, because as a Muslim, I believe that cheating is a sin. Those in the former category, continue celebrating your success, but remember the Hadith:

"He who deceives is not one of us." According to this Hadith, the person who cheats is not a Muslim.

I was damned. My class rank had fallen from 'top 5' to 42, and there are only 45 students in the class.

On the same day, the dreaded Linear Algebra test was leaked. An intelligent lad solved it and provided photocopies of the solution, with his name as a footer. He turned into a hero.

27 May

Everybody scored a 100% in the test. As a matter of fairness, and faith, I stayed away from the leaked paper and its graciously distributed solution.

I had been preparing for this test from mid-January, while they worked on the 'leaked' paper for a few hours. I got a shameful 50%, they, a shining 100%.

Loser. That is what this place and system was making out of me. I was completely disheartened. I scrolled my options; what could I do,

1. Join them in this cheating for the next test (this tip was given by a trusted friend).

2. Tell the teacher about the 'leaked' paper.

I decided on the second option. The happy guys found out that I was to talk to the teacher. So they scared the hell out of me. One man against 44; I was not prepared for a suicide.

Option three was created:

3. No more friendship with these guys. And by the way, where was/were my friend(s) when they were scaring the hell out of me.

Option three seemed fruitful. At least one person said that he was willing to withdraw from this cheating and tell the teacher the truth. Phew! Only 43 more to go.

Option 3: Continues . .

From the pious (read: bearded and praying) muslim, who could talk with flair on religious issues, to the care-free, just-for-the-sake-of-it muslim, there was no one who said that this cheating thing was wrong. Instead, I was told that it was my fault that I opted not to cheat.

My class rank has dropped to 44. I have been cheated; my rank has been robbed. I am in desperate need for help.

About the author

The author is a Second Year student in Urban Engineering. He is also the editor of this blog.

What should I do?

Is cheating in tests allowed in Islam?

Is a degree based on cheating, Haraam or Halaal?

Technorati Tags: Cheating,NED University,Unfair,Arif Samoon,Exams,Test

2009-05-03T05:37:00.001+06:00

Death

2009-04-23T07:11:00.000+06:00

Written by | Arificial Intelligence

ne thing is for sure: I would never be old enough to talk about death. Not even on the death bed. But I have been holding on to this topic for the last fifteen years, always censuring my thoughts about death, reminding myself that ‘I am still not mature enough.’

The first trigger came fifteen years ago. I was humming a tune and tip-toeing childishly into my friend’s house when a voice from inside shouted: “Stop right there, and return to your home.”

My grandfather had passed away; but my early childhood had made me so cold that I didn’t even feel sad.

Childish curiosity; I managed to get a peek into the house. A shiver went through my spine. I had just seen a dead body; pale white, and bare. A sad yet sober guy was pouring water on it. Only 6 years old, I was now scared of death.

Two years later we went to meet my mother’s ailing aunt. She was terminally ill; some said the reason was here knee injury, others said it was cancer. Whichever way, she was lying on her bed, ‘waiting’ for death, or that is what people thought she thought. Two years ago I head seen a dead man, and now, a woman on her death bed, shrunk to a mere three feet. What an ideal childhood!

Enter Y2K, my Uncle passes away. His 7 children are stranded. They have lost hope. Nobody chips-in to help the orphans; just a few tears and advices to offer. Thirteen, I just didn’t understand what was God up to.

2003, my father calls me at my hostel and passes the telephone to my mother. I could sniff trouble. My grandfather passed away; but my early childhood had made me so cold that I didn’t even feel sad.

Grandpa; the guy with whom I had spent my early childhood, the breakfasts at sunrise and wearing of surma to improve eyesight; the play at his shop, and his evening gifts. These memories scrolled in my head; golden memories, and yet my heart was saying “So what?” on his death. I couldn’t believe my behavior.

The second trigger to express my feelings came last year. A cheerful, smiling, cute Harris lost his father. I bunked my electrical class to join my other 5 class mates who were to meet and console Harris.

Damn! Again that same feeling; I just don’t feel sad for Harris. Meanwhile, the other five members expressed their utmost grief for Harris. Okay, so these people are extremely nice guys, and I am the only bad one. Whatever! I keep wearing my smile. Ali is irritated. He said that I was acting arrogant; I should feel for the fatherless boy.

As we reached Harris’s flat, we learned through his grandfather that Harris had just left to put his father to rest. So there was now at least one hour to spare. So we went to a nearby hotel; had a jolly lunch, took stylish pictures. Coke, giggles and taunts; one hour passed very quickly.

As we returned, it was school time; the last nail on the coffin; staring and pointing at school girls. I was stunned at their behavior, so lost that a speeding Hi-roof Toyota nearly drove over me; Azeem pulled me out at the last moment.

We have returned to Harris’s house. There are six of us, five good guys with gloomy faces, and one terrible guy; he is still smiling. From the flat arrives a red, angry looking, yet hopeless Harris. His flat shoulders have dropped low. With difficulty, he is balancing his weight on his toes; it seems that in just one tragic day, he has forgotten how to stand.

All the nice five guys hug and console Harris, they pray for his late father. The sixth one, still smiling, only hugs. Harris had his eyes fixed on the floor. He may never know which of his friends bunked their classes to be with him at this hour of need. Everybody stood still for five minutes; Harris still balancing his weight on his toes; he can barely stand. We bid him farewell. His eyes are still on the floor. It appeared that Harris shall never recover.

Meanwhile, there was the Annual Urban dinner at night. The five nice guys, the bad one, plus all the batches of Urban and Infrastructure Engineering met, and had a hell of a party.

I still keep my mouth shut. I still don’t know what death is for a person.

The last trigger came last Saturday. Enough is enough, I said to myself. I just had to discuss death.

The final trigger

A girl from the Karachi University bus is crushed to ‘death’ by another Karachi University bus as she fumbles and falls from the door. 11:30, it was common news, that she was from our University, and Saboor’s class fellow.

Click here to know how the tragedy took place and here for NED's transport state.

I am again in argument with Ali. I tell him that it is no big deal that a person dies from a bus accident. He tells me that a crime has been committed, and as NEDians, we should rise to protest, he adds that it could be me killed by a bus, if things remain the way they are. Everybody else also echo his notion that indeed it is a sad day.

Not again. One bad guy, and thousands of protesting, good guys. Ali finally persuades me into becoming a good guy. So now we have one thousand and one good guys. Yahoo!

