Pakzilla » Pakistan

Trouble shooting TP-Link wireless router with PTCL broadband

Tahir Akram — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 15:01:34 +0000

My setup of having TP Link wireless router with PTCL Broadband modem was working fine. But I was getting bad internet on my mobile phones and PCs. If I bypass the wireless router and connect DSL modem directly, it start working fine.

So it seems issue is with wireless router. And I used to get error in my browser that DNS named not resolved.

Error 105 (net::ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED): Unable to resolve the server’s DNS address.

The admin panel of my PTCL Broadband is on 192.168.1.1 and for TP-Link I set to 192.168.2.8. I replaced the primary and secondary PTCL DNS with Google Public DNS. And it works (Primary: 8.8.8.8 and Secondary 8.8.4.4).

Google Public DNS is a free, global Domain Name System resolution service, that we can use as an alternative to PTCL DNS. I am observing quality of Internet speed now.

You can also use OpenDNS addresses other than Google. Primary: 208.67.222.222 Secondary: 208.67.222.220. I will give try to OpenDNS too.

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Wateen Bolt WiMAX is easy plug and play on Ubuntu

Tahir Akram — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 10:18:02 +0000

Wateen has launched it’s new WiMAX USB Modem in Pakistan named Bolt. The device is free on a promotion for Warid postpaid customers. So I paid PKR 700 for it’s bill and device is here. Well no issue of connecting and using it on Ubuntu 11.10. I activated it, and it’s just plug and play with your Ubuntu.

It’s 512 Kbps with 7GB of monthly download limit.

If you have used PTCL EVO, you need to add a new network connection with username and password. Bolt get detected and your system is on Internet.

My review

While telling the review of an internet device, it always depends how you use internet. People download movies and their torrent software always working. I don’t download too muchn movies and see online movies and youtube. Gmail, Twitter, Facebook, BBC Urdu, Express News etc are my frequently visited websites. And I am preferring it to be good. The only thing I dislike is, the deveice need to be more compact to dongle. I do not like the wired USB modem. But deffinately, they will not offer internet dongle device in this price.

Zong has introduced Android phone in Pakistan

Tahir Akram — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 08:43:25 +0000

Zong has launched IDEOS Android phone in Pakistan brand by Huawei. It is equipped with the operating system v2.2 froyo. The price is PKR 15,999 which is very attractive s compared to the prices of HTC Android phones.

But I think this set will only work with Zong SIM. So I want to know if this set can be unlocked for the other providers? Then it will be a great deal to use Android phone in this price.

Full specs of this phone can be read on GSMArena.com.

Pakistani flag S60 theme for Nokia 5800 XpressMusic

Tahir Akram — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 21:02:20 +0000

I just found Pakistani flag Symbian S60 v5 theme. Tried on my Nokia 5800 XpressMusic. And it looks great. I should found this theme on 14th of August.

You can download theme file from here.

P@SHA LaunchPad, an envent to foster up entrepreneurship in Pakistan

Tahir Akram — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 21:29:00 +0000

P@SHA (Pakistan Software House Association) has come up with a great idea to promote entrepreneurship in Pakistan. They are conducting an event LaunchPad. Previously the president of P@SHA, Jehan Ara was involved in conducting session called Startup Insiders. A panel discussion where people ask question about their startups to the people who are from silicon valley and startup gurus. LaunchPad has similar flavor to it.

This event is going to held in Lahore and Karachi. Where young entrepreneurs, students and industry professionals are welcomed to discuss their ideas and business plans and get the feedback from industry leading people in Launchpad panel. Great opportunity for business connections. Nomination form is available here. For more details, see the LanuchPad flyer, or read Jehan Ara’s blog.

I am planning to visit the event with an idea. I will submit the form for my nomination in evening.

Spoken on Google App Engine at a conference in UET

Tahir Akram — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 13:31:34 +0000

Today I had delivered a workshop on Developing Java Web Applications In Google App Engine. This workshop was the part of events of 3rd International Conference on Open Source Systems and Technologies. It was organized by Al-Khawarizmi Institute of Computer Science , University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore.

I have presented following slides there. Also coded a basic sample application to show how to create and deploy new Java project on GAE. Which can send emails, how to use authentication by Google, and how to do database interaction. It was a very interesting topic for me to present. Participants also liked it.

