The Great Facebook Fiasco

I have worked in startup web development and internet marketing teams, and whenever we used to make some content live, it used to go through several approvals. If a wrong content live in the internet that’s alright, until you do a massive advertisement, if it is live in the Social Networks, you are in a trouble. Because it gets shared and again shared, and the viewer ship multiplies over time. By the time you correct it, it would be too late and millions of people would have damned it.

Every small company wants to be perfect. I remember my manager calling me up in the weekends, nervous and worried, because some spelling mistakes were there in the website. I used to correct it immediately. And there used to be a few mistakes, which mostly went un noticed because the audience we were serving was smaller, compared to facebook.

What about the Big Companies? I have seen facebook, google, yahoo, amazon, ebay go weird at times, name any other site, it has at least some mistakes in its content, coding and everything else. This time facebook has crossed the limit, and a huge mistake committed by it caused trouble to thousands of people worldwide. Below is the plot.

I registered for the Hacker’s Cup Qualification Event on Facebook. Like me thousands of other people registered for the event. The event page clearly says – 4 PM on 8th to 4 PM on 11th. It never mentioned the time zone there. The time zone was mentioned in the Description which most of the people did not notice. Now here goes the fiasco – Facebook sent event invitations through its own inbuilt application to the 90K odd participants where the time appears at 4 PM of the respective time zones of the participants.

Actually the time zone is 4 PM Pacific Standard Time (PST) which is 5:30 AM(9th Jan) IST and different other times across the world. People from over 180 countries had joined the event and were logging into the event page when their respective times showed 4 PM on Friday. Today is Friday and I did the same at 4 PM and saw nothing was happening although my event alert in my profile page was showing that the event was happening now!

I had a chat with a few co-participant developers and come to know that 1 guy had cancelled his evening plans with plans to participate in the event. Another guy had taken leave from his work to participate in this event. But the event did not happen at all.

And people are hating Facebook for this:-

Facebook could have checked out a time conversion mechanism in its events application which could have saved them from this silly mistake which created a trouble and wasted time of thousands of developers. So the conclusion is that, even Facebook guys are made of blood and bones and can do mistakes. So all other managers in the world, never compare your guys to Facebook or Google guys, because even they commit mistakes just like your guys do.

A boon to the poor, a bonus to the country - The Akshaya Patra Foundation

A Non-Profit Organization started in Bangalore with just 1500 children around 10 years back, is now the largest NGO in terms of reach. I would definitely call it the most thriving non-profit in India. Liberating thousands from the vicious cycle of poverty year after year, this organization is resolute to remove poverty from India, the immediate mission being to feed 5 million children by 2020.

With an excellent management on board, advanced technology and streamlined processes in operations & distribution and a vision that “No child in India shall be deprived of education because of hunger”, this organization is all set to tackle the most damaging impediments to progress – hunger and poverty. Apart from the mid day meal schemes, Akshaya Patra has also been concentrating on the all round development of children with special emphasis on health, education and extra curricular activities.

I was pretty overwhelmed to see the amazing trends incorporating the increase in attendance, decrease in dropouts, increase in performance, decrease in malnutrition and poverty as a whole and likewise, over a long term. But keeping aside all this figures, children are the beautiful gifts of God and Akshaya Patra helps these children bloom like beautiful flowers. This program encourages the children, who had dropped out of school due to financial problems, rejoin the school, dream to achieve at least a decent employment and achieve their dreams.

Day after day, year after year, more than a billion meals served to the underprivileged children in India, wondering how it happens? Akshaya Patra incurs almost half of the expenditure, other half being sponsored by the government, the total expenditure of more 12 lakh meals summing up to over 60 lakhs per day. How does Akshaya Patra manage to incur even half of this huge expense, although it does not collect tax from the people? All it asks us is to come forward and take the responsibility to feed a child. Akshaya Patra is a people’s organization and it is we who are feeding the children through Akshaya Patra. So why don’t we ask more and more people to come forward and join hands with this organization to be a part in the fulfillment of the virtuous mission of this organization?

I would call upon all my readers and followers to check the Akshaya Patra website and help this program in whatever possible way. Feeding 1 child for an entire year costs much less than a buffet in a fine dine restaurant. And believe me it makes you feel much better than that mega lunch or dinner.

Do Vote for my post in Indiblogger if you think I was successful in doing my bit for Akshaya Patra. Do promote this post to your network as well to create more awareness.

Personal 24/7 medical consultant.

Technology is fast changing for the better. This upgrade has improved the standard of living of the people and affected their lives in several ways. The impossible becomes possible with changing technology, so why not this wish of mine? Although it will help people live their lives with more ease and spend less money, it may also suck up the jobs of many professionals and practitioners.