The protest begins at 12. It was scorching heat, a few more 'poor' girls could have died of heat stroke. Placards were raised above the heads and slogans chanted:

· Change your policy

· KU F*

· No more kills

Ali asked me, "Have you brought your camera?". I said that I didn't know that a girl would die today, and we would have to stage a protest."

People started asking each other if the Tv guys had still arrived or not. Their mouths were watering at the thought of coming on national television. So the nice guys tucked-in their shirts, parted their hair, and raised slogans for the 'poor' girl, anticipating for the camera. Finally, they are filmed for primetime, and photographed for front page slots.

Update: Ali said that he indeed did come on Samaa Tv. I wish I could get hands on that footage.

Click here to see the 'unofficial' protest video

Bottom line

According to the Reader's Digest's "How to Live with Life", Death is often more relieving than painful. It is a solution and not a problem. Moreover, the pain a dying person seems to be in is and exaggeration. Scientists have observed that as the brain shuts down, reception to pain decreases. So when we see a dying person, we are only seeing involuntary movements of the departing body, there is 'no' pain is involved.

Yet, the accepted notion is that death 'is' quite painful. The spirit wrecks havoc with the body's nerves as it comes out of the body.

Both theories about death may be right, or maybe a third theory is actually the correct one. But does it matter: Do we have a choice not to die? What we can do is to change our reaction to death:

· Stop fearing death, it will come when it will come.

· Be prepared. Discuss it.

· Don't fake sadness when an XYZ dies; you will only look bad in the end.

About the author

The author is a Second Year student in Urban Engineering. He is also the editor of this blog.

Why do we cry when people die?

How do you think a dying person feels like?

Everyday, tens of people die in Swat, Afghanistan and Iraq. Why don't we protest against these killings?

Technorati Tags: Ali Mushtaq,CIS Girl Killed,Karachi University Bus,NED,Death

A case of Exploding Mangoes

2009-04-15T07:21:00.001+06:00

Written by | Arificial Intelligence

mazing. This is the first time I have actually been addicted to a book: finished it in only two weeks. Kudos to the author, he has penned a very believable novel, gushing with details and emotions.

What takes the book a part form the rest is the pacing of the story. Two stories, apparently disconnected are discussed with literal fervor in alternating chapters.

Initially, it is very confusing to join the dots between the current and preceding chapter. The start is especially difficult, so much so that it becomes a chore in itself to continue reading. Hence a vast majority of people, who would have bought the book amid its hype in the print media, would have dropped it into the closet, or given it to a distant friend as a birthday gift, after reading only the first two chapters.

Agreed, the start is in fact quite tasteless. The book begins with the “STATEMENT” that the hero of the book gives to his officer for a misdeed. Long and tasteless, it should have been truncated to a digestible paragraph; or even avoided completely.

Come chapter 2, the novel makes a tangent. Now we are talking about the man who has ruled Pakistan for the last 11 years. From the Air Force Academy of chapter 1, we are now at the Presidential Palace.

Click here for the official book review

Welcome to Chapter 2

The atmosphere has changed. The issues at hand are completely different. It’s a wind of change. Hence the writing style changes as well.

The average reader drops the book at this moment to pursue more interesting jobs at hand; gardening, math assignment, or that science project; the curious waits for the characters to bloom, to become more intense.

I was curious. So I kept reading. I always wanted to know about the Zia regime. The regime about which all I have heard was that it was an oppressive tyranny. No stories to share; absolute silence. So bad is the taste in the mouth of those people who witnessed this regime.

And yet, here I have this book: 295 pages, 595 Rs/-, about the last two weeks of the Zia regime.

Click here to listen to the author

Despite the immaturity of the author; despite the redundant swearing; despite the atheist outlook, his heartless jokes at the first lady; I continue to read.

It is indeed like observing a tennis match: Sampras-Agassi, Sampras-Agassi. In alternate chapters: the adventures of the hero, and in between, the tragic last days of our President. Keep reading. Shigri (Hero)-Zia, Shigri-Zia.

This setting makes for an interesting read. One yearns to read chapter after chapter to see what the villain is doing when the hero is in trouble in some other part of the country; and vice versa. The curiosity takes one roller coasting to chapter 32. The hero is face to face with General Zia.

Like all good stories, one of them has to die. Read the book to know who meets death, and which one has the last smile.

Final Words

4 stars out of 5; it could have been 5 stars had the author avoided the swearing and impolite analysis.

About the author

The author of this review was only 1yr old when the Zia regime ended.Currently, he is a Second Year student in Urban Engineering and is also the editor of this blog.

What are your memories of the Zia regime?

Was this book review helpful?

Is the this novel just another cooked-up idea?

Mehran University Rocks

2009-02-21T13:38:00.000+05:00

Written by | Arificial Intelligence

t was the re-union of all the batches of Mehran University, Jamshoro. The University's Vice-chancellor started the proceedings. It was a long reading effort.

"People say that he reads this speech at every occasion."

Then it was the turn of the President of Mehran Alumni to 'read' his speech. It was comparatively well-written, but the accent was outrageous. Nobody listened to him either.

Speech excerpt

"Now I would like you to listen to some blood dripping from our hearts."

Click play to see the video.

It was now time to award the most prolific engineers of Mehran University. The guy announced, "The first award goes to Engineer Ibrahim Samoon." That's my father. I never new that he was such a high achiever. I turned on the camera and taped the historical moment; dad receiving his award from the Chief guest, and heavy applause from the crowd. I was stunned in disbelief.

The award ceremony ended, and I didn't even know.

Snaps before dinner

The secretary of Mehran alumni, in his terrible accent, announced the commencement of dinner. Ladies first; then the chief guests and finally the rest of the crowd.

It was a sorry state at dinner. Engineers, dignitaries and respectable members of the society all pushing each other to get hold of the best [and biggest] part of the chicken. Cold drinks were taken in seconds. Water was avoided.

There was one guy who took 6 pieces of chicken, that's around half a kg. I stared long into his face, but he was least bothered.

Amid this pushing and pulling, I managed to get a single piece of chicken; although things looked so bad that I thought I might have to compromise with pieces of roti [bread] only. 2 glasses of water. Enough! I was done with dinner; I was not mentally prepared to shove and shrug people to get hands on food. I am indeed not the man from the cave.

Time for some music. My brother and I came back early from dinner; the guitars and drums guys were still jamming. They played the same tune over and over again, for twenty minutes.

When their jamming ended the anchor of the show arrived. He introduced us to the guys on the drums and guitars; they called themselves: Craze Band. Of all the 144,000 words from the dictionary, one had to be significantly insane to choose 'craze' as a name.

