by Sharique on October 4, 2007
My friend’s friend recently started his own social networking site, careeb. He built that, single handedly, from scratch. I had few suggestions for him based on my experience with social networking sites-
1. What’s the aim of this SN (Social Networking site)? There is no dearth of SNs so if something which stands apart from the crowd has to be created. Facebook, was previously meant especially for .edu email holders, gave the visitors an unique platform to interact with like-minded people. An SN meant exclusively for a particular age group or gender group or ethical group or social group would be more successful than a generic one.
2. If a SN has to be successful then it has to offer practical advantages like jobs etc. Most people join because they want to make more friends–> social advantage. So if a SN has to be successful then it had to offer an unique service to its visitors. The days of orkut style SNs are over. And most of the Indian SNs (bigadda,yaari etc) exposing everyone on a social platform, I have no idea if any Indian Site focuses on professional platform. India has a huge pool of professional who would love a SN site, which will not just be a forum but will also have a personal touch.
3. Myspace was such a huge sensation because they were the first to harness this human tendency to interact and convert that to an online meeting place. Even though people would want to diversify based on their biasness or prejudices, there can’t be another Myspace or Facebook or Orkut!
Its much easier said than done but if you want success then something unique has to be created. I will lay stress on 2 things
- Innovation with service oriented approach
- Catering to a specific group and then diversify
With regard to India, I think the best bet is to create a network of only professionals so as to ease out the professional knowledge sharing. None of the present social networking sites are good places to talk about professional topics, they are more political in nature and thus cater to only extremes. A professional network could work wonders for professionals seeking knowledge and new job opportunities.
What do you think?
by Sharique on September 27, 2007
I have heard a lot about the Ramdaan in the areas in the vicinity of Jama Masjid in Delhi and I have finally decided to get a feel of it by visiting that place for the weekend. I hope when I return I have a photo story to tell. If you stay in Delhi and really want to see the devil behind Serendipity then you call 9878080992 
I will be in Delhi on Friday and Saturday (may be even Sunday)
by Sharique on September 5, 2007
This is an email I got from my friend, Mohit. His one line really sums up the deplorable state of affairs in Gurgaon
For your information I am buying Alto next week. It may appear to be an extravagant expenditure to you but in reality it has become a need. You are a handicapped person if you don’t have personal conveyance in Gurgaon and buying two wheeler increases the risk of actually becoming handicapped!! I hope you are getting what I am saying.
The concrete jungle looks cozy only from the comfort of multi-storey buildings, its a living hell from outside. I hope the government shows some prudence by having better control over the development. I have heard that the plans to extend metro has been cancelled for unknown reasons (I have no news link to prove this btw..kind of an insider view). The picture below, from the Tribune, is of IFFCO chowk. Just imagine the situation before the flyover was built!
If you really want to imagine the moments before death, then I suggest take a ride of the rickshaw on the highway. I have had the pleasure on several occasions and I hope I get the comfort of Alto the next time I visit Gurgaon
by Sharique on August 8, 2007
I got an email for noreply@us.paypal.com asking me to confirm my account. The email looked so original that I clicked on it. Thanks to Firefox, it alerted me regarding certificate mismatch with paypal and thus I was able to avoid a big mistake. This is the email I got from paypal spoof team
Dear Sharique Ahmad,
Thanks for taking an active role by reporting suspicious-looking emails. The email you forwarded to us is a phishing email, and our security team
is working to disable it.
I wanted to post so as to help others who might use google to search for this fake looking address.
There is another pain to become salaried- You really have to remember so many passwords and be careful so as to be tricked because you have a good amount in your back account. I hold an American Express credit card, something of a status symbol as I was told by the person who came to take my details for ABN AMRO credit card,and one thing I have learned is that never allow anyone to take a photo copy of that because the 4 digit security code is printed on the front (It’s on the back for most other cards). Well what’s the use of this ‘status symbol’ when you can’t use this it outside a metropolitan. (Almost all places, outside Delhi/Chennai, I tried to use it, it fails!) Anyway the thing is that there has to be something better than text passwords..something of a bio-medical device which can read finger prints. This can greatly reduce the present day hassles of remembering passwords.
by Sharique on July 31, 2007
Madhur tagged me a little while ago.
THE RULES :
1. We have to post these rules before we give you the facts.
2. Players start with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
3. People who are tagged write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.
4. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.
So here are the 8 facts about me
1. I had computer-phobia when I joined college but by the end of my college days I was completely into internet and online advertisements. I have made about Rs. 15,000 (I mentioned the figures because there is someone who gets jealous whenever I tell him about my e-CPM 
) so far from google adsense and others since February, when google finally accepted my application. I was banned in October for a crime that I committed in 2005! (I used to click my own ads)
2. I love travelling but have a phobia for air flights. I usually take the train.
3. I once played club cricket but after years of dormancy my stamina lasts only for few minutes.
4. I am very cautious of my personal belongings, I would frequently check my pockets for mobile and purse (take my advice, never keep your purse in the back pocket while in Delhi)
5. I am terrible with spellings and my handwriting awful.
6. I plan to settle down in Antarctica after retirement…seems impossible now but things will improve in future!
7. I used to loathe government offices for their lethargy and inefficiency but my present job requires me to deal only with government offices and suggest them ways to improve efficiency.
8. I love mobile phones. My love for mobile was so ecstatic that I once bought a 18K mobile during my student life. I still love them and presently waiting for my iPhone.
My friend’s friend recently started his own social networking site, careeb. He built that, single handedly, from scratch. I had few suggestions for him based on my experience with social networking sites-