Tuesday, March 28, 2006

Do we have any shame???

In my previous post, I was apprehending something bad from the officials of Bangladesh Commonwealth contingent. Actually, I was just in a sarcastic mood. I never thought any more bad news is coming as I thought, after one bad event Bangladeshis will be cautious not to bring any more ignominy for the country. But my fellow brothers have beaten my imagination comprehensively. Now, a new question came to my mind, do we have any shame? Was it necessary to send that 40+ years old perverted shooter with pathetic skill to serve his sexual desire??

Thursday, March 23, 2006

What a shame!!!

Our boys have done it again. Actually, till now, only one athlete is missing from Commonwealth Games . Who knows how many more will do this? There are still some days left in the games. One more interesting fact, 13 officials have accompanied 16 sportsmen in the Bangladeshi contingent. Almost one official per sportsman, yet they failed to guard them properly :D. BTW, what those officials are there up to? Just for a pleasure trip and marketing or something else? I think we can hear an official fleeing the games village soon!!! :D:D:D

Sunday, March 19, 2006

Malaysian women are said to find Bangladeshi men irresistible

Here is an interesting story about Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia. It was very funny to me to know that Bangladeshi workers have Indian movie star looks which are irresistible to young Malaysian women. Bangladeshis are involved in many notorious acts such as eloping with married women who are simply enthralled by their charms and good looks.

Saturday, March 18, 2006

Got admission in UTD Ph.D. CS Program!!!

I just could not believe it when I first read the mail. I forwarded the mail to Mehedi, Arif and Rony immediately to double check the mail. When Arif replied only then I was sure that I did get Ph.D. admission in UTD. It is an awesome news for me!!! Thanks to Allah, the most benevolent, for giving me the wonderful opportunity. Though I have been said nothing about funding yet, I hope I shall get some positive news soon by the grace of Allah. After the refusal from EuMI, I got very disappointed. But if Allah wishes nothing can stop me, now I got the admission in UTD, this news brought back happiness to me and my family. No news could be better prior to visiting Rangamati next week. I think the tour will be more enjoyable now than before. I am forwarding the mail below:

"Felipe, Mary E" <mary.felipe@utdallas.edu> wrote:
Subject: UTD Ph.D. CS Program
Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2006 17:42:01 -0600
From: "Felipe, Mary E" < mary.felipe@utdallas.edu>
 
Dear Mohammad Husain,
 
Congratulations on your acceptance to the Ph.D. Computer Science Program in The Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science!  Your "official" acceptance must come in a letter from our university, and may contain a few conditions such as completion of prerequisite courses.  Nevertheless, I would like to "informally" welcome you and celebrate your educational opportunities at The University of Texas at Dallas. We are very proud and excited about our program, and I would like to encourage you to join us. UTD has admissions requirements which are at least as selective as the other top universities in the United States, providing you with an education of high scholastic standards.
 
In The Erik Jonsson School, we have 3 research institutes, 5 research centers, and over 48 research labs, with the number continually growing! This means that both our faculty and our graduate students have ample opportunities to pursue their areas of research interest. Furthermore, because of our location in the 2nd largest high-tech region in the United States, our industry ties are very strong. Because of this, we are able to work closely with industry to both understand current needs and to continue to push our research activities ahead of the "state-of-the art." Joint research with industry is also frequently undertaken. Your participation in our Graduate Program will certainly provide you with opportunities to participate in these activities.
 
The Erik Jonsson School also has the largest Industrial Practice Program in the state of Texas, and the sixth largest in the nation. This program is designed to allow our students to work with our local industry partners while still progressing towards a degree. The job placement rate for students who complete our voluntary co-op program is one of the best in the nation.
 
Lastly, I would like to remind you that the university has a large support network for new and continuing students. There is everything from tutoring to over one hundred and thirty student organizations to keep you as busy and involved as you would like to be!
 