The first singer arrived. She was at least 30. Yet she acted as if she was a rocking teenager. Maybe some weight loss could have done the trick. It is a terrible sight to see people not acting their age. Absolutely unbearable.

Meanwhile, she started singing. The vocals were weak, but her energy got the crowd going, especially the young ones, who danced, out of tune, like nuts.

After 3 songs, it was duet time. She called up on stage her co-singer. And together they butchered the catchy 'teri ore'. The guy had a relatively better voice, but it was never a match for Rahat Fateh Ali Khan's.

That was her last song. Thank God. Again the anchor of the show arrived. He went: "Now I would like to call upon Khawar Riaz. Khawar has a way with words. His is witty. Extremely successful, he has done many voice overs and skits for GeoTv. Now please put your hands together for Khawar Riaz."

A minute passed. There was no sign of Khawar Riaz coming. So the anchor spoke up, "Khawar Riaz is me". The entire hall giggled with laughter. Some street quality comedy followed: Fauji, Pathan, Memon. Hah! Very funny.

He then called upon the guy who had done concerts in the toughest of places; even on Siachin Glacier[19,000 ft]. He is leading a charitable organization, which builds schools for poor children.

From backstage to center-stage, came a guy with a sleepy face, and jumbled hair. Yet, the attitude was sky high. It was Shehzad Roy.

Shehzad Roy Talks about the University's high class look.

Entrance view of Mehran University from my car.

He wore his guitar on, adjusted the mike to his own height and said, "As I entered the university, I was amazed to see the infrastructure. I never knew such a high class university existed in Hyderabad [actually, Jamshoro]."

The crowd cheered. He had come here with a price tag of 450,000 Rs/-, and it was worth every penny. His voice sounded excellent, just like the one on the CD; not even a sinle instant of the voice wavering. Song after song, he kept on singing, for almost an hour. He also sang his super hit "Laga Reh [Keep Going].

Shehzad Roy left. The guitars, piano and tambourine were replaced by tabla and harmonium.

People leave as guitar and piano are replaced by harmonium and tabla

With this scene on stage, the auditorium went half empty. They had no taste for classical music. People left as if Shahid Afridi had just got out.

Two old guys arrived. I had already seen one of them; remember the guy who ate 6 pieces of chicken. They did their jamming, tha thak thai.

Khawar Riaz returned to announce the arrival of a singer who is touted to be the next Lata Mangeshkar. The two guys were still busy jamming; tha thak thai. Khawar Riaz asked the table nawaz [player] to play out a tune. When the tune ended, he joked, "The animal from whose skin this tabla is made must be writhing in pain."

Urdu

The audience cheered with laughter; the tabla nawaz went red with anger. Finally the next Lata Mangeshkar arrived; two books in one hand, and eyes fixed on the floor. There was little space between the two musicians, so she stood, staring at the floor for a quite a while. Finally she sat.

The next Lata Mangeshkar?

She looked too young for the task, but the moment she started singing, pin drop silence prevailed. The voice 'was' indeed as strong [and squeaky] as that of Lata Mangeshkar's.

Song after song, she sang, reading the lyrics from one of the two books. There was no air of confidence. It appeared as if she was humming to herself. And with the two books open in front of her, it appeared as if she was solving her home work. Nevertheless, there was heavy applause, I dare say, even more than that given to the guy who had charged 450,000 Rs/- for the night.

After thirty or so minutes, her quota of songs was fulfilled. She book-marked both her books and left. One of the musicians paused her to wave to the audience. She waved, still staring at the floor.

It was time for a lucky draw. The secretary of Mehran alumni, yes, that guy with the terrible accent, announced the winners.

Next in line was a Sindhi singer. He was a hit with the crowd. A strong voice, confidence, and the poetry of Latif; it was a perfect setup. However, it was getting late now. So we left for home, and throughout the two hour journey the vivid events of the night scrolled around the eyes. Dad received an award. Saw Shehzad Roy live in concert. Listened to the next Lata Mangeshkar. And yes, saw many Sindhi people: Ada, Adi, Chokro, Chokri.

About the author

The author is a Second Year student in Urban Engineering. He is also the editor of this blog.

How do you compare Mehran with NED University?

Why do we fight for food in ceremonies?

Who is your favorite Pop artiste?

Technorati Tags: Mehran,Alumni,Khawar Riaz,Geo,Lata Mangeshkar,Shehzad Roy,Teri Ore

Some Good News, and Some Bad

2009-02-17T07:09:00.000+05:00

Written by | Arificial Intelligence

las life is not so straight forward. What I may call good news could be bad news for a people who view things from a different perspective. Care has been taken to ensure that these people are not offended by the following article.

The Good News

The good news is that we are celebrating one thousand and fifteen views since the blog started officially in August, last year. By all parameters, that is one feat.

Zooming into the visitors statistics, we find that the figure is after all an exaggeration. Not that 1,015 views have been registered; the number is bloated 4 figures because half of the visits have been for 00:00:00 Minutes; accounting for Google image search.

Now say another 150 views come from my very close friends. And now do the math: Only 350 views. Divide this figure by the blog’s age, and the answer is 1 view per day.

‘One view per day, just one. Is this something to be celebrating?

You guessed it wrong. The team at Arificial Intelligence celebrates this figure. Because this ‘one’ person spends around 12 minutes on the blog; a screaming statement that:

“We are being read, and followed daily.”

The Bad News

This part is a tad boring: Confessions; guilt; apologies and promises.

The idea of creating a blog was to write weekly, but what eventually turned out was that I came out with articles on fortnightly and even monthly basis.

It was as if I had forgotten how to write an essay; 7 paragraphs, a theme and some new ideas. Amid the CSS, the html coding and the concise javascripts, Arif the Writer was being strangled to death.

Short of words, I looked up to my Guest writers to chip in. My incapacity to write had demoralized them, and they too couldn’t produce anything for the blog.

So that is pretty much the bad news: I have lost my writing flair.

Life is still the same as in those good ol’ days: Interesting bits and boring blocks: Bad news that I can’t report this all.

About the author

The author is a Second Year student in Urban Engineering. He is also the editor of this blog.

What do you think of this blog?

Do you have any suggestions?

What is the role of this blog in society?

Technorati Tags: arif samoon,ned university,good news,bad news,apologies,blog stats

Trip to Abdullah Shah Ghazi

2009-02-09T08:05:00.000+05:00

Written by | Arificial Intelligence

Mohatta Palace. That’s what we were told would be the destination of our second trip. The bus went all the way to the other corner of the city, the sea shore.

