Why, I don't like to go back to Kardan?

It's been three days, I do not attend Kardan classes anymore. It's clear, because I want to move to AUAf. But why? This piece by Seth could be an answer, in some way.

Changing frequently or sticking to one organization?

Willing or planning to apply to any world-top MBA program, you've got to meet some requirements to being admitted in such business schools. Meaning, you must start from now; for example, for myself, which currently attending courses, in the second year of the BBA.

One of these requirements is job experience, which different b-schools have a need of typically five years experiences, very much preferably in the field of administration.

But, a question, has been a few weeks with me:

Which one is more desirable?

• Having variety of job experiences i.e. having been worked in different positions and in different organizations; or,
  
• Sticking to one organization and passing a long time on it.

assuming, in both, conditions are the same, regarding salary, job environment, promotion, etc.

The same way, I raised the question on B-School Forum. Up to now, it got one response (thanks to tomino), as follows (any update would be possible):

Soroush, I'd probably prefer sticking to one (or two) organization(s) for a while, instead of changing jobs too frequently. If you have 4 different jobs in 4 years it could indicate that you can't adapt to any environment and are a difficult person who doesn't really know what he/she wants.

tmino

To see the complete discussion, click here.

Update (Thanks to deldotto):

It's best to have as few company shifts as possible, and show continued growth (i.e. promotion/raise). If you switch companies, make sure you have a good reason, such as accelerated promotion/title/pay, or something like your company had a major layoff. Switching just to switch with no sound basis will only work against you. Migrating positions (work type) probably won't really work out all too well, as B Schools are looking for people with a vision. If the work shifts help you reach your goal/vision, it's great, but if t hey don't...it might be a tough explanation.

As for years of experience, 2+ is likely preferred. This is the basis of Harvard's 2+2 program...they basically say you can apply while in undergrad, but they expect you to go work for 2 years before you start the MBA program. Moreover, Harvard is the program that is currently leading the push towards younger applicants, so clearly they see some value in experience.

deldotto

First meet with AUAf

I just went to the AUAf. They said I've got to pass TOEFL with minimum 500 scores, and also, I have to pass a 12-credit semester in there. If my results are satisfactory, I am going to be allowed to transfer my credits from Kardan, otherwise, I have to start from the beginning.

Even in that case, I would not give up. I am pretty sure, I am not going back to Kardan, again.

Do you prefere competing or being protected against that?

Is it really good to have a safe haven for your business with no person competing with you? Seth says, NO:

You can pretend that you are unique, that you have no competition and never will. Inevitably, this will create an attitude that, while fun for a while, will probably harm you later.

OK, THIS is certainly, like it or not, a reality, that you have to compete. So, is competition, in essence, a good thing, if you have the option not to choose that?

Read In search of competition, by Seth Godin.

Getting beaten only for a pair of gloves?!

Last Sunday, I bought a pair of gloves from Roshan plaza. But the gloves got torn off after just two days. I am a student, and I had planned to wear them for very many years! But however, just a two days was not fair.

Anyway, I returned to that shop to change those gloves. The shopkeeper accepted to get them back and change them with other ones. But I wondered the new ones' life was only two hours! Comparing with the previous ones, better I'd not have changed them!

I, again, turned them back to the shop, this time certainly for a refund. The shopkeeper refused to refund and paying back my money. We were almost starting fighting that I gave up and said, "OK, accept the money and the gloves both as a Christmas gift"! And, went away. What could I do more?!

You know, it's good to fight to get your right, but at that time, I felt I would being behaved discourteously more, if I continue that.

All the thing, I was thinking about, during those arguments between me and the shopkeeper, was all things I was being said and taught in my Sales management and Marketing courses. Alas! I forgot about my money, but what about the shop and its reputation, if any?

Wait until tomorrow

Back to work, and damn feeling not so enthusiastic about things around! But why?

Last Thursday, I went to a friend of mine who is in AUAF, to talk about my possible opportunity to be admitted in there. He made me very much hopeful about that. He said, I would better go personally and ask the admission office, but he said, I have a chance to transfer my credits, and also, as far as I counted roughly, I don't have to pay so much, as tuition fees and like that.

Today is off, tomorrow, I am going to AUAF. You keep stand by. Let's see what will happen...

Merry Christmas

Not so much to say, just Merry Christmas, and very much happy holidays with your families and friends.

I have come to work, today, in a holiday. Everything is damn shut down!

Also, last night, I thought, I'd better to move to the AUAF, as I already said, but the time is so tough, and financial issues, too. In addition, I've got to pass a few tests and exams, I don't hope, it'll be a good time for them.

Another question is whether or not I'd better finish this semester. I am even not sure the AUAF would accept the transfer or not.

OK, let's see what's coming.

Social networking--living in a virtual world

TechCrunch yesterday, Monday Dec. 22, published a post on I’m Sorry Robert, But It’s Time For A Friendfeed Intervention, by Micheal Arrington which brings an attention, again (by Robin Wauters), on "addiction" to some social networking Web sites such as, Twitter and FriendFeed. And, this time the subject is Robert Scoble, the author of the Famous Web log, scobleizer.com. Robert, himself, has responded to the post by another post in his scobleizer, which both are worthy to review, particularly, if you are too, a networking addict!

I, myself, a couple of months ago, was spending 5 hours on FriendFeed, on average, a day. Now, I am not. At that time, I was passing a depression period, which somehow I was being relieved by spending time on FriendFeed and chatting with other guys, on there. I don't know, I am not a psychologist or something, but it, itself, could have been the cause to getting into depression in my case. I am saying this, because, last night I, also, read a post on What Online Community? by Keith Whitworth, on Business Week. It pays attention to reactive behaviors in teenagers' "lives of the so-called Millennials, who were born between 1982 and 2003 and grew up on the Web and mobile technology".

Definitely, social networking has brought us very many facilities, no need to mention again, but, what about these all negative reactions caused by living in a virtual environment such as the Internet?

Virul Marketing--something I need

I knew it has been so unprofessional, but I have been keeping doing that! I don't know, myself, why! I am talking about marketing for TUC. It's really strange--at least for myself. Since, I am a business student, why haven't I been looking for a better way to market for my Web log? Couldn't be there any other possible method of marketing?

What have I done, then?--the way I have chosen yet to market my Web log has been sending an email manually to each and every other students at Kardan Institute of Higher Education, to inform them that, yeah, I am updated! Don't you think it is the most unprofessional, inappropriate, stupid, selfish way of marketing? So what about all those things I have learned there, at my marketing courses?

How have I now gotten to the point?--today, while scrolling on G.R., I reached to, again, sethgodin.com, which has gotten to the list of my favorite Web logs, since only less than a week. Seth Monday Dec. 22, has published a piece on What is viral marketing? Shortly explaining two kinds of "Viral Marketing" as:

The original classic sort in which the marketing is the product and which a self-amplifying cycle occurs. Hotmail, for example, or YouTube. The more people use them, the more people see them. The more people see them, the more people use them...

A second kind has evolved over the last few years, and that's a marketing campaign that spreads but isn't the product itself. Shepard Fairey's poster of Barack Obama was everywhere, because people chose to spread it...

He also has provided a link to his book on Unleashing the Ideavirus, which "the book itself is an example of viral marketing", as:

1. I posted the PDF for free. Three thousand people downloaded it on day one.
2. The file is small enough to email to your friends. I encouraged people to do just that.
3. Some people mailed it to fifty or a hundred people. It spread.
4. ...

This is really how a person, a genius one, markets himself without even you know it or feel it! Actually even now, I have marketed his product here. So no need to add that, I recommend you very highly this post to have a look, and also download the book.

P.S.: I must find a way (like the one) to market TUC. Anyone having an idea?

Etisalat's CRBT-- getting shocked while making phone call

From the very beginning of the Afghanistan Interim Government, one of the flourishing industry in the country has been the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) technology, since after a few decades of war in Afghanistan, there was no possibility to establish other means of telecommunication, regarding infrastructures and so on.

