Social Media spreading FAST in Virtual World

New Delhi: Social Media is spread around the world imbued with the right values, it is the mean for fixing what’s broken in the world and bringing us together instead of continuing to keeping us apart. To define Social Media in a best way, will be the perfect fusion of Sociology and Technology, which transfers monologues to dialogues. In Business language, it can be defined as User-Generated-Content or Customer-Generated-Media.

The social web has been making huge stride because there are a host of tools that are working together using standardized formats. These standardized formats allow all of these tools to integrate, making the impact of the whole greater than sum of the parts.

Social Media represents a training and experimentation opportunity from which amateurs, hobbyists, creative doodlers and diary keepers will emerge as professional producers of professional media. The benefit of Social Media can be explained in following terms.

Social Media Sites Categories (According to Resources)

Communication:

• Blogs: Blogger, LiveJournal, WordPress.
• Micro-blogging: Twitter, Plurk, Pownce.
• Social networking: Facebook, LinkedIn, MySpace .
• Social network aggregation: FriendFeed.
• Events: Eventful, Meetup.com.

Collaboration:

• Wikis: Wikipedia, PBwork.
• Social bookmarking: Delicious, StumbleUpon.
• Social news: Digg, Mixx, Reddit.
• Opinion sites: epinions, Yelp, mouthshut.com .

Multimedia:

• Photo sharing: Flickr, Zooomr.
• Video sharing: YouTube, Metacafe.
• Livecasting: Ustream.tv, Justin.tv .
• Audio and Music Sharing: imeem, The Hype Machine.

Reviews and Opinions:

• Product Reviews: epinions.com, MouthShut.com.
• Q&A: Yahoo! Answers, WikiAnswers.
• All Social Media Site Highlights: Socialpunks.

Entertainment:

• Virtual worlds: Second Life, The Sims Online.
• Game sharing: Miniclip, Kongregate.

To have the optimized value of usability of Social Media, one has to take care of certain aspects like, deciding what you are trying to accomplish. Then to decide whom with you have to converse. Then to decide upon the values which are to be taken into the conversation. Next to find out the daily/weekly/ monthly time to spend on these. Afterwards to identify the useful as well as useless contents. Then to consider a group blog and lastly to use the social networks to find people who can help you do your job better.

To get the best out of available social media networks, the different parameters can be taken into care are Traffic, Demand/Search Intent and Branding. Lastly we can say that Social Media Marketing can put the power of press/satellite/antenna in the hands of everyone with access to Internet. The future of Social Media is the future of the world. The final chapter is not yet written, but this chapter in our history is nearing its end.

ICC Champions Trophy Schedule unveiled

Mumbai: The ICC Champions Trophy 2009 schedule has been unveiled. Defending champion Australia, Pakistan and India are placed in the same group, making the battle very interesting and tough. West Indies is also in the same group. The ICC Champions Trophy will be held in South Africa . The tournament will begin on September 22 and will conclude with the Grand Finale on October 5.

In total, eight teams will take part in the ICC Champions Trophy 2009. All eight teams were divided into two groups – Pool A and Pool B. All matches will be held in two venues Wanderers in Johannesburg and Centurion in Pretoria. This year’s Champions Trophy will have a record prize money of US $4 million.

ICC Champions Trophy 2009 Fixtures:

Pool A: Australia, India, Pakistan & West Indies
Pool B: South Africa, New Zealand, Sri Lanka & England

Match Schedule:

Sept 22: South Africa vs Sri Lanka (D/N)- Centurion [18:00 IST]

Sept 23: Pakistan vs West Indies (D/N) – The Wanderers [18:00 IST]

Sept 24: South Africa vs New Zealand – Centurion [13:00 IST]

Sept 25: Sri Lanka vs England (D/N) – The Wanderers [18:00 IST]

Sept 26: West Indies vs Australia – The Wanderers [13:00 IST]

Sept 26: India vs Pakistan (D/N) – Centurion [18:00 IST]