The Wish or Idea - My wish is a tool which will act as my personal medical consultant and give me free medical advice whenever I need it. It will a device which will be connected to my home computer or laptop with a blood tester, XRay device, eye scanner, bp checker, temperature check and other tools along with an application which will collate the results of all the tests and provide you the exact health condition or ailment that I am going through along with the prescribed medication. It will also have an inbuilt ordering system connected to the internet using which I can compare the prices of the medicines prescribed and order them online for a home delivery.

Possible? - By now before I may explain any more features of the device in my mind, many of the readers may be thinking that this is impossible, just like how 10000 years ago a man said there will be something like computer and phone using which we can interact with people sitting far away and his listeners thought it was impossible. He did not utter it again because he might have got executed by the king for spreading rumors and wrong information, I am not that unlucky and I can repost this article again and again.

The path – Building this tool would not be easy by any chance and will require several years of research and testing. A huge database of ailments, diseases, symptoms, characteristics of the human body and lot of medical knowledge has to be created. This database should be equivalent to the medical knowledge of 10 best doctors in the world combined. A database of all the available medicines has to be created which would not be a difficult task. The most difficult task will be to manufacture a compact and low cost testing device which will have all the diagnostic features required in it. A lot of electronic engineers, mechanical engineers, VLSI and embedded system specialists, programmers, doctors, chemists and other technicians will be required in this research and development. However it may take several years.

The cost – It may initially be so expensive that only the successors of Bill Gates or likewise can purchase it. But gradually, China and Taiwan based manufacturers will start manufacturing it and it will be a product sold in every home.

The consequences – This device may render hundreds of medical practitioners jobless and reduce the demand for medical study. May people may be amazed of the results whereas some may get a wrong medicine prescribed due to wrong diagnosis. A huge number of lawsuits may be filed against the corporation who invents this product initially and it may have to pay billions of money as compensation.

However with time technology will become as intelligent as men and this wonder may be achieved some day.

3G – The Third Generation Lifestyle

The 3G is going to be a buzz for sometime till something like 4G comes in to tickle your imagination again.

A brief introduction to 3G would be it’s a mobile telecommunication service which is all set to make your mobile devices much more than a phone. 3G services in India which were first offered by public sector players like BSNL and MTNL are now provided by a private player Tata Docomo and others like Airtel, Vodafone, Reliance and others are expected to follow soon.

Post the 3G era, if you opt for it, you can have a multipurpose device in you pocket, using which you can also make calls! This service essentially includes faster than broadband, mobile internet, video calls, mobile TV and much more. Let’s explore the 3G life.

The 3G life is your life on a hand held, wireless device and on the go. It combines the features of several other devices in it and makes your life just the next generation life.

Social on Mobile – The web had become social some time back and now has the mobile. It’s no more a one to one contact using your phone. Take a snap and share it with all your friends across your networks, get their comments on it and reply back. Chat with your friends, update statuses and track your network, on the go.

TV on the Go – Now I no longer need to miss the cricket matches when I am traveling. Instead of the irritating SMS alerts, I watch it live on my 3G mobile. Watch live TV on the phone with the help of the lightning fast 3G services. Tune in to your favorite music channel or programme in the taxi to your airport and also the airport, switch it off while on flight! And yes enjoy the services even when your plane lands, if it is within India.

Video Calls – I seldom use skype now to make video calls to my family and friends, even if I need to; I use it on my phone. I now use the 3G video calling services to connect, talk and interact. Isn’t it interesting? You are holidaying in Goa, attending a short video conference held in Singapore about the successful product launch.

Radio and Music – Music is what you love while at work, on the go and even while sleeping? Go for a 3G mobile, download songs till you have memory left in your phone and listen to them. If you exhaust it, listen to the radio. Organize your music, create playlists and do lots more. You can even listen music online if you don’t want to download.

Browsing – Browse across the internet, check your mail, write and read blogs, bookmark them, share them and just love it! Mobile browsing has become lighting fast with the advent of 3G and yes faster than the broadband of your company, which you always keep complaining about!

Applications – Go ahead and install as many apps you want in your phone for various purposes you may need to. Link your home monitoring camera to your phone, take a photo, edit and distort it, or shop from your phone. What else? Find out locations, cool places to hang out, pay bills, book tickets, play interactive games with friends and more.

Lots More – Have come out of your office to pick your daughter, when you got a call from Los Angeles for an urgent business presentation. The client is online and you need to impress him. Just put in your headphones and microphones, download the presentation from your docs, share your screen and start explaining. Captivate the client and get him impressed by the time your daughter finishes her ice cream. This category is probably for the hundreds of features of 3G which I have missed out just to give you a chance to explore it!