Etisalat Afghanistan, a U.A.E.-based telecommunication corporation, is one of these providers of GSM technology. In May 2006, it signed an agreement with Afghan authorities in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. to operate a GSM network across Afghanistan and become the fourth GSM operator in the country. The company is completely owned by Etisalat U.A.E. and it's the "sixth largest company in the Middle East".

One of the services the company provides, in Afghanistan, is CRBT, or Coloring Ring Back Tone, which provides "your caller with your favorite songs, before you pick up the phone [...] instead of the dial tone".

To activate the service, one having the Etisalat SIM card must subscribe to the service which it charges 100.00 afs. The other charges for the maintaining the service include Rental Charges and Usage Charges, for selection or changing the ring tone, you would like your caller to have a good moment with while calling you by listening that.

The problem exactly is hear. Imagine the case when somebody, for instance, an important person, was calling you, what would he/she be thinking about you, then?! That's good, to some extend, using it among your friends, but I don't think it could be so appropriate for official use-- the CRBT and the Etisalat SIM card then. OK, this is definitely MY taste, as a potential customer for Etisalat. What do you think?

Being funny (!), it could have another use: using it to shock your callers!

And Steve--this is the third

This is the third (as far as I have been keeping the track of those I love) who leaves the Silicon Valley--Steve Jobs. This was the first and this one the second. Of course not yet, maybe soon. We heard some rumors regarding his heart attack, though it was rejected. But something's clear. He will leave.

Probably, you have ever touched one of the Apple products; whether it is iPod, iPhone, or iMac; and you certainly have felt how wonderful it is to hold in your hands and work with that. That's the miracle of a company once Steve Jobs brought into this world.

Steve Jobs, "the most powerful person in the business", founded Apple in April 1976, a company which is the 1st in the "Top 20 Most Admired Companies". The products Apple have designed and produced ever are:

• Apple TV
• MobileMe
• OS X
• iPhone
• iPhone 3G
• iPhone App Store
• iPod + iTunes
  

Steve leaves Apple very soon, but, what about Apple itself. Is it going to fall down? If Steve leave the company, does it mean we won't have anymore the opportunity to have such wonderful products as iPhone or iPod?

Kevin Kelleher have published a piece on GigaOm as, Apple Will Be Just Fine Without Steve Jobs. He says,

I’m one of those in the lonely camp that doesn’t believe Jobs is Apple and Apple is Jobs. Or that when he disengages from Apple the wheels must necessarily fall off.

Undoubtedly, we love Steve, but love more Apple. And, we don't want Apple to be shut down, after Steve; something, I suppose, Steve does not want it, neither.

Want to join us in BW B-School Forum?

Just a minutes ago, I added a feature on my sidebar titled "BW Business School Q&A" (just under "Twitter Updates") which includes questions on everything regarding getting MBA. It's a community in Business Week called B-School Forum, among MBA students and other professional people with useful ideas and advices, to which you can join and post your own questions and get answers for them.

I think it'll be very much useful, especially for us to get better familiarized with the field we are supposed to study further, and find a clearer concept about it, to choose a better way.

Move to AUAF or what?

I am really chill, at the same time, I have a huge energy these days, to read, to study, to learn, to participate in courses, meetings, seminars, totally to activize myself, as much as facilities allow; and even not allow! But, when I take a look at all things all around, I found almost nothing to get myself enthusiastic about. Kardan which is almost idle and even I don't know what we have these days in our schedule, is completely disappointing.

There has been a few days I have a plan to move to American University of Afghanistan (AUAF) which I belive, as far as I know about, is much more active and disciplined than here--both the University and the students. I am not willing to humiliate anybody in here, but THIS is a fact.

Creative Advertisement--something all we need

Oh, please God, what if could someday, Afghan marketers reach such an insight!

Traditional advertising is inherently selfish. It interrupts in order to generate money (part of which pays for more interruptions). That approach doesn't work at a cocktail party, or at a funeral or in a social network.

Read it all in here.

Criticize me as much as you can

A few days ago, I wrote a short piece on Roshan's newly-launched M-paisa, in which, I had criticized the TV ad of the service, containing a negative promotion about education. It was, about the same, followed up by no considerable reflections from my fellows. OK, I am not criticizing anybody, since, my blogs could be very unprofessionally and unskillfully written, and so, they may not be so good to gain so much attraction. But anyway, I am a student, and I am not supposed to do so much at this time. One of the reason I am blogging here, is the exercise of writing, and as a business student, getting deep into the business events, all in order to be remained updated. Also, I am sincerely inviting, as I have been always doing (here, here, here, here, and here), all my fellows to take part, by either commenting on my blogs or publishing themselves, to promote their knowledge.

However, one of my dear friends responded to the aforementioned post and said that how much I am criticizing "which is easy". First of all, I appreciate my friend for his kind attention to my blog, and secondly, I must say that (as I said before) being critical about things is neither an easy task, nor something worthless. In order to be critical about things, we first of all should open our minds as much as possible, to see things better, or better to say, not to prejudice things. And, this openness itself is not an easy thing. I, myself, try as much as possible to reach that openness.

Being critical, though it seems these days something worthless, especially because of some the TV shows, is not so. Even, I consider those very unprofessional TV shows, useful, to some extend; arising such an imagination. They, however, put assumptions, analyses, opinions, etc. forward to have the issues opened for all. But there is still the opportunity to have a better critical view on them.

This is all we need: to criticize, to criticize, and to criticize. And, never let anybody get asleep and be always an "alarm-bell" for them.

Have you ever seen Google advertising?!

I was just reading a post by Jeff Jervis in the famous blog, BuzzMachine, titled Try life without Google, France. It was a nice post; though I missed that all! Why? Because, while reading the post, there was a paragraph as,

This anti-Google attitude comes from an apparent sense of entitlement that we see clearly in France but also elsewhere: Google owes us. We are losing money from advertising and Google is making money from advertising...

And, though, I read completely the post, but I was thinking entirely that why doesn't Google advertise for itself? I have never thought about it before, all businesses throughout the world, do advertise for their products, but not Google, or actually, I have never seen an advertisement, for example for Gmail, GoogleMap, GoogleDoc, YouTube, Blogger, etc. But why?

TechCrunch--a leading role in the new generation of mass-media technology

Technology Web logs, just as the technology itself, are very much rapid in posting news, analyses, and opinions on launches of latest technologies, developments, events, start-ups, etc. The authors of these Web logs are completely professional and earn money through advertisement being placed on their Web logs. Some of these Web logs are managed internationally and updated from all over the world. They have to be stand-by and sharp enough their e-nose and e-ears, almost 24-hourly, to capture the news, before other bloggers exceed. Some of these bloggers "complain of weight loss or gain, sleep disorders, exhaustion and other maladies born of the nonstop strain of producing for a news and information cycle that is as always-on as the Internet". This issue even causes some arguments about the potential deaths in this new profession.

One of these Web logs is TechCrunch which is managed and updated by several authors internationally. TechCrunch has been founded on June 11, 2005 by Micheal Arrington. It is “a Web log dedicated to obsessively profiling and reviewing new Internet products and companies”. TechCrunch is co-edited by Michael Arrington and Erick Schonfeld.

TechCrunch has received the following coverage:

• Featured on CBS News (again), Technorati 100, Feedster 500, and CNet Top 100 Blogs
• Mentioned in the Wall Street Journal online and print editions on December 7, 2005
• Mentioned in the San Jose Mercury News online and print editions on January 15, 2006
• Discussed at length in the cover story of Business 2.0 magazine (print and online) for September, 2006
• Voted the top blog by Business Week readers in a September 2006 poll
• Featured in the online and print editions of the Wall Street Journal on November 3, 2006
• Featured in a front page story in the San Francisco Chronicle on December 6, 2006
• Written up by the Financial Times in December, 2006
• Named one of the 50 Best Business Blogs by the Times of London in June 2007
• Written up by Wired Magazine in June 2007
• Featured with other blogs in the San Francisco Chronicle’s business section on October 21, 2007
• Appeared on the Fox Business show Happy Hour on January 29, 2008.
• Interviewed by Portfolio.com on February 29, 2008
• Interviewed on the Charlie Rose show on March 7, 2008.
• Featured in the Los Angeles Times online and print editions on June 5, 2008.

