Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Why BlackBerry Storm 9500 Failed?

BlackBerry had finally acknowledged the confession of touch sensitive mobiles and launched blackberry storm in September 2008 to match the challenges given by Apple I-Phone. BlackBerry Users expected a lot from RIM on this phone that could cross the Apple I-Phone and again become the market leader in the existing known markets. But this time expectations were not met.

BlackBerry Storm 9500 is badly hit in Pakistan as it’s purchase and re-sale dropped like anything. Even BlackBerry Bold is being sold at higher prices than of BlackBerry Storm Touch Capacitive smartphone.
The reasons for not having what they expected, I tried to analyze the drawbacks that exist on the end-users side, especially when it is seen in a Pakistani users’ perspective.
User friendliness: This phone is not at all user friendly and you will have to spend almost 4 to 6 days to understand its basic operations. Though Blackberry has never been famous for user friendliness from day one, but this phone is the worst scenario.
Sure Type Problem in Phonebook: T9 option is not going to leave you whatever you gonna do (SMS, phonebook, internet etc) with this phone, despite switching it off – it comes again out of no-where leaving you in a situation to disable it again and again.
No WiFi: WiFi option is not available and buying Rs. 30k plus phone and not having Wifi is something kidding with yourself and with your money. Because, using wireless network is getting common, particularly for high end users.
Memory: This phone has not that much memory i.e. only 1GB, while you can get as much as 8 to 16 times memory when spending same amount on other brands.
Capacitive Touch Feature: Capacitive touch feature has not got that much welcome like Touch Flo or Accelerometer technology because of its pressing and releasing style.
Due to all such issues, customer is reluctant to buy Blackberry Storm, resulting in low prices and no resale value.

Source: http://www.propakistani.com/2009/05/29/why-blackberry-storm-9500-failed/

HEC Online Degree Verification System for Students

Higher Education Commission (HEC) has planned to soon initiate online verification of degrees of students intending to visit abroad for further education. This was stated by Member Operations and Planning HEC Dr Mukhtar Ahmad.

The commission would verify degrees and certificates of students intending to get admissions abroad, in Pakistani universities or for getting jobs through online procedure, he said.

He admitted that the recent raise in degree and certificate attestation fee is causing financial burden on people coming from far flung areas. But the commission is compelled to increase attestation fee due to financial reasons, he said.

In 2002, he said there was no fee for attestation as it was not the requirement at that time.
Thousands of people were visiting the commission for attestation of their degrees even when they didn’t need it. Majority came at the last moment without proper documents creating hurdles for the staff.

Now after increase in charges, he said the staff would get genuine applicants who really need attestation.

Referring to the reasons of non-release of HEC funds, he said it is not only happening in HEC but in other organisations and institutions across the country due to prevailing financial crunch.

The recurring budget has been issued but the development budget is yet to be released by finance ministry. In the first quarter, HEC got 15 per cent of the total budget, 7.5 per cent in the second but the third phase has been delayed which has caused shortfall.

As many as 4,000 students studying abroad are unable to meet study expenditures due to delay in funds. Various institutes are facing such difficulties but the issue will be resolved soon, he said.

Source: http://www.propakistani.com/2009/01/25/hec-online-degree-verification-system-for-students/

Subconscious Mind!

What if I told you that there was a part of your mind that is always working, even when you are asleep? This part of your mind is known as...