We dropped at Abdullah Shah Ghazi's Shrine. A public service message went out from Najeeb Shamsi:“Take care of all your belongings.”

For an afternoon with scorching heat, there was a huge crowd at the shrine. A few among them mischievous with their long hair, stripped white and rolled by the action of time, while the rest of crowd was the lower class . They all had an earnest, focused look on their face as they climbed the 100 or so stairs up to Abdullah Shah Ghazi's Shrine.

As the stairs ended, its corresponding dusty aura ended. Rose scented building began. In part it looked like a shrine, in part like a mosque with people praying and in part; I dare say, like a mandir, with symbolic gestures strewn across the building.

Mandir, mosque and a shrine. It made a horrible cocktail. Meanwhile people continued to enter. The center of attraction was of course the grave of Abdullah Shah Ghazi. We entered the room where the saint lay.

Again a perplexing scene lays before me. Men and women, in squeezing space, offering prayers for the blessed saint. Just give me a break. Doesn't Islam enforce a certain distance between men and women; except during Hajj.

There is a continuous influx of people into the room. So one had to come out quickly; quickly praying and offering nazrana (charity) on the grave. I did none of this, and was pushed out of the room as I stared at the golden plate hanging on one wall of the room.

Just four minutes ago we had climbed up and now we were climbing down.

As we took our shoes back from the shoe-keeper, tada, the trip ended. Aisha announced that she was feeling psychological irritation at the place; so she was brought back to the bus.

Meanwhile Sadia said she did feel an essence of spirituality at the place, especially where the saints grave lay. She was emotionally disturbed because she did not offer prayer at the grave. As these ending conversations were going, the mischievous guy, with the white stripped curly hair let out:"Haq Allah (God is the only truth.)" It was a call for alms. Noman searched his pants left and right, and finally gave the guy a few coins.

But we had not yet seen the claim to fame of Abdullah Shah Ghazi: The Spring (Chasma), which God gifted his great worshipper when he was thirsty. So I begged my teacher to show it to us as well.

Exactly. The picture on the right is not very clear. That is because the well was bounded by a wall-like boundary with only a few wholes.

A water suction pump was attached to the spring (chasma), which provided water to the administration of Abdullah Shah Ghazi Shrine and the people visiting it.

It all looked like a cooked up story, and their is popular belief that such places are used as silhouettes by the slave industry to trade women.

About the author

The author is a Second Year student in Urban Engineering. He is also the editor of this blog.

What do you know about Abdullah Shah Ghazi?

Do you believe in sainthood?

What is the role of such places in society?

Technorati Tags: abdullah Shah Ghazi,Shrine,spring,Arif Samoon,NED,Urban Engineering,Karachi

Side Effects on Change of Technology

2009-02-08T16:31:00.000+05:00

Written by | Nabeel Fazil

In the same category: Education: Pollution and Saboor's COT

So,finally the strength of the class is 49; 11 cods this time. The record was quite better as compare to past few years. I was actually among those 11 students who decided to change their discipline.

There are many questions asked by my urban class mates that why have I decided so. I was even criticized by some of my friends, I think this blog is the best place where I can speak my heart out !

As a matter of fact , it was all my decision to change my discipline. I don't want to blame anyone for that. After the change of discipline(COD), I expected my former friends (so-called friends) that after my arrival to civil department we would continue our so-called friendship, but was quite surprised and shocked by their behavior. They were actually trying to ignore me. I actually changed my discipline in order to continue with my friends that have already switched to civil dept.

The very first day I was made to realize by my previous so called friends that my friendship was worth no more for them. It was my very first day in the class, and in just few hours I realized that my decision was too wrong. Anyhow, I accepted the fact and started the whole new process again (the same that I did in 1st year). New faces ,new people, strangers all around. But the main difference was that no one was actually accepting me as their classmate, and to date they still haven't.

No matter what happens, I still wanted to be part of the previous class. Now I always try to be with my urban friends as much as I can . I was still confused about my decision but last visit to Clifton (Abdullah Shah Ghazi Shrine) with my Urban friends was so depressing for me. The classmates kept on pointing me, as if they don't even know me . The very Last words said by a guy of class urban when I was getting off the bus, was quite shocking and embarrassing for me. He thinks that the bus gets so crowded just because of 2 Civil , 1 CIS and 1 electrical department students. These were actually his previous classmates, and he warned us that he will complain to the Class Advisor if we joined them in the next trip. He named one of his civil best friend and said if he's not a part of this trip then who are you guys. He sounded way too rude and I was feeling ashamed of myself that I considered them in my past days.

I can be rude to him as well, but my situation doesn't allow me to do so. Probably,this was my last trip with all of my friends of urban (as if few people don't want me to be a part of 'their' class). In the end, I would like to apologize to my urban friends for several reasons which I have mentioned above. I wish all the urban students a great future.

Do remember me in your Prayers.

Adieu

About the author

The author is a Second Year student in Civil Engineering. He was previously a student of Urban Engineering.

Whose at the wrong side of the issue, Nabeel or SE Urban students?

What are your memories of Nabeel?

Any advice that you would like to give him?

Technorati Tags: Change of technology,CIS,Urban Engineering,NED University,Nabeel Fazil,Xhaustive

Letter to Urban Engineers

2009-01-19T15:53:00.000+05:00

Written by | Abdul Saboor

By the same author: Education: A Line Between Poverty and Prosperity and Pollution

It was the 19th of January; I went to my class in order to attend the lectures. When I arrived there an announcement was made by Sir Ashar, our class advisor that there is a call for me from admin office.

I, within no time understood that it was continuation to what I have done at the time of submission of my annual form. Four months ago, on the wish of my parents I had submitted the COT (change of technology) form. Though I was not in favor of any kind of change as after passing one year I was able to adjust myself at urban Engineering and I was not in condition to adopt to any new environment. We may say that now there was some attachment among me and my class mates. But despite that I went there at admin office but was so nervous that I could not go inside as I still, could not decide what is better for me. Should I accept or quit? After passing one hour outside admin I finally decided to go inside.

When I entered admin office, a guard who was standing there stopped me and asked where are you going? I replied I have come to know about my COT. First he did not allow me but when I told him about the call, he gave me the green signal and said,”Go to room no ‘35’”.