Heather Harde (CEO)

Heather Harde, is the CEO of TechCrunch and she regards that as “a wonderful new adventure”. She is a graduate of Mount Holyoke College and Harvard Business School, and has spent the last ten years working within News Corporation, such as, Fox Interactive Media, News America Marketing, TVGuide and ASkyB.

Micheal Arrington (Founder, Co-Editor)
Micheal Arrington is, if not the most prominent, but one of the most distinguished tech-bloggers in the World, such that he has becomes number 2 in the Forbes’s Top 25 Web Celebrities and also one of the 25 most influential people on the Web by Business Week. He educated in economics and law at Stanford.

Also noteworthy to say that, TechCrunch according to Twingly, the social blog search engine, on Tuesday, December 16, is “the most important Web log” both in “All languages” and also in “English”. (Review the post of TechCrunch on that in here)

Want to sell your ideas?

In a rapidly changing environment in business, as we all so many times hear from our teachers, and read in the books, notes, etc. one thing is very important, that is, how to best utilize resources in order to make costs reduce, grow productivity, and totally keep up with tough competitors. These are all about how to take advantage of new ideas just around you. But, most of the time, they are ignored. There must be some people nuzzling and finding these ideas; the ones who have a special vision to see them.

Also sometime, it may has happened to you that you expresses an idea you have, nobody first pays attention, but after sometime, you observe that someone has stolen that and takes the most advantage of. But, what about if your ideas could be sold? Why not?

Seth Godin, the 4th in the Forbes's Web Celeb 25, on Monday December 15, in his famous Web log, sethgodin.com has published a post on Selling ideas to a big company. He writes:

Two things have to happen before a big company buys your idea:

1. They have to be in the business of buying ideas.

A company that likes buying ideas has a process. They make it relatively straightforward and they have no upside in stealing from you. A company that isn't in that business puts up barriers. They troll around trade shows looking for ideas to take (and there's nothing legally or morally wrong with that, imho).

2. They have to trust you

The reason that big companies don't want to hear from you is that they don't trust you. They don't trust you to understand their industry, or to understand implementation. They don't trust your judgment about whether it's a good idea. They don't trust you won't flake out, or sue them, or sell your ideas to multiple parties.

I strongly recommend you having a look at this article.

To waste time, or not to waste time!

Techcrunch has released a post, Sunday December 14, on "...How Much Time Do You Waste On Twitter?" by Robin Wauters. I do not so much worry about it, my time is already wasted on blogging!

Roshan’s social irresponsibility

Alas! Whenever you turn on the TV (of course, if we had electricity, at all!), you are forced to watch commercial advertisements, which are forced into between the programs, without any sense. The advertisements which are supposed to be commercial which it doesn't look so very much, and also are considered being advertisement, but advertising what?! Totally saying, they are free of creativity and artistry. On the other hand not only lack of creativity outcries in these advertisements, but also they promote sometimes socially irresponsible scenes, I am wondered while watching them.

One of these incredible advertisements is of Roshan telecommunication. This company has been established in the very beginning of President Karzai's government, by the Telecom Development Company (TDCA) GSM license, commercially launched on July 27, 2003 and manifests itself as:

The word "Roshan" means "light" in both of the national Afghan languages, Dari and Pashto. The name Roshan was given by the people of Afghanistan as Roshan brings a promise of hope, development, and a brighter future for Afghanistan.

Roshan is the GSM cellular service provider in Afghanistan, with coverage in over 222 major cities and towns and over 2.6 million subscribers. The company is privately-held corporation which has been very much successful through providing relatively high-quality communication facilities.

Roshan has recently launched a service named “M-Paisa” as a way to transfer money anywhere in Afghanistan using mobile phone. As it says “It’s an innovative mobile payment solution ideal for people who don’t have a bank account”.

I do not have so much knowledge about telecom technology so I am not talking from a professional point-of-view or something. Only as a customer, I did not find this facility very much interesting.

But the issue I want to open that, in here, is the TV advertisement of the service which has a part (a sentence and a reaction) that does not look and sound very much responsible. The person who does not informed about the M-Paisa is going (Saray-i-Shahzada, maybe) to transfer money to his children who are students at Herat University. The man talks with a tune and a mode of voice which says incidentally, “Hey! What a damn work to do!” (Sending money for children for paying their tuition fees).

One of the obligations of any business is acting through socially responsible ways. At the time that all the people in Afghanistan, including businesses, need to promote education, I wonder why the marketing in-charges of Roshan could not find any other way to advertise their service other than this way.

Why do we love Google?

How much I love Google! This may be all about the revolution the company has brought to the Internet world. And, could be because of placing always the first-tenth in the rankings: the Fortune's 1st in "Best Companies to Work for"; the Fortune's 4th in "the Most Admired Companies"; the Forbes's1st in "America's 25 Fastest-Growing Tech Companies"; one of the 10 names on"BusinessWeek's list of the World's Most Influential Companies", etc. I love so much Google and make so many examples in the class of Google, that the teachers and others students have nicknamed me sometime "Google"! I love even this name!

Google first created on 4 September 1998, and through only 10 years now has more than 20,000 employees and 67 branches around the world. Even some big names in Silicon Valley as Microsoft and Yahoo afraid of such a teenager, who is nothing but innovation.

But how and why Google has reached this today's position? These all questions are answered by the "34-slide presentation on Google prepared by FaberNovel, a french consulting firm". The questions such as:
I am inviting you to take a look at this presentation and find reasons for your all wonders.

Update: The link to download the complete PDF version is in here.

Greetings and salutations in the global business

In any culture, among any people, of any race, color, language, religion, there is definitely a way to start communicating while two people reaching each other. And certainly, this is the right time whether or not to begin a successful afterward communication. This is also true in the business world. But, in this one, the task is much more important and complicated, especially when it got globally. There could be no difficulty starting communication with a person of your own family, town, language, country, etc. But imagine, how one businessman should start communication with a person belonged to thousands of miles away, then, to make a successful bargain with him/her?

Definitely, there are considerable differences between the ways people salute with each other, throughout the world—one shakes the hands, one bow, one kisses the hand, one kisses the face, one hugs, etc. what should WE do, before carrying out a transaction with a Chinese, Japanese, Mexican, whoever?

Humans, though, may have been originated from a single point they now have huge differences with each other. These all diversities are imperative, and also essential to build communication in the international arena.

The differences in them could have a million of reasons: weather, history, neighbors, and very much more. Differences always there are; even, despite of all endeavors to establish a global village and remove all cultural barriers to better communicate. Most of the time trying people to understand why they believe in something is an unfruitful task, as they themselves have never asked such questions before. For example, you all know that respecting family, patriarchs, religion, tribe, etc. are unhesitating. But have you ever asked yourself, WHY? Similarly, when you ask an American person, why he/she believes in freedom or individualism, you, most of the time, may not receive a proper feedback.

The scope of these diversities in culture also covers the ways people, around the world, salute with each other, i.e. “say hello”. For example, each country has its own common way of shaking hands. In the United States people shake hand very firmly, but in U.K. very softly. Most of the Asian countries consider hand-shaking very uncomfortable (not recently); on the other hand, Koreans are exception. The Japanese, for instance, though hand-shaking has become common among them, prefers bowing. Arabs hold each other.(1) In Afghanistan we also hold and touch the other person’s cheek with our cheek only once; in Iran, however, it is thrice! Muslim people while dealing with women do not often like shaking hands, but in Western societies that is a common thing.

