tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90839744860086983202024-02-19T07:21:29.775-05:00impressionsAmeyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09276512144028538160noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9083974486008698320.post-82238659181369156472010-12-09T16:16:00.003-05:002010-12-09T20:09:01.919-05:00New egg<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.tringify.com/"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixXlNJQ5Cz3I_wcjfskC57q2MCEXqCVDBhWSNmkB9OSfuM6koOjjv6BayWB0sYV7ZGW2BdAn1dQM-usQ-qSn5H7Dxf0WLk-4Fy6vRp9tccTXm3F74Md1CB-jOZGo8n6VOvL6K4HinBpCFL/s320/tringify_5_16.png" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Click-to-Call service for small business</div><br />
Under the wraps for now, but should help small businesses increase conversions by connecting with their online prospects in offline world. Easy to use <a href="http://www.tringify.com/">'Click-to-Call' service for small business</a>. Launching soon.Ameyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09276512144028538160noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9083974486008698320.post-58061620306770042582010-04-16T16:47:00.004-04:002010-04-16T16:55:46.395-04:00Furlango - New web service to find interesting things to doI have been writing about cool things that I find interesting - but developed by others.<br />This time its new cool web app - that I am building with my friend.<br /><br />www.Furlango.com - new web app that helps you find interesting things and activities on easy to use map interface. There are many other websites that lists events. But we think going through the list is very painful job. I personally like map interface - since it gives you good idea about where things are. <a href="http://www.furlango.com">Furlango</a> is built on this idea of leveraging map interface.<br /><br />We are still in early private beta stage, but soon will be launching full fledged service. <br /><br />Stay tune for more news on <a href="http://www.furlango.com">Furlango</a>.<br /><br />For now check out this video and how our site looks.<br /><object width="660" height="405"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/rhznFbQh-R8&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/rhznFbQh-R8&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="660" height="405"></embed></object>Ameyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09276512144028538160noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9083974486008698320.post-78447840668255524322010-03-18T00:39:00.005-04:002010-03-18T00:42:38.366-04:00Phishing trap with facebook, and YES, workaround on how to get out of it!We are getting some very encouraging response on Back Benchers' Facebook fan page, and as as a side effect of that, may be, I am thinking lot about facebook in terms of its strategic value, and potential. And its very clear to me that Facebook and Facebook Connect in particular will be a huge platform. And I'll write more about it later on how Facebook will eat Google's lunch with fb connect. But right now - I just discovered the big flaw in Facebook Connect. I think its very very susceptible to phishing attacks. And as a user its important to be aware of this trap.<br /><br />Lets see what Facebook Connect is - it is a way for fb users to login into non 'facebook' website using your facebook's login credentials. This is awesome, since with fb connect you no longer need to create your account name and password for every single new service. So as a user, you can login into multiple sites with your fb account, and thus becomes seamless web experience. As a web developer, fb connect is a great way to attract users, and provide personalized services without getting them to sign up on your site. And since virtually everybody has an account with facebook this is great for everyone. So far so good. However the way this mechanism works is where the loop hole is.<br /><br />When you click on the "f connect" icon like this:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6x_P_NBSaXk_nTReHJcv2kuXn_cDAhtiFib4rEZp42Ftr9Ak4wsxt4kaJ91jS3rlAlLo2mo2v2mNRtVAIKL2eSDGCPuP-9u0RsOUd0FeSLw6n9wlTICay5wP8DoQlB-SxFjU8ooxEWEAD/s1600-h/fb1.png"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 93px; height: 33px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6x_P_NBSaXk_nTReHJcv2kuXn_cDAhtiFib4rEZp42Ftr9Ak4wsxt4kaJ91jS3rlAlLo2mo2v2mNRtVAIKL2eSDGCPuP-9u0RsOUd0FeSLw6n9wlTICay5wP8DoQlB-SxFjU8ooxEWEAD/s400/fb1.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449829208235857522" /></a><br /><br />A pop up appears where you are asked to input your Facebook account name and password. If you do, you can login to that site using Facebook account. Pop up looks like this:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_vcHm7IMnqPsnXMkoef8ofCSXXo01G6_Uhhdiw_Xu4sM0VVCSJQPBfLJR30o_5cjE7lfNoTba0h9q2iI4d5iHqqo7DQ2K9DyCztFLrKmkpUvVJK_5cL31buOGXcVV-4u2cw3NdQg_Yuvw/s1600-h/fb2.png"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 312px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_vcHm7IMnqPsnXMkoef8ofCSXXo01G6_Uhhdiw_Xu4sM0VVCSJQPBfLJR30o_5cjE7lfNoTba0h9q2iI4d5iHqqo7DQ2K9DyCztFLrKmkpUvVJK_5cL31buOGXcVV-4u2cw3NdQg_Yuvw/s400/fb2.