Room no 35. what is going to happen there? What may if they say your COT is impossible? And in case if they say your COT is confirmed, what are you going to do? What about my friends who in the time of lurch, joy, sorrow accompanied me?

These all thoughts were wandering in my mind. Meanwhile I arrived there, there was one man sitting beside me he asked are you going to change your technology or not? I said I have not decided yet. He said then why did you apply for COT? Silence spread, and I could not reply. All the time I was in the process of thinking that what should I do? And suddenly yes was the answer . I was surprised that what have I said and why? I had no answer. He gave me a form and asked me to sign it. I unintentionally signed it. He allotted me with a new roll no. Infact allotted me with new environment, new friends, new class. I was perplexed and went to hostel. On the one hand I was able to make some people happy by taking this decision and on the other hand I . . . .

The next day it was all new, I deceived myself by remembering the words said by my former department’s Dean that 'Never look behind, if you have got challenge accept it and complete it'. With this spirit I started mixing with my new companions.

But yesterday, when I went to my older friends after their classes had finished, I could not control myself and got nervous. Tears were about to fall, but I just took pardon and went to my room.

For the rest of the day I remained really sad.

I, from the bottom of my heart, am sorry to all my friends. I have not written this to justify my COT, but have written this to share my thoughts with my friends again, though the way is different but the feelings are same.

About the author

The author is a Second Year student in CIS. He was previously a student of Urban Engineering.

Was it a correct decision to choose CIS over Urban Engineering?

What are your memories of Abdul Saboor?

Any advice that you would like to give him?

Technorati Tags: Change of technology,CIS,Urban Engineering,NED University,Abdul Saboor

NED FE-URBAN Result

2008-12-02T16:28:00.010+05:00

Tabulated by | Arificial Intelligence

By the same author: Digital Revolution. Really? and I Wake Up

On Dec 02, 2008, the result for the First year if Urban and Infrastructure engineering were announced. Below is the Column Chart followed by the complete list (sorted according to marks). For the Official result click here.

Technorati Tags: arif Samoon,Junaid,NEd Result,University,Karachi

Place your mouse over the names to see image

Rank	Roll #	Name	Marks	Percentage
1	12	] body=[Junaid Qureshi]">Junaid	1304	86.9%
2	33	Asra Nasir	1230	82.0%
3	25	Syed Ubaid Ullah	1229	81.9%
4	22	Tehmina Urooj	1226	81.7%
5	43	Atique ur Rehman	1209	80.6%
6	32	Harris	1197	79.8%
7	2	Efrah Ahmed Khan	1175	78.3%
8	11	Shoaib	1174	78.3%
9	10	Sabahat Jawed	1164	77.6%
10	30	Ayesha Ayub	1163	77.5%
11	48	Sara Imran	1145	76.3%
12	8	Waqar Fatima	1140	76.0%
13	18	Summaya Noor	1138	75.9%
14	19	Asma Anum Hashmi	1131	75.4%
15	6	Muhammad Arif Samoon	1126	75.1%
16	27	Usama Fareed	1103	73.5%
17	52		1097	73.1%
18	47	Imad Mohsin	1092	72.8%
19	38	Waqas Naeem	1088	72.5%
20	24	Abdullah	1073	71.5%
21	54	Muhammad Nabeel Fazil	1066	71.1%
22	45		1064	70.9%
23	44	Mustafa Haider	1054	70.3%
24	17	Fahad	1050	70.0%
25	36	Yusuf Ali	1048	69.9%
26	29	Ahsan Ali	1047	69.8%
27	31	Sadia Ashraf	1033	68.9%
28	7	Zainab Binte Ajaz	1029	68.6%
29	16	Sohaib Zafar	1024	68.3%
30	23	Sidrah Mansoor	1022	68.1%
31	49	Tanazzah Amin	1021	68.1%
32	61		1020	68.0%
33	42	Noman	987	65.8%
34	50		983	65.5%
35	46	Azeem	962	64.1%
36	15	Sarosh	961	64.1%
37	60	Muhammad Nabeel Naseem	946	63.1%
38	59	Medhat Shahid	933	62.2%
39	34	Sunil Rathore	930	62.0%
40	41	Areeba	927	61.8%
41	51		924	61.6%
42	4	Abdul Saboor	915	61.0%
43	20	Tabrez	889	59.3%
44	58	Khushbakht	869	57.9%
45	57		867	57.8%
46	14	Umeir	860	57.3%
47	37	Farhan Islam	848	56.5%
48	21	Shehbaz	822	54.8%

Are you satisfied with your result?

What are the shocks? How many surprises?

Who do you think was more deserving for the #1 slot?

Join the discussion. Already "X" Comments

Karishma

2008-10-22T08:01:00.000+06:00

Written by | Dr. Anonymous

By the same author: Rang Raiz and Anonymous

Ihave forgotten her name, but she is a cute looking lady, in her mid-twenties. She has come here with abdominal distension. It makes her look as if she is full term 'pregnant', but it is just fluid that she is carrying along.

Multiple different diagnosis are made. Then eventually a diagnosis of TB Abdomen is made and she is started on ATT Contr-TB Drungs. Few months down the road and I see her again in the OPD.

Wow ! What a makeover.

All her distention has vanished and she appears fresh as a rose. Even Atiqa Odho couldn't do that.

..............................................................................

How was this piece?

Is Dr. Anonymous interesting or not?

Any suggestion?

Rang Raiz

2008-10-20T08:01:00.000+06:00



Written by | Dr. Anonymous
By the same author: Anonymous and I.Q

He is confused and worried about constipation and micturition obstruction. He has a round faced attendant who bombards English so as to impress the doctors in our ward. When our investigation is advised, the attendant forgets all his 'angrazi' (English) and asks for monetary help.

On explaining that it is not possible for us to do that he says that he can get any source if required, but of coarse he can't arrange for a test worth Rs.3,500.
..............................................................................
How do you see this Rang Raiz?
Is Dr. Anonymous interesting or not?

Exam Fever

2008-10-18T19:08:00.003+06:00

Created By | Arificial Intelligence
By the same artist: Coming soon!
I Stitched this when I was preparing for the Physics Exam.

.............................................................................

This piece is priced at $60.4 Million. Do you want to buy it?
Should this piece be sent to the national museum?
Does it deserve a Nobel Prize in Arts?

Pollution

2008-09-01T12:25:00.009+06:00



Written by | Abdul Saboor
By the same author: Education: A Line Between Poverty and Prosperity and System

T
here is a strange pardon which modern day man gives. We all are aware of something which is dangerous our health, but we keep on ignoring it till it becomes unsolvable for us. The same case is with pollution.here is a strange pardon which modern day man gives. We all are aware of something which is dangerous our health, but we keep on ignoring it till it becomes unsolvable for us. The same case is with pollution.

