Google has decided to crush 411 (in a way).
Check out this new *free* service from Google named "Google voice local search".
Dial 1800-Goog-411 from any phone.
Differentiator in this service is: it's free !
Lat/long tracking and monetization of the same is on its way now :) This was a hot topic in last year's convention of "Future of technology" where Eric Schmidt alluded to a possibility of this happening.
Long-live the Google trio !
Thursday, June 28, 2007
whats next?
Anxious readers of the blog ask me: "What will happen to this blog?"
I am in a dilemma.
On one hand I propose the following: This will become my technology blog - as in, random thoughts on technology would be put here by me. CMU inspired me to remain in an inter-disciplinary zone and relevant inputs will be posted here.
On second thoughts, I feel that I should start another one in order to acquire a focus to my discussions. This is also because the current blog is to log experience of a CMU student.
Well, I will make a quick decision on this front. Until then, this will remain my dump for many other things.
I am in a dilemma.
On one hand I propose the following: This will become my technology blog - as in, random thoughts on technology would be put here by me. CMU inspired me to remain in an inter-disciplinary zone and relevant inputs will be posted here.
On second thoughts, I feel that I should start another one in order to acquire a focus to my discussions. This is also because the current blog is to log experience of a CMU student.
Well, I will make a quick decision on this front. Until then, this will remain my dump for many other things.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
SaaS implementation
A new genre of service providers is emerging - SaaS service providers.
Here's a link about the same - Bluewolf, with experience in SaaS implementation have taken over as the pioneers. Salesforce.com has a consulting team - however, Bluewolf does implementations in many places as their services are cheaper. They can execute it and stay competitive due to economies of scale and scope. Now, joining Google for Google Enterprise Apps will help them quite a bit. Definitely, Bluewolf is at quite a bit of risk if they dont broker the contracts correctly with the end client or the service providers.
Will eSCM apply here? - both in case of CL and SP? Should it apply here?
As per me, the answer is yes - if you have a different point of you then you and I must talk ! :)
Here's a link about the same - Bluewolf, with experience in SaaS implementation have taken over as the pioneers. Salesforce.com has a consulting team - however, Bluewolf does implementations in many places as their services are cheaper. They can execute it and stay competitive due to economies of scale and scope. Now, joining Google for Google Enterprise Apps will help them quite a bit. Definitely, Bluewolf is at quite a bit of risk if they dont broker the contracts correctly with the end client or the service providers.
Will eSCM apply here? - both in case of CL and SP? Should it apply here?
As per me, the answer is yes - if you have a different point of you then you and I must talk ! :)
Pgh - the most livable city
To my own personal experience and absolute delight - Pittsburgh is rated as "the most livable city".
The nine subcategories mentioned are all that matters for me:
The nine subcategories mentioned are all that matters for me:
- housing affordability (cost of living);
- transportation;
- jobs;
- education;
- climate;
- crime;
- health care;
- recreation;
- ambience (museums, performing arts, restaurants
Housing was very very cheap and hence, at times, I regret on my decision to move to NYC for work (my current employer offers the same pay in pgh and nyc). Crime rate is low in Pgh and hence, the insurance rates are low. UPMC provides healthcare right then and there.
Transportation is convenient if you have a car.
Jobs are good for those who have it. For those who are looking, it may not be the best market !
Monday, June 25, 2007
value added by ivys!
Donald Asher has come out with yet another interesting writeup for schooling !
Check this out: http://teacherweb.com/CA/PacificaHighSchoolOxnard/MrsGillett/Is-the-Ivy-League-Worth-It_.pdf
Does Ivy League matter (beyond finance)?
Also, another advice of having least debt when one gets out is very important. Developing social skills and technically skills is an equally important advice. Thus, getting into an environment where there is a good balance between to the two makes more sense.
This is what I was thinking when I used to see the undergrad students at CMU. CMU is too expensive when it comes to learning undergrad education. Then, why invest so much when a person from some other school is also going to join the same job? Also, these days recruiters and companies have smartened up. With good training programs, they would hire folks from lesser known univs and then train them in order to drive down the prices of the labor from these highly known univs.
So, candidates who are applying need to think if they are getting a good value-added when they join CMU or are similar returns possible elsewhere (say Kelly, or the likes). Returns will vary from person to person based on which skill is valued how much by the individual who is evaluating it! For instance, developing social skills may be valued highly by someone lacking it but may be valued less by someone already possessing it.
Check this out: http://teacherweb.com/CA/PacificaHighSchoolOxnard/MrsGillett/Is-the-Ivy-League-Worth-It_.pdf
Does Ivy League matter (beyond finance)?