You may be asking yourself "what are my next steps?" Your admission approval will now be processed by the UTD Admissions Office and your official UTD Admission letter will be generated within two weeks.  Your official letter will state whether you have been assigned prerequisite courses by the Graduate CS Admissions Committee.  Each student's file is carefully reviewed for admission and all deficiencies are noted for all four CS areas of study.  After attending Graduate CS Orientation, students choose their concentration.  Students are responsible for fulfilling only those prerequisites pertaining to their area of study.  You may apply for a waiver and/or transfer of prerequisite courses, after your enrollment at UTD, based on your previous academic records and the track of study you choose. 
                                                                                     
After that time, your application will be reviewed by the UTD International Student Services Office (ISSO) for I-20 review.  The UTD ISSO issues I-20s and handles immigration matters for UTD international students.  You will receive an email from the UTD ISS Office in approximately 3 weeks informing you of your I-20 status and any documents needed for I-20 issuance.  If you have not included the UTD financial affidavit and your current bank statement in your admission package, you must complete and fax these documents to the ISS Office at +1 (972) 883-4010 as soon as possible.  Only the UTD financial affidavit is accepted by the ISS Office.   For your convenience, I have attached this official affidavit.  If you are not able to open this attachment, you may access the form at:  
 
Please make certain that your full name is clearly printed on all documents.  Please verify the following information immediately as this will assist in the issuance of your I-20.  Please make any corrections necessary.
 
Full name:                     Husain, Mohammad Farhan
 
Please view the new international student information web page at http://www.utdallas.edu/student/international/  This site is very informative and helpful to our incoming international students.
 
I sincerely hope to see you on campus in the fall 2006 semester.  If you have questions or would like additional information, please contact Mary Felipe at mary.felipe@utdallas.edu
 
Warm Regards,
 
 
 
Dr. Kang Zhang
Professor, Assistant Department Head
The University of Texas at Dallas
Computer Science Department 

Wednesday, March 15, 2006

Windows Live Mail Beta

I just got invited to use Windows Live Mail Beta. I signed in with my Hotmail account. My first impression was that the interface is cool! The reading pane and drag-n-drop option are great. It is the first time I could use drag-n-drop and resizing in a browser. It offers 2 GB mail space too. Despite these exciting features, I doubt whether it can beat the growing popularity of Gmail or not. The notion of mail conversation introduced by Gmail is unique. I think Yahoo Mail's simplicity and reliability to filter spams and Gmail's conversation approach coupled with ever increasing mail box size will keep still them ahead of Live Mail.

Planning to go to Rangamati

Sharna and I have weekends and holiday from the 23rd to the 26th March. We are planning to visit Rangamati in those days. I bought the bus tickets already and reserved hotel room over phone. My sister will go with us from Dhaka. We will pick my sister-in-law from Chittagong and then go to Rangamati. We will explore the possibility to go to Bandarban from Rangamati. If there is a feasible way, we will also go there, otherwise we will spend a day in Chittagong city and return to Dhaka on the 26th.

Sunday, March 12, 2006

Visiting card

I just got visiting cards from my new employer. It is a very petty matter to mention here. But it reminds me the days in Eyeball Networks Inc. I remember that we asked our C.T.O. to provide us some visiting cards. It would cost less than 100 BDT per head which is an infinitesimal amount considering Eyeball's more than million dollar annual revenue. But we got refused. Believe me, this was the way we, the Bangladeshis in Dhaka, were treated there. We have many memorable moments in Eyeball but none of them has its any intentional contribution. We could have those moments only because there was no authority here. I am happy to get rid of that biased and unfair company, who treated us like slaves. Many times we took the initiative to make visiting cards ourselves, but none of them was successful. At last, I have got my visiting card, I am happy :-)