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449829355381931170" /></a><br /><br />Question is, how can you guarantee that pop up is from facebook and not from some phishing website? One can easily put together fbconnect icon and following username / password page. Once you enter your information, attacker will store that info, and even can process 'real' fb connect from here. This is serious issue, one way to make sure pop is actually from facebook is to look at url and it will be from facebook domain. But reality is - this can be faked too. As more and more sites implement fb connect, risk of phishing attempts would rise.<br /><br />This is serious problem. All your social data and your half drunk party snaps are at risk!<br /><br />Now as a wanna be good blogger - I am going to provide a solution - well an actionable solution for you.<br /><br />1. Open a new tab, login to your facebook account. Go back to fb connect and login! : Two things are happening here. If you are are logged into facebook, facebook will store session cookie in your browsers memory. When you open fb connect window from other non facebook site, its back end code, if legal - will have access to these credentials, and will log you in into facebook without explicit login info. If this whole thing sounds too technical for you, just follow as I said earlier - Open a new tab in your browser, login to your facebook account. Go back to fb connect and login! Once you do that fb connect popup screen would look like this (Note email address and password fields are gone):<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyRIhJHR8SB0L2XM8BktYgc1DnLqkePVWjI2n4GdeKwiVrSf2fAmrjBNh8ZBqcU4pl7p5x6expKd5cCOr6I-z1AKIRLiI7p4a-CjvHU3XbCo8DdO_zkuh4ASCcsiDuTRKS-nrkJSflXTMw/s1600-h/fb3.png"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 244px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyRIhJHR8SB0L2XM8BktYgc1DnLqkePVWjI2n4GdeKwiVrSf2fAmrjBNh8ZBqcU4pl7p5x6expKd5cCOr6I-z1AKIRLiI7p4a-CjvHU3XbCo8DdO_zkuh4ASCcsiDuTRKS-nrkJSflXTMw/s400/fb3.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449829514753105074" /></a><br /><br />2. Be vigilant - and follow these general simple guidelines as a rule of thumb. Really, don't go to sites that you dont trust. Or at least don't provide the login info on such sites.<br /><br />That's it - Happy Surfing!Ameyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09276512144028538160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9083974486008698320.post-17120540724911529982010-02-24T19:46:00.003-05:002010-02-24T19:55:02.502-05:00Hi there, some new updates for youIf you are wondering, why am I not writing any new blogs on impressions, and you are eagerly(?%%$#) awaiting some stuff here (Which I guess is likely to be real true story) - I am involved in new blog space called - <a href="http://thebackbenchers.in/">BackBenchers Blog</a>. <br /><br />I'll be posting most of my serious blogs on Backbenchers - a blogspace with much wider audience and more skillful group of writers!<br /><br />Anyways, I'll keep writing here on more lighter subjects related to product, business, technology and just about any everyday things.<br /><br />On a side note - my wife has far better sense of humor than I have, and she writes far better (although less frequently) on lighter playful topics. So I recommend following her <a href="http://motionlessmomentum.blogspot.com/">blog</a> as well!Ameyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09276512144028538160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9083974486008698320.post-24976801921085534182009-11-11T20:19:00.010-05:002009-11-11T20:36:27.633-05:00Bing + Alpha Even better!Few months ago, I <a href="http://ameya-impressions.blogspot.com/2009/05/dont-be-afraid-of-polarizing-people.html">blogged</a> about a niche new search engine <a href="www.wolframalpha.com">Wolfram Alpha</a> is serving and its product positioning within that space. Turns out, Wolfram Alpha and Microsoft management is moving into exactly that direction. Microsoft's <a href="http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/11/11/wolfram-alpha-results-finally-show-up-in-bing/">Bing is licensing technology from Wolfram Alpha</a> to serve niche results. This is even better! Now Wolfram Alpha is getting mainstream traffic and serving outstanding search results within its special niche, while bing will serve most other results. This is win-win case for brilliant technology of WFA and promising counter attack by Bing...Ameyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09276512144028538160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9083974486008698320.post-70130530647637073322009-10-01T02:26:00.008-04:002009-10-04T01:53:53.974-04:00is facebook defying gravity?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://cache0.techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/orkut.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 620px; height: 254px;" src="http://cache0.techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/orkut.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Social networks usually have a very strong network effects. Meaning, I don't give a damn about ANY social network unless I have my friends/ family on the network. So I would not care about facebook otherwise, but since most of my friends are on facebook, I am on facebook and vice-a-versa. (Ok you can imagine other example of network effects, eg. Phone! I have a phone because other people have a phone and I can call them! ok enough of being pedantic..)