Posted by: Aamir Attaa on November 18, 2008 at 9:16 AM
Three Pakistani IT Companies won the Asia Pacific ICT Awards held in Jakarta Indonesia. 3 Pakistani
Companies bagged 3 of the 16 international awards!
The 3 winning companies are:
- Kraysis - won in the Best Startup Category
- Pixsense - won the award for Best in Media andEntertainment Applications
- TPS - won the Award for Best in Tools & Infrastructure Applications
For further reading visit Jehan Ara’s Blog and CIO Pakistan
Congratulations to the winners!
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Posted by: Muhammad Ali Raza on October 30, 2008 at 5:49 AM
It’s so natural to love free things…! But, it’s unnatural to get quality products for free, especially software. as people says “Free main tu bukkhar bhi nahi milta”. Though Pakistan is heavily crowded by pirated software, but we all know its not legal, and must be stopped.
So, for those who want free legal software, and that too of immense quality, let’s get familiar with OPEN SOURCE applications. But in case you can pay money to buy licensed software, you can skip this post, as you may get hurt in the end.
Let’s take Microsoft Office as an example, which costs you plenty of dollars to get registered. Also, its EXE files are not editable. Normal computer users are not concerned if EXE files are editable or not, but what if you are a programmer and want to change the layout of your Microsoft Word and its colors? Or let’s say you want to add a feature to Microsoft excel; Can you do them yourself? Answer is big NO. The reason is that its code is not editable.
However, this is not the case with open source. Let review following definitions to better understand what exactly is open source software?
“Open source application is a computer program in which the source code is available to the general public for use and/or modification from its original design free of charge.”
Another good definition is that “Open source software is a licensing model for software which gives free access to the source code of the software to allow interested parties to modify or contribute to the software as they see fit. Commonly created as collaborative projects and shared at no cost.”
You must be wondering why I am telling you all this. The reason is very simple. Most of us are copying software valuing thousands of dollars without any fear. There is no harm in it, as no one is going to catch you - but this is ethically wrong. So why to indulge ourselves into criminal activity, when there are alternates available? In fact lot better alternates.
And let me tell you something, there is open source software available for each and everything. Yea, these open source applications are being used in kids’ remote control to cars to Boeing 747 cockpit. In ps3 to Nintendo DS, mobile phones to desktops servers. (By the way ProPakistani.com is also on a linux Ubuntu server, which is lot more secure and efficient than of our previous Windows 2003 server)
To further tell you about open source applications available, let me quote Distrowatch Database (they keep record of open source application distribution etc)
DistroWatch database summary
- Number of all distributions in the database: 582
- Number of all active distributions in the database: 327
- Number of discontinued distributions: 183
- Number of distributions on the waiting list: 168
Now let’s talk about Desktops - In Pakistan people fear from using Linux because they think its old type of thing and hard black screen and all things run from there.
My friends, things have changed! Linux now a day is more users’ friendly then of Microsoft Windows. Linux is bug free comes with free support, as well as it is customizable.
Good thing is that there are tons of Linux versions (they call it distributions), such as if you are a network administrator you can chose those distributions which are good for administration tasks, if you are musician, we have just best thing for you also. In case you are a geek we have another special build distribution for you - for students in school and colleges we have treat for you people also.
In latter posts of this series, we will talk more about Linux, especially Linux UBUNTU, which made its place in people hearts in very short time.
So stay tuned for more information.
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Posted by: Aamir Attaa on October 9, 2008 at 4:47 AM
Pakistan Telecommunication Ltd (PTCL), UFone and Microsoft have entered into an Enterprise Agreement for Information Technology (IT) Infrastructure Optimization that will enable PTCL and Ufone to benefit from the Microsoft’s innovative products.
Walid Irshad, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of PTCL while addressing the signing ceremony said that agreement would provide comprehensive software-support, which would realize the full potential of personnel at both PTCL and Ufone. “I am very optimistic that the deployment of Microsoft’s latest technology to enhance its capabilities and would lead to improve company’s operations” Irshad added. He said that through efficient communication, co-ordination and follow up mechanisms allowing us to enhance our service and quality.
