Tuesday, 27 August 2013

What to do with Old Computers


What to do with Old Computers


By Naveed Siraj

You know replacing an old gas-guzzler with a shiny new car that’s faster, more fuel efficient and safer to operate is a smart move. But what about a computer upgrade that costs a pittance of the price of your automobile? 

Increasingly more Pakistanis are tired of using outdated computers that are slow and prone to malicious attacks, and they're buying newer models that offer better performance and enhanced usability. If you’ve recently checked out an Intel-powered Ultrabook™, laptop, or All-in-One PC, you know that the entire computing experience from file management to entertainment has dramatically improved. Learn about what to do with old computers once you’ve decided to upgrade to better performance and more fun with digital entertainment.

Donate Your Old Computer After PC Upgrades

Besides taking your old computer to a recycling center, another popular option is to donate it. Many local learning centers–especially those that work with special interest groups like senior citizens–can put your outdated PC to good use. 

Create a Learning Platform for Your Kids

If you have children, you can use your old computer as a learning platform for word processing and other computing skills. Disconnect the computer from the Internet and set it up for your children to practice creating documents, tables and spreadsheets. By allowing them to hone their skills on a real computer–not some toy–they’ll take it more seriously. And who knows - by the time you upgrade to your next computer, they’ll probably be showing you a thing or two about how to get the most out of your future Intel processor!

Sell Old Computers for Cash

If you’re in need of a bit of extra cash, consider selling your old computer on eBay. Take a few moments to research what a comparable used computer is going for. Then price it to sell, and remember: whatever you make from it is better than having a dust collector at the bottom of your closet.

Try Your Hand at Computer Sculpture

If you’re creative, there are always artistic possibilities for old PCs. A quick search on the web for “computer aquarium” or “computer sculpture” will show you that monitors can be dissembled to make everything from fish tanks to terrariums. And that old mouse and keyboard are just begging to be reassembled as modern sculptures.

 Learn How to Erase a Hard Drive

Regardless of what you choose to do with your old computer, be sure to first remove all sensitive information by transferring your files to an external hard drive or other storage device. 

Naveed Siraj is the Country Manager for Intel Pakistan.



Friday, 23 August 2013

"Higher Education Opportunities"

Chairman HEC Writes VCs to increase quota for FATA Students

Friday, 23 August 2013


Islamabad: In compliance of Prime Minister Directive, the Chairperson Higher Education Commission (HEC) Dr. Javaid Laghari has written letter to the Vice chancellors for increase of admission quota of students belonging to FATA from one to two percent. The vice chancellors have been requested to implement the directives in letter and spirit.

Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan are passing through extremely challenging circumstances. There is a general belief that the security situation is also the result of paucity of opportunities. The disgruntled youth is falling prey to the nefarious designs of the extremist elements. There is a death of quality educational institutions in FATA for the youth. The socioeconomic indicators are not even comparable to the most backward areas of the Provinces. The situation warrants urgent action from all concerned.  In view of the above the Prime Minister of Pakistan has issued directions that Provinces shall make arrangements to reserve at least 2% of the seats in Medical, Engineering and other Professional Institutions and Universities, for students hailing from the FATA areas. This would enable the mainstreaming of FATA students, who could return to serve in some of the most backward areas and also perform as agents of change and catalysts of modernization.

In addition, The Higher Education Commission HEC has also decided to award foreign PhD scholarships to working journalists of FATA   under the project ‘Provision of Higher Education Opportunities for the Students of Balochistan and FATA’. These scholarships will be for PhD studies at leading HEC identified Universities in USA, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand for spring 2014 session. The working journalist with FATA domicile and masters in Journalism or equivalent would be eligible to apply for the scheme.

Thursday, 22 August 2013

Success Story:

Building the Future - A Day at a time

Thursday, 22 August 2013


Pairi Mai a resident of Rajan Pur district found her family in financial turmoil very early in life. Her father who was the only source of income for her family died when she was only ten years old. Abiding by family traditions she was married in very young age that prevented her from getting formal education.

Life was uneventful till one day her husband lost both of his legs in a road accident. This was a daunting phase for Pairi Mai as her husband who was the only source of income for her family was not able to continue his work due to disability.  With having no formal education it was very difficult for her to earn a decent livelihood for her family comprising three dependents including her husband and two children but a strong resolve to leave no stone un-turned motivated her to start  stock and dairy farming business.