<br /><br />IMHO, establishing a new product by breaking these network effects is as good as defying gravity. I'd not put my money on such product/ service. But it's apparent to me that facebook is eventually going to beat Orkut in Indian market. Not long ago Orkut was the norm. Everybody is/ was on Orkut in India. But something happened, and suddenly people are moving to facebook. In my small test sample of my own friends, I have added 100+ friends on facebook in last 2 months who also happen to be my friends on Orkut. I have over 20+ wall posts on facebook, and have just under 5 'scraps' on orkut... <br /><br />What you think? What could be the reason behind this kind of abnormal phenomenon? What is the secret sauce facebook have that orkut doesn't? After all, orkut is a Google venture!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Update:</span> <a href="http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/10/01/google-has-a-plan-to-stop-the-mass-exodus-from-orkut-no-friend-exports-for-you/">!so Google - Orkut's response to stop the exodus to Facebook - stor from tech crunch</a>Ameyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09276512144028538160noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9083974486008698320.post-87588637364409103392009-09-16T18:43:00.004-04:002009-09-17T17:10:52.328-04:00Digitizing Books One Word at a Time<span style="font-weight:bold;">UPDATE:</span> <a href="http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/16/google-buys-service-that-uses-humans-to-digitize-books/">Google buys ReCaptcha</a> | <a href="http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2009/09/teaching-computers-to-read-google.html">official one</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Original Blog</span><br />Continuing my curiosity with CAPTCHA's, I came across this amazing initiative <a href="http://recaptcha.net/learnmore.html">here</a>.<br /><br />This project involves digitizing books using solved CAPTCHA's. Over 200 million CAPTCHA's (words) are decoded by real people everyday. So this novel idea involves using this effort to convert books into digital books. In the past we have used OCR (Optical reader) software. But OCR's are not accurate enough. Combining OCR + human intelligence with CAPTCHA's is a killer idea!<br /><br />Similar efforts were implemented by Google to improve its image search results called <a href="http://images.google.com/imagelabeler/">'Google Image Labeler'</a>. But reCAPTCH project is taking social human intelligence to the next level. <br /><br />What can be other ideas of using human effort to make meaningful contributions? Few ideas I can think of are - music tagging, video tagging, using spelling mistakes as a feedback to spell checkers.... What else? Any suggestions?<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Related Blog: </span><a href="http://ameya-impressions.blogspot.com/2009/01/captchas-kaptchas-that-make-me.html">CAPTCHAS that make me feel illiterate</a>Ameyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09276512144028538160noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9083974486008698320.post-45103949897557286432009-09-09T02:55:00.012-04:002009-09-13T20:39:56.435-04:00Kai Fu Lee and doing web business in ChinaLast week Google China VP <a href="http://www.cmu.edu/homepage/global/2008/winter/kai-fu-lee.shtml">Dr. Kai Fu Lee</a> <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS29226+07-Sep-2009+BW20090907">left Google</a> to start his own venture capital firm to back China based high tech innovation. Last year as a student at Carnegie Mellon University, I had a chance to listen to his interesting lecture on Google's China strategy. I highly recommend watching his full lecture to anyone who is interested in understanding China's technology landscape, and how it is different. He shared some very interesting observations like -<br /><br />In China - people do not have access to Wikipedia!<br />It is belied that to be successful in China one needs to take long term view, Google fully understands this -<br /><blockquote>"We will take long term view in China, China has 5000 years of history and Google has 5000 years of patience in China" - <a href="http://ameya-impressions.blogspot.com/2009/05/story-of-graduation-commencement-speech.html">Google CEO, Eric Schmidt</a></blockquote><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://searchengineland.com/images/justbehave-june-15-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 413px;" src="http://searchengineland.com/images/justbehave-june-15-1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Finally, the way Chinese users view a search page is far different than the way americans do - here are the results of an eye tracking study of a Goole search page!<br /><br />Here is the full lecture -<br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/sgDGNPnb124&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/sgDGNPnb124&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object>Ameyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09276512144028538160noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9083974486008698320.post-43062511463072741552009-08-27T18:36:00.018-04:002009-08-28T03:38:47.616-04:00Solving maths problems using Wolfram AlphaRecently, I won a maths challenge (ok, I am kidding... but anyways), and the secret sauce behind my quick problem solving ability was - <a href="http://www.wolframalpha.com/">Wolfram Alpha</a>.