Saturday, March 11, 2006

First two day weekend

Today, I enjoyed my first ever two day weekend. I always knew that two day weekend refreshes mind completely. When you get back to work after a two day weekend, you will feel more invigorated. Your productivity will increase for sure. It is particularly true for IT professionals. Those who think that six working days are better than five working days are really unsmart, they fail to grasp the big picture. All the developed countries of the world have it. Recently, Bangladesh government also introduced it, though their main reason was to save fuel. Few years ago, government introduced it for the first time but later, a new government withdrew the decision. However, my previous employer Eyeball Networks used to understand the utility of two days weekend. But they refused to provide it to their Dhaka office whereas they used to enjoy three day weekend in one week every month and two day weekend in other weeks in Vancouver. It was mainly due to their exploitive and somewhat racist behaviour towards their Bangladeshi staffs at Dhaka. I am very happy in my current job because I don't have to face preposterous discrimination at least.

Friday, March 10, 2006

[BANGLA-IT] RE:Shaptahik 2000 article on Bangla Computing and Ekushey February- replies

In response to a request from one of my favourite bloggers, I am posting my conversation with Mr. Mustafa Jabbar here. Those who are interested please start reading from the first mail at the bottom, others please ignore this post as it is boring!!!

<Mail Conversation>

Dear Mr. Mustafa Jabbar,

Please find my reply below:

Dear Mr. Fahim

Please don't change my name. You have noticed from my signature that I work in Grameen Software, you should also have noticed that my name is not Fahim.

I am surprised that you have opted for a name to give a certificate for a
keyboard like Bijoy to be scientific. You meant that as my keyboard has got a
certificate from a person like Dr. Zafar Iqbal, than it is scientific.
Otherwise not? With all the respects to Dr Zafar Iqbal, I just like to mention
here that I designed the keyboard in 1988 and the keyboard has a very strong
science relating to Bangla Script and human interface of typing. The formula I
have used in my keyboard is from the scientific nature of Bangla language and
that has made it possible to create hundreds of characters with only two layers
of QWERTY Keyboard.

Well, who are the members of the BSTI committee DOES matter. A verdict of a committee formed by unqualified members is of no use. Otherwise why did you mention honorable Dr. Zafar Iqbal's name in the first place? He was not the head of the committee yet you mentioned him. I mentioned him for the very same reason. However, I am happy to know that your keyboard layout went through scientific process.

I am also surprised that serving in a business organisation you could not
realise that that science, which is not used by the people has very little
value for the human civilisations.

You are not right in this.  Not all of science are used by people, yet they have much value. There are many things in science which is not used by human for business purpose. The sole purpose of science is not to be used by people. Science is all about knowledge, be it used by people or not.

When we were in the University, we were doing lots of projects to have
marks-Perhaps Grameen Spftware can not afford to do that.

I completely failed to grasp the meaning and intent of this part. If you have meant that Grameen Software, which is one of the top software companies of Bangladesh, does not have lots of projects then you are very wrong. I do not have proper authorization to disclose business information of my company to a public forum. I can only say that we have lots of employees yet we have shortage of manpower to do all our projects. I am a proud employee of Grameen Software. However, I failed to understand that how Grameen Software is related to a mail in a public forum like bdresearchers, we were talking about Bijoy keyboard layout.

We as a business company have never adopted any gimmic ( I am sorry to hear a
nasty word like this) nor has got any patronage from anybody like you and has
been successful in getting the support of millions of people and we are happy
for that.

Please read my mail again to see that I did not use the word gimmick for you, I was just giving an general example.

In fact I do not care for anybody's certificate for my keyboard to be
scientific. In fact Dr Zafar Iqbals committe had no way but to accept  Bijoy as
no one has the ability to stop Bijoy under todays circumstances.

Your unstoppable sale of Bijoy is indeed a proof of your business success. For business success you only have to care your customers not any individual, no doubt about that. I like to know that why did you mention honorable Dr. Zafar Iqbal's name if you do not care him at all?

