Facebook’s Latest Privacy Options December 10, 2009
Posted by Talha Izhar in Technology.Tags: Facebook, facebook new privacy policy 2009, facebook privacy policy, facebook privacy policy 2009, joke, photo albums
5 comments
Today, Facebook announced their new privacy policy and users are shown a page where they can see their default privacy and change it according to the new one.
Having identified many facebook security issues, I was expecting some loopholes in the new policy as well. Today, (more…)
Long Weekend??? November 30, 2009
Posted by Talha Izhar in Personal, Uncategorized.Tags: boring weekend, long weekend, weekend
1 comment so far
It was all a dream, a distant dream. Today, I feel cheated for assuming it a long relaxing weekend. I hope someday I will get an actual long weekend to relax and rest and have fun my way. Someday maybe..
Total Randomness… November 27, 2009
Posted by Talha Izhar in Personal, Uncategorized.Tags: Confidence, Failure, Personal, Success
1 comment so far
Sometimes we think and think too much and eventually fail at it. And there also comes a time when we realize that thinking too much was the reason behind our failure. So what makes us give too much thought to a simple idea?
I feel we all become fearful after the experiences we have had in our lives, and we are forced to think and think too much which we must not. In my case, I have learn’t form my experiences, that I must always be the same fearless person I was when I graduated. No fear. No worries. I was proud of whatever I have done. Few seasons and few jobs later, I changed from that fearless person to a submissive fearful person. Stuttering at every question and thinking too much before answering. From the one who had all the confidence to get on the stage in front of 400-500 people, without even thinking what will happen next and sing a song with friends without realizing that I am terrible singer, to the present self who is too shy to even clearly express himself.
Its definitely going to be hard to get to the original self but surely isn’t impossible.
Take Back The Tech… November 26, 2009
Posted by Talha Izhar in Local Industry, Social Causes, Technology.Tags: Pakistan, Take Back The Tech, TBTT, VAW, Violence Againts Women
4 comments
Being part of the dominating gender in our society I may not be able to understand how does it feel to be treated as some inferior being. And its not just my society I am talking about here, its the same case everywhere. And its unfortunate.
If you are a male who is living in a society where women are treated badly, are target of routine misbehavior and disrespect, and you think we should give voice to end this inequality; Then join TBTT campaign and create awareness, educate minds and train the women to be stronger.
For more details on the 16-day campaign visit:
http://www.takebackthetech.net/
If you are in Pakistan and want to see how we are supporting the cause. Read:
Another Lesson!! July 15, 2009
Posted by Talha Izhar in Local Industry, Politics, Startup, Technology.Tags: bad experience, experience, Startup, Technology Companies
2 comments
This one is a bad experience that I had while working with someone, who I met through a tech personality in the local community, and before I realized my mistake it had been over a year since I was working for this company/individual.
To keep it short, I would just like to tell people who are running a startup or working with some medium/big size company as freelancers to NEVER quote low for any project on the promise(written or verbal) that there are bigger and better projects for you to do. Secondly, always make a written agreement with the payment terms and deliverables mentioned clearly. There are many other lessons which I would be sharing soon.
Its been a real lesson for me. The biggest let down from someone whom I started looking upto as a mentor and as a senior.
Conversation with Police Officers May 4, 2009
Posted by Talha Izhar in Uncategorized.Tags: chalan, Cold Drinks, Convesation, Karachi, Pakistan, Police, ticket, traffic violation
5 comments
It happened today at Tipu Sultan Road while I was on my way to office. I was speaking to a friend on phone and saw two amazingly smart and innocent looking policemen 
asking me to pull over. I did so as every responsible citizen would do.
Policeman 1: Assalam O Alaikum Sir. Can I see the documents of your car?
Talha(Myself): Wsalam. Sure. (I gave him the documents and he walked over to his partner and looked at the documents)
Policeman 1: Sir you were talking on phone and you’ve violated traffic rules and we will have to issue you a ticket for Rs.512. Please give us you driving license.
I said: Are you traffic police?? No. Then why would you give me the ticket??
Then they both looked at each other and then looked at the documents once again and said : You havent paid you car tax since you bought the car. We have dozens of cars locked in our police station for this.
I said: Are you from the Revenue Department?? Thats supposed to be their problem not yours.
At this point they didnt know what else to say. They both said: Sir we can lock up your car and will not release it until you pay the tax.
I said(offering them keys of the car): Sure go on. Lock it up.
They had nothing more to say. Then they tried another act.
Policeman 1: Sir Sahab(The other policeman) thinks you are a nice boy. he thinks you should go here are your documents.
I said Thanks and as I approached the car the first policeman came to me whispering, Koi thanday ka intezam kar dein tou achha hai bohat dhoop hai yahan (meaning: If you can arrange for cold drinks that will be good. Its too hot over here!!)
I looked at them and now both of them were looking like two innocent men begging for a drink. I bought them a drink from the shop across the road and moved on.
I think I did right by not giving them cash and buying drinks. or did I??
First Lesson!! April 17, 2009
Posted by Talha Izhar in Startup.Tags: Management Lesson
2 comments
Be sure to introduce new process or policy either at the beginning of the month or beginning of the project. Recently, I was told about it after I introduced a new contract with too many clauses and conditions though nothing was out of the box or had any serious condition.
Something Different!! April 16, 2009
Posted by Talha Izhar in Startup.1 comment so far
Its been a long time since I had written a post or I should say I experimented on writing. I have always been a lazy writer and someone who likes to speak than writing things down. Recently, I have had a few discussions regarding blogging and how we should encourage people to start their blogs and after these thought-provoking discussions I promised to myself that I will stat blogging very soon 
. I have had a few ideas of what I should focus on my blog. So I decided to try out the first one, about my experiences so far since I started a small tech shop by the name of Innovations last year.
So far its been an interesting yet challenging experience. The reason I chose to start it was that I wanted to do more than just writing code all day long and playing CS at the end of the day and today I am pretty much close to what I wanted to do.
I have always had my own point of view about managing the employees and how the HR processes should be. But suddenly when I hired my first employee everything changed, I started to feel my perspective has changed and its really not that easy as I had supposed it to be.
I tried out a few things while managing freelancers, full time employees and part-timers which I will share soon.
I hope to keep updating my blog every now and then and with every new thing that I will learn.
P.S. One more thing, apart from my experiences I will also be writing about the issues that we face as Pakistanis and will be looking at the possible solutions be it political, social or economical.
Reviewing 2008… January 1, 2009
Posted by Talha Izhar in Uncategorized.2 comments
Another year has passed and we move into 2009. Before making new year’s resolution I usually take a look back at the previous year. The things that I do and am proud of and the things I shouldn’t have done at all.
First Quarter:
27th Feb: I resigned from my first job after working for 19 Months in that company. The decision was made within a moment a day ago. Too many reasons but a right thing to do. I miss my teammates and the culture that we had developed together.
15th March: Received the offer letter for my new job. When asked by HR when can I join I said 2nd April. I was asked why not 1st and I said “I dont want to give anyone a chance to make a fool out of me that day”. This is something I shouldnt have said!! 
Second Quarter:
2nd April: Joined my new job. Better salary better benefits. Nice Domain. Great People.
19th April: Was sent abroad for my first international project. Stayed for almost 2.5 months and learnt alot of things. Worked with a great team and with one of the best manager.
Third Quarter:
7th July: My last day on my second job. Left a great team and a good company. I am still not sure if this was the right decision as I miss my days there.
August: Stepped into something I always wanted to. Started a small company with two partners me and my brother with multiple freelancers. Started working from my room. Our office was the bed in the room one corner was my office and other my brother’s.
September: We developed partnerships with some of local companies. And worked for free with some companies to get them work. Then a month later realized if I continue to do it for free till I get work I will never be able to concentrate on what I want to do.
Fourth Quarter:
October: Received training for PMP and completed the required contact hours for PMP Exam. HR Development-A good thing to do when the business is new and uncertainity all around your future!!
November: Did certain things which I shouldnt have done…
December: Finally Me and My Brother agreed on our website’s design( third one)…And he told me on the last day of the year that he has another design in mind and I said show me…
I met some great people this year most of them are my age and a couple of them through this blog. I have also taken many risks in this time of economic turmoil left my job, started a software company,almost burnt all my savings on this company.
I am entering in 2009 semi-broke, with hope to make a difference in my life and the life of others who are close to me. I hope to serve my country Pakistan better. I also hope to take my company to another level INSHALLAH by the first quarter of 2009. Get certified for PMP INSHALLAH and will not leave it like OCP and CCNA.