Starting a business is never easy especially for a woman living in rural areas where financial and social problems are rife. With having a strong resolve towards providing a promising future for her family Pairi Mai overcame the psychological and social barriers and approached Khushhali Bank Limited for financial assistance. Khushhali Bank Limited, a pioneer Micro-finance Bank in Pakistan, not only provided her initial finances to start her business but also guided her with best possible financial and business advisory that helped her become a successful entrepreneur.

Life is all together different for her as now she is a successful entrepreneur with an ever growing Stock and Dairy farm business. This business has a great impact on her family financial status as now she is having decent finances to support her children to get education in top school of the city and baring other expanses of her family. She is a role model for women empowerment for the whole society and looking at her success those people of her society who were working as an obstacle for her are presenting her as a role model to their wives and family members.

Sunday, 4 August 2013

HEC Special Task Force to Visit Balochistan:

Sunday, 04 August 2013

Islamabad: A Special Task Force recently constituted by Higher Education Commission (HEC) would visit Balochistan after Eid holidays. The Task Force has been established over the proposal of Chief Minister Balochistan, Dr Abdul Malik Baloch who met Chairperson HEC Dr. Javaid R. Laghari few days earlier. During the meeting, the Chairman HEC agreed to establish a Special Task Force to evaluate and promote higher education in Balochistan so that it can keep pace with national standards.   He also assured cooperation in addressing human resource related problems in the province.

The task force would be headed by Chairperson HEC Dr. Javaid R. Laghari and will be comprised of eminent and experienced academicians and administrators including Prof. Dr. Muhammad Nizamuddin Vice Chancellor University of Gujrat and Chairperson National Committee on Development of Social Sciences and Inter University Consortium for Promotion of Social Sciences which is comprised of 16 leading universities of Pakistan, Prof Dr. Riaz Hussain Qureshi former Vice Chancellor Agriculture University Faisalabad and Advisor Quality Assurance & Human Resource Development  HEC  Islamabad, Prof. Dr, Mansoor Akbar Kundi Vice Chancellor Gomal University  D.I khan who also has vast experience of working in higher education sector of Balochistan.  The members of the Task Force will meet the vice chancellors, university administrators, faculty students and other stakeholders before making recommendations to the Chef Minister Balochistan.

 The Task Force on Balochistan Higher Education will  delineate primary challenges the Universities in Balochistan are currently facing that impede their development as high standard institutions of learning and research and recommend,  steps and reforms required to improve their performance and progress as world class institutions of higher learning. While assessing the Universities in Balochistan, the Task Force will  among other things, specifically focus on the areas including Governance and Management of Universities; autonomy from all kinds of extraneous influences in academic, administrative and financial functions, faculty development, trainings and research functions, institutional performance, adequacy of resources (public and self-generated; including university effectiveness to mobilize resources), efficiency and effectiveness of resource use, adoption and adherence to quality standards and practices, development and quality of faculty, retention vis-à-vis vacancy, law and order issues arising there from necessitating immediate response and solution and role of Universities in improving quality of instructions and research in affiliated institutions etc.

The Higher Education Commission HEC has paid special attention towards increasing access to higher education in remote and far flung areas of the country. Within last few years, out of total 55 new university campuses:  31 have been established in rural areas throughout Pakistan.
The main HEC initiatives for promotion of equitable access to higher education In Balochistan include:  approval of 49 development projects amounting to more than Rs. 10 billion, application of federal quota policy over indigenous and foreign scholarship programs,  allocation of 390 PhD scholarships for university faulty,   award of  2,000 scholarships to students of Balochistan and FATA, announcement of  1500 more scholarships and 600 foreign PhD scholarships, implementing  Fee Waiver Scheme for the Public Sector University Students of Balochistan at Masters and MS level at Balochistan and PhD Students throughout the country, launched special projects for the development of basic infrastructure at higher education institutions of the province including labs, class rooms, seminars rooms, labs, transport facilities, digital libraries, video conferencing facility etc. and establishment of HEC Regional Centre at Quetta
As result of these reforms for Balochistan,  number of universities  has been increased from  2 to 8, student enrollment increased from thirty  thousand to more than seventy six thousands and  impressive increase  has been witnessed in  international publications from 6 in 2002 to 338 in 2011.