CEO, Ufone Abdul Aziz said that this winning collaboration between us and the Microsoft would certainly be a key driver for our own development and for imperative growth of our valued customers. He said that this coalition with a world-renowned company would provide comprehensive software-support, which would enable customers for innovative telecom solutions and services.
Aziz also stated that we are confident that this alliance with Microsoft would support us in faster decision-making through the use of unique and most up-to-date software, facilitating us in transforming our IT infrastructure into a strategic asset. Addressing on the occasion Sherif Seddik, Regional Director, Microsoft North Africa, East Mediterranean and Pakistan said that this alliance is testimony of our long-term commitment to enhancing business operations in Pakistan.
After complete deployment in both the organizations, the IT infrastructure of PTCL and Ufone can be compared with the best companies in the world, he added. He said that training and Premier Support Services are also part of this agreement. Kamal Ahmed, the Country General Manager Microsoft Pakistan commenting on the alliance, said: “Our mission and values are to help the people and businesses to realise their full potential.
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Posted by: Aamir Attaa on October 5, 2008 at 12:37 PM
Mobilink in collaboration with Singapore based TenCube has brought this service called “Mobilink Call Secure”, which was initially developed for Singapore Police and Military use.
Mobilink CellSecure is Mobile phone security software that allows you track down the thief, get alerted when your mobile phone is stolen!. Remotely lock your phone or disable access to Messages, call log and phone book in case your phone is stolen – At same time, you can auto backup your data on Mobilink servers and also remotely delete your data from phone – That’s perfect security.
Mobilink CallSecure can auto lock your phone in case SIM is changed (You can associate multiple SIMs with your phone so that it is not triggered if you use more than one SIM).
How to subscribe?
Before subscribing, you need to make sure that your phone is supported. Click here to check list of supported phones. Also you need to have GPRS activated for your number. (This is an application based service still you must be using Mobilink connection to acquire this service)
Afterwards, it’s simple! Just SMS “REG” to 50007, and you should receive a SMS with a link.
From this link, you will have to download Mobilink CellSecure, follow the simple installation process and get done!
Charges
A monthly subscription charge of Rs.36.3 (including taxes) apply
For further reading and FAQs click here
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Posted by: Aamir Attaa on September 28, 2008 at 2:01 AM
We have discussed before about how important is to protect your data stored on phone; especially those files which are confidential and of very personal in nature.
In case your phone is stolen, or it is temporarily in someone’s hand, you are at great risk of loosing this private data. The situation may lead you to a very depressing state leaving you with no option but to regret. So this is the right time to better plan your personal data storage strategies.
Second best practice is to protect your files with passwords (obviously the best thing is to not keep private files on your mobile at all). For this, unfortunately, our mobile phones don’t come with folder lock options. Let me review this software for you which can hide your files and folders from others.
This software, named as “File hide” can hide your files and folders. This is a JAVA application, meaning that its compatible to variety of phone models available these days.
After downloading “File Hide” application, you will be asked to set a master password after you run the application on first place. Just select a password and restart file hide to start using it. By the way you can change this password in anytime you want.
To start protecting your files you can click on an option named as “hide” in the option menu and the file will then not be listed in the phone and can be seen only through file hide.
Good thing about “File hide” is that it is a freeware and user friendly as well.
Please note that your files will be visible when connected to computer. So this is not the ultimate solution, obviously not a desired feature, but still a good tool to hide your files on mobile phone.
Download “File Hide”
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Posted by: Aamir Attaa on September 24, 2008 at 4:14 AM
Unfortunately, Pakistanis had to bear Marriott’s blast on Saturday evening, which not only left physiological impact on Pakistani, but it affected our economy as well. This mishap also arose various questions pointing towards the flaws that our system has within it. In this post, I may not discuss all of them, but my focal point would encircle only the jolts that IT industry felt very severely.