Sept 27: New Zealand vs Sri Lanka – The Wanderers [13:00 IST]

Sept 27: South Africa vs England (D/N) – Centurion [18:00 IST]

Sept 28: Australia vs India (D/N) – Centurion [18:00 IST]

Sept 29: England vs New Zealand (D/N) – The Wanderers [18:00 IST]

Sept 30: India vs West Indies (D/N) – The Wanderers [18:00 IST]

Sept 30: Australia v Pakistan – Centurion [13:00 IST]

Semifinals:

Oct 2: A1 vs B2 (D/N) – Centurion [18:00 IST]

Oct 3: B1 vs A2 (D/N) – The Wanderers [18:00 IST]

Final:

October 5 – Centurion [18:00 IST]

US Senator and Democrat Edward Moore Ted Kennedy Dies

Boston: The US Senator and Democratic Party member Edward Moore Ted Kennedy died on August 25, 2009 at his home in Hyannis Port. He was 77, his family members confirmed his death on Wednesday. Ted Kennedy was the Senator from Massachusetts and he was the second most senior member of the Senate. Ted Kennedy was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour in May 2008.

He was known for his powerful voice on health care, civil rights, and war and peace. He was the younger brother of John F. Kennedy – President and Robert F. Kennedy – Senator. He campaigned for Barack Obama in last year Presidential Elections in US.

Edward Moore Ted Kennedy was born on February 22, 1932 at Dorchester in Boston, US. He belonged to prominent Irish-American families in Boston. Ted Kennedy become Senator first time in 1962. His political career was successful and was one of the active members of Democratic Party. Ted Kennedy will ever be remembers by the world for his achievements and his ideologies.

Pakistan rejects India’s 6th Terror Dossier on 26/11

New Delhi: In a significant development, Pakistan rejected the sixth dossier provided by India over the last year Mumbai attack – 26/11. External Affairs Minister SM Krishna said it is unfortunate that Pakistan has rejected this dossier, even after Interpol issued a red-corner notice on Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed.

Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik said on Tuesday that Islamabad will not be responsible for any future attacks in India if India does not provide tangible information on 26/11 – Mumbai attack and the Samjhauta Express tragedy.

Pakistan said earlier provide dossiers by India over the Mumbai attack had no significant evidence against outlawed Jamaat-ud-Dawah chief Hafiz Mohammad Saeed. The information provided by India over the Mumbai attack are not enough to arrest or punish the founder of Lashker-e-Toiba. SM Krishna said India will continue to impress on Pakistan to act on terrorists and terrorists organizations in Pakistan.

Infosys gets 5-year Outsourcing Deal from BP Group

New Delhi: Infosys Technologies has signed a five-year outsourcing deal with the BP Group, which is considered as one of the world’s major oil and gas companies. However, Infosys did not reveal about the financial details of the deal. This agreement will enable BP to reduce complexity, standardise work processes, and lower overall cost base.

The outsourcing deal between Infosys and BP was part of BP’s new initiative to consolidate its information technology vendors for Application Development and Application Maintenance (ADAM).

Centre decides to reserve 50% quota for Women in Panchayats

New Delhi: The Union Government has decided to reserve 50% quota for women in all rural Panchayats. A bill mooting this idea, is likely to be introduced in the winter session of the Parliament. The Union Cabinet has approved the amendment of Article 243 D of the Constitution, which will seek to reserve 50% of total number of seats in Panchayats for women.

The decision was confirmed by Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni, who attended the cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. The political parties are yet to move ahead on the issue of 33% quota for women in Parliament and state assemblies.

Swine Flu Death Toll in India goes up to 78

New Delhi: The Swine Flu death toll in India has gone up to 78, with the death of three more people in Bangalore, Nashik and Pune. Pune is leading the country with 25 Swine Flu casualties so far. Bangalore has witnessed 18 deaths. At least 123 positive cases were reported today from across the country, taking the total number of Swine Flu cases to 3,396.

