Google Friend Connect

Google Friend Connect is one of the things to look forward to in the future.

Technology is going one step ahead everyday, and changing the very base of how things happen in the world. Each new tool is like a new foundation to how things are to be done. That's what is the most wonderful part about technology. It frames the rules of the games. How the games are played ultimately depends on how well you can build around technology.

Now, coming back to Google Friend Connect. Why is it so useful? Let us take a small example, say that of Google Labs. Google Labs keeps coming up with new features off and on. How would these features be marketed to the world? Through just online news channels? Probably not. It could also be conveyed through blogs, forums, etc.

Let's take another example. Say, follow B School trends, how they are faring this year, and what each B School has done best, and then frame my opinions about them. After that, I write about that the B Schools on my blog, giving some critical comments on the B Schools. I probably also offer tips on how to take a good decision of which school to join. This information might be very useful to some people, who may not be following online forums like for example.

I thus become an influencer for people choosing B Schools, because when people read my blog, they frame opinions about B Schools on reading my blog.

Now, how would a person identify who are the most important influencers for taking decisions on B Schools? They possibly cannot know how many people read the long list of blogs that rate B Schools, can they? Here is where Google Friend Connect becomes very useful. Say I have installed Google Friend Connect on my site. Now, a person visiting my site, has the option to join Google Friend Connect if he / she wants to, and there is a good chance of the person joining my site only if they like the content. Every new person that joins my site thus makes my site more credible.

Say, in the long run, I have 1000 people on my site, and when a new reader sees the friend list, he / she sees the profiles of the people seeing my site, and also the number of people seeing the site as registered users. That is a sort of a confirmation to the reader that this site makes sense - more sense than a site with lesser number of registered friends or irrelevant friends.

Now, wy not just have your own list of registered users, as many sites have? Why not just show that list to the world? Why subscribe to Google Friend Connect on your site?

Many reasons as I see it. First of all, through Google Friend Connect, you have a sort of an external auditor on your site for giving site credibility. The same "auditor" would be used by many sites eventually, and thus, Google Friend Connect would become the fundamental measurement unit, accepted by a whole lot of people. Apart from that Google Friend Connect allows you to use certain features of ORKUT as well, inviting new people, etc. improving your marketing efforts with no extra costs to be incurred. You don't even need to market it yourself, your "friends" do it - both knowingly and unknowingly. And finally, why bother setting up your own registered user list feature, when you could use something readily available? Even from the user's perspective, the user would not need to create separate logins for each new site he goes to. He can just use his email ID on all sites.

So that's why I think Google Friend Connect just rocks!

I see this as some sort of Market Share building by Google. Personally, I feel everyone who puts Google Friend Connect on their site, has been bought over by Google. Given the simplicity of setting up friend connect in Google as compared to Facebook connect, more sites are likely to have GFC as of now.

Which is why I repeat, IT keeps changing the way business is done!

Dil Chahta Hai

I wrote this a long time back. Am putting up now. It is my analysis of a few people on Dil Chahta Hai..

AKASH (AAMIR KHAN)

Filled with ego and selfishness. Loves making fun of his friends, and to mock at them and others. Always wants to show how he has already experienced things more than others. He is so blinded by his thoughts that he just sets his own rules for everything (There is nothing like long lasting love, and all who are in it are only fooling themselves). Even when he tries flirting with Shalini, he is so unconcerned about whether she has come with someone that he actually pushes away the topic saying that the person she is accompanying is her brother and he knows him. And after misbehaving with her in front of everyone, he actually feels proud of himself thinking he has won the moment. He always thinks extremely short term – if at all. He is not emotional. He only wants to enjoy the moment (Who cares where the hell we land up) – he also says he wants independence – he wants someone who’d live her own life and let him live his own. He is untouched by hard reality.
However, when he does face reality, he is up for it, and takes all the right decisions. He shares a good and open relationship with his parents, who also help him in taking his decisions. That is a drastic change from the old Akash, where his parents would decide things for him and he would just take them up.