I have also understood that your comment on Muneer Keyboard was based on
assumption and there was no scientific basis on that.
When you make a comment, I wish you will justify that with proper logic.

I did not assume anything about Muneer keyboard layout. I only told that it was developed using scientific methods which is a fact.


As I have mentioned in my previous mail. I have given my view about why I have
not accepted Muneeer as a Computer Keybaord for Bangla.
Prof Munner Choudhury was my teacher and I respect him like my father. But I
have found that a typewriter keyboard is unable to make the most scientific
keyboard for a language like Bangla.

I like to say something here which I should have said in my earlier mail. I do not understand why we should consider the fact that this layout is for a computer. We should talk about the keyboard here as the term "Keyboard Layout" also suggests. A keyboard and a typewritter has the same use, that is TYPING. I think if a layout is ok for typewriter, it is ok for a keyboard too.


I shall again request you to read more on the subject and than make a comment.
Mustafa Jabbar

I welcome your suggestion to read more on the topic. I will certainly try to do so and provide some valuable input in this regard.

Thanks,

--

Mohammad Farhan Husain
Software Engineer
Grameen Software
Grameen IT Park
Grameen Bank Tower (11th floor)
Mirpur - 2, Dhaka - 1216
Bangladesh
Email: farhan.husain@grameensoftware.com
------------------------------------------------------------
Grameen Software (http://www.grameensoftware.com )

Quoting Farhan Husain < russoue@gmail.com>:

