IBM appoints First Female CEO....!!!!!!!!!!!

IBM global sales chief Virginia Rometty will take over as CEO from Sam Palmisano in January, becoming one of the most powerful women in business and technology today.

In taking the helm of the storied industry icon, she makes it the largest U.S. corporation by value to be headed by a woman.

IBM, which over the decades had a reputation of being a strait-laced, plodding, male-dominated business empire, will formally appoint the 54-year-old engineering and computer science graduate its first female CEO on Jan 1.

The selection went down well with Silicon Valley and Wall Street, especially because the 60-year-old Palmisano -- who helped transform Big Blue from a computer hardware company into a global services and software behemoth -- is staying on as chairman.

"Given Ginni's experience running the largest portion of the business by revenue, she was a logical choice," said Macquarie Securities analyst Brad Zelnick.

Her ascension will set up a rivalry with Hewlett-Packard CEO Meg Whitman for the mantle of most powerful woman in technology, mirroring a long-running rivalry between the two companies.

Rometty joins a relatively small circle of top female CEOs, including Whitman, Pepsico's Indra Nooyi, Xerox's Ursula Burns, Kraft Foods' Irene Rosenfeld and DuPont's Ellen Kullman.

Rometty -- who most recently served as senior vice president of global sales -- made her mark with the smooth 2002 integration of PriceWaterhouseCooper's consulting arm, a landmark move that catapulted IBM into the upper echelons of the technology consulting business.

Colleagues say that Rometty, often clad in elegant pastel-colored suits, cut a striking figure in IBM's staid hallways and impressed co-workers with both her cool-headedness and enthusiasm.

"She exudes energy," said Nelson Fraiman, professor at the Columbia University Graduate School of Business.

Fraiman, who has known the computer science and electrical engineering graduate from Northwestern for about a decade, said she was a good strategist and an early advocate for IBM's expansion into business analytics, or tools and services that help companies quickly analyze trends.

"She thinks in a very analytical way. That's part of her engineering training," he said.

One former IBM executive said Rometty -- who sometimes carries a backpack rather than a briefcase -- worked long hours and demanded that her subordinates do the same.

"People who work for her just don't sleep," said the source. "She has a style that is very different from anybody else's, but is all her own."

THE TRANSFORMATION

In nine years as IBM's leader, Palmisano exited low-margin businesses including PCs, printers and hard drives. He expanded the company's offerings in services, consulting and software.

Since the former history major took the reins, Big Blue's stock has outperformed HP's and matched Oracle's, according to Thomson Reuters data.

Wall Street appeared to approve of the choice of Rometty, and some analysts said that Palmisano had put in place a structure that would ease the way for anyone to follow in his footsteps.

Sources told Reuters in 2010 that Rometty had rebuffed advances from arch-rival HP, which was then looking to replace the ousted Mark Hurd, to stay at the company where she was seen as a rising star.

"She has done well at IBM. She has contributed to their expansion overseas -- emerging markets -- and has done a fantastic job in that space," said Morningstar analyst Sunit Gogia. "All the public knowledge about her performance is very encouraging."

But "computing is an industry that is always evolving," Gogia said. "It's moving into an era of cloud computing. The company will have to reinvent itself for the future, stay with the times and maintain the revenue base when they do that."

Shares in IBM slipped about a dollar from their $180.36 close following the announcement

Indian Billionaires and Their Private Jets

When air travel is in question, the rich and famous fly in their own private jets. Equipped with luxurious interiors to suit their rich taste, private planes such as Gulfstream, Boeing and Bombardier make the trips of wealthy owners more comfortable and enjoyable.

Billionaires simply are not comfortable flying in a commercial plane carrying ordinary citizens. They need their own aircraft, with private services, items and equipments, usually not allowed in commercial flight.

Here are some Indian billionaires and their private jets.

1. Mukesh Ambani

 

Mukesh Ambani, the country's richest man and chairman of Reliance Industries owns a private Boeing Business Jet 2, a 1,004 sq. ft. plane worth 225 crore, with a private bedroom suite and state of the art amenities. His list of personal aircrafts also includes a Falcon 900EX jet and a custom fitted Airbus 319.

The aircraft comes with the additional option of creating personal environment. For example, instead of having a living room-dining room-master bedroom-bathroom layout, the owner can opt for two bedrooms and two bathrooms.

2. Atul Punj

 

The chairman of the successful Punj Lloyd Group is the owner of a lushly appointed Gulfstream IV that has been changed to suit his tastes, through upgradation and structural improvement in wings, and 30 percent fewer parts.

