Morning In Islamabad
The Birth of Ideas Hut
Once upon a time, I had a 5 word faecbook status “make developers network of pakistan”. I would have changed that status and ahead the next day. But Fariha saw it and started bugging me 
We discussed and groomed the idea with each wall-post. Better put, it was she who groomed the idea, I was simple replying to what she was throwing at me 
. And I felt what we are discussing is important and should be shared with the world. And more people should participate in the process. So I setup a rough version of Ideas Hut and sent her the link.
That started yet another brainstorming session over IM. We made a road map for Ideas Hut, how it can benefit everyone, what features it should have to be really useful and all that. I was impressed by her planning abilities and vision. The first idea we have at Ideas Hut (IT-Professionals-Network) is in fact a result of her brainstorming. To be faithful, she has bigger part in start and growth of Ideas Hut than I. And that makes her our CEO.
Ideas Hut is very dear to us. We have big dreams about its future. its not really launched and is still in beta. Many things from our first board meeting’s minutes still need to be addressed. Stay with us, you will see something very interesting from the two mad Pakistanis. May be you see us on Wired’s cover some day for the startup we launch taking an idea from Ideas Hut
Will You Share a Business Idea?
Two mad Pakistanis have created a service where you can roll out startup ideas. Everyone will discuss them. They will get improved. And someone will implement them. Sounds interesting or stupid :S
Lets see why would someone want to share business ideas after all: Because we are already doing it anyway! Do you remember last time you tried to find an online service but could not find it? Did you read the other day a fellow blogger asking for localized services for Pakistan? Do you want to see an idea implemented but you know you are too busy to do that? These are the situations when you do want to share ideas.
And that’s why we created Ideas Hut. Now, we have a place where we can roll-out & discuss ideas we care about and want to see alive. The mantra is simple: we share and discuss an idea and we get the service. Isn’t it great? Go check for yourself: http://ideashut.com
Oh, by the way, the mad Pakistanis are Fariha and Me.
Intel-AIOU Joint Offer: Classmate PC for Rs. 17,000
I have a major update regarding AIOU providing laptops to its students. Last time when I reported it was not that big. But now Open University seems serious in bulk-buying Intel Classmate PCs for students. Although they have 5 laptops to choose from, more concentration is being given to new upcoming models of Intel classmate PC.
The three UMPCs (Ultra Mobile PCs) are
1. Asus Eee PC (Rs. 18,400) - 7 inch screen, 512 MB, 900 MHz, 4GB SSD
2. Intel Classmate PC (Rs. 17,000) - 7 inch screen, 512 MB, 900 MHz, 2GB SSD
3. Intel Classmate PC (Rs. 20,000) - 9 inch screen, 512 MB, 900 MHz, 20GB HDD
All three UMPCs have Ethernet port, Wireless LAN, Built-in speaker and microphone, 2 USB ports. Intel Classmates also have built-in web cam.
On left, you see ASUS Eee PC, Center 9-inch Classmate PC, and right is 7-inch Classmate PC.
If you are a student of AIOU, you can get these computers without any markup and on easy installments by filling the form on intel-aiou joint website, pcforall.net
Pakistani Government Blocks YouTube!
UPDATE: Youtube.com is accessible now. It was banned due to trailer of an upcoming documentary “De Koranfilm” by Nederland’s MP (Member Parliament) Geert Wilders. The trailer is removed from youtube. The url of the trailer is still banned.
I’ve just got an email from my ISP telling me that authorities have ordered them to block access to YouTube.com! When will “the authorities” understand blocking a thing isn’t a solution of anything. Here is the text of email:
Next »Dear Valued Customer:
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (www.pta.gov.pk) has directed all ISPs of the country to block access to www.youtube.com web site for containing blasphemous web content/movies.
The site would remain blocked till further orders from PTA. Meanwhile, Internet users can write to youtube.com to remove the objectionable web content/movies because this removal would enable the authorities to order un-blocking of this web site.
We’re sorry for any inconvenience.
Best Regards
Manager
Technical Assistance Center
Micronet Broadband Pvt. Ltd.
Islamabad