Being informed about all these is going to certainly arise the necessity that if one would like to start business internationally should understand these problems and make himself/herself ready to deal with them. When I worked at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as it most of the time deals with foreigners, so sometime it happens to open introduction and speaking with a woman, and sometime a lady. The instruction we were told to follow was, bowing slightly, and rising her hand at the same time, but not too much, and kissing it. Though, it may not acceptable for you reading this, but it is sometime imperative. You never must forget this that, this is YOU who is willing to build a communication, and certainly a successful one, with the other person. Therefore, you have to observe this point.

Another example for my argument could be Taliban. You may all be informed about the competition between Unocal and Bridas for the Afghanistan Pipeline. Bridas representatives met Taliban for first time, in August 1995. The assumption I am certain about it, is, they were already equipped with their adviser’s advises on how to face and greet with Talibs. But, what do YOU think?


----------
(1) R. M. Hodgetss, F. Luthans, and J. P. Doh, International Management (Culture, Strategy, and Behavior), Six Edition, p. 94.

The time to have one!

Yesterday, after I posted the "Let's blog", some nice friends of mine responded and expressed their willingness to opening a Web log. OK, this is a great pleasure to me! Here, I have prepared a short simple instruction on "How to open a Web log", including a few easy steps to follow. You can see it beneath the post. You need to just click on the arrow on the right to follow the instruction. I have also provided that both in PDF and PowerPoint formats to meet the mass-customization principle! To download the instruction just click here (for PDF) and here (for PowerPoint). Hope you enjoy that.

How to Open a Web Log

Let's blog!

Hey fellows! As you know, I am a blog-worm! Of course, I don't think this is a bad habit or something, but rather I believe it could be very useful. One of its advantages could be building a blogging community among ourselves. The possible benefits, I believe, are unimaginable. In addition to this, we also would have a great opportunity to establish relationship with other students in famous universities, in particular, business school, all over the world, and take the advantage to use their knowledge and I don't know, whatever you may obtain.

Here are two of them I have found, through my discoveries (!) that I would like you to consider.

• Standford Social Innovation Review
• Standford Technology Ventures Program

Update: Hey dudes! I must apologize for the introduction I made today morning for Standford Social Innovation Review, as you can see above. I had subscribed to that Web log through Google Reader, but a few minutes ago, when I wanted to open a post and read it, surprisingly observed that is restricted to only payer subscribers! That's too bad! But no problem, there could be lot of such similar Web logs you will find through the Internet. Sorry for any inconvenience from my side.

What is YOUR capacity?

How much capacity do you think you have in learning? Learning is not an easy task--not something new to say, but its difficulty rather than its time and efforts taken and made to learn, is more about a mind which can be the most open, to learn, to face, to hear, to look, to say, and to challenge the unacceptability of new things in this way. That's why I am saying it's not an easy task. You put whole of your life, your time, your energy, your money, to learn; but after all, as you never are ready and willing to face something that is in contrary to your own beliefs, so you fail to all these. so easy! Because, first of all other things, you put your beliefs ahead, and then you look for things and as you already have the answer (!) you judge.

A few days ago, we had a somewhat conflict in the class in the Psychology course. Oh, please don't get me wrong! I am not talking about the question of mine on the "hotness of male or female", which is itself could be a case to study as psychological point of view, but rather, I am talking about the afterward argument between me and Mr. Rahul. He's a nice man, and I like his manner, but that day, his way of arguing was not at all acceptable. He was arguing that, yeah, females are in essence like this and male like that. Up to here, I had no problem, of course, with the method of arguing, not with the message, which I am completely against it. But, he started saying that God has created such and such! I don't know how he could argue like this. That was not a religion class and he was not a religion teacher to talk for us about this that what the God has created or not. If he was religion teacher, I would have no problem with his thesis (!), but he is a psychology teacher, and I do not consider him as so credible to discuss such things for me.

But, the most painful part of the story--as it always has been-- is that when I was willing to open the story and elaborate that what all these had been and what I had meant, with so much sorrow, I observed that the fellows have so firmly closed their mind, that even, they did not want to open it, even for a few seconds!

This one too!

Jerry to resign.

Among those favoring Usmani

I have been always among those in favor of Mr. Usmani. I am not writing this to flatter him, but only to express what I feel. At least, because he has been always very kind to me and of course, to all of the students. I have never seen him being asked a question and then, getting angrey; what, the other teachers seem do not like; at least not all but most.

I have even seen a few imaging I am challenging them while asking a very simple question. And what, they do, in reaction, are different: some get angry very clearly and tell me, "Are you telling me this?", the others raise a joke to make the class environment very funny and to create this conception that I am joking...

But not Mr. Usmani. Even if he is joking, it is because of making the class joyful, but not encouraging.

Kardan's shy bloggers!

Today, after coming back of a few-day holiday, about the same, I was just digging into the Internet and especially Blogger, through the blogger list of Afghanistan. I found a few weblogs, some worthy to mention, some not, but since these bloggers, active or inactive (!) are all from Kardan, it is a great pleasure to me to talk about them.

A few months ago, I was informed about the activity of a blogger called "Kardan Morning Folio". I was very surprised, then. Now I am more! I found other people from Kardan blogging. It's really getting interesting for me to dig and to find such shy bloggers! and show them to others.

Here they are:

• Azad
• Idriss Enayat (like this one)
  
• Well come to my weblog (or something like that!)
• I.T Professionals
  
• Afghanistan towards development (with no post yet!)
  

Sergey Brin talks different

Google's cofounder, Sergey Brin joint the Blogger, "TOO". In his blog, titled, "Too" he says:

... While Google is a play on googol, too is a play on the much smaller number - two. It also means “in addition”, as this blog reflects my life outside of work.

I am writing, but for whom?!

Yeah, I am writing, but for whom? No comment, no... oh no, the counter shows that some people, but very a few, open this page and I don't know more, whether they read anything at all or not.

You know, I opened the University Campus, at first, as the title itself says , only for the Kardan fellows, but they do have nothing with Web log. They are too busy, as they say, to put time on such things, wasteful things. But, I don't think so. Web log is not a wasteful thing, it's a miracle in the 21st century... "oh, really?!"... uh... I don't know, maybe not...

Lack of capacity!

You don't know, how disastrous it is being in the class of a university teacher who is a low-capacity person! What could be worst than this in a university life? Unfortunately, we have some of these creatures in Kardan! You spend your time, your money, your energy, your opportunity costs (being economical!) and the outcome? Nothing, but losing your lifetime and getting foolish...

I believe being in the position of a teacher, either school or university, is not an unimportant thing, and, the one must be very careful about himself or herself. I am saying this, because, I have taught and I know how much my pettiest behavior could damage the live of many students, in any age and in any level... but, these people...

Some pains

I yesterday was forcibly asked to leave the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; I was not fired though. After a year working there and getting used to that, to the people, to the offices, to the trees..., now I have to forget them all...

You know, actually I would leave MFA soon, but I don't know why I am not happy now. Maybe it's because of L.Y. She is still working there. This is a little bit difficult to endure.

God damn accent…

When I started talking in the first day of the first semester with my American accent, everybody began laughing! Why... I don't know... You know, this country and its people are strange creatures. You can not understand how to deal with them. For example, in this case that my accent, both Persian and English, are different with what the other talk, are not acceptable for them. Even all people, throughout the world talk in this way, since they do not talk such, so they are not able to understand and tolerate with that.

Somehow, I agree that my Persian accent is Iranian (or, used to be) and I do not anymore expect them to understand that when I have been born in Iran and passed whole of my life there, so I would not be able to change my accent within a day. But, however, I have finally changed it...

But what about, when I am talking in English? In Iran, thought the government is excessively against the United States, but it's very much popular among Iranian people. And, American accent is a very much popular among them too. I learned English language in such a country, so naturally I also love American accent. You've got no idea how much we were killing ourselves to pronounce a word in a native-like way; hours, days, weeks, months took to learn to pronounce a word correctly as the Americans do!

However, when I came to Afghanistan, and better to say, to Kardan Institute of Higher Education, I faced with this reality that these people do not like American accent and even, they can not stand hearing a word with this accent.