In the past, pollution did not pose any threat to human beings, but now-a-days, it has proved itself alarming. Not only under-developed but also developed countries are facing this problem. In fact, the developed countries are more affected, and are the main cause of increasing pollution.
First Cause
There are many factors involved in pollution and corruption of the atmosphere. The first, and the most dangerous, cause of pollution is attributed to the uncontrolled growth of industries. People, in the name of industrialisation, have produced hordes of pollution creating places, which are better known as 'The Industries'.

Industries release pollutants that lead us to photochemical smog, haze and acidification. Due to industrial discharges, and the indescriminate disposal of raw materials, land pollution takes place. And it is seen that the emission of smoke and the disposal of raw materials into rivers, contributes to air and water pollution; due to which human beings, birds and marine life are all affected in turn.
Further Reading: Maharashtra and Gujarat Industries
Second Cause
The second cause is our destroying of trees. We, in order to fulfill our material needs, have simply forgotten that trees are the only source by which we can make the atmosphere pollution free.
Further Reading: Plant a tree and save the Earth?
Third Cause
And finally, the third cause, it is our use of automobiles. In many cities of Pakistan, and all over the world, the number of automobiles is higher than the number of people. If we talk about Pakistan, in 1998, there were 4 million cars running on the road, and by 2008 the number has risen to 8 million cars. This is a 100 percent increase in the short span of ten years. According the Dawn Newspaper, 80% of air pollution of Pakistan comes from the Urban areas; which have a large number of automobiles running.
Smoke emitted by automobiles directly affect the ozone layer, due to which we are now facing Global Warming.
Further Reading: Tips for Cutting Automobile Emissions
Conclusion
In order to avoid pollution many measures have been taken by the UNO, but despite that, pollution is increasing day by day due to general lack of awareness. Pollution can be minimised or even avoided entirely if and only if, we take some measures both collectively and individually. By ensuring that we will use pollution free automobiles, by disposing raw materials and other wastes in an environmnentally friendly manner, and by abstaining from the gross cutting of trees.
..............................................................................
How serious is pollution a problem?
Is it possible for an individual to stop pollution?
Which form of pollution irritates you most (e.g. Noise pollution, Air pollution, Water pollution, Soil Pollution)?

The Urban Files

2008-08-31T14:17:00.001+06:00

Written by | Arificial Intelligence
By the same author: Digital Revolution. Really? and I Wake Up
Urban Files are created to facilitate my classfellows in their persuit of education. All links are direct, they can be downloaded easily. Remember, this is just the beginning, not the end. Expect outstanding stuff in this post soon.

Pakistan Studies
Analysis: Pakistan Studies Paper (File Size: 0.05MB | 1 Page)

Calculus
Notes: Sphere (File Size: 1.10MB | 5 Pages)

Physics
Notes: Laser (File Size: 1.15MB)
94 Physics Forulae (File Size: 1.00MB)
Sessionals
Find Your Sessional Marks (No Download Required)
See Your Position in Class (No Download Required)
Excel File (Printer Friendly) (Download Required: 0.05MB)
Find Your Sessional Marks (Image only)
See Your Position in Class (Image only)

Thermodynamics
Thermo Notes_1
Thermo Notes_2
Thermo Numerical

Survey
Surveying Equations
Magnetic Declination

RC Hibbeler 11 Edition
Chapter01
Chapter02
Chapter03
Chapter04
Chapter05
Chapter06
Chapter07
Chapter08
Chapter09
Chapter10
Chapter11

Click here for Exam Date sheet
Urban Tasks
(Up dated daily) Check out the tasks for Urban Engineers by clicking here.
Click here for Html version.

..............................................................................

Are these files of any use to you?
Any problems in downloading?
Request for content in this post?

Education: The line between poverty and prosperity

2008-08-16T22:08:00.011+06:00

Written by | Abdul Saboor
By the same Author:System and Hypocrisy and Cheating Culture

E
       ducation plays a vital role in the making of great nations, cultures and ideologies and is a source of awareness; awareness about our social, political and ethical ideologies. There is no precedent of any nation which has developed without education. Whether they are Americans or Britishers, they all are ruling the world on the basis of education.
A few centuries back we, the Muslims, were dominant upon the whole world because then we had great philosophers, mathematicians, physicists, scientists, doctors, architects, astrologists and scholars. Then what was the reason due to which today, we lag behind. There is only one answer to this question and that is we left our education, and the consequences were that we were dominated by others.

A look through the statistics, and we see that our literacy rate is 29% of total population which means, only 50 million Pakistani’s are literate, and here I must mention that a ‘literate’ is someone who can write or read his name. However the adult literacy rate is only 14% which places us in the list of 5 least educated countries on earth as per EFA data shown below:

But we should be glad that we are still better than Burkina Faso.If we try to find the causes due to which, despite being 61 years independent, we are unable to increase our literacy rate, we narrow down to one reason, and that is poverty. It has been observed that in our country people are not aware about the importance of education and this is due to the poverty which in turn directly depends on population rate. And according to the CIA and UNESCO, in June 2006, Pakistan’s population was 166 million and in 2007 it rose to 170 million. That is a growth rate of 2.4% per annum which shows that in next 10 years it will exceed the 200 million mark and hopefully will overtake Brazil to become the 5th most densely populated country. And this high velocity population increase rate is already playing its role to keep the people in this country away from education. (Click Map see population density).

In a nut shell, we have now only one option to get our respect back in the world, and that is possible if and only if we get education by overcoming poverty. Also, in my opinion, being an agricultural country, we can overtake poverty only if we exploit our endowments in better manner.
Now it is up to us. What do we want? Prosperity or poverty?

..............................................................................

In your opinion, what is it that has deteriorated our education?

Who is responsible for Pakistan's illiteracy?

Which system of education is better for Pakistan. Cambridge or Intermediate?

Digital Revolution. Really?

2008-08-12T05:22:00.001+06:00

Written by | Arificial Intelligence
If there is one thing which is more unreliable, inconsistent and haphazard than the Pakistani Cricket team, then it would be a digital item. It takes on average a digital item only 2 weeks to give-in to the laws of entropy. It appears that part of the blame lies on China's shoulders.