> Well, science and business are not the same. People are not aware of
> science, it is the designer who should follow scientific methods. It may be
> a marketting gimmick which makes a product very popular, science has nothing
> to do here. The success of your product is no doubt very good but it does
> not prove that your product is scientifically superior. However, as the BSTI
> committee, of which honorable Dr. Jaraf Iqbal was a member, approved your
> layout as a scientific one than that ends the debate. However, please don't
> confuse science and business.
>
> On 3/7/06, mjabbar@bangla.net < mjabbar@bangla.net> wrote:
> >
> >
> > Dear Farhan,
> > Thanks again. For more details on Bijoy, Muneer and other keybaords,
> > please read
> > my book named Digital Bangla, published by Agamee Prokashonee. You might
> > also
> > see report of Keyboard Standardisation Committee of BCC headed by
> > Professor
> > Monsur Musa. Dr Jafar Iqbal and other scholars were in that committee and
> > I was
> > not there. The committe was formed to stope Bijoy to be the standard
> > keyboard by
> > BSTI. But the committe not only accepted Bijoy but also recognised as the
> > most
> > scientific one.
> > It is true that Muneer Keyboard was devloped on scientific considerations
> > for
> > typewriters. Please recognise that a Computer is not a typewriter and thus
> > it
> > has different science.
> > It would not be possible for Bijoy to have 97% user base without any
> > scientific
> > base. Do you think that is possible? All Bijoy user are fool?
> > We have developed it for Computer and not for typewriter. My Bijoy
> > keyboard will
> > not work on trypewriter and it has followed all the scientific rules (as
> > much as
> > that is practicable) of Bangla and thus has been so popular.
> > The Keybaord Standardisation Commiitte has expressedly said that Bijoy is
> > the
> > most widely used and scientifically designed keyboard. They have however
> > suuggested some changes to Bijoy and accepted 99.9% of Bijoy as a standard
> > keybaord.
> > How can you expect that in last eighteen years we sat idle and did not
> > even got
> > the feedback of the people and found if there is any fault in our design.
> > I should let you know a story. A company named saki Computers imported 500
> > Muneer and 5000 Bijoy Keybaords. Untill today the market has bought more
> > than a
> > million Bijioy keybaord but those 500 Muneer Keybaord could not be sold.
> > Where does your science stands?
> > Mustafa Jabbar
> >
> > Quoting Farhan Husain < russoue@gmail.com>:
> >
> > > Well, you are right that ultimately users will choose layouts for them.
> > But
> > > I was telling that Munir layout is scientifically designed. Standard
> > > scientific procedures (e.g. frequency of occurrences) were followed
> > while
> > > designing the Munir layout. I don't know whether any standard procedure
> > was
> > > followed for Bijoy or not.
> > >
> > > On 3/7/06, mjabbar@bangla.net < mjabbar@bangla.net> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > If you feel that Muneer is good for you who has stopped you to use
> > that?
> > > > Dozens
> > > > of solutions are available. Even we provide solution for Muneer. You
> > might
> > > > be
> > > > happy to know that even we have developed the Muineer Keybaord by
> > > > introducing
> > > > link with the typewriter Keybaord.
> > > > Whether it is better than Bijoy or worst is the question to be decided
> > by
> > > > the
> > > > users in general. If 97% users are wrong and you are correct, its
> > fine.
> > > > If we look at the market response probably we shall be able to find
> > the
> > > > usage
> > > > percentage of Bijoy, Muneer or any other keyboard.
> > > > As a developer of KBangla Software I firmly believe that the user is
> > the
> > > > ultimate decision maker and every user has the right to choose or even
> > > > create
> > > > his/her own keyboard. I am ready to implement your own keyboard. Even
> > you
> > > > can
> > > > do yourself.
> > > > We have kept all the options for everybody and is willing to add even
> > many
> > > > new
> > > > keyboards. But it is the users who will finally say what they will
> > use.
> > > > Keyboard is a personnal choice and do not confuse it with encoding. We
> > > > need a
> > > > standaard encoding and some organisation might create their own
> > standard
> > > > opf
> > > > keybaord.
> > > > Our govt has already decided to use a standard keybaord. They might
> > tell
> > > > you
> > > > that if you want to have a govt job, you are to use that keyboard.
> > > > But a publisher might say that you will have to know Muneer or Bijoy
> > or
> > > > lEKHONI.
> > > > oN DEMAND FROM wEST bENGAL presently we are working on Geetanjali,
> > > > Satyajit