<br /><br /><script id="WolframAlphaScript" src="http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/embed/?type=medium" type="text/javascript"></script><br /><br />Lets look at how it solves some complex high school maths problems -<br />1. Find LCM (least common multiple of 5, 21, 87) = LCM(5,21,87) = <a href="http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=lcm+of+5%2C+21%2C+87">answer</a><br /><br />2. Remember quadratic equations ? Lets give it a try, <a href="http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=3x+%5E2+%2B+6x+-+15+%3D+35+">solve 3x^2 + 6x -15 = 35</a><br />3. Moving on - solving linear equations? Lets try to find values of x, y and z from following :<br />7x + 8y - 3z = 80, 2x - 3y + 4z = 35, 6x + 2y + 3z = 50 - here is the <a href="http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=5x+%2B+3y+%3D+30%3B+8x+%2B+7y+%3D+70">answer</a><br />4. Finally, (I was lost by this point) - remember chain rule for solving differential equations ? Lets try differentiating (4x + x ^ -5) ^ 1/3 and the <a href="http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=differential+%284x+%2B+x+%5E+-5%29+%5E+1%2F3">answer</a> (Tip: All steps included)<br /><br />Btw, here is complete <a href="http://www.wolframalpha.com/examples/Math.html">list of examples</a>. Wish I had this cool tool when I was in school - and the case for <a href="http://lifeandmoneytoday.com/2009/06/14/wolfram-alpha-rekindles-campus-math-tool-debate/">not having one</a>, and <a href="http://numberwarrior.wordpress.com/2009/06/13/teaching-to-the-limits-of-wolfram-alpha/">a smart get away.</a>Ameyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09276512144028538160noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9083974486008698320.post-85748752562696239192009-08-05T23:44:00.009-04:002009-08-20T23:01:31.940-04:00EntrepreneursLast week two of my friends launched their own businesses - this blog is a tribute to their promising ventures -<br /><br />My Carnegie Mellon friend Ankush Gupta - recently launched his venture <a href="http://www.vigyaapan.in/"> Vigyaapan technologies </a> - a targeted advertising product focused on leveraging social networks. Unlike most ventures of ad-targetting on social networks, Vigyaapan is building product based on social connections (network) formed over a "phone" network.. His venture was also featured under <a href="http://www.proto.in/">"top 10 hottest start ups"</a> in India.<br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Ron22ZRjuHE&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Ron22ZRjuHE&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />My high school friend Vipul Shah has also launched a very promising business - <a href="http://www.triasadvisory.com/">Trias Advisory</a> - Firm aimed at providing financial advisory solutions. Vipul and his partners hold an MBA from reputed institutes and vital experience in wealth and financial management.<br /><br />So, if you want to market your product, contact Ankush, or if you are rich and need a new and promising money manager contact Vipul. My best wishes to both these ventures...Ameyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09276512144028538160noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9083974486008698320.post-51626504796414742402009-08-02T16:53:00.007-04:002009-08-02T17:13:50.125-04:00Miles Miles MilesIf you are a "semi frequent" flyer - or a frequent flyer but not really loyal to an airline - there is a good chance that you will end up with "miles" way away from 20000 or 25000 miles required to get your free round trip.. This is your dead beast - essentially of no use but the savings number. Recently I figured out a way to use this dead beast rather meaningfully - <br /><br />It turns out we can subscribe to many news papers and magazines at relatively cheap miles! Here is a quick summary of what you can get for round trip miles that you have earned on your last NY-SFO flight...<br /><blockquote>Fortune Magazine for 12 Months (1200 Miles)<br />Forbes Magazine for 12 Months (1400 Miles)<br />Wall Street Journal (Daily) for next 8 Months (2600 Miles)<br />Barrons for 12 Months - (1200 Miles)<br />Your Local news paper for 2 Months (600 Miles)<br />Econmist (51) - 3100 Miles</blockquote><br />I guess thats an impressive list - if you are one like me - who loves reading all these business articles - and specially in a print format this is a free treat with your dead miles - Enjoy!<br /><br />(Btw, now you know secret behind my daily wall street - Also eventually no one is going to pay any money for this - you can read this case <a href="http://network.nature.com/hubs/boston/blog/2009/04/07/would-you-pay-for-online-content">here</a>)Ameyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09276512144028538160noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9083974486008698320.post-21864709712653792912009-07-10T21:04:00.011-04:002009-07-20T19:21:34.681-04:00Between friends and foes<span style="font-style: italic;">(Don't they look similar?? :-)</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqAdWuwgJut72UcwHrk8ox1Dz4w1OL7th6OR_EgA58aEV3HfuLEfnuqsTxYOdz-KBA4AgxWiqGiLBmw4Y76czGYzb58Sm5c-LydLKZDRtUjg9_p3XO6gqETnHl3jAo1Ab4NJzvThfCfBNV/s1600-h/Picture+3.