Making it short, I've got to say that not anymore, these people do not laugh anymore, at my American accent! Of course, who knows, maybe I am not talking with American accent anymore! Because, as far as I know, Afghan people never ever have been able to change themselves...

A new voice from the Kardan Morning

When I opened the University Campus on October 15, 2007, nobody paid attention to that. I had to and sometimes still have to send a warning email to everyone that yea, the University Campus has been updated! It couldn't have been more unprofessional than this! But, anyway I had to, because no one did know how he/she could open a Weblog and read it and post a comment on it!

But, it seems to me that little by little everything is changing and some guys are getting interested in blogging and its world. Oh, my God! You've got no idea, how much I am excited! Today morning, when I checked the comments on the University Campus, I faced with a comment:

Hi,
Really nice blog, and make sure you pass on the information to anyone who is relevant in enjoying this blog on Kardan...

The person posted this comment also put for me a link to his/her blog: A blog on Kardan, named "Kardan Morning Folio". The writer does not mention his/her name.

Who could guess that at last someone realizes the importance of Weblog and how exciting blogging could be? This is an initial step, let's continue.

Hey! be careful, maybe someone's reading your Gmails...!

When you use multiple computer to check your G-mails or when you use a public place like cafeterias or Internet clubs you might forget sign out your Gmail account... But, don't worry! Now, you can sign out your Gmail account from a remote area of the computer you're sign in.

But, unfortunately, this feature is not available in every account by now. However, you might would like to be informed. Maybe it's coming soon. (Read the full story by clicking on the title)

...

from right, the second person is Mr. Rao

I just heard that my dear friend, Shri V. Venkateswara Rao, the Counselor of Indian embassy has been among those killed in today morning's suicide attack on the Indian embassy.

I don't know how I can be shared with grief of the families of Mr. Rao. I am so sorry... I... I wish I could never be in this world as an Afghan... I wish...

I lost a friend I do not think I can never have one another alike...

I don't know what to say... Please help me...

You are BUSY? So what...?

I was just hanging around on Facebook and was doing such things as "hug", "kiss", "join" the... group, "commenting" on... "post" or "photos", etc. It wouldn't be fair, if you judge that it's nothing, but fun! I mean, it maybe has not an immediate "return on investment" (!), but in the long run, it can put you into an environment, full of friendship--with people you knew in the past (high school, elementary school, previous jobs, etc.), with people you had just heard their name (actors, actress, famous singers, etc.), and even with those you have never met them before...

I just thought, while hanging around on Facebook, that what you fellows would think about me: "Hey, take a look at this free-of-charge guy! He has nothing to do, but doing wasting-time things..."

OK, I have no power on what you would think about me and so, I don't care. But, guys, let us a little think about how exciting would be, if we have a network among the students of D3, and even Kardan. I suppose, some classes of Kardan have created such networks. My suggestion is, let's try it too.

I don't want to talk about the potential benefits from my point of view, only. This is just a suggestion. I let you understand your own interest in it, just once you come into that.

Bill retires--Who's next?

Who can believe, one day, Bill Gates, the one, whose decisions have been affecting, for many years, any computer user, throughout the world, some day retires from Microsoft; a company he co-founded it and loved like a kid. The one, who has been in the front line of innovation for decades in the world of operating system. The one, who proved anything is possible through hard work, good leadership, and creating a work environment with a rich culture, and...

Yeah, it's possible. Maybe, for us the people of the third-world countries, this, is a unique and unbelievable phenomenon, but not, for that part of the world. It is a fact, and you can not deny it. But Imagine, if one of our guys, in these countries, could have such a power, do you think, he or she would be willing to lose this power some day. Impossible! At least, in Afghanistan, I can't find such an experiment; never. For example, if you just get back to the history of our political leaders, none of them was willing to get away of the power, but when was killed! This is a fact. I worry about the present President Hamid Karzai...

Anyway, I was just talking about the computer world and the retiring of Bill Gates. In these days, in press, you can find very many cool articles on Bill Gates' retire, you difinitely enjoy reading them. Here is one of them.

Who Will Fill Bill Gates' Shoes?

Interesting note by Erick Schonfeld in Techcrunch on "Who will carry on his legacy [Bill Gates] and define the current Web era of computing?" The writer mentions a few big names such as, Microsoft's Ray Ozzie, Google's Sergey Brin and Larry Page, Amazon's Jeff Bezos, Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg, FriendFeed's Paul Buchheit and Bret Taylor, and a few others.

I, strongly, recommend you to read this article. You surely will enjoy it.

Just for a break

Exams begin on July 13--Of course, you all know that. I, myself, want to get myself dead ready for that; Especially for Business Statistics. That's a god damn subject, and a lovely subject in the same time! I love and I hate it...

Oh, by the way, in the previous post, I used --not intentionally-- a little bit rude word at the end of the post. Some guys expressed their concern on it and noticed me. I, here, would like to apologize all of those guys who found that sentence insulting--that's it. But, one point: as a writer --especially a blogger one-- I would not be able to express what I really want to express, without these words. This, is a reality--want it or not. This, is exactly for that reason, we can not get rid of these words out of our sentences while we are talking. And, the other point is that: words, themselves, can not be rude or polite, but, this is WE, we give them the meaning we want them to be meant. In this point of view, the meaning, I expected, you guys understand, by that word, was not the denotation meaning, but a connotation...

OK, I don't want to give your time with my nonsense words, anymore. However, this is what I think, I don't want to force you --through my words-- to accept it.

And, one thing else, I would appreciate you to put your comment just below the post, by clicking on "comment". That's a better way of expressing your comments.

I am back!

Hey everyone! I'M BACK. Actually, have nothing to say now, but, want to say that I'm still a little bit alive and breathing!

I can not write very long. You don't know, how much, I'm busy. But, I try to write more, from today on. And, you can expect more those god damn emails again!

Terminal exams are to begin some day next week, and, I am to prepare deadly myself to deal with them.

But, everyone, I would appreciate you to write to me. I will be alive just for that reason--to read your fucking messages!

Write to me, please...

What can I do?!

Oh, My God! I don't know whether to cry or laugh! Yesterday, though, I had studied very hard for Financial Management exam, but I did it terribly. Actually, it was not my fault. I did my best and almost did all of the questions well. But, one question, just one question...

I don't know when the Kardan in-charges want to take care of their problems. The question sheet has two parts, A and B. The Part A has four questions that we had to do all of them. The Part B had three questions, but we could do just one of them. Until now, nothing is wrong. But, in what sense, the four questions of part A could carry 16 marks, but one question of part B, 9 marks?! When you took a short notice at them, the question of part B was not more difficult than the questions of part A.

Anyway, I know well --and, you know better than me-- that I can do nothing. I just lost those 9 marks, but, not because, I was not enough ready for the exam, but because, the system of marks of the exam was absolutely wrong and imperfect.

A few words with myself (no reading!)

I have just opened the Microsoft Office and put the music of one of my favorite movies the Hours in the background and want to write… But, what about? There is nothing apparently to write about. And even if there was, I could not write, because my English is not so good to express, through words and sentences, what I really think, what I really would like to say, what I really feel…

But, no problem! Who reads my bullshits!? So, no matter how I am writing them. Just I let them come. Yeah! It doesn’t matter whether they are true or wrong. They’re coming themselves and who I am to judge on them?!

Today, Thursday, was the last day we went to Kardan, before the mid-term exams. We have been also given a week off and you have no idea how much I am happy about it! I am completely finished… no! Not completely, but not so much neither to continue appropriately as it should be.

I think these off days will be a good opportunity to take a look at back and to review what we have had till now. Also, I myself have got to begin thinking about my semester project…

Oh, I think, my words got finished! And, these a few words—full of grammatical mistakes!--, you don’t know how much I struggled they got out of my mind! So, the only words remained are “bye now”.

"Chalk-and-Talk"—this is all we see!