> > > > Keybaords of their choice.
> > > > Unfortunately those who are not users of Bangla in computers creates
> > more
> > > > confusion than the users.
> > > > I do not like to go into the debate of what is good, better and best.
> > But
> > > > definitely look at the market force and still continue to develop
> > those
> > > > technologies which are liked by people.
> > > > I do not agree that we have not proceeded much in Bangla Localisation.
> > > > Probably we forget to look at the Bangla Publications in paper (recent
> > Boi
> > > > Mela
> > > > is one plece where we should look), electronic and digital media.
> > > > I wish you will be practical and respect others choice of their own.
> > > > We might have some problems in using Bangla, but it has not stopped us
> > in
> > > > doing
> > > > things in Bangla.
> > > >
> > > > Mustafa Jabbar
> > > >
> > > > Quoting Farhan Husain < russoue@gmail.com >:
> > > >
> > > > > I think, we should reach a consensus to use Munir keyboard layout as
> > it
> > > > is
> > > > > much more scientifically designed than any others, specially bijoy.
> > > > >
> > > > > On 3/6/06, mjabbar@bangla.net < mjabbar@bangla.net> wrote:
> > > > > >
> > > > > >  Dear All.
> > > > > > I have read the mail of Mr. Pramanik.
> > > > > > Though he has not mentioned my name in his article, even Mr.
> > Sharif
> > > > did
> > > > > > not mentioned my name too, it is clear to identify meself as the
> > > > target of
> > > > > > both the people.
> > > > > > I have replied to the article of 2000 and hope to be printed in
> > the
> > > > next
> > > > > > week's 2000.
> > > > > > Please read that for better understanding.
> > > > > > However I should say something about Mr Pramaniks view. Regarding
> > > > Muneer
> > > > > > Keybaord, he and all of you should know that I iintroduced Muneer
> > > > Keybaord
> > > > > > in 1987 in Mac and in 1993 under Windows. Even today anyone can
> > find
> > > > Muneer
> > > > > > Keyboard with Bijoy Classic Pro. I do not feel that I am dead with
> > > > Muneer
> > > > > > Keybaord.
> > > > > > In fact 97% people of Bangladesh, 80% people of West Bengal use
> > Bijoy
> > > > > > Keyboard and no one has been compelled to use anyone.
> > > > > > Every user has the option to choose between Muneeer, Bijoy, Jatioy
> > and
> > > > > > National.
> > > > > > In fact if anyone has dropped Muneer Keyboard, it is the govt who
> > have
> > > > > > never considered to keep it in evaluation.
> > > > > > I have kept Muneer as one of the option and shall continue to do
> > that.
> > > > > > Regarding his other opinion about Bijoys to be the seventh wonder-
> > I
> > > > wish
> > > > > > people will decide my contribution and its not Pramanik alone who
> > will
> > > > give
> > > > > > verdict about my position in the ICT.
> > > > > > Thanks and regards
> > > > > > Mustafa Jabbar
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Quoting "M. M Pramanik " < mmpramanik@yahoo.com>:
> > > > > > Dear All,
> > > > > > I have come through all your mails regarding dishonesty with
> > Bangla
> > > > > > keyboard and font. I can also guess that person who is dead
> > against
> > > > any
> > > > > kind
> > > > > > of keyboard except his layout. I appreciate him for his keyboard
> > but
> > > > Munir
> > > > > > key board should have been given the respect which he enjoying. In
> > > > > > Bangladesh all Typists of Type machines (which now allmost
> > obsolete)
> > > > are
> > > > > > familiar with Munir key Board and when they started to use
> > computer,
> > > > they
> > > > > > had to use another keyboard. It was not justice.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > The man who is dead against Munir KB, once expressed himself as
> > the
> > > > > > father/pioneer of Computer in Bangladesh and he was also dead
> > against
> > > > all
> > > > > > academic people (BUET, BITs, DU, RU etc.) who studies Programming
> > or
> > > > basic
> > > > > > side of computing. That person advocated for multimedia education
> > but
> > > > he
> > > > > > could not realise that those academics or students were involved
> > in
> > > > > > education by which they could make his multimedia softwares. He
> > was
> > > > only
> > > > > end
> > > > > > user. He thought that his software (bangla) was the seventh wonder
> > of
> > > > the
> > > > > > world !!!!
> > > > > >
> > > > > > M. Pramanik
> > > > > > -----------------------------------------------
> > > > > > Dear Mr.rahman,
> > > > > > I agree very much with you that as Bangali,we are more emotional
> > than
> > > > > > practical(myself not an exception).Thats why we have not been able
> > to
> > > > > > progress much on Bangla localization.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Let us hope some one /group with merit  come forward in the feild.