Thursday, 1 August 2013

High tech dreams:

High tech dreams are the new developing world reality


When we think about the synergy between technology and a family, we tend to think in fairly imposing terms: massive computer invading a corner in the house. This haughty vision is blinding us to an important and rather striking technological revolution which has been going on right under our noses: the technological revolution in the home. This metamorphosis is transforming the conduct of our daily lives, but in somewhat preeminent ways.

Just slow down and note the influence that technology is having on the family life as a whole and how communication between family members is now revolving around certain technologies such as, multiple televisions, laptops, MP3 players, mobile phones, game consoles and so forth. Now my question is, you are changing with the times but is your technology? Most of the computers used in Pakistan are over 4 years old and/or are large desktops. These computers are often big, bulky and slow. A personal computer has the single purpose to enhance everyday user experience, whether its productivity at work and school or entertainment at home. If your PC gives you heartache over lag time and limitations on what can be done with it, you need to reconsider you options.

Over the past few years, Intel’s advancements in processor technology have transformed the way millions of people around the world use computers and have led to an exciting array of thin, light and powerful PCs. Case in point, the latest generation of Intel-inspired Ultrabook™ convertibles marry performance, responsiveness and sleek designs with a premium computing experience — laptop functionality when you need it and a touch-enabled tablet experience when you want it.

If you aren’t sure if it is time for a new PC, ask yourself some questions. Do you down a cup of tea in the time it takes to boot up your PC in the morning? Do you stare at the clock or worse, passers-bys, while your PC struggles to download a movie? Are you hauling your charger everywhere because your laptop won’t hold a charge for more than an hour at a time? Do the wires and weight of your bulky PC tie you down? If so, you are not alone. Around the world, people are complaining about their old devices. Here are a few statistics for you to consider: 39 percent say their 4-year-old PC is outdated, 36 percent say their 4-year-old PC freezes when running too many applications, 33 percent say their old PC takes too long to boot up and28 percent say their old PC is too slow for their needs.

So you would naturally ask then why not a technological gadget instead of a fully fledged PC. Although there are a lot of new and exciting technologies in the market, including smart phones and tablets, the PC remains the best device for many people for many reasons. In terms of performance, a PC uses powerful processors, which makes them very fast and responsive. Applications that require a lot of horsepower, such as photo editing, HD video streaming and gaming, run best on a PC thanks to its processor.

In terms of productivity, to-date, a PC is still the best way to get a lot done in the fastest amount of time. Complicated tasks such as booking a vacation or filling out a spreadsheet are simply easier to accomplish on a PC.

And last but not the least, multi-tasking. A PC allows you to multi-task and conduct several activities at once. Communicate with your friends on Skype while listening to music, finishing an online shopping order and playing a game of solitaire all at the same time on your PC.

Coming back to upgrading your current personal computer; Today’s Intel-powered PCs are on average 3 times faster than PCs from 4 years ago. You can edit and share a 2-hour HD video in about 2 minutes on today’s PC. Four years ago? On average, it took over an hour. Today, an Intel-powered Ultrabook boots up in under 7 seconds. With a 4-year-old PC, it could take more than a minute. You can transfer 500 photos on USB 3.0 in 23 seconds. On a 4-year-old PC that uses USB 2.0, it can take more than a minute.

The latest Intel-powered PCs are much lighter, on average weighing half as much as an older PC. Today’s PCs are much thinner; many are less than an inch thick with double the battery life, offering up to 8 hours of battery life versus the average 2.5 hour life of a 4-year-old PC.

And if you are looking for a truly innovative product, the stylish All-in-One desktops are PCs that double as entertainment hubs. It is lifestyle product and as a true convergence between the computer and television. This device is an excellent choice for lifestyle buyers and families looking for a unique and feature packed gadget, a desktop solution and a large tablet. Specially targeted towards families, an AIO gives users the mobile flexibility of a tablet with the performance of a powerful desktop PC, all in one compact and stylish package.

In addition to saving time, new PCs are simply more fun to use. They enable more capabilities with significantly better performance enhancing your experiences including sharper, crystal-clear screen resolution for photo and video consumption and smoother, richer Internet and social networking experiences to connect with family and friends. The latest systems offer a convertible experience – the flexibility of a tablet and a power of a PC in one device and bringing the magic of touch to your computing experience.


Naveed Siraj is the Country Manager for Intel Pakistan.