There are a number of Digital Entitites which have disappointed us completely. Here are the top 4.
1. Windows XP
Nowadays, the extent to which a person uses his PC is measured in the number of XP installations he has had over the last month.

2. Motorolla Razr

After a year of use, the 202 dollar Motorolla fails to read the SimCard and finally freezes. Dejected, my poor uncle says, "Hello Moto".

3. Rechargeable Batteries
My new energizer batteries last 10 minutes on the palmtop, and 3 snaps on the Kodak camera.

4. Electricity
I am transferring some timeless pictures from my camera to the computer, using the cut and paste option, instead of copy and paste; so that I don't have 2 copies at the end of the transfer. Poof, the centre of the digital revolution, electricity, has just left our town.
When Electricity returns, I find that my 'timeless' pictures have become a part of unwritten history, that is, the pictures are neither in the camera, nor in the computer.

The digital revolution has become just another myth. Everybody is saying that it has arrived, but it has actually not. What we have seen at the moment could be summed up, in most generous words, as
'The Trailer of The Digital Revolution.'
Coming soon in your City.
Digital Yet Stable.
But then there are exceptions. Take a Nokia phone, a very robust device. Drop it from the second floor of your appartment, and it would be still working; displaying the available network signal, the battery dots and time as if nothing had happened. Next in line are Tvs and Radios, which are more or less stable devices, regardless of their brand or nationality. Reliable are also, the Printers, Casio Calculators and wrist watches.

The Promises
On its launch in the early '80s, the digital revolution made a number of promises with the people of the world. In the promises department is where they have failed miserably.

A: Internet
"Where is the promised 'sea of information'?

Except for a select few websites which are information oriented, the rest of the world wide web (boasting 108, 810, 358 websites, according to the Netcraft Web Survey) is anything but educational. Hence today we connect to the internet for access to
hilarious (read disgusting) videos,
63.2 million self centered websites (called Blogs)
forums for socializing (read harassing).
It appears that the internet team has withered away from its motto; especially with the launch of Web 2.0, an improvement into the interactive aspect of the web. It looks like no work is being done on the informative side of the internet.

Also Read: Web 2.0 Buzzword, or Internet revolution?| by Jon Brodkin

B: Paperless Office and Home
This was one of the biggest lies of the last century made by the computer industry. Instead of disappearing, paper seems to have multiplied in our workplace. Laser printers, allowing cheap and quick prints are to be blamed. Entire product manuals are recklessly printed, where only a paragraph of reading would have sufficed. Also, paper is still preferred because it is a 'chore' to the eyes and the brain to read from the computer monitor.

So to save ourselves the headache, we get printouts instead.

Also Read: A Paper-Less Office | by Jim Utsler
                 The Paperless Office| by Jonathan Ploudre

C: Mobile Phones
Enter the forest. Walk through the trees. Observe the wildlife, listen to the calm, and whoops. You are lost, and you may now live to become a part of the best seller, The Jungle Book II. Only one thing can save you; your mobile phone.

You take it out and dial your mother/sister/wife's number to get help. Three seconds have passed since you pressed the green call button, but there is no dial tone to be heard. You may keep that phone on your ear for another 57 seconds, but you would hear nothing. This is because:

"Your cellular service is currently unavailable in this area."

Doesn't this beat the very idea of the mobile phone; mobility. Why are cellular networks restricting our mobility?

Some Positives

A: Easy Searching
The digital revolution has cut down our searching times by a third. On an average it takes 0.26 seconds to search a term in Google. Especially when you are spot-on with your spelling, you would get to the search result instantly, no matter how rare the term you have searched for is. Thanks to the internet, doctors are now able to research on rare diseases along with the widely common ones.

A 2 minutes call is all it takes to track down an ambiguous address, or a hiding friend. Warning: Some tricky techniques required.

B: Mass Communication
Courtesy of the digital revolution, mass communication has been made a reality. Messages are being sent at the speed of light from one corner of the planet to the other at the speed of light.

Nowadays, doctors use SMS to confirm their diagnosis with fellow doctors. E.C.G reports, X-Rays and MRI reports are discussed with highly experienced doctors via e-mail, or through a simple MMS.

Some SMS facts
In 2007 a total of 1.9 trillion messages were sent.
Short Messaging Service was invented during the 1980s as a method of communication for engineers building the mobile network. Since its introduction in 1995 it has taken the world by storm.
95% of all text messages are delivered within 10 seconds.
23% of world-wide mobile users use SMS more than once a day.
The first text message was sent in 1992.
Invitation cards have been replaced by the more cost and time effective SMSes. Picnics are organized in a matter of minutes by chatting friends.

But there is a downside to this speed of light communication. Rumors spread like wildfire. So many times a political leader has been claimed dead by speculating FM Channels and forwarded SMSes; creating widespread panic and unneeded chaos.

Last Words
All in all, the digital revolution has failed to take off. A lot of promises made a decade ago have remained unfulfilled. Infact if we look around we would be surprised to find that people are returning to the more reliable traditional ways of life.
.........................................................................................
How do you see the Digital Revolution?
How was the writer's analysis?
What is your favorite digital item? (No wish lists please, quote only those which you use).


blog comments powered by Disqus

System

2008-08-05T16:48:00.000+06:00

Written by | Abdul Saboor
Also see: Hypocrisy and Cheating Culture

"O
       ur system is now uncontrollable. Inflation, suicide attacks, poverty, illiteracy and the entire crisis that we are facing now days are all because of bad system. We can not get rid of these things until and unless our system is made crystal and clear”. My friend said as we were analyzing the current situation in Pakistan.

After he went I sat there and thought for a while that in which system we are living here due to which we have to face such troubles. I was such dejected that I started cursing system. but soon realized that i don't know 'system' and I haven't met him.
            What? I am cursing someone whom I don't know.

In order to ask questions which were rising in my mind I started searching for it. But I could not find it and came to know that in order to conceal our wrong doings we collectively have created a thing called “system” and have made it such a bin in which we pour all our wrong doings and become free.

It is a fact that we from our childhood are not being given any awareness due to which we also start doing bad deeds in the name of system.
            If flour is not available, it’s due to system. Petrol prices are raised by 100%, it’s due to system. Poverty is increasing, its due to system. Inflation is increasing, its due to system. All of us are corrupt, its due to system. Illiteracy rate is increasing, it’s because of system, and so on. Then what are we doing here?

Now this is the time when we should realize that that’s enough, we should stop cursing system as we are also included in it, when we criticize it we unconsciously criticize ourselves. So for God’s sake stop criticizing yourselves.