In these days I am always exhausted. I do know why. It is all because of my studying at Kardan Institute. I am not a lazy student and nor a very, very talented, clever, smart one, but at least I am very, very accountable student. Why am I saying that? Because, my exhaustion is not physical, but mental. Because all I do to keep track of things around me, have nothing positive outcome.

I have said this before here and I want to repeat it again, addressed to the in-charges of Kardan: the quantity of subjects we have been assigned to, are very many. But in the other hand, there is no quality—this is what I am exhausted of.

Two days ago, Kardan students talked about increasing the number of years we have to pass in Kardan, according to the Ministry of Higher Education. But, I think that cannot have much outcome, as the Ministry of Higher Education means. The MHE wants us and Kardan to learn the subject in more time than 3 years. In essence, I think that can be good decision, but, I am sure that Kardan’s in-charges will find some ways to take advantage of this issue. Some of my friends said to me that they will assign us to pass two 5-semester a year and no winter semester to coverage the 4 years of MHE.

But, if they really take care about us, the Kardan students, they should just decrease the number of subjects in a semester. In this way, we can both pass a 4-year program of Business Administration and also go deeper to the subjects, by having more time to study.

Today, just a half an hour ago, I was just reading an article in Business Week titled “Business Schools: A Study in Failure” by Peter Navarro. That was all about the traditional and ineffective ways of teaching methods in Business Academies. While I was reading, with each sentence, I could not avoid not smiling! If the writer of that article could see our business school, what he would say then?!

Today, we’re going to have Macro Economics. This is a subject I really loved, but, I don’t know why I do not now! What Mr. Asad talked about it with us, I don’t think can be Macro Economics. Whatever, but, I am sure this is not Macro Economics.

The problems are not only with Mr. Asad. All of other lecturers get used to talk and talk and then… talk and we are listening, listening, and not getting what this person in front of us are talking about! They say they want to involve us, but that just a word. Practically, they have nothing to do with involvement! “chalk-and-talk”—this is all they know!

There was a sentence in the article of Confucius. he says, “Tell me, and I will forget. Show me, and I may remember. Involve me, and I will understand.”

Masturbation--Keep it firm!

On Friday April 18, Advacate.com has posted an article titled, “Masturbation May Prevent Prostate Cancer.” It is the first time I hear such a statement about masturbation. Everybody, everywhere, every time there were statements arguing that masturbation is a very, very, disgusting, damn thing you have to leave it away. And even just for one time, I didn’t here even a sentence on the benefits of this action; Or anything on the normality of that as a human being.

Now, all guys doing that: don’t worry! Read this article and keep it firm!

Yahoo responds to Microsoft

You may know (or not) that in these days, Silicon Valley experiences a hot argument between Microsoft Co. and Yahoo! Inc.

On January 31, 2008, Microsoft offered a bid for Yahoo! to buy it with the price of $44.6 billion or $31 per share. Yahoo! rejected the offer publicly on February 11, because it regarded it undervaluing the company.

On April 5, Microsoft sent a letter to the board of directors of Yahoo! and gave it three weeks to make decision. The letter is as follows.


April 5, 2008
Board of Directors
Yahoo! Inc.
701 First Avenue
Sunnyvale, CA 94089

Dear Members of the Board:

It has now been more than two months since we made our proposal to acquire Yahoo! at a 62% premium to its closing price on January 31, 2008, the day prior to our announcement. Our goal in making such a generous offer was to create the basis for a speedy and ultimately friendly transaction. Despite this, the pace of the last two months has been anything but speedy.

While there has been some limited interaction between management of our two companies, there has been no meaningful negotiation to conclude an agreement. We understand that you have been meeting to consider and assess your alternatives, including alternative transactions with others in the industry, but we’ve seen no indication that you have authorized Yahoo! management to negotiate with Microsoft. This is despite the fact that our proposal is the only alternative put forward that offers your shareholders full and fair value for their shares, gives every shareholder a vote on the future of the company, and enhances choice for content creators, advertisers, and consumers.While there has been some limited interaction between management of our two companies, there has been no meaningful negotiation to conclude an agreement. We understand that you have been meeting to consider and assess your alternatives, including alternative transactions with others in the industry, but we’ve seen no indication that you have authorized Yahoo! management to negotiate with Microsoft. This is despite the fact that our proposal is the only alternative put forward that offers your shareholders full and fair value for their shares, gives every shareholder a vote on the future of the company, and enhances choice for content creators, advertisers, and consumers.

During these two months of inactivity, the Internet has continued to march on, while the public equity markets and overall economic conditions have weakened considerably, both in general and for other Internet-focused companies in particular. At the same time, public indicators suggest that Yahoo!’s search and page view shares have declined. Finally, you have adopted new plans at the company that have made any change of control more costly.

By any fair measure, the large premium we offered in January is even more significant today. We believe that the majority of your shareholders share this assessment, even after reviewing your public disclosures relating to your future prospects.

Given these developments, we believe now is the time for our respective companies to authorize teams to sit down and negotiate a definitive agreement on a combination of our companies that will deliver superior value to our respective shareholders, creating a more efficient and competitive company that will provide greater value and service to our customers. If we have not concluded an agreement within the next three weeks, we will be compelled to take our case directly to your shareholders, including the initiation of a proxy contest to elect an alternative slate of directors for the Yahoo! board. The substantial premium reflected in our initial proposal anticipated a friendly transaction with you. If we are forced to take an offer directly to your shareholders, that action will have an undesirable impact on the value of your company from our perspective which will be reflected in the terms of our proposal.

It is unfortunate that by choosing not to enter into substantive negotiations with us, you have failed to give due consideration to a transaction that has tremendous benefits for Yahoo!’s shareholders and employees. We think it is critically important not to let this window of opportunity pass.

Sincerely,
Steven A. Ballmer
Chief Executive Officer
Microsoft Corp.


And, here is Yahoo!’s response to the letter which has been addressed to Steve Ballmer the CEO of Microsoft Co. released yesterday.


Dear Steve:

Our Board has reviewed your most recent letter with regard to the unsolicited proposal you made to acquire Yahoo! on January 31, 2008.

Our Board carefully considered your unsolicited proposal, unanimously concluded that it was not in the best interests of Yahoo! and our stockholders, and rejected it publicly on February 11, 2008. Our Board cited Yahoo!'s global brand, large worldwide audience, significant recent investments in advertising platforms and future growth prospects, free cash flow and earnings potential, as well as its substantial unconsolidated investments, as factors in its decision.

At the same time, we have continued to make clear that we are not opposed to a transaction with Microsoft if it is in the best interests of our stockholders. Our position is simply that any transaction must be at a value that fully reflects the value of Yahoo!, including any strategic benefits to Microsoft, and on terms that provide certainty to our stockholders.

Since disclosing our Board's position with respect to your proposal, we have presented our three-year financial and strategic plan to our stockholders, which supports our Board's determination that your unsolicited proposal substantially undervalues Yahoo!. Those meetings with our stockholders have also provided us an opportunity to hear their views.

We have continued to launch new products and to take actions which leverage our scale, technology, people and platforms as we execute on the strategy we publicly articulated. Today, in fact, we are announcing AMP! from Yahoo!, a new advertising management platform designed to dramatically simplify the process of buying and selling ads online.

Finally, our Board has been actively and expeditiously exploring our strategic alternatives to maximize stockholder value, a process which is ongoing. All of these actions have been driven by our overarching commitment to maximize stockholder value.

Our Board's view of your proposal has not changed. We continue to believe that your proposal is not in the best interests of Yahoo! and our stockholders. Contrary to statements in your letter, stockholders representing a significant portion of our outstanding shares have indicated to us that your proposal substantially undervalues Yahoo!. Furthermore, as a result of the decrease in your own stock price, the value of your proposal today is significantly lower than it was when you made your initial proposal.