The Health Ministry report has showed that the A H1N1 virus mostly affects the people from 14-44 age group. The Ministry also passed the bucks to affected people, saying they report late, failing to understand the severity of the disease.

Salman Khan not to buy IPL Team

Mumbai: Bollywood Actor Salman Khan won’t buy any IPL team, said his brother Sohail Khan. Earlier, there were talks that Salman Khan has expressed interest to buy an IPL team during the 2011 season, when two more teams will make their entry to IPL 4. The report was substantiated by IPL commissioner Lalit Modi. However, Salman denied any such plan, said Sohail.

Sohail Khan confirmed that Salman is not going to buy any IPL team. Recently, Salman Khan and Lalit Modi had a meeting at a Mumbai hotel. Modi said that not only Salman, but also few more Bollywood stars have shown interest to buy IPL teams.

Glamour is not new to the IPL. Currently, Bollywood Badshah Shah Rukh Khan is the owner of Kolkata Knight Riders, while Preity Zinta is the owner of Kings XI Punjab. Another Bollywood celebrity Shilpa Shetty has bought a stake in Rajasthan Royals.

Election Commission says EVMs are Tamper-proof

New Delhi: Putting the debate over the effectiveness of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) into end, the Election Commission asserted that all EVMs are tamper-proof and they cannot be manipulated by anyone. The EC said that the persons, who had claimed that the EVMs could be tampered with, either could not prove their claim or chose not to demonstrate the vulnerability of the EVMs.

The EC had collected 100 EVMs, randomly chosen from 10 states Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh and has put them on display for the last six days. The commission had asked everyone to prove that the machines could be tampered, but nobody could do that.

Retired bureaucrat Omesh Saigal, who led the criticism of EVMs, wanted to demonstrate a machine made by a private manufacturer, instead of the machine used by the EC, but he was not allowed to do so.

BJP leader Kirit Somaiya and another petitioner Satinath Chaudhury were also invited by the Election Commission to prove that EVMs could be tampered with. While Satinath Chaudhury failed to demonstrate, Kirit Somaiya gave some useful suggestions to the EV regarding the use of the EVMs.

Learning More about Swine Flu or A H1N1

New Delhi: The Swine Flu or A H1N1 is spreading like a bushfire in India and various parts of the world. While it made a delayed entry into India, it has been successful in creating a panic with 23 deaths and over 1100 infected people so far. Pune has become the epicentre for Swine Flu in India with 15 deaths and over 300 positive cases.

In the wake of this unprecedented pandemic, it’s necessary for all to learn more about the disease and how to prevent Swine Flu or A H1N1.

1. What is Swine Flu?

Swine Flu is nothing to do with pigs or pork. It is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. It has derived the name Swine Flu, as most genes in the a H1N1 virus, are very similar to those found in pigs in North America.

2. Which Countries are affected by Swine Flu?

Swine Flu made its debut in Mexico in April 2009. Later it spread to the US and Canada. Currently, 187 countries including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, India, New Zealand, UK, Japan, Italy, China, Germany, Thailand, Spain, Malaysia, Colombia and Chile are affected by Swine Flu.

3. What are the Symptoms?

Fever, Cough, Sore Throat, Cold, Running Nose, Vomiting, Headache, Body Pain, Exhaustion.

4. Is Swine Flu contagious?

The Swine Flu is contagious by nature. It can spread from human to human by touching. It spreads through droplets created while coughing.

5. How Swine Flu can be prevented?

It has been advised to maintain a distance of two meters from the infected person. Wear masks, use handkerchief to cover mouth, avoid gathering at public places and wash hands frequently with soap or hand wash. Drinking water and eating good food are also recommended.

6. Medicines for Swine Flu

Take medicines only under the supervision of a Physician. The disease can be prevented in early stages if proper medication is taken.