NOTE: I agree to statement that criticism for only criticism should not be done ,it should be done in a way that the person who is criticized may learn something from it . So I try my level best to avoid every act which may cause any one, any kind of trouble. But if I am not able to avoid it if any comment of mine hurt your feelings then please do inform me and criticize me so that I can learn from it .

..............................................................................

Where should we begin cleaning our system?
Who is responsible for Pakistan's present system? The Americans? WTO? Our simply Pakistani's themselves?
Which system of government is better for Pakistan. Army or democracy?

blog comments powered by Disqus

Hypocrisy and Cheating Taking Over Hardwork and Honesty

2008-07-29T18:05:00.001+06:00

Written by | Abdul Saboor
Also see: The Cheating Culture

This article is a reply to Arificial Intelligence's article: I wake Up
It was Saturday, 3.45 pm. I was not feeling well because I had to submit my electrical assignment. Though I did my best to make my assignment beautiful; white A4 size papers, spiral binding, good handwriting and each and everything due to which my assignment was to be termed 'beautiful'. In spite of all these things, the my heart rate was increasing. One question which was rising in my mind was, what should I say if my teacher asks: "Have you copied it?"
Without hesitation my mind put the same foundations before me on which our system is based. These were not hard working and honesty, but these we hypocrisy and cheating.

When I sat before the teacher my face was full of hypocrisy because I new that hard work cannot gain me good sessional marks. Only flattery can do something. I knew this because I am one of the Arif's so-called friends, and am the average student of NED.

Soon my hypocrisy worked when I was given the green signal.

But Oh! What was happening there. Arif who was sitting beside me was punished due to his hardwork and some straightforwardness.

Why?

The question looks easy to be answered but was actually quite a tough one. According to our teacher, Arif was trying to be over-smart. Few said it was Arif's misbehaviour, and some said Arif as usual is speaking without thinking. When I tried to find the answer, I found only one root cause:

Arif, despite studying at NED,
is still following the Cambridge Rules.
..............................................................................

Is Arif the one who is wrong?
Should he continue following his self made rules?
Why can't we differentiate between good and bad?

blog comments powered by Disqus

I Wake Up

2008-07-26T20:26:00.001+06:00

Written by | Arificial Intelligence
Lie and a lie, and a series of lies. Meet him, he is the average NED student. He is the icon of hypocrisy. He cheats in tests, copies assignments and flatters his teachers. Multiply him by 3,000 and you would get the NED campus. No wonder the University ranks a poor 10th in the national ratings.

But why am I writing this. I do this because I just woke up from a long 4 month sleep. It was 3:45 in the afternoon.

I was sitting in front of my Electrical Engineering teacher, physically awake, but my conscience was snoring in deep sleep. Slap! My teacher woke my conscience up, (I don't know how to thank him).

He accused me of cheating in the electrical assignment. I begged to differ. He concealed my assignment, and then asked, "What is slip?".
I replied,"To fall back." In a sarcastic tone he said,"Great, how simple, slip means to fall back."

He paused. I took a deep breath of relief. "Derive the equation for Slip," he returned. I had fever the whole morning, and now my mouth went dry as well. I replied,"It was a very complex equation, I can't recall what it was."
"So that means that you have copied the assignment from someone else", my teacher said.

This allegation was just too much for me, I couldn't bear the burden. I raised my voice and said in an authoritative tone,"No, I have not copied. You can compare my assignment with anybody, it won't be the same". He then gave his final verdict, "Since you can't answer what I asked from the assignment, then it is obvious that you have copied it from someone. And what was your score in the tests?". "Three and Seven sir!", I replied. "Only 10 out of twenty, fifty percent", he said in a degrading tone. I said that 3 and 7 implied that I was improving." And then he said,"Lets see how you will pass". He threw my assignment on my hand in utter disgust. I left the class.

My so-called friends (in reality mere class-fellows) circled me and tried to calm me down. They advised me to apologize the teacher. (Apology for what?). They said if I don't, he would really fail me in the exams, and my hopes of securing a position in the annual exams will sleep to death. (But who said that I was vying for a position, Top 10 is good enough for me).

But thank God, and thanks to my mother, who always taught me all things right, I was not heart-broken. In fact, I giggled may way back home, because now I was truly awake. I had also learnt in the process that I had no true friend who would support me in a time of crisis. So I have to work in the Friendship department as well.

Being awake, my conscience went back to work, and I came to a lot of decisions.
From today onwards, I will not help anyone cheat in any tests. I would not even supply a hint.
My assignments will be copy righted. I won't lend them to anyone.
I would work harder at studies to prove my adversaries wrong.
It is not O.K. to cheat if you win. Cheating is fraud. Fraud is a sin.
And several other decisions which I shall keep secret for the time being.
In view of the aforementioned 4 undertakings, I have revised my motto from : 'You can beat anyone but Me' to Cheating is banned.

..............................................................................
Any advice?
                      Should I apologize my teacher to ensure good grades in the exams?
What are your views on cheating?
    Would you support my case, if I write my problem to VC of department or class advisor?

blog comments powered by Disqus

Arificial Intelligence

2012 Wallpaper

Moving out of Windows 7

A. Get a life

B. Get a new OS

First: Chrome OS (the Google OS)

Second: Meego (the intel OS)

Third: JoliCloud (the cloud OS)

End of story

Further reading

Surviving but not succeeding

Ethnicity.

It keeps running. How?

The Karachiite has to stand up.

Tuition overdose

Taking to tuitions

The solution

The tutor

Bing!

Any problem?

Fun. None?

Ali disagrees.

Loser. Should he bother to run?

The winner was already decided before the race. It was a race they should have opted out from.

Take a closer look.

Port this scenario to real life situation

Loser! Why did you even bother?

The Charity show

Check out their website. Its good.

About edhi at edhi.org

Wanted: An Ideal Teacher

About the author

Happiness

Urban Engineer Logo

CommuniCat 2009- A review of the Launch

A Different Rule for a Different People

Cheated

Death

The final trigger

Bottom line

A case of Exploding Mangoes

Mehran University Rocks

Some Good News, and Some Bad

Trip to Abdullah Shah Ghazi

Side Effects on Change of Technology

Letter to Urban Engineers

NED FE-URBAN Result

Karishma

Rang Raiz

Exam Fever

Pollution

The Urban Files

Urban Tasks

Education: The line between poverty and prosperity

Digital Revolution. Really?

System

Hypocrisy and Cheating Taking Over Hardwork and Honesty

I Wake Up