The aircraft is large enough to hold two beds, has a shower room and a luxury living room. The private jet is worth 170 crore.

3. Anil Ambani

 

The Global Express is the ultra long range business jet developed by Bombardier Aerospace. Bill Clinton and Steven Spielberg are among the proud owners of such jets. Anil Ambani is the owner of this jet worth 200 crore in India.

Bombardier's 14.73 meter long cabin boasts of a noise and vibration cancellation system, making it easier to hold meetings on board. Customized interior layouts include office, stateroom and a conference-style area. The jet can fly over 5,950 nautical miles.

Anil Ambani also owns a Falcon 7X and a Falcon 2000.

4. Ratan Tata

 

An avid aviator, Ratan Tata pilots his own fleet of corporate jets that include the Falcon 2000 with its wide cabin, offering a high level of comfort, and is worth 115 crore.

The Falcon made by Dassault, the French aviation major, is run by Taj Air, a company owned by him. Tata likes to fly his private jet himself. He has a Falcon Jet that is no longer used for commercial aviation.
5. Vijay Mallya

 

Liquor baron and Kingfisher Airlines chairman Vijay Mallya owns the high-end A319-13-ACJ worth 225 crore. He spent another 160 core on retro-fitting and fireproof upholstery. The A319 is one of the smaller members of Airbus' highly successful single-aisle airliner family and can fly to London or the United States with a single refueling halt.

Boasting of plush interiors, it has the capacity to seat 24 people and has 6,000 cubic foot of living space. Apart from the A319, he also owns a Gulfstream, a Hawker and a Boeing 727. The French and Brazilian heads of state also use this model.
6. Lakshmi Mittal

 

The steel baron Lakshmi Mittal, owner of the world's largest steel company Arcelor Mittal uses his Gulfstream G550 to move around three countries in a day. It is worth 200 crore and can reach speeds of 675 miles per hour. This jet is a pleasure to fly for any pilot and can hold eight passengers.
7. Gautam Singhania

 

Gautam Singhania, chairman of Raymond Group is famous for his passion for expensive toys like supercars, luxury yachts and aircrafts.

He owns a Canadair Challenger 604 business jet worth RS.110 crore. The luxurious interior of the Challenger was designed by Eric Roth. The beige and brown interiors of Singhania's jet features an advanced Collins ProLine IV EFIS avionics system with colour displays and increased fuel tankage.

8. K P Singh

 

India's biggest real estate developer DLF's chairman, KP Singh owns a Gulfstream IV, worth 170 crore.

The Gulfstream IV is a significantly improved, larger, longer range and advanced version of the earlier Gulfstream II and Gulfstream III models.

Samsung Announces $1 million Contest for Application Developers

Electronics product maker Samsung announced the bada 2.0 Power App Race, a global application contest hosted by the Samsung bada developer site which offers developers chance to win up to $100,000.

"We are excited to launch the bada 2.0 Power App Race, which will help boost the bada developer community by encouraging innovation in bada apps from developers all around the world," Kang-hyun Kwon, Senior Vice President of Media Solution Center, Samsung Electronics said in a statement.

The company said it will select 10 applications which will include five game applications and five non-game applications. All the 10 applications will be jointly awarded $1 million.

The company has no limit on number of applications developers want to enter. Entries are open and will close at midnight on December 31. 

Friend Request on Facebook Can be Cyber Attack

Cyber fraudsters targetted users of social networking site Facebook with a range of 'friend request' emails to draw them into downloading a banking Trojan, says a report by IT company Cyberoam.

"Malware authors and scammers of today are well acquainted with the behavioral psychology of Facebook users. Many of them are intelligent but won't think twice before accepting a friend request from someone they don't know," said Abhilash Sonwane, Senior VP, Product Management, Cyberoam, while releasing October 2011 Internet threats trend report.

Cyberoam conducted this study in partnership with IT security solution company Commtouch.

"Facebook continues to draw the attention of malware authors. An August attack used a range of 'friend request' emails to draw recipients to a download of a banking Trojan," the report said.

The company also noticed people getting lured by 'Free' offers on Facebook which led them to spread spam to their friends as well. The study found an ubiquitous Facebook 'like' button harnessed by advertising scammers to lure users into receiving free merchandise like iPhone 4.

Those wanting to receive the 'free' merchandise were asked to like several pages, provide their shipping addresses and forward the invite on to 100 or so friends - thus ensuring the spread of the scam. The pages were liked by hundreds of thousands of Facebook users, the report said. 