Evacuee Trust Complex aka STP2 (Software Technology Park), is just adjust to Marriot Hotel, Islamabad. This five floored building is home place for a large number of software houses, banks, Multinational firms and even the head office of Ministry of Information Technology and Telecom.
The burst of 1 ton explosion was less than 1000 meters away from STP2 complex; hence caused serious damages to building.
Until now, media has been neglecting this damage that struck STP2 building, leaving it not a viable place to work for IT professionals (until it gets repaired). Thankfully it was a Saturday eve (normally a holiday), otherwise the dead toll may have gone exponentially high. Even now, around 6-10 deaths and 20+ injured are reported in STP2.
Future of these IT businesses is still uncertain, as professionals are being shifted or they are asked to work from their homes. Defiantly not an ideal situation to have…!
I was thinking what can we do in such circumstances? Are we left with multiple options? If not, then let’s join our hands together and help each other.
It has been reported that at least 100 companies are affected and urgently looking for alternate space. Some companies are:
LMKR
Siemens
MOTOROLA
Mondo, GEO PAQ
OVEX Technologies
Microsoft
BrightSpyre
Ministry of IT
PSEB
Bentley
PRAL
Inbox
CISCO
Pakistan Tobacco company and others
PSEB and P@SHA are on the scene and helping IT businesses to get their (temporary) offices. So, if you have some space available to offer to these IT companies, please contact PSEB or PASHA members.
Please share your views? What steps should be taken NOW? How to fight this evil of terrorism?
Also how these continuous economical attacks can be fought? If you were a victim of this attack, in any way, what steps your company has taken to ensure your safety?
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Posted by: Aamir Attaa on September 13, 2008 at 12:08 PM
Few of us are just crazy to chat with their friends round the clock, especially while on the go or during load shedding, when there is nothing much to do. eBuddy, provides you a luxury to chat with friends and family from mobile, even when PC/Laptop and internet are not around.
eBuddy is a java based mobile software that provides easy access to various famous instant messaging clients such as Google talk, MSN, Yahoo, MySpace, AIM etc.
After download, from m.ebuddy.com you are asked to make an eBuddy user id, which allows you to configure username/password for all of your messengers (MSN, Yahoo, Gtalk etc). And the good thing about eBuddy is that it provides a single list for all your friends belonging to different IM clients, also what makes it better is the search ability to find your friend from a long list.
Be sure that you need to have GPRS enabled on your phone. However, you don’t need to worry much about your GPRS bill, because eBuddy won’t consumer much of data while you are chatting. (Even then I suggest you to keep an eye on your data counter, or you must have a flat rate package in which you just pay monthly fee against unlimited GPRS). eBuddy also saves your GPRS data transfer by hiding offline contacts.
Download eBuddy from Here
Computability
eBuddy is a JAVA based application, meaning, it support almost every phone available today.
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Posted by: Aamir Attaa on August 28, 2008 at 9:55 AM
Many times in my life I found myself in a situation when my DVD writer stopped reading a very important CD or DVD. I am sure all of you may have seen such a irritating situation when you find no other way but to curse your CD or DVD.
Okay don’t do that anymore, because there is a solution called Copy Cat 2.0. Yes, this is an application that can recover data from your scratched CDs and DVDs. Frankly speaking, I just tested this software, and it worked great.
Remember that a physically damaged disk area cannot be copied from CD or DVD in any case. What Copy Cat does in such a situation is that if such damaged area comes between a big file then Copy Cat skips the bytes which are not readable from file and copies all other bytes.
So don’t claim that it is not copying all of your data, but I assure you that this software is going to give you back the maximum amount of data from your badly damaged CD or DVD. Another plus is that Copy Cat can also copy data from hard disk area which is partially not readable.
Unlike Windows copy operation it does not stop the copy if bad area found. It is compatible with XP and Vista and above all, it is a freeware.
Download Copy Cat from Official Site
Download Copy Cat from Rapidshare
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Three Pakistani IT Companies won the Asia Pacific ICT Awards held in Jakarta Indonesia. 3 Pakistani