Developing Java Web Applications In Google App Engine

View more presentations from Tahir Akram.

Comments and feedback is welcomed on the presentation material from you guys.

Non CS skills every CS graduate or programmer must have

Tahir Akram — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 11:27:49 +0000

CS graduates come up with superb knowledge of computer, networks and other IT skills. If they are programmer they write sharp logic and design and code software well. These skills helps them to advancing them in their technical career. But being a technical practitioner a CS junkie should know some non-CS skills and abilities. Because in job they have to communicate and interact with many other people who don’t the CS background. And these skills can help them in more advance positions.

So to reach that level one should know these skills to prove better in other areas too. I consider following skills that a programmer or a CS graduate must have. You can add your comments to enhance this article*.

1. Business communication

A fresh CS graduate must have a very good verbal and writing skills. To present well his idea to managers. He should know the art to put things on white board what he has in his mind. I found CS people are lacking very much in it.

2. Inter-personal skills

It can be merged with above. But being better in inter-personally means to be a good listener, behaving effectively on different situations. Convincing power compliance with logical arguments. Interacting well with different niche of people like client, colleagues and managers.

3. Knowledge of business, economics & international affairs

For me this is the thing which put leadership in computer science people. When they started thinking globally. They know whats going in international and local markets. What are the causes of global economic recession. They know what are the means to earn money if they start their own business. How they can market their ideas. Thinking in this way cause them to be entrepreneurs. And hence they start taking risks and giving jobs rather waiting for a job in a cube.

* Note: My this post is a response to the research that Mr. Nadeem Ghafoor from COMSATS IIT is doing on “Non-CS Aspects of Undergrad CS Education in Pakistan“.

UBL launched Pakistan’s first prepaid VISA debit card

Tahir Akram — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 17:35:45 +0000

Today I watched an ad on TV about the launch of first Pakistan’s prepaid debit card by UBL. It hit my fancy and I go to the website of UBL to see what they are offering. This news excites me for several reasons. First of all it can start the trend of using prepaid money in Pakistan. And second I am engineer in a company who’s business is to develop and manage a prepaid card solution. So being the part of this business I know the trends of this industry and know what cardholders expects from their issuer.

It will encourage other banks too to have such kind of products and do a competition with UBL and give people better alternates. After seeing the image, I am missing one thing that is cardholder name on the card. No personalization. So it means you give money to the bank and they will immediately issue you the card of your choice. Hmm. They are saving the time to get issued the card with name which can take a week. But people will be more happy to see their names on card.

And let me mention an other hing that the central bank of Pakistan has reported the increase of debit card user over credit card. Its good that people are getting habitual of using their own money, rather blindly consuming credit card and put their selves in problem when paying it later.

I also prefer to use my VISA debit card (also from UBL) whenever it required to pay. Because it provides safety for not carrying cash aways. But I have one big reservation on using these debit cards on POS machines. If anyone steal your card, before you block you card he or she can easily make transactions. It should require any authentication (PIN based like it required at ATM) on even POS too. I will always feel this limitation on using plastic money.

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PakTranslations.com – Urdu translation service

Tahir Akram — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 04:51:25 +0000

PakTranslations.com first machine-based Urdu translation service on the web. It just takes seconds to translate your web page in Urdu. It is a zero-install Urdu translator for website owners. It will help people in many disciplines. Although it need more attention in translating semantics right but the initiative and efforts are remarkable. Now you can read “Pakzilla” blog in Urdu, click here.

Install Urdu language in your default Nokia 5800 dictionary

Pakistan’s Internet Timeline

Tahir Akram — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 16:07:20 +0000

1988

786 BBS service launched in Pakistan.

1991

X.25 Packet Switched Public Data Network (PSPDN) introduced by PTCL.

Tariffs are high, service is low, but in principle one can get connected to the young internet.

1992

Pakistan’s first email node established at HEJ Research Institute of Chemistry, Karachi University.

1993

Imran.Net starts offering its commercial e-mail service.
SDNPK, a UNDP project, starts the first reliable e-mail and news group service.

1994

First DNOPs (Data Network Operators) licenses issued by GoP.