IIM-Ahmedabad Student tested positive for Swine Flu

Ahmedabad: Panic gripped the IIM-A campus, as a girl student of the country’s premier B-school, tested positive for Swine Flu. The Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIM-A), was put on high alert after the latest development. Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) held a meeting with IIM-A authorities and asked them to necessary steps to prevent the disease from spreading further in the campus.

The girl had gone to her home in Delhi, when the test reports were received. She is currently in Delhi and was put under observation.

A close watch has been kept over other eight girls, who shared the room with her inside the IIM-A hostel. The IIM-A authorities have been advised to take necessary precaution and create awareness among students.

AP top cop in trouble over constable’s mysterious death

A senior IPS officer and the head of State’s anti-terrorist force Octopus, Vivek Dubey is finding himself in serious trouble over the mysterious death of a police constable who was sent to Delhi to work at the home of his daughter and son-in-law. Within 24 hours after the body was found, it was buried by the police making the case more suspicious.

The additional Director General of Police Vivek Dubey had recently taken over as the chief of Octopus wing.

A day after the death of constable P Murlinath came to light, leaving his family shocked, several Dalit organisations have come out on the streets demanding action, the State Government on Monday ordered an inquiry in to how and why the constable was sent to Delhi and in what circumstances his body was found near a track near Gawalior.

Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy, after a meeting with senior police officials and the Home Minister ordered a probe in the matter. “The Government has directed that the entire probe should complete in a week. We will take action against the guilty officials, however senior he might be”, said the State Home Minister P Sabita Indra Reddy.

The Home Minister also assured that the Government will take care of the deceased constable’s family. Sabita, who visited the home of the constable and consoled the family said that the body will be brought to Hyderabad on Tuesday and a re-postmortem will be conducted.

Brazil swine flu toll 577, highest in world

Brasilia, Aug 28 (EFE) A total of 577 people have died from swine flu in Brazil, putting the South American nation at the top of the list of countries reporting fatalities from the Influenza A (H1N1) virus, the health ministry said.

The mortality rate, however, is 0.29 percent in Brazil, well below the 1.08 percent rate in Argentina, the 0.75 percent rate in Chile and the 0.67 percent rate in Costa Rica, which have the highest levels in Latin America, health officials said Thursday.

The toll from swine flu stood at 488 as of last Friday, the health ministry said, noting that the jump in the death toll was due to lab tests coming back positive for people who died between Aug 16 and Aug 22.

Brazil now has the highest number of deaths from swine flu followed by the US with 522, Argentina with 439 and Mexico with 179, according to the World Health Organization.

A total of 5,206 people have contracted swine flu and undergone treatment as of Wednesday, the health ministry said.

The government has decided to appropriate 2.1 billion reais ($1.13 billion) for the purchase of vaccinations against swine flu, health officials said.

The funds will allow health officials to purchase 73 million doses of the vaccine, which will be administered during the first half of 2010 to deal with an expected outbreak of the disease during the southern hemisphere winter.

IIT Delhi and corruption

Afte being part of IIT Delhi for over 5 years I have seen things at very close hands. It may again come as a surprise but this institute or so called premier institute of the country is one of the most corrupt instiitute of the country. And the rot starts right at the topmost level and percolates to the babus. HOwever it will be unfair to keep the professors also in the same category as there are quite a sincere and very hard working dedicaed souls . So is the case with students who bring laurels to the institute. bUt then combine the top level with babus and you have got a very egoist, snobbish , corrupt mafia like institute.

Surprised….but so was I when i first saw them …but then u become gradually used to it…..

Keep reading the blog to know specific details about the corrupt practices inside IIT delhi…

Precautions against swine flu

1) If it’s available, get vaccinated.

2) Wash your hands frequently.

3) Eat clean, green food, fresh fruits and vegetables.

4) Avoid meat.

5) Get good sleep.

6) Exercise when you can.

7) Get good sleep.

8) Avoid crowded places when you can.

Swine Flu – Help Lines – India – Hyderabad-Mumbai-Chennai-Bangalore-Kolkota-Pune-Delhi

• All India toll free helpline: 1075 or 1800-11-4377

•Delhi: Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital: 011-24525211, 23404328, 23365525

•Delhi: Deen Dayal Hospital: 011-2512 5259

•Kolkata: Infectious Diseases Hospital: 09433392182 / 09434009077

•Chennai: Communicable Diseases Hospital – 044-25912686.

•Coimbatore: Coimbatore Medical College Hospital – 09442012555

•Hyderabad: AP Chest Diseases Hospital: 040-23814939

•Mumbai: Kasturba Hospital: 022-23083901, 23083902

Profile of swine flu begins to emerge: Study

More than half the fatalities from swine flu have been among young adults, according to one of the first surveys to gather mortality data from across the globe for the new A(H1N1) virus.

The analysis of 574 pandemic deaths from 28 countries through mid-July, released this week, also found that being diabetic or obese significantly boosted the risk of dying.

Neither children nor the elderly are as vulnerable as initial reports indicated, found the study, published by Eurosurveillance, the monitoring arm of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

“Most deaths (51 per cent) occurred in the age group of 20-to-49 year-olds, but there is considerable variation depending on country or continent,” the researchers reported.

Only 12 per cent of those who died were 60 or older.

All of these features — high mortality among young adults and the obese, but not the very young or elderly — are sharply different than for the seasonal flu.

More than 90 per cent of deaths from seasonal flu – which claims 250,000 to 500,000 lives annually according to the WHO – are in people over 65.

By contrast, with the pandemic H1N1, “the elderly seem to be protected from infection to some extent, perhaps due to previous exposure to similar strains,” the study conjectured.

Persons born before 1957, other studies have suggested, were almost certainly exposed to the milder seasonal A(H1N1) viruses that evolved from the terrible pandemic of 1918, which left some 40 million dead.

Swine flu kills more, countrywide toll climbs to 89

The nationwide swine flu toll climbed to 89 as a 39-year-old man, who was suffering from swine flu, died at a hospital in Navi Mumbai.

M. Shaikh, who had tested positive for H1N1 and was undergoing treatment at the D.Y. Patil hospital in Navi Mumbai died on Thursday night, Navi Mumbai Chief Health officer Dr Deepak Paropkari said.

Earlier a teenaged girl and two women had died due to the virus in Karnataka and Maharashtra while 177 fresh cases of infection were reported from various states.

16-year-old Sunanda Kandawal was admitted to BLD Medical College Hospital in Bijapur in Karnataka on August 24 with fever and cough but had to be shifted to Al Ameen Medical College Hospital next day since ventilator facility was not available at the BLD Hospital, health official said in Bangalore.

The girl, who had also contracted pneumonia, died last night, they said, adding that her swab test confirmed the virus infection. Karnataka now accounts for 20 flu deaths.

In Nashik, Purva Amol Joshi (23), who was pregnant, and Deepali Shinde (20) died yesterday at the Nashik Civil Hospital, A D Bhalsingh, a surgeon, said. Both the victims were local residents.

He said reports from Pune’s National Institute of Virology had confirmed that they were suffering from flu.

With three deaths, the countrywide toll has risen to 88. Maharashtra now accounts for 46 fatalities– 25 in Pune, nine in Mumbai, seven in Nashik, two in Aurangabad and one each in Dhule and Latur.

20 people have died in Karnataka, 7 in Gujarat, three each in Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh and Delhi, two in Uttarakhand and one each in Kerala, Goa, Rajasthan and Haryana.

Meanwhile, 177 fresh swine flu cases were reported across the country taking the number of those infected with the virus to 3273, health ministry officials said in Delhi.

A/H1N1 flu virus is not highly pathogenic: Experts

The swine flu virus is not highly pathogenic on the basis of its characteristics and mortality rate, experts have pointed out. “The molecular-biological characteristics of the virus and the clinical forms of the disease and the mortality rate do not typify the new virus as highly pathogenic,” experts from Russian Health and Social development Ministry’s commission for flu vaccines and diagnostic strains said. “Nevertheless, we continue to work on the vaccine, and the work is about to end,” head of World Health Organisation (WHO) National Flu Center Oleg Kiselyov said. The commission has also suggested for additional research of biological materials and experimental series of the vaccine before starting the clinical tests expected to begin by early September on volunteers. Around 150 volunteers are expected to take part in the project. “Most of them are young men, from 18 years up, selected by their health status,” a source at the Flu Institute said. “The massive production of the vaccine will start in November, before the seasonal increase of the regular cold and flu rate in the country. The first Russians will be inoculated against the new flu on October 1,” Kiselyov said. Russia will produce 40 million doses of A/H1N1 flu vaccine by the end of this year, Chief Public Health Official Gennady Onishchenko said. The new vaccine will be manufactured in Ufa, Irkutsk and St Petersburg, Onishchenko said, adding 22 million doses of the new vaccine will be produced next year.

In Hyderabad Today

RELIGION

TTD: Kalyanotsavam, Balaji Bhavan, Himayatnagar, 10 a.m.

Sri Sringeri Jagadguru Sri Sri Sri Bharati Teertha Mahaswamivari Seva Samakya: Discourse on Andhra Mahabharat, Sri Satyanarayana Swamy temple, Ashoknagar, 6.30 p.m.

Ramakrishna Mutt: Discourse on Ramayana Vaishishtam, Mutt premises, Domalguda, 6.30 p.m.

GENERAL

Centre for Science Development and Media Studies and Elets Technomedia: ICT meet ‘eINDIA 2009’, HICC, Hitech City, 9 a.m.

National Productivity Council: Council Awards function, FAPCCI, Red Hills, 5 p.m.

Micro Sec ATS: Inauguration of Symposium on ‘Anti-Terrorism Security’, Hotel Taj Krishna, Banjara Hills, 6 p.m.

Monster.com: Exclusive panel discussion on ‘HR Leadership Dialogue’, Hotel Taj Deccan, 7 p.m.

Alcoholics Anonymous: Meeting, Mahbub College, Patny Centre, 7 p.m.

CULTURE

C.P.Brown Academy: Poetry Recitation Competition for school children, Lalitha Kala Thoranam, Public Gardens, 10 a.m. onwards

Sapthaswara Cultural Association: Vocal recitals and music programme, Sri Thyagaraya Gaana Sabha, Chikkadpally, 6 p.m.

BSG Culture Centre: ‘Gandhi, King, Ikeda: A legacy of building peace’—international exhibition, State Art Gallery, Kavuri Hills, Madhapur, 9.30 a.m.

Goethe Zentrum: ‘Seasonal Forests’—film screening, Hillfort Road, Nampally, 5 p.m.

Rajyasri Arts Academy: Art exhibition of graphics, collagraphs of M. Srikanth Anand, State Gallery of Fine Arts, Kavuri Hills, Madhapur, 11.30 a.m.

Salar Jung Museum: Photo exhibition on ‘Milestones in the Indian freedom movement through engravings’, First floor, Main building, museum premises, 11 a.m.

ICONART Gallery: ‘The Sacred Breath’, an exhibition of paintings by Dr. Avani Rao Gandra, SBI Buildings Road No. 12, Banjara Hills, 11.30 a.m.

North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms: North East Crafts Fair, Institution of Engineers, Visvesvaraya Bhavan, Khairatabad, 10 a.m.

Bhavana Art Theatres: Seventh anniversary celebrations of ‘Kaapu Mitra’ magazine, Ravindra Bharathi, 6 p.m.

Y’s Men’s Club of Hyderabad: An International Evening with Fukaya Masako and Fujii Yukio, Presidents, Friends International Friendship Association, Nagoya and Masaka, Y.M.C.A. Auditorium, Narayanaguda, 6 p.m.