> > > > > > Regards
> > > > > >
> > > > > > MMHAQ
> > > > > >
> > > > > > *Sayeed Rahman < banglait@gmail.com>* wrote:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > When Ekushey February comes every year we become so emotional
> > after
> > > > > > few days we forget everything.  But in reality we should talk
> > about
> > > > > > how much we achieved on Bangla Localization:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Still we are confused about Standard Bangla key board layout
> > > > > > Not much work done by our Bangla Academy or Bangladesh Computer
> > > > Council
> > > > > > http://www.bccbd.org/ on this area BCC suppose to be is an
> > autonomous
> > > > body
> > > > > > under the Ministry of Science and Information & Communication
> > > > Technology,
> > > > > > Government of Bangladesh for  encouraging  and providing  support
> > for
> > > > ICT
> > > > > > related activities in  Bangladesh Recently Bangladesh Computer
> > Council
> > > > > came
> > > > > > up with Bangladesh Standard for Bengali Keyboard, Keyboard Bengali
> > > > Keyboard
> > > > > > Layout is these going to work?
> > > > > > Is this BCC truly an autonomous body? How it's Director post and
> > > > manpower
> > > > > > were selected on the basis of merit or connection?
> > > > > > Do we have any Standard Policy regarding our Govt web site design
> > > > layout?
> > > > > > How many BD Govt Web site are today in Bangla?
> > > > > > What our Private and Public Universities (CSE Dept) are doing for
> > > > Bangla
> > > > > > Localization?
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Hope some one will answer my questions before the Ekushey February
> > > > emotion
> > > > > > fades away!
> > > > > >
> > > > > > What's good for Bangladesh is good for BANGLA IT. Serving yours
> > need
> > > > to
> > > > > > know.
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Sayeed Rahman
> > > > > > Founder BANGLA IT
> > > > > > http://www.banglait.org
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------Shaptahik
> > > > > > 2000 article on Bangla Computing
> > > > > >
> > > > > > http://www.shaptahik2000.com/shonkha/2006/20060224/pr20060224.pdf
> > > > > >
> > > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------
> > > > > > Comments on the article from Shaptahik2000 group list
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Dear All,
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Thanks for sharing with us a rather interesting yet thought
> > provoking
> > > > > > article written by Mr. Mohammad Reza Shareef in a recent issue of
> > the
> > > > > > Shaptahik on the controversy of Bangla key board layout in
> > Bangladesh.
> > > > > > The author elaborates the merits of Munir key board layout and
> > favors
> > > > > > its adoption over the others because of its ease of use and wide
> > > > spread
> > > > > > applications. The author also mentions about a class of dishonest
> > > > > > businessmen in Bangladesh especially points out throughout
> > > > > > the article about one particular dishonest who it seems is the
> > > > forefront
> > > > > > dead against the success of Munir key board and its font layout,
> > > > because he
> > > > > > himself developed and marketed one. Is it his
> > > > > > personal ego (I know the best; it is my way or high way!) or
> > > > Bangladeshi
> > > > > > corrupt politics? Those of us who live outside Bangladesh
> > > > > > and do not have any first hand knowledge of the Bangladeshi
> > politics
> > > > > > of Bangla fonts , Bangla key boards etc., it would be of very
> > interest
> > > > to
> > > > > > us to learn who is this dishonest businessman behind the dirty
> > > > Bangladeshi
> > > > > > politics of Bangla fonts and Bangla key boards. Can the author
> > > > identify
> > > > > him?
> > > > > > I have my suspicion!
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Regards,
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Fahim AHMED Ph.D.
> > > > > > Senior Research Scientist
> > > > > > Product Portfolio Milk Quality & Animal Health
> > > > > > DeLaval Manufacturing
> > > > > > 64153-1296 Kansas City, MO, USA
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> > > > > >
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> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >  [Disclaimer: BANGLA-IT Management is not liable for information
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> > > Mirpur - 2, Dhaka - 1216
> > > Bangladesh
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> Grameen Bank Tower (11th floor)
> Mirpur - 2, Dhaka - 1216
> Bangladesh
> Email: farhan.husain@grameensoftware.com
> ------------------------------------------------------------
> Grameen Software ( http://www.grameensoftware.com)
>