Welcome to the 3G life, are you not enjoying it?

Of course, if you like this post dont feel shy to express yourself by voting for me at:- http://www.indiblogger.in/indipost.php?post=38978 .

Ayodhya Verdict Live News, Ayodhya verdict Latest Updates and Ayodhya Verdict Decision.

In this article you will get to know Ayodhya Verdict Live News, Ayodhya verdict Latest Updates and Ayodhya Verdict Decision given by the Allahabad High Court. Just to brief you about the situation, Ayodhya is a burning issue from past 60 years and post the Babri Masjid demolition it has become even more critical. The disputed land is claimed as Ram Janma Bhoomi or the birth place of Shri Ram(A Hindu God) by the Hindus whereas the Muslims claim it as their land where they have seen Babri Masjid from several years. Legends in and around Ayodhya which have spread across India say that, a Ram Temple had been destroyed by the Mughals to build the Mosque. This and several arguements are into the surface from both sides and this historical case is being fought by both parties since ages.
The Allahabad High Court Bench decides its verdict today, on 30th of September, 2010 on the 60-year-old Ram Janambhoomi-Babri masjid dispute at 3:30 pm. The verdict is not definitely be a one liner decision and has to be understood in its entirity before summarizing.
It is widely believed that the judges will not declare winners or losers which may affect the communal harmony and result in tensions across the country. The verdict is 8300 pages verdict which states different facts, research findings, statements of witnesses and different aspects of the verdict.
The parties involved in the verdict are Nirmohi Akhara, Hindu Mahasabha and Sunni Waqf Board. To understand the entire verdict it becomes important to understand the parties involved in this.
Nirmohi Akhara is a Hindu religious denomination following its own religious faith and customs. It is one of the 14 akharas recognized by the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad, and belonging to the Vaishnava sampradaya. It is headed by Mahant Bhaskar Das.
The group has been in light in connection with the Ayodhya debate since 1959 when it filed a suit to take over the disputed site of Babri Mosque.
The Akhil Bhārat Hindū Mahāsabhā (All-Indian Hindu Assembly) is a Hindu nationalist political party in India. It was founded in 1915, as an alternative for Hindus who were not attracted to the secular Indian National Congress and sought to oppose the Muslim separatism of the Muslim League.
The Uttar Pradesh Sunni Waqf Boards is like any other Waqf boards which is entrusted the responsibility of looking after the Mosque Property amongst others.
The Court has come out with the formula that the disputed land will be divided into three parts- one third given to Nirmohi Akhara, one third to Sunni Waqf Board, and the remaining and most important part will be for construction of temple of Lord Ram.
The bench rejected the claim of Sunni Waqf Board over the propriety of disputed land in Ayodhya.  The verdict went against Waqf board by 2-1. The bench also dismissed the claim of Babri Action Committee.
The Court affirmed in majority that the place where Ramlala is kept and worshipped at the moment and claimed by Hindus as birth place of Lord Ram- will be allotted to Hindus for construction of the temple.
The three-judge bench that delivered the verdict comprised of Justice S U Khan, Justice Sudhir Agarwal and Justice D V Sharma. The bench started the proceedings around 3:30 pm after the litigants reached Court No. 21 of the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court.  Verdict has been  delivered in all the cases pertaining to the title suit, which has been depicted in eight to ten thousand pages.
A specified time of three months has been provided for the parties to appeal the verdict in the Supreme Court.
As soon as the verdict was out, the lawyers came out of the premises of the court, and spoke with the media persons. Renowned lawyer and BJP leader who was counsel of Raghubar Das informed about the proceedings to the media.
Barricades had been erected about 100 metres from the court room and no one other than those connected with the case were allowed anywhere near the court room.
Hundreds of journalists from across the country converged at the District Magistrate's office in Qaiserbagh area to report on the verdict in the Ayodhya title suit.  Elaborate arrangements were in place with pandal erected to accommodate 500 journalists and camerapersons opposite the Allahabad High Court premises.
Ravi Shankar Prasad claimed the court had ruled that the place where the idol of Ram was kept was the birthplace of the deity and the idols should not removed.
The dispute was first taken to court 60 years ago. Hindus state the site of the Babri Masjid is the birthplace of their God, Ram, and want to make a temple there. India has made up security across the country for a court verdict that could generate religious violence. Ban on bulk SMSes continues. The Prime Minister himself appealed to the citizens of India to handle the decision with respect and control their emotion.
The Uttar Pradesh Sunni Waqf Board on Thursday said it will move the Supreme Court against the Allahabad High Court order.