SID (AKSHAYE KHANNA)


The mature one of the lot. Always calm – Sameer knows that if Sid tells him something it is the right thing, and he trusts him always, which is why I believe they are in friendship. With respect to Akash – Sid, there is no real reason for friendship between them. They just like hanging out with each other. There are really no confrontations between them, until the first time it happens, and things go bad. Sid even says that he bears with all what Akash does, but there is a limit to everything. This was something inevitable, given their initial natures.
Sid is in search of something in his life, which he still doesn’t know about. It is definitely not his friendship with Akash or Sameer – not that he undervalues that – but that is not his main reason to be. He even tells this to them – that ultimately friends would go in their own directions.
Sid never really shares his feelings regularly with his friends, unlike Sameer and Akash (of course, Akash rarely has feelings to share). And none of his friends really know him. What he shows on the exterior is completely different from who he really is. He keeps things to himself. He never wants anything from the world. He just wants things to be the way they are. And he would make his own meaning to everything in world, even if it is completely unconventional – like his paintings. And for the first time, when someone actually uncovers the real Sid, he falls in love with her – another unconventional act. Another interesting thing about Sid’s character is that he seems to bond best with people in problems. Be it Dimple Kapadia or Deepa (who is rejected by Akash), he always is there for them. He likes supporting them, he likes to advice them, and he likes it when people feel better because of him. This might be because of an inherent insecurity in him since he is clearly not the cool guy from amongst the 3 friends, and looks for other means to make people believe in him.


SAMEER (SAIF ALI KHAN)


Egoless person, always going with the tide. Always keeps his feelings aside with friends, becoming the scapegoat so they all have fun. Even in his personal life, he is very unsure. He wants to believe that he is somebody, who he actually isn’t. He wants to appear like the fashionable dude, and in trying to do so, he always ends up making a fool of himself. Until he goes into a relationship which he doesn’t really intend to go into. Further, he is always a huge supporter of his friends. The only person who is always going to be there for you (When Dimple Kapadia is about to die, Sameer comes immediately to meet Sid – not because he wants to meet her, but because he wants to be with Sid at this time when he really needs support).
He has blind trust in his friends, and assumes they would all be like him. He tells Sid that Akash will be happy to meet you again, and that to him is more important than their past fights. However, that is how Sameer perceives things and not Akash. Sameer values his friendship far more than his long list of girlfriends. And it reflects in his behaviour each time. A clear sign of frustration can be seen in him when he talks to his girlfriends. On the other hand, despite knowing that Akash makes fun of him he doesn’t ever get frustrated with them – showing that he really doesn’t value his relationships with his previous girlfriends well – he sees it more as a status symbol than as a need.

SHALINI (PRIETY ZINTA)

Adaptive child. In fact she is an adopted child. And she shows it in every move of hers. She might actually have wanted to do a lot of things, but she is very reserved in her actions. And when Akash asks her to dance and misbehaves with her, she apologizes to him rather than just give him a tight slap! She is ready to marry Rohit just because her foster parents have taken care of her, and so she thinks she needs to do this to return the favour, Rohit being the foster parents’ actual child.
I relate a lot to this movie primarily because I can relate to most of the people in this movie – at some point in my life, I have been like each one of these people, depending on the situation, and just like the characters in this movie, I have also learnt from each of my life’s incidents, and become a more mature person, just as the film shows.

Ghajini

This is definitely one of the most intense movies I have ever seen. Aamir Khan proves once again that he is just the God of Bollywood once again, by giving such a powerful performance.

Asin is quite lovable. Her role has been framed really well by the film maker.

Ghajini, the villain, is probably the most hatable, just as was designed. The actor does a good job.

The movie is very depressing, anger rousing, and in all, very gripping. In some senses, it reminds me of Titanic - where you always know Leonardo Dicaprio doesn't survive, and yet throughout you keep hoping that something will be different, and he will get saved. Just in the same way, the complete build up to the murder of Kalpana is just amazing - it has so much of grip, it makes you love Asin, it makes you think of Aamir as such a person you want to be, it makes you shout out to Aamir Khan, "Please answer Asin's call", it makes you shout, "Asin please keep your phone in silent mode", "Asin, run!".

The way the rod moves close to Asin's head, is just way too depressing. It brings out all your emotion, and brings it straight in front of your eyes.

The movie has been so well thought of. The very fact that Asin never even realizes that the person she loves is actually Sanjay Singhania, is very touching. You so wish that Asin and Aamir can go on happily like always. The whole thing is very touching.