In contrast to your assertions about the effect of general economic conditions on our business, Yahoo!'s business forecasts are consistent with what we outlined in our last earnings call. As you know, we recently reaffirmed our Q1 and full year guidance, which is a testament to our ability to perform in line with our expectations despite the current economic environment. In addition, our three-year financial and strategic plan which we have made public demonstrates significant potential upside not previously communicated to the financial markets. This plan has received positive feedback from our stockholders, further strengthening the view that Yahoo! is worth well more as a standalone company than the value offered in your proposal, and would be even more valuable to Microsoft. Your own statements have made clear the strategic importance of Yahoo!'s substantial assets and capabilities to Microsoft.

We regret to say that your letter mischaracterizes the nature of our discussions with you. We have had constructive conversations together regarding a variety of topics, including integration and regulatory issues. Your comment that we have refused to enter into negotiations to conclude an agreement are particularly curious given we have already rejected your initial proposal, nominally $31 per share at the time, for substantially undervaluing Yahoo! and your suggestions in your letter and the media that you are considering lowering the value of your proposal. Moreover, Steve, you personally attended two of these meetings and could have advanced discussions in any way you saw fit.

As to antitrust, we have discussed with you our concerns. Any transaction between us would result in a thorough regulatory review in multiple jurisdictions. As a follow up to a recent meeting among our respective legal advisors we had on this topic, and at your request, we provided to you on March 28 a list of additional information we would need to further our understanding of the regulatory issues associated with any transaction. To date, you have still not provided any of the requested information.

We consider your threat to commence an unsolicited offer and proxy contest to displace our independent Board members to be counterproductive and inconsistent with your stated objective of a friendly transaction. We are confident that our stockholders understand that our independent Board is best positioned to objectively and knowledgeably evaluate our Company's alternatives and to maximize value.

In conclusion, please allow us to restate our position, so there can be no confusion. We are open to all alternatives that maximize stockholder value. To be clear, this includes a transaction with Microsoft if it represents a price that fully recognizes the value of Yahoo! on a standalone basis and to Microsoft, is superior to our other alternatives, and provides certainty of value and certainty of closing. Lastly, we are steadfast in our commitment to choosing a path that maximizes stockholder value and we will not allow you or anyone else to acquire the company for anything less than its full value.

Very truly yours,
Roy Bostock Jerry Yang
Chairman of the Board Chief Executive Officer

A Comment!

I have put a survey in here, as you can see in the right hand, two days ago. In the survey, anybody can give his or her vote to his or her favorite reader. The names have come in the alphabetic order, so, anything unfair there is in this survey.

But, yesterday, a friend of mine said that he saw the survey and that, it was a good idea, but something was missed. He thought that it should have had another option as “no one”. Actually, he was right. In every survey there is an option to let the voter to be abstaining. So, I have added another option as you can see coming after all options. Now, you can give your vote as “no one”.

Oh, something else, I have to put the survey again, because, once the survey starts, you cann't change it. To do any change I had to remove the previous the survey and make another survey. So, I apologize those who gave their votes.

Is this “Effectiveness”?! I don’t think so!

Yesterday, I could not understand anything from what Mr. Usmani was talking about. Because I hadn’t study the subject before I came to the class. That was true. But why? Can anybody answer to me?

At first, you may say, because you are lazy. OK, I agree. I am lazy. But, how much lazy? Having six subjects in a semester and six days a week with three hours each… I don’t think this can be called laziness, do you?

Someday, I asked a friend of mine who studied at a university in Iran that how he could study so many books he was assigned to. Because, I had connection with some university students in Iran, now I am jealous of them that how they can read so many books, even out of the subjects they were assigned to. But, I can not even handle these a few papers called “note” I am given via email! Why? Why is it so?

You know, actually, no university in the world, I think, is like this we have. I am talking about the quantity of subjects we are, at Kardan University assigned and supposed to study. This is not fair. I am repeating, THIS IS NOT FAIR! Kardan University just wants us to finish the program, as soon as possible. Why? Somehow, because, this way is so beneficial for Kardan. Because, they can get more and more students. This is effectiveness, isn’t it?! The effectiveness they are talking about so much!

Some guys may like this method too. Because, they want to finish the program as soon as possible. But, I, myself do not. Because, I don’t want to be graduated from Kardan while I am not really qualified to be graduated. I am talking about illiteracy. I don’t want to only receive a paper called “degree”. No! This is not I want.

I think, if Kardan University cares about us, somehow because we are its “customers”, -- as they have taught us—should decrease the number of subjects in each semester. I think, at most, we should have just four subjects. Therefore, we can have more time to attend our classes effectively. Actually, THIS IS EFFECTIVENESS, not that Kardan thinks.

An April fool… but, in advance!

On March 29th, I posted “Etc. and etc. and… etc… isn’t it or not?!” (previous post) Hahaha… it was so funny—at least for me! It was just a joke; an “April fool”! But just two days before that.

Some guys talked about it to me and said, “what the hell was that?!” I just laughed at all and actually nothing to say, but laugh!

Ok, I now want to open that issue a little bit. Just a few days ago, during the Financial Management class, Mr. Jibran while giving his lecture, repeated this “etc.” so many times, after about every other word he was saying and, after every sentence an “isn’t it or not?” It sounded so funny to me. And, I really did not understand even a sentence from what he was talking about! Exactly the same you did not understand what I was talking about!

However, now I do apologize you all for saying (or blogging) nonsense! But, take it easy, just an April fool!

Update: I do not know this post has been read by Mr. Jibran or not, but anyway, it seemed yesterday to me that he had decreased his "etc."s!

Etc. and etc. and… etc… isn’t it or not?!

In these days, etc. I am not in a good mood to blog etc., isn’t it or not? And, I, etc. am not blogging etc. now, isn’t it or not? What I do, etc. is nothing but… etc. say, just wasting the time etc. and saying just, etc. isn’t it or not?

And, if you wonder etc. and want to ask me and etc. that what the hell, etc. I etc. am doing, I etc. will say I am doing nothing etc. but saying etc. and etc. and…uh… etc… isn’t it or not?

I love etc. and etc. loves me and… etc. isn’t it or not?

This etc. is all I know etc. to say, etc. and nothing else I know etc. but saying etc. and if you etc. do not like etc. you etc. can go to hell etc. isn’t it or not?

If anybody etc. asks etc. that why are you etc. repeating this etc. so much, I etc. will say nothing but etc. and etc. and repeating this etc. so much etc. that anybody etc. can not understand me etc. isn’t it or not?

HAPPY NAWROUZ

HAPPY NAWROUZ to all people in the world! Hope the year 1386 has been a year, full of hope, love, and prosperity, and the year coming, will be a year, better than all the years passed.

Happy Nawrouz!

Google-DoubleClick deal: online ad business to enter a new generation

Google once again overtook its competitors, and this time in online advertising business:

“European regulators on Tuesday approved Google's $3.1 billion takeover of the $37 billion online advertising company, DoubleClick, clearing the final impediment to a deal that would strengthen Google's already powerful position on the Web.” (International Herald Tribune)

Google now has the power to control significantly the online advertising business, by moving in a new part of “display ads”; a part, it does not have the dominance before.

Google’s chief executive officer, Eric Schmidt, quoted by International Herald Tribune said, “With Double Click, Google now has the leading display-ad platform, which enable us to rapidly bring to market advance in technology infrastructure that will dramatically improve effectiveness, measurability and performance of digital media for publishers, advertisers and agencies…”

In the other hand, some worries have raised between consumers about the privacy of Internet users. Google and DoubleClick, both, gather large quantities of data on Web surfers in order send them relevant ads.

But, the European Commission has dismissed privacy worries. The commission has said these two companies work in different parts of the market, and also consumers are still free to opt to other confident ad-serving services such as, services owned by Microsoft, Yahoo, and AOL.

Microsoft, the greatest opponent of the Google-DoubleClick deal, though, did lobby the commission to block or impose conditions on the Google-DoubleClick deal, but the commission approved it.

With this integration, Google’s competitors, including Microsoft, Yahoo, AOL, and other online businesses will experience a shock in their businesses.