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 273px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqAdWuwgJut72UcwHrk8ox1Dz4w1OL7th6OR_EgA58aEV3HfuLEfnuqsTxYOdz-KBA4AgxWiqGiLBmw4Y76czGYzb58Sm5c-LydLKZDRtUjg9_p3XO6gqETnHl3jAo1Ab4NJzvThfCfBNV/s400/Picture+3.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357002538973011778" border="0" /></a><br />As Google announced <a href="http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2009/07/introducing-google-chrome-os.html">new OS</a> this week, and <a href="http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/06/01/apparently-bing-is-something-of-a-hit/">Bing made advances</a> - rivalry between two tech titans is getting interesting...<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Picture Courtesy - <a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2009/07/09/sun-valley-gates-and-schmidt-do-lunch-but-dont-comment-on-google-os/">WSJ and related article</a></span>Ameyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09276512144028538160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9083974486008698320.post-20459085445679269022009-06-30T20:30:00.007-04:002009-06-30T20:51:31.244-04:00Trust and FraudToday, <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124604151653862301.html#mod=todays_us_nonsub_page_one">Bernanrd Madoff gets lifer</a> for his gigantic fraud/ ponzi scheme that hammered US Financial system. Madoff's fraud was discovered only 6 months ago - and verdict is already out with 150 years of punishment.<br /><br />Perhaps, what Madoff is to US, founder of <a href="http://www.indianexpress.com/news/rs-8-000-cr-fraud-hits-satyam-raju-may-get-7yr-jail/407821/2">Satyam - B Ramalinga Raju</a> is to India. Satyam's fraud came in light around similar time as Madoff's, and he did exactly what Madoff did - took trust out of the system... <br /><br />Looking back - Madoff is already convicted and is in jail, and as our Indian judicial system goes - matters are still under investigation, at least few light years away from final conviction...Ameyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09276512144028538160noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9083974486008698320.post-32619915208187511082009-05-17T23:26:00.008-04:002010-05-04T01:37:41.492-04:00Story of the Graduation Commencement Speeches<span style="font-weight: bold;">Update:</span> <a href="http://www.onlineuniversities.com/blog/2010/04/50-incredible-historical-speeches">50 Must Watch - Incredible/ Historical Speeches</a><br /><br />Today I graduated from Carnegie Mellon, and as part of the commencement, we had a chance to listen to the finest commencement speech by Google CEO - Eric Schmidt<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/zX6soj3g9zs&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/zX6soj3g9zs&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />It was a great speech - and definitely the one that will make every single Carnegie Mellon graduate proud.<br /><br />But speaking of commencement speeches - Steve Jobs commencement address at Stanford remains historic one<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/UF8uR6Z6KLc&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/UF8uR6Z6KLc&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /><br />Just blogging - two of the the finest commencement speeches together - connecting the dots, and graduating with the Information...Ameyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09276512144028538160noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9083974486008698320.post-36326906394065890582009-05-12T22:45:00.005-04:002009-05-12T23:07:57.145-04:00Don't be afraid of polarizing peopleI am not talking about Political parties here, but rather - designing products. Some products will appeal to most, but there will be certain products which polarize people. And more likely or not these products will serve 'niche' markets and can actually make decent money!<br /><br />Google is being central in search engine space... But I always believed there are areas around this central space which should serve niche areas. yes Google is the best - but it only fulfills 80% of my needs - I need niche product for remaining 20%...<br /><br />This week, I found one - <a href="http://www.wolframalpha.com/index.html">WolframAlpha</a>- they call themselves computational knowledge engine... Search Engine product designed to address computational queries. You can find more information <a href="http://www.wolframalpha.com/index.html">here</a><br /><br />If these guys manage to churn out successful venture - there will be more people going after more niche products. And that could be beginning of the end of Google's super monopoly. If not - I don't see any threat to Google in foreseeable future. So lets wait and watch the alpha launch...Ameyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09276512144028538160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9083974486008698320.post-14211186140707619262009-05-11T20:23:00.003-04:002009-05-11T20:34:37.167-04:00Just for the kicksDo you like predicting what would be next? Do you like thinking about the future trends? Do you say - "oh I knew it" - after the result? Well... at least I do... And hence, I am sticking my neck out and predicting the result of the Indian General Elections 2009 - (well who cares about my predictions ? ok - read the title of this blog then)<br /><br />Form of Government - Coalition (no brainer)<br />Leading Party - Congress<br />Opposition Party - BJP <br />What about others? - Sorry no predictions here.