My Most Memorable/Unfortunate Incident in Life !!!!!!!!!

Hi my dear friends and warm greetings to everyone. It’s been months I have been idle and not posted anything in my blog and I was waiting for someday to write this up and I got some time yesterday to start with and here it goes. My most memorable incident in my life. Everyone will have their own. But just read mine which is something different which u could have seen in movies. No hype. Okie as all know and for the fresh chaps, my name is JS and I work for Voltas Limited IOBG (Indian MNC) in Doha-Qatar for past 3 years right after my college. Coming to the topic, right from my childhood through school, college and corporate life I have encountered this question several times. But I was not able to think immediately of any good / bad unforgettable incident in my life. Because most were my pleasant ones and indeed there were many. But after December 13, 2009 I had/have an answer which was/is a deterrent example to many who enter, survive and live here in middle-east. Let me stop the intro and narrate what exactly happened.

I returned back from my one month enjoyable vacation on December 1^st week. In last minute hurry-burry, my relative chipped in a parcel with me to send it to Dubai-UAE from Doha. I was unaware of the stuff, the package has got within. She executed it thru’ me, as it takes minimum 20 days if she sends it from India to Dubai. So to cut short, she told me to send it from Doha as it reaches within 4-5 days reducing quite good count of days.

After arriving here, I mailed to Dubai thru’ Q-post and forgot the same. After 2 days (i.e.) on 13^th December, 2009, I got a call from Qatar Customs Authority and was told that my parcel was not sent and kept on hold. Actually they called me for a formal enquiry. To note here, during that period I was working on a US Air-Base project at Al-Udeid, one of the prestigious projects for Voltas in Doha-Qatar. For security reasons, we have to submit our Qatar ID card (so called Pathaka) at the entrance with US Army. Knowing that I was going to customs and will return back, the security didn’t return the ID card back and I went along without my pathaka.

Once I reached customs office, they opened the parcel in front of me and they found “Taaveez” inside. It’s also called Tabiz, Thayath or kavacha. Most of the people in India know about it. Let me explain to those who don’t know about it. Taaveez is a hollow cylinder with different stuff inside like verses from some holy book or some object that is believed to protect from evil eyes. The so-called belief put my life on stake that day.

On ascertaining the same, the custom officers discussed among themselves in Arabic language. I was so lucky (!!!!) that I doesn’t know to speak or understand Arabic. Then they asked me the Qatar ID which I was not carrying with. They looked at me fiercely and started to ask questions in Arabic. I was just left amused. After almost 30 minutes, they came up with 3-4 papers written completely in Arabic for my signature and I was literally forced to sign it without knowing the content. Then around 11 AM, they nobbled and switched off my mobile and took me to Airport Police station and asked me to wait. At that moment, I thought they got me hold back, as I was not carrying my Qatar ID.

Time passed and I was left hungry until 3 PM. The officer-in-charge gave me my mobile and asked me not to switch-on. But as I thought if I call someone at office, they may bring the ID card, I brought my phone back to life. Thank GOD, luckily my phone was amply charged and I contacted my office and asked them to send me the ID card with the driver. Then I was just waiting for my driver’s arrival thinking that everything will be over soon, unaware of the proceedings over there.

Around 3:30 PM, 3-4 Qatar ISF Police (Internal Security Force) came and manacled me hyping situation black and white. I was taken along with 3-4 cops thru’ the airport arrival terminal with hand-cuffs to the police car. From there they drove me to Capital security Department and I was put up in a prison cell. Immediately I contacted our head-office and explained my situation. By that time our company PRO (Public Relation officer) was carrying my Qatar ID to Airport, wherein I called him and diverted him to capital security dept.

After 20-25 minutes, they took me again to Messaimer Police station which is around 15 Kms from the main city and was put behind bars. Until now I just believed that, all these are happening because I was not carrying my Qatar ID. Around 6 PM, my PRO reached there and submitted my Qatar ID. But the police officials were not ready to release me. My PRO conversed in Arabic with them and finally told me that, I have been arrested for carrying that “taveez” and this is my personal issue and company can’t help it out. In middle-east, particularly Saudi Arabia and Qatar were strict in following the religious principles. Belief in “GOD is one and there are no channels to reach him, only our prayers can reach him”. Being a Muslim I know all these, however they were not ready to believe me whatever I say, probably they didn’t understand English. And I was shocked when my PRO told me that the custom officials have reported me as a “magic man”. At that moment, I