About a couple of weeks ago, Microsoft offered a deal to Yahoo to buy some shares of that company to be able to compete with the “super-ad business” Google. But the offer was rejected by Yahoo. Now, with the approval of the Google-DoubleClick deal, it will strengthen Microsoft’s argument that Yahoo should better decide quickly.

Happy Valentine Day

Happy Valentine Day! Wish all lovers to have a wonderful and satisfying love life. And if you are single like me, hope you get mingle very soon! All the best.

Chill...

Email and email and emai and ema and em and...

Oh my god! I really exhausted to open and read so many emails. My computer is not able to handle so much email anymore and my yahoo mail neither!

Guys! Guys! Please! I don't know what benefits this online discussion has. I totally agree with the Sulaiman's suggestion to go to some universities (and actually just Afghan-American University!) and, of course not to evaluate, because we have no authority to evaluate anybody, but to know whether we can afford their tuition fees or not.

Some guys have said that Kardan is just an "institute" and institute is not university and doctor is not nurse and... These are wrong. "University is not "institute" and should not be! but the degree we are to be given is the same and there is no difference between them. According to Wikipedia "university" is:

"An institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees
at all levels (associate, bachelor, master, and doctorate) in a variety of
subjects."

But Kardan has only two subjects or departments and can not be a "university", but a "higher education center".

I know just this about this point. Anyone who disagrees with me, his or her comments are welcomed. Just click here to put your comments.

A New Start? I Hope so…

There are a few news:

1. Kardan has changed its title at last; from “University” into “High Education Institute” or something like that. After a lot of emails I received day by day and one after the other, now I got that Kardan has given up at last; yesterday, when I went to the University (sorry, the High Education Institute!) I saw on the top of the Kardan building a new what-I-said on it. I have no problem with the new title of Kardan myself, but I at least want to study in a place, wherever is, which after my graduation I can have a degree recognized by the Ministry of Higher Education of Afghanistan.

2. The other news is that we finished the first year in Kardan… whatever is. I do not regret with it. Some of my friends worry about Kardan whether it is closed or not, But I do not. However, how many dollars I have paid to Kardan as tuition fees, I have learnt equally. In addition, I have been introduced with a field through Kardan I knew nothing about it before. And after all, I do not want to finish my Bachelor in here.

3. Yesterday, when I was in the class, Sulaiman our CR said Mr. Roeen wanted to see me to know about my weblog. I don’t know, he wants to admire or punish me to have a blog on Kardan or maybe none of them, but I am very curious about it.

I could not see Mr. Roeen yesterday. He was busy. But anyway I am happy about it, because at least someone raised his head to notice to me and this is very valuable for me. This, that Mr. Roeen has a positive or negative idea about “the University Campus” is not important for me, but just the attention, that is important for me; and the attention of the Chancellor of Kardan!

A Critique on Kardan University

One of my classmates –actually not exactly classmate, but in the same semester—has written a paper titled “Kardan University: Difficulties, and Solutions” including some critiques about Kardan University. I got it from an email which had been sent to all guys in the D3. I printed it to read carefully. You can find it in here.

In this paper -- which has been written on Dec 25-- it was discussed on many issues related to Kardan University and its problems such as, the legal problems of the Kardan University in Ministry of Higher Education, tuition fees, parking lot for the University students, the inappropriate behavior of receptionists and other staffs of the University, the methods of teaching, the problems related to examinations and many more things which fairly are our problems and we all hope to be solved as soon as it’s possible; and of course we know all that this is an incredible dream!

The article is in three papers and in the first glance it looks like a “party statement”! The writer has not mentioned his or her name and this is not a good thing for someone who has a critique on something and wishes the weaknesses and problems to be eliminated. Of course the writer is not completely unknown! On the top of the first page, on the right corner it has been motioned “Some of the Students of the Third Semester”. Well, at least we have a clue about the writer! Ok, this is enough for us and after all we don’t need the name of the writer, but we want to know that what the content of the article is all about.

As I said, in the first glance the article looks like a “party statement”, it has been started by a foreword. In this part you can read:

“We as the first students of the first program of the Kardan University… it is a long time that have observed the weaknesses and inconsistencies in this academic center… After long consultations, we got to this point that we should have stated our remarks and notes through which it has been recognized the difficulties towards the University to achieve its goals and also the suggestions to remove and eliminate them.”

Good words! I agree; and guess everyone else thinks so. We “as the first student of the first program of the Kardan University” know that we have taken a big risk coming to a university which still officially is not recognized as a “University” and we all know that prestige of Kardan University is our own prestige.

After this short foreword, another short paragraph has been allocated to purpose of writing the paper, titled “Why Are We Writing?” I think this part was not necessary to be written and should have been removed or connected to the previous part.

But another strange section of the article and comparatively longer than other parts is titled again “foreword”. I forgot to say that the previous foreword was actually a “fore-foreword”! And this part is the real “foreword”. Ok, this is an initiative itself.

In this part about the same, we, the people of the Third-World countries get used to talk about the necessities and basis and looking for the traces back to the Ancient Greece when we want to discuss even about most unimportant and pettiest things! So, I thing it should be eliminated too. The writer in a paragraph at the end of the article has said that the Kardan students are so busy and do not have time to be assigned by a very tough and complicated time schedule. So the writer at least should have observed this matter. I can not understand the necessity of writing of such a long article just to mention the difficulties and the solutions. We could expect the reasons and necessities of writing the paragraph like this, only if we did not agree with that and writer should have tried to convinces us, then. But we all agree with this matter that the weaknesses of Kardan University must be removed; don’t you?

From then on, the writer has tried to give the difficulties and fairly they are. I want to now talk about some of them in brief.

The problem of Kardan University in the Ministry of Higher Education is a serious problem for us to worry about. What will feel if you go someday to Kardan and see that a small piece of paper is stuck on the door of Kardan University and written “the University is an illegal entity and must be closed” on it? I do not know the exact words used for that! Kardan has closed its eyes and ears and does not pay attention to any warning from the Ministry of Higher Education. But this is not the way. We have the right to discuss with the authorities of Kardan on this issue. I am repeating again, the prestige of Kardan is our prestige. I don’t want to learn the principles of legal and scientific management from a person who does not respect to law himself.

The “educational facilities” are other problems notable to think about. Up to this semester, third semester the University never has started and finished a semester in the time it is already announced. The third semester should have been finished up to December, but have not.

The teachers and their methods must be discussed in a separate paper, because there are so many problems which they are out of the breadth of that and this fragment.

Oh, My God! What the hell is this color paper that is issued in the name of Kardan University! It is shameful! I do not even want to talk about it.

One of the issues mentioned on the paper is the problem we have with the library. Can you really call it a library?! I can’t believe I have paid 20 dollars for this! No book (actually there are a few, but so few that you can read them in one day!). Yesterday I went there to study a little, but it was so cold, I prefer to go outside, because it was much warmer!

But after all one thing is not mentioned that it should have. In the months January and February in which the University is off, why do we have to pay the tuition fees? Do you think it is fair? The authorities of Kardan argued that we must pay the building rent, lecturers’ salaries, and etc. Ok, but at least they can discount it say up to %50. Because there will be no charges for heating system, water, electricity and many more that I can’t remember now.

At the end of the paper, it has been given some suggestion such as, “opening weblog, website, cooperation fund (or something like that), and issuing a magazine or something like that. I myself opened a weblog; as you see. I expect it to become a place for ideas and opinions to be shared. But I now realized that the guys are too busy to pay attention to these kinds of things. I even give my lecture in EPS class about “weblog”. But no ones paid attention to that. I hope with this kind of papers, our friends can realized the importance and significance of weblog in our era.
At the end, I want to appreciate the writer of this paper and encourage him or her and also all of the students of Kardan University to write more and more and not keeping silence as they do now. In this fragment I wanted to express my own comment about the article itself and the issues discussed in it. I hope you also share your comments and queries in here and anywhere else to be read by the Kardan students.