<br /><br />Alternative scenario could be - unstable government with outside support of Congress, and then we will have reelections soon. But otherwise - its UPA/ Congress back in power.<br /><br />Ok do you like to predict? Go ahead - and write your predictions in comments box.<br /><br />Finally - I liked these readings <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7914229.stm">here</a>, <a href="http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/ruebarbpie/entry/who-s-been-india-s">here</a> and <a href="http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/ruebarbpie/entry/is-the-bjp-coming-back">here</a>.Ameyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09276512144028538160noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9083974486008698320.post-30945131003761059712009-05-06T12:35:00.005-04:002009-05-06T13:05:31.999-04:00Origin of 'Soap' Operas - And Great Depression<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq_YilcpaKdtXPuFBG57bA_y9llkM0L0hPI5JIMsDeHKgS4Vy_LUA2VxdUz0CWFNn4Z2kwm4XSaa8UlEyIUlRUoQHLduh4hvadlkAvoHnGt01_sOzp8C1DR70Hdi2e5x0nQqnDb6VYdKUI/s1600-h/200px-Time-SoapOperas-1976.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 258px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq_YilcpaKdtXPuFBG57bA_y9llkM0L0hPI5JIMsDeHKgS4Vy_LUA2VxdUz0CWFNn4Z2kwm4XSaa8UlEyIUlRUoQHLduh4hvadlkAvoHnGt01_sOzp8C1DR70Hdi2e5x0nQqnDb6VYdKUI/s320/200px-Time-SoapOperas-1976.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332754562757590130" /></a><br />Today media is filled up with stories of recession and comparisons to great depression. But funny things happened during the great depression. As with the economy Proctor & Gamble - a producer of household items such as soaps, was heavily suffering through economic tumult during the period of great depression. But P&G came out much stronger company towards the end of recession. How did the soap giant beat the Depression? Companies marketing team started heavily advertising on afternoon spots, and even started its production house to create radio shows and TV shows aimed at housewives. These shows turned out to be so successful - that these shows were further recognized with the name of 'Soap Operas'. Of course, P&G came out as much stronger corporation.Ameyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09276512144028538160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9083974486008698320.post-49554783105685197332009-02-04T15:40:00.007-05:002009-02-04T17:11:06.212-05:00Vote Chooser - Indian VersionRecently I came across this interesting site - <a href="http://www.votechooser.com">VoteChooser.com</a> This site is simple way to allow people to decide to vote between Obama and McCain based on their respective policies. Site poses simple 10 questions - and bang you know whom you should support at the end of the questionnaire. (By the way, I was supporting 7 Obama policies out of 10 total questions). <br /><br />Since, Indian general elections are around the corner, I thought building similar website would be very useful. Despite many differences, most of the Indian politics revolves around UPA, NDA, and Left forming two and half major fronts. So the concept is simple - posing 10 questions, answers to which should lead you to vote for either NDA or UPA alliance. <br /><br />Unfortunately, I couldn't find 10 differences at policy level between UPA (Congress) or NDA (BJP)! I checked <a href="http://www.congress.org.in/">Congress's website</a> - a major party in UPA alliance and <a href="http://www.bjp.org/">BJP's website</a> again a major party in NDA alliance for possible publicly declared manifesto/ policy document. But there is nothing on those two websites.<br /><br />So my quest for VoteChooser Indian version has hit the major road block in the absence of 10 major differences between two poles of Indian politics. Irony is that parties representing 1.2 billion people do not have policy agendas on things that matter such as infrastructure, education, health care, foreign affairs etc. This is surprising, may be I am missing something. Any suggestions? Can you lead me to form those 10 questions?Ameyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09276512144028538160noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9083974486008698320.post-29836029148759816882009-01-22T16:32:00.001-05:002009-02-03T03:25:40.136-05:00Captchas... Kaptchas that make me feel illeterate!Well, I know Captchas are an invention by <a href="http://www.businessweek.com/mediacenter/video/innovation/2d69d35b7ca13d647fa2669093a7e13dc5f859b2.html">Carnegie Mellon guy</a>, and we all are so proud about it and all.... but hey look at these captchas... I just can not read them! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2011/2269029094_8d22cfa2a3.jpg?v=0"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 335px; height: 203px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2011/2269029094_8d22cfa2a3.jpg?v=0" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2374/2269029028_acb1c52622.jpg?v=0"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 162px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2374/2269029028_acb1c52622.jpg?v=0" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVU0EDOmJDKA6JtJXxqX62fIN3qjfRLP-7Sgc-U39OhKQ9UF3Of3TcCrhOdgVRUfrayz1o4MWUGkOvg2jGGJ7mrD1JpQIUZ3LqVEwigCCVzRswbULEpXE1YFvgWSrZvcE6IhIiO2qU55SZ/s1600-h/image1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 57px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVU0EDOmJDKA6JtJXxqX62fIN3qjfRLP-7Sgc-U39OhKQ9UF3Of3TcCrhOdgVRUfrayz1o4MWUGkOvg2jGGJ7mrD1JpQIUZ3LqVEwigCCVzRswbULEpXE1YFvgWSrZvcE6IhIiO2qU55SZ/s320/image1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294236417606284370" /></a><br /><br />These funny things were originally designed to identify 'human' user from a script attack. Later people wrote scripts to crack these captachas. So programmers added more complexity to make them 'unreadable' to a script. Unfortunately, we have reached the stage, where even humans can no longer read the words in those capchtas!Ameyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09276512144028538160noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9083974486008698320.post-83841322054711258342008-11-15T18:27:00.001-05:002009-02-03T03:25:22.291-05:00New World OrderUncertainty is part of life. Ok, So we have this concept<br />of risk that comes naturally with uncertainty. Then comes risk assessment and then risk mitigation etc. We also have all financial derivative instruments to cover these risks. As events are unfolding, I am sensing need of new order to manage this uncertainty. Lets take example of 2 events that have unfolded in last 6 months:<br /><br />1. Dollar has strengthened by over 25% against Euro (and also Rupee)<br />2. Oil is down from $146 to now below $60<br /><br />These two statistics carry unprecedented change for businesses around the world. My view is, its impossible to do business and emerge as a winner on your business strength, too much luck involved in those numbers. This is hurting. Classical economics of demand and supply is not working. We have not stopped drinking oil in half, nor we are eating more dollars... <br /><br />For stable long term growth, we need to cap these swings. Yes, I am for regulation. As a society we can never sustain 10-15% growth y-o-y, and we need to cap this growth. As a society we will be more happy in long term steady growth as opposed to <br />erratic swings we are observing through this economy. More certainty will bring more consistent business opportunities and more capital will flow into pure business models as opposed to trading models. <br /><br />My guess is post crash of wall street, our leaders will embrace new world order,<br />where uncertainty and volatility will be discouraged with regulation and innovation will be encouraged by sound policy making....Ameyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09276512144028538160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9083974486008698320.post-83441959101065488432008-04-25T13:44:00.001-04:002009-02-03T03:24:53.283-05:00Sticky Ads of My Life<span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">We come across many ads during our life time, but there are<br />some ads</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> which are just pure classics, and for some reason or<br />the other they just</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> stick with you....</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Here is the collection of one the most "Stickiest" ads of my life -</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Cadbury - Dairy milk</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I just can not forget this ad. Beautifully crafted commercial.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Successfully connects joy of life with Cadbury. In the process</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">wonderfully captures soft romance and pure unbound</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">'expression of joy'. Enjoy -</span><br /><br /><object height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/485lz0ZEwEw&hl=en"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/485lz0ZEwEw&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="355" width="425"></embed></object><br /><object height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0sYpE2HXZ9I&hl=en"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0sYpE2HXZ9I&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="355" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Hamara Bajaj</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This is not really a 'classic' type but a nostalgic one .</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Representative of the era of 'licence raj' when people</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">lined up for this scooter for months. 'Hamara Bajaj'</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">tune is just there somewhere deep down my memory...