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Thursday, March 09, 2006

Sharna in AKTEL Ad

It was very funny incident to me. There was a full-page advertisement of AKTEL on the occasion of World Women's day which had a photo of Sharna. She told me that she was not prepared at all for the photo like all others. She did not even know that she was going to be photographed for an ad. It was a direct order from her superior to pose for it, so she could not deny. However, she didn't do bad at all, though any kind of smile is missing from her face :D. She is the only representative from Technical division, all others are from Human Resource and Marketing.

Here is the ad below, I marked her with a blue circle:


Wednesday, March 08, 2006

Hacker turned Anti-Hacker

Here is an interesting story on Kevin Mitnick, an FBI most wanted computer terrorist, who turned into an anti-hacker after his five years term in jail. He found George Bush's social security number and driving license number in 15 seconds in a conference as demonstration of his skill. It costed FBI three years manhunt to find him. Now, he is the boss of his own IT-security consultancy firm.

Sharna in AKTEL ad

On the occasion of International Women's day, AKTEL published a full page advertisement in almost all major dailies of the country. The funny thing is Sharna's photo is in the ad :-D. Yesterday, she reluctantly posed for the photo and that seems evident from it. However, she is not looking bad!!! ;-)

Tuesday, March 07, 2006

A spat with a well-known person

Today I engaged in a tiff with Mustafa Jabbar, the proprietor of Bijoy keyboard layout. It was in bdresearchers yahoo group. Actually, I just gave an innocent reply to one his mails regarding Bengali keyboard layout. I just suggested that we should reach a consensus on which layout to use, whether Munir layout or Bijoy layout. After that, he suddenly turned violent towards me and started to attack me and my company. In total 9 mails have been exchanged so far. Because of the moderated nature of bdresearchers group, other members missed the live argument. In fact, they have not seen all the mails yet. This is a negative side of moderation, if the moderator is sleeping in U.S., members in Bangladesh has no way to see the new mails and replies. However, I think, so far I am successful to fend off his immature personal attacks. Let me see what happens next.

Monday, March 06, 2006

Bangla bhai has been caught

After only a few days of capturing Shaikh Abdur Rahman, Siddiqul Islam, alias Bangla Bhai, of the outlawed Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen (JMB) was captured at his hideout in Mymensingh district. How did the law-enforcement forces catch him so quickly? Did they get vital information from Abdur Rahman?

In my opinion, this incident shows how quickly government can capture a criminal if they really want to. May be Abdur Rahman gave information, may be not; but that is not important I think. Because even if he has provided information, it would be of no use as the information will be useless. Bangla bhai must have known the capture of Abdur Rahman. After that he must have changed his location, so Abdur Rahman can only provide info about his location at the time of his capture at best. He can't have any knowledge about where Bangla Bhai went after his capture. So, I think that security forces found him with their own effort. Why am I telling all these? Because, I want to tell that government knew about these two's whereabouts always, they just didn't arrest them because of ... well I think everybody knows it. Now when they have decided to nail them, they took only a few days to get Bangla Bhai.

You can read a news about it here.

Sunday, March 05, 2006

A nice article on Ashraful

I, like most of the Bangladeshis, am fond of Ashraful's batting. He is a genius, no doubt about it. But he is terribly inconsistent as the article here says. After one good innings, he becomes over-complacent, he throws his wicket in the following few innings. This has been his trend since he made an scintillating debut. All his fans just pray that he becomes more attentive, careful and consistent. He should not waste his talent like this. His mere average of 25.11 (as of today) just don't reflect his precocious talent and exceptional ability. He has the necessary skills to belt reputed bowlers around the park frequently but he has to be cautious in his shot selection. All his fans, including me, can only hope and pray that Ashraful will realize these too.

Saturday, March 04, 2006

Severe penalty for a corrupt lawmaker

After reading the news, I became disappointed thinking about when such things will start to happen in our country. Can't our politicians be brought to justice like this?

Thursday, March 02, 2006

Fire Fire!!!

This was the first of this kind of experience to me. Suddenly our office was filled with smoke smell. People became frantic. Someone was shouting to switch off the lights and fans. People ran out of office leaving the computers open. All on a sudden, the staircase was filled with people. Most of them were rushing out of the building. A very few brave ones were searching the source of the smoke. At last, the fire was discovered in the 12th floor. A careless irresponsible guy has left his half-lit cigarette in a pile of waste paper and the inevitable happened. The fire was extinguished with the most natural extinguisher "water" :-). People began to return to office slowly. This was a not-so-nice but necessary experience for me. A good rehearsal for a really dangerous one!