1995

.pk domain comes into existence.
Pakistan becomes the first South Asian country to open up the ISP market to the private sector.
Digicom offers first commercial internet service. A 64Kbps link. Rs100/hr.

1996

PTCL starts its internet service.
Pakistan Telecom Act Approved by Parliament & PTA formed.
ISP licenses issued by PTA.
PTCL signs for SMW-3 fiber optic cable spur touching Karachi.
LUMS becomes first educational institution in the country to have own internet connectivity.

1998

ISPs mushroom across the country, followed closely by cybercafés.
PTCL introduces multimetering of Internet calls despite public outcry.
PTCL, under consumer and industry pressure, stops multi-metering of Internet calls.
Formation of Internet Service Provider’s Association of Pakistan (ISPAK).
Universal Internet Numbers (UIN) starting with digits 131 allotted to ISPs.
New tariffs for international bandwidths using fiber (SMW-3) bring shared IP international bandwidth to US$6000 per month, for 2 Mbps.
An investigation by the NWFP CM revealed a cyber fraud by 35 affluent students in Peshawar through the fraudulent use of Net2Phone. The students had bought and sold goods worth US$40,000.

1999

India bans the Dawn Internet Edition.
ISPAK and Cyber.net hold the 1st Internet Exhibition in Karachi.

2000

Pakistan’s IT Policy formulated.
GoP’s Universal Internet Access scheme allows more than 1,000 cities, towns and villages to dial ISPs in the nearest city at the cost of local call.
SMW-3 fiber optic cable commissioned.
Broadband cable introduced by WorldCall in Lahore.

2001

PTCL establishes new internet bandwidth service through the newly introduced Pakistan Internet Exchange (PIE) with attractive price tags, but no quality of service guarantee.
A group of students from FAST, Karachi launch ApnaKarachi.com, a portal that offers everything one wanted to know about Karachi, from bus routes to maps and more.

2002

PIE starts blocking internet telephony and pornographic websites.
Government sets up Virtual University.
Pakistan Educational Network connects 56 national universities with a high speed optical fiber network.
PTA issues determination unblocking Net2Phone and other VoIP services.
Intel helps the GoP set up Internet kiosks in major airports in the country.
The official website of the Government of Pakistan is victim to a politically motivated attack launched by the latest version of an internet worm. Virus experts said the Yaha.E worm contains a payload designed in part to disrupt the home page of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan with a rudimentary denial of service attack.
Microsoft raids major corporations and offices to crack down on illegal and pirated software.
AKD Trade launches the first Pakistani online stock trading website.

2003

Pakistan’s first geo-stationary satellite, PAKSAT-1, becomes operational.
PTCL monopoly lapses on Jan 1 – on paper.
PIE network goes down to crawling speeds 63 times in two months.
PTCL starts blocking porn sites.
PIE blocks access to SA Tribune (www.satribune.com), a Washingtonbased news website, critical of the GoP. Ministers deny the blocking.
PTCL bandwidth rates are dropped from US$6,000 per 2Mbps to US$5,400 per 2Mbps.
FLAG’s virtual pop activated.
Hacking wars between hackers from India and Pakistan reach the peak level.
PTCL signs 1st service level agreement with ISPs on FLAG circuits.
Internet subscribers hooked to about 45 ISPs in Karachi suffer owing to break n fiber cable of PTCL. Internet remains ‘down’ for 19 hours.
Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication announces the De- Regulation Policy for the Telecommunication Sector.
GoP announces plans to give away porn-blocking software.
The State Bank of Pakistan starts the online Credit Information Bureau (CIB), which is the first in South Asia to provide current data about borrowers.
Naseeb.com, an online community that connects Muslims through a circle of friends, launches and becomes an overnight success.
Pakistani internet users were unable to load any browser pages for nearly a day when miscreants cut an optical fiber link of PTCL near Sibi.

2004

Pakistan Telecommunications Company asks FLAG Telecom (PTCL’s international internet transit provider) to block access to all pornographic websites on its backbone to Pakistan.
PTA auctions licenses for Local Loop, Wireless Local Loop and the Cellular sector.
Access to South Asia Tribune is blocked again. The Government denies it.

Courtesy: Spider Magazine