<br /><br /></span><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xEV8MWd1p3M&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xEV8MWd1p3M&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><br /><object height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/RefBVlN5t8Y&hl=en"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/RefBVlN5t8Y&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="355" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Mile Sur Mera Tuhara</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span>This is not really an ad but a filler <span style="font-style: italic;">prasar bharti </span>used<br />to air between programs. Those were single channel <span style="font-style: italic;"><br />doordarshan</span> days when watching superstars<br />on a TV was a rarity. I remember watching this 5 minute<br />filler for 2 second glimpse of Amitabh Bachhan :-)<br />This was also an effort to install 'understanding' of united<br />India. Now looking back, I must say it was immensely<br />successful effort.....<br /><br /><object height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_LZ7l7nwU60&hl=en"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_LZ7l7nwU60&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="355" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yeh dil mange more...<br /></span></span>I guess Sachin enjoyed this commercial to the core...<br />Some fantastic music ending with 'aha' by Sachin<br />which was Pepsi's earlier slogan... a lingering impact<br />of Pepsi commercials.<br /><br /><object height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/WMzZfzzG80s&hl=en"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/WMzZfzzG80s&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="355" width="425"></embed></object><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Changing gears.... Commercial representative<br />of India's mobile</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" > revolution - </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This is the last one in this series - AR Rehman's Airtel Ad!</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This tune is now almost synonymous with Airtel -<br />call it measure</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> of success for this commercial.</span><br /><br /><object height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/3wbm0dwxl0Y&hl=en"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/3wbm0dwxl0Y&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="355" width="425"></embed></object><br /></span>Ameyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09276512144028538160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9083974486008698320.post-5645050308939245332008-03-30T14:13:00.001-04:002009-02-03T03:24:35.628-05:00Opera Experience<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2OE2bjuZPSiuIW9JOJT9-zXQfZ_dFvTGa6NEgvoBBTmeKmu3NO29r4qf9BUKyz4hzamTMmsn3opwjUzAvlIZNJJ3RbOX6iA5C3s_4k2DQhJI6jRfAHEZth8npCzwCyZgn-BZ2E-XN2sFZ/s1600-h/AIDA2a.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2OE2bjuZPSiuIW9JOJT9-zXQfZ_dFvTGa6NEgvoBBTmeKmu3NO29r4qf9BUKyz4hzamTMmsn3opwjUzAvlIZNJJ3RbOX6iA5C3s_4k2DQhJI6jRfAHEZth8npCzwCyZgn-BZ2E-XN2sFZ/s320/AIDA2a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183606806562194450" border="0" /></a>Yesterday, I watched Opera for the first time in my life. Very rich and interesting experience.<br />Experience went beyond my initial goal - to check out art form called Opera. AIDA Opera performance takes you to ancient Egypt. Its glamorous, its colorful, and its huge.<br />Check out program website <a href="http://www.pittsburghopera.org/0708season/aida.shtml#">here.</a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil6-uaCJpHU2HdYmqYklCz17lqxIZGosF5KsjyQ_zv87IRuRWutFsmecZDJx4agv40vwblA9sJwhkhT6fmDwS7ogx50H-rcsgv1yxKHizIVkKicTKyMBYLaVGzwieou9kuQplBIADIuFBZ/s1600-h/AIDA3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil6-uaCJpHU2HdYmqYklCz17lqxIZGosF5KsjyQ_zv87IRuRWutFsmecZDJx4agv40vwblA9sJwhkhT6fmDwS7ogx50H-rcsgv1yxKHizIVkKicTKyMBYLaVGzwieou9kuQplBIADIuFBZ/s320/AIDA3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183607476577092642" border="0" /></a>Why is this different?<br />AIDA Opera is a spectacular performance - More than 200 on stage performers have put together this show. Show succeeds in taking you to ancient exotic Egypt.<br />Show brings alive various sets from Royal palace at Memphis to moonlit bank of Nile.<br /><br />I was wondering how am I supposed to understand "Italic" Opera. But they actually display translations on electric display board.<br />We are quite comfortable with concept of 'sub titles' for foreign language movies. Actually having sub-titles for 'live' performance was interesting!<br /><br />Honestly, I could not understand much of the music piece. But visuals were good enough to keep me at my seat for more than 3.5 hours. ( yes its a long show, with 2 intermissions)<br /><br />I could not stop comparing this show with Marathi Mega Show called "Janata Raja" (Knowing/ Almighty King). Janata Raja was also huge colossal of 200+ artists and larger than life sets.<br /><br />How Janata Raja performance would scale if given all the resources these opera's enjoy?<br />-I guess that day is not too far. So for the moment, lets wait and watchAmeyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09276512144028538160noreply@blogger.com0