The film is not without its logical flaws, but you can easily overlook all of them, because the concept of the movie is a clear winner. It brings out a new spirit of love in you, it strengthens your relationships, it makes you value your relationships more, and realize how much each one means, and how easy it is to lose out.

The happiest moment is of course, when there are tears in Aamir Khan's eyes at the end. You feel like standing up and shouting at the top of your voice that you are really happy. Revenge has never meant so much as it did in this movie.

Please do not think twice about watching this movie. It is an awesome movie, and please don't miss it!

Was it about the people or the company?

Love is such a subjective feeling. Why love is, at times, strong, when it breaks apart, why it is unconditional, and why sometimes the same love becomes a feeling of nothing.. It's such a complex phenomenon. Really wish there were some scientific laws that governed feelings..

It's something that I have literally possessed for 1.5 years - something which I have evangelized for so long - something that everyone who knows me relates me to - and while these feelings remained undeterred despite the regular doses of bad news that I was getting, this last one has just sealed it - my feelings have been shattered completely - beyond repair.

But I always hoped for too much - why should it have been the way I wanted - when I myself took a decision to leave it in 2007? What right did I have over things? By leaving and choosing to be in IIMC, I showed where my priority was lying - or did I? Wasn't it just a step away for 2 years so that I was more marketable when back? Couldn't people have held on for just 2 years, so that I could enjoy those happy moments again? Obviously not - everyone has their life, and their right to move on when they want to.. So what if I dream everyday of being back there with all of them and work together? So what if I keep planning on how I will make that call to all of them saying let's meet for a party in the evening today like that unforgettable one in my last quarter there? So what if I still strongly respect them all for what they have made me today? None of this actually means they should stick on till I am back. And now I feel - was my passion really for the company? Or was it for those few people who were so close to my heart? I think the latter.

But that won't deter me from trying to go back, and reliving those happy moments imagining they are all there. Nor will that erase these people from my feelings. They are all a part of me now, and that's something even they can't take away from me.

I feel lost in the crowd again today - have to start all over again. Brick by brick. Moment by Moment. Oh how much I miss my team. And to never be with all of them together again is something I will always regret.

Internet Solutions Group, IIM Calcutta - ISG

There are some who join clubs to get CV points..

There are some who take up positions in the Student Council and end up being in the evil clutches of their entire batch..

There are some who don't just bother, and sit without being heard of in the entire batch..

There are some who sit back and crib about everything that is happening around them..

And then there are some, who take up the task completely to themselves to improve things in their Alma Mater.. These are the ISGians of IIM Calcutta!

Who said that ISG is a group of people who are interested in coding? No one would want to code, given the chance to not do that... But coding is the simplest and yet most effective way of improving things today in this world... And that is why we chose to be in the Internet Solutions Group at IIM Calcutta...

We are passionate about improving things in IIM Calcutta. We don't want to leave a single aspect of IIM Calcutta unfurnished. That is the least we can do for the institute which completely changed our outlook to life.

IIM C rocks...

ISG will ensure they make IIM C rock even more...

Why is life so tough?

Is this what I had asked for from life? Am I not free to think the way I want to think? Am I not free to like what I feel like liking in this world? Is it necessary for me to like something just because that is the current trend (or even orthodox for that matter)? Can it be offensive to be different?

Isn’t this a free world?

Yes, at times it makes sense to follow the world, as we might be missing something important by not being in the trend. However, I also feel that at times, one should be allowed to be what he / she truly desires to be in life. Not be curbed by things like “trend” and “orthodoxy”.

Yes, life should be lived with a set of rules in mind, to give you direction (short term benefits might be long term losses, which is what happens when you don’t follow rules). However, there needs to be a balance somewhere. Somewhere a line should be drawn. You should be allowed to think for yourself to see what is right. It is tough to decide what part comes on which side of this line – that’s what makes life so tough.

Gurgaon : Needs to improve

It's been a long time since I logged in. I normally write when I want to share a feeling with the computer. Whenever things go beyond control, when I see no other option, when I am not happy with my surroundings, when I am overpowered with emotion, I write.

Today I want to share with you my latest place of stay : Gurgaon.

Gurgaon is a perfect example of how a government has failed to scale up its resources alongside the tremendous development of MNCs here.

Let me start off with my favourite example : Infosys. A classic example of how to scale up. Starting from a small room in NRN's home, with Rs. 10,000 from Sudha Murthy, to 100000 employees spread over numerous campuses and billions of dollars of revenue and remarkable growth. When TCS sacked people because of recession in US markets, Infy actually gave its employees a 12% hike this year in their salaries : Now that's what you call employee satisfaction!

More importantly, the point I want to make is that Infy has not just done well because there was the oppportunity in the IT segment. Infy has done well because it always ensured that all resources and processes were in place when it tried to take the next big step ahead. Becoming 10 times your employee size in a matter of a few years shows that Infy planned ahead, looking at what all it will need to ensure they can maintain a strong unbreakable balance in their ecosystem.

Starting off with training, to induction into a unit, to project assigment, to onsite, and what not : If one thing goes haywire, Infy can have millions of dollars of losses. Yet, this does not happen. Why? Because they have ensured that everything is planned. When they hire so many people, they still ensure that everyone has a place to sit and a computer to work on. Everyone is part of a team, everyone is given a project. Speaking of other operations, the food courts never fall short of food, there's always room to enjoy even with the increasing numbers.

In short, the coming in of a flood of employees has not in anyway hampered an existing employee.

Now let's take a look at Gurgaon.

A few years ago, Gurgaon was a barren land, until the MNCs hit it. And with DLF puring in the money, buildings were built really fast. Loads of companies have now come in here. Loads of people have moved to Gurgaon from across the country to work here. Today's generation is completely mall crazy, so what did Gurgaon do? They built world class malls in Gurgaon. And trust me, it doesn't get better than this. You go into a mall in Gurgaon, and you actually find heaven.

NOw let's come to the ground reality - what are the basic needs of a human being today?

- Home food
- Shelter
- Water
- Electricity
- Transportation facilties

These, I classify as the fundamental needs, everything else is just on the periphery. The government has doen nothing, NOTHING, to improve this in Gurgaon. Instead, they have let more industries come in, depleting the already finishing resources of this place.

Let me give you an example of a normal day in Gurgaon.

You get up in the morning, in a furnace. Why? The AC does not work in the night without electricity. The electricity is not there because the inverter could not charge the whole of the previous day. The inverter could not charge because there was low voltage throughtout the daytime. So why not open the windows? Because the 15 feet high hot dust storm will enter your home and destroy you. Not to talk of the mosquitoes. What is the next option? Pour water all over your bed, and sleep on top of it, so that you get a relief for one hour. The water takes just that much time to evaporate. But, when I walk in to the bathroom to get water, I realize there's no water - it comes only from 7:30 am to 9:00 am in the morning. So, it's like a countdown from around 1 am in the night upto 7:30 in the morning, as to when I can get some freshness.

And being awake all night doesn't help office work much btw. Especially feeling sleepy in meetings is something which I hate.

The reason for lack of water and electricity is just that the government has not planned his city well. They have not scaled up along with the incoming MNCs. What's worse, there doesn't even seem to be an attempt towards that! Power cuts happen atleast for 6 hours a day, especially in the night, which is what makes it the worst part.

Another big thing that Gurgaon is missing is public transport. You will find alteast 50000 Innovas in Gurgaon, each literally taking 1 person from office to home. This is just a tragedy - so much of this non renewable resource petrol is being used up just because people don't care. There are no buses in Gurgaon; there are no autos in Gurgaon. The only other mode of transport (apart from owning a car) is the Cycle Rickshaw; something which I think should be banned because I feel it amounts to slavery.

If you want to travel from Location X to Location Y in Gurgaon - you don't really have an option. You have to take cycle rickshaws or book a cab for that. And the government has still not given a permit to autos to come into Gurgaon. I really dont' know why the government can't even be reactive (expecting proactiveness from the Indian government is like asking the Sun to rise from the West).

And so it is here. The most disgusting place I have ever been in my life. I always thought Chennai was bad - but frankly you can't blame Chennai for the worst thing about Chennai - the weather. What Chennai has excelled in, is ensuring excellent transport facilities in terms of a good connection of buses, and local trains. Bangalore and Mumbai are being overburdened. We need the Government of Indis to look at smaller places and make them metropolitans - not like they did with Gurgaon, but how Infy brought up ts empire.