Also, another advice of having least debt when one gets out is very important. Developing social skills and technically skills is an equally important advice. Thus, getting into an environment where there is a good balance between to the two makes more sense.
This is what I was thinking when I used to see the undergrad students at CMU. CMU is too expensive when it comes to learning undergrad education. Then, why invest so much when a person from some other school is also going to join the same job? Also, these days recruiters and companies have smartened up. With good training programs, they would hire folks from lesser known univs and then train them in order to drive down the prices of the labor from these highly known univs.
So, candidates who are applying need to think if they are getting a good value-added when they join CMU or are similar returns possible elsewhere (say Kelly, or the likes). Returns will vary from person to person based on which skill is valued how much by the individual who is evaluating it! For instance, developing social skills may be valued highly by someone lacking it but may be valued less by someone already possessing it.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Infosys BPO and eSCM
Infy BPO gets distinction:
http://itsqc.cs.cmu.edu/Default.aspx?EntryUID=e9d290e7-e800-42c3-8700-49d5baddf279
Check out this article. First assessment led to Level 4. This has happened for the first time. Infy has yet another feather in its cap !! This is an outstanding achievement for Infy and shows how all its arms are well-enabled.
http://itsqc.cs.cmu.edu/Default.aspx?EntryUID=e9d290e7-e800-42c3-8700-49d5baddf279
Check out this article. First assessment led to Level 4. This has happened for the first time. Infy has yet another feather in its cap !! This is an outstanding achievement for Infy and shows how all its arms are well-enabled.
Sunday, June 03, 2007
Graduate !
The last week at CMU was fairly eventful. Here's the account for pre-graduation, graduation, and post-graduation.
Last day in Pgh morning, I checked out Pandolfo's with Bal and Val. It was a sumptuous meal. While leaving, I was sobby and almost cried while I sat in the car. I have decided that if I am unable to settle down in NYC, I shall go back to Pgh !
Pre-graduation:
The semester got over and I was partying non-stop ! Two parties in one evening on Thursday - first, at Prof Steve Roehrig's place and then later at Firehouse with Turkish Students Association (TASA-Pgh). The initial one was sober and a good opportunity to meet the faculty members in a social setting. TASA party was fairly nice as I met a new dance partner Ashley ! Next Friday, we went to Matrix for another night out with her friends.
Graduation: 
This was a memorable event for me - not because I was graduate but for reasons as follows:
First, the graduation dinner was a cool plan by Val - this one was at Le Mont ! As CMU represents, it was a fairly international dinner - ppl from origins of US, Iran, China, Bosnia, and India !
After the dinner, myself and Gorana went to Firehouse as she wanted to check out the place.
Second, Val's mom was present for cheering me up at the diploma handing over ceremony for MISMs. My parents didn't make it to the US but I had someone from my American family to cheer me up !
Third, Bal & Val gave me the exact gift that I wanted :) Val's mom gave me a graduation gift too. Her actual gift was being there for cheering me!Graduation day was a day to cheer an effort and the sacrifices that went into getting the degree. Clearly, I was not ready to leave school once I was there until April. In April, something happened and I was so ready to graduate - I feel the emptiness without the school even now !
When I came to CMU, I had a situation similar to the one Odysseus had in Homer's Odyssey. On one hand, he had the beautiful Calypso and on the other, he had his kingdom Ithaca. Odysseus went for Ithaca and I went for Carnegie Mellon U. I wish that alike him, I will be able to get what I want. 
Post graduation:
After graduation, I left my townhouse in Sq. Hill. Believe me, I was happy to leave it - lol !
I went to meet Bal and Val for this one last dinner at IL Pizzaiolo (Bal said that I must have Pizza out there before I leave Pgh). They used wood heated ovens to churn out some delicious and sizzling pizzas. The cheese was unmatchable. They beat the Giordano's (Chicago fame) hands down. However, I got some information due to which my stay in Pgh got extended. In a way, it was a fortunate accident as I got to have some family time. :)
Next day, Val bhabhi made some tasty Chinese dinner and we watched another movie. Yea, she fed me just like my Bhabhi would ! Later that evening, we watched Da Vinci Code (yea, this was a movie on my pending-list). Finally, on Saturday evening ,we went to horse racing at Meadow Lands. That was a fun evening and then we watched Notes on a Scandal.
Last day in Pgh morning, I checked out Pandolfo's with Bal and Val. It was a sumptuous meal. While leaving, I was sobby and almost cried while I sat in the car. I have decided that if I am unable to settle down in NYC, I shall go back to Pgh !
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