Steve Jobs: A life lived well....a job accomplished to perfection

Jobs...A job to perfect

Steven P. Jobs, the charismatic technology pioneer who co-founded Apple Inc. and transformed one industry after another, from computers and smart phones to music and movies, has died. He was 56.

Apple announced the death of Jobs — whose legacy included the Apple II, Macintosh, iMac, iPod, iPhone and iPad. He had resigned as chief executive of Apple in August, after struggling with illness for nearly a decade, including a bout with pancreatic cancer in 2003 and a liver transplant six years later.

Few public companies were as entwined with their leaders as Apple was with Jobs, who co-founded the computer maker in his parents' Silicon Valley garage in 1976, and decades later — in a comeback as stunning as it seemed improbable — plucked it from near-bankruptcy and turned it into the world's most valuable technology company. Jobs spoke of his desire to make "a dent in the universe," bringing a messianic intensity to his message that technology was a tool to improve human life and unleash creativity. "His ability to always come around and figure out where that next bet should be has been phenomenal," Microsoft Corp.co-founder Bill Gates, the high-tech mogul with whom Jobs was most closely compared, said in 2007. In the annals of modern American entrepreneur-heroes, few careers traced a more mythic sweep. An adopted child in a working-class California home, Jobs dropped out of college and won the title "father of the computer revolution" by the age of 29.

But by 30 he had been forced out of the company he had created, a bitter wound he nursed for years as his fortune shrank and he fought to regain his early eminence. Once out of the wilderness of exile, however, he brought forth a series of innovations — unveiling them with matchless showmanship — that quickly became ubiquitous. He turned the release of a new gadget into a cultural event, with Apple acolytes lining up like pilgrims at Lourdes.

This brief video chronicles the life and history of a man whom generations of IT professionals will remember as beacon of vision and strength. A life lived well....a job accomplished to perfection

Moin Akhtar: The man who taught me the meaning of "Pakistani Dream"

I am in no position to say something about the legend. I am just putting his picture here to honor him. Please pen down a few lines in comments to honor the man who was himself "an odyssey of hope" for our nation.

Khayyam sarhadi is no more with us

I was planning to write about the recent political upheavals (or awakening as many are calling it) but the suspense is still stretching and as long as Egypt doesn't settle down, any opinion will be perhaps running too quick towards conclusion. But in the mean time, Pakistan and its artistic diaspora receive another setback. renowned actor, Khayyam sarhadi left for his eternal abode last night. He was 62. Son of renowned director, lyricist and political activist Fazl e Qadir (also known as Zia Sarhadi) who is best known for masterpieces such as Biju Bawara and Hum Log, Khayyam in himself proved to be an equally talented and gifted artist.  A master with voice, he knew how to utilize his voice and expressions for optimal effect. A veteran of many TV serials including the most famous Aik Thi Maina, Daastan, Laazawal, Sooraj Ke saath Saath, Man Chale Ka Sauda and Ghulam Gardish.

A recipient of Pride of Performance by Government of Pakistan, Khayyam Sarhadi is mourned today by all those who have been witness to great tradition that once was called Pakistani Drama. Rest in Peace Khayyam (1948-2011)

Below is link to one of the last talks he gave to Romana Hussain of Dawn Images that she posted on her blog...

http://karachiwali.blogspot.com/2010/12/inherited-talent-long-innings-khayyam.html

Rest In Peace Rizwan Wasti

Tahira and Rizwan Wasti

The actor par excellence, the performer and the voice of Pakistan during 70 and 80s, Rizwan Wasti is no more with us. He died last year aged 74. A pioneer of Radio Pakistan Rawalpindi and Karachi and one of the most prominent actor of Pakistan Television of late 60s, 70s and early 80s. Rizwan wasti was such a forceful presence aon television at that times that no drama of Karachi television centre would have been complete without him. Ankahi, Shamma, Uncle Urfi, Tanhayian....the list goes on and on.

Rizwan in Shamma

Wasti can also be described as an actor who brought theatre to television and vice versa. His voice, deep and soulful, adornes a large number of documentaries of that time. Trained by masters at Radio Pakistan, he learnt how to use voice to convey expressions in the most efficent manner. He was man who believed in manners. A true gentleman molded in the manners of classical Urdu speaking Muslim families of India and taught in the best schools of the world.  Along with his wife, Tahira Wasti, he was considered one of the most charming people to meet in Karachi.

Rizwan Wasti was an actor by passion, not an actor by profession as he used to put it. He was a well renowned banker and always had a perfect life. Yet till his last day, acting remained his soul passion. His experimentation with genre of acting will always remain beacon of light to those who take acting seriously. Rest in Peace Rizwan Wasti (1936-2011).

Remembering Humphrey Watts: Father of Capability Maturity Model and a Man of "Outrageous Commitment"

Humphrey Watts, the founder of Capability Maturity Model (CMM) at Software Engineering Institute, CMU, died on 28th October 2010. The following are excerpts from a memorial article that appeared on the site of Software Engineering Institute in his memory....

"When Watts Humphrey arrived at the Carnegie Mellon Software Engineering Institute (SEI) in 1986, he made what he called an “outrageous commitment to change the world of software engineering.”

By all accounts, he succeeded.

During his tenure at the SEI, he established the Software Process Program, led development of the Software Capability Maturity Model, and introduced the Software Process Assessment and Software Capability Evaluation methods. These later became the basis for the development of the Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI), a framework of software engineering best practices that has been adopted by thousands or organizations throughout the world. Humphrey also led the development of the Personal Software Process (PSP) and the Team Software Process (TSP). In 2005 Humphrey received the National Medal of Technology, the highest honor awarded by the President of the United States to America’s leading innovators.

Humphrey, 83, died Thursday, October 28, 2010 at his home in Sarasota, Florida.   

“Watts Humphrey was one of the icons of software engineering--one of a handful of engineers like Barry Boehm, Fred Brooks, and Vic Basili who have helped define this young field," said SEI director and CEO Dr. Paul Nielsen.  "Watts brought engineering to software engineering.  His work has had immeasurable impact on the global software community, tirelessly urging the community to emphasize quality, measurement, and performance."

Known as the “Father of Software Quality” Humphrey dedicated the majority of his career to addressing problems in software development including schedule delays, cost increases, performance problems, and defects. 

“He was a wonderful leader and a wonderful man. He set forth an energizing goal and an inspiring mission that we all wanted to be a part of,” said Anita Carleton, director of the SEI’s Software Engineering Process Management (SEPM) Program, who was initially hired by Humphrey. “He was my lifelong mentor and my boss.” 

When he arrived at the SEI, Humphrey worked to clarify that process. 

“Changing the world of anything is an outrageous personal commitment. That’s what makes it outrageous. I felt it needed to be done. I knew I couldn’t do it alone, and I wanted an environment where I could work with folks and do that,” Humphrey explained in the 2010 interview.

Larry Druffel, SEI director and CEO from 1986 to 1996, said that when Humphrey arrived at the SEI, he came with a vision based on his work at IBM; software could be managed by process.

“We all understood the importance of things like version control, configuration management and methodology, but I don’t think anyone knew how to put those into a transferable form,” Druffel said. “Not everybody thought that it was a good idea at the time, but he was persistent, and he was proven right. It could have died easily after several iterations. There were enough people out there criticizing it. But he stayed with it and he made it work.”

Working with a team, Humphrey identified characteristics of best practices in software engineering that began to lay the groundwork for what would eventually become the Software Capability Maturity Model (CMM) and, eventually, CMMI.
Druffel nominated Humphrey to be the first ever SEI Fellow, a designation awarded to people who have made an outstanding commitment to the work of the SEI, and who continue to advise SEI leadership on key issues.

“After we named him fellow, I said ‘Watts, you can work on anything that you want to.’ He said ‘I’ve always believed we can provide statistical control to what the individual software engineer does,’” Druffel explained. "

Remembering him for his ingenious, insight, and his passion to develop excellent software...A very heartfelt farewell to the great Watts...

Sardar Farooq Ahmad Khan Leghari: An obituary

President Farooq Ahmad Khan Leghari: May 29, 1940-October 20, 2010

There are a thousand ways of looking at any politician who has lived in this wilderness for so long as did Farooq Ahmad Khan Leghari. Former president of Pakistan, Former PPP stalwart, one of the most competent civil servants of Pakistan, a shrewd and thinking politician, an excellent orator and a companion in of Late Benazir Bhutto in the time of trial of Zia regime are a few hallmarks of his illustrious political career. This is not to say that he was an example of everything that embodied good. He had his share of weaknesses. He was mainly responsible for the downfall of second government of Late Benazir Bhutto which he orchestrated along with military, judiciary and elements of opposition. He was also found along the side of another military regime under General Pervez Musharraf and supported that regime with all his might. A very powerful feudal lord who is often accused of blocking the path of education and better living for those dwelling under his control. So Sardar Farooq Ahmad Khan Leghari was a man of thousand colors and here at second perspective But we are second perspective and we don't follow the traditional line. That's why, today, we shall remember him for those colors which made him and Pakistan proud...a president who practiced austerity, a man who could present Pakistan's case with such a masterly skill of oratory that everyone was forced to take notice, a man who defied military for 11 years and who was one of the closest to erstwhile democratic workers such as Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan...May your soul be blessed Mr. President.

Tumko aik shakhs yaad aaye ga

At this time of turmoil, losing people like Wazir Ali Agha, Dr. Mehmood Ahmad Ghazi and Fatahyab Ali Khan is no less than a tragedy in its own self...Dedicated to those who made and will continue making our lives as Pakistanis meaningful...."You surely will remember someone"

In loving memory or Air Blue Crash Victims, Courtesy of Mr. Wasim-ud-Din Malik

 

Many many thanx for Mr. Wasim-ud-Din Malik for making such a heart touching compilation. May all these sould rest in peace. Inna Lillah e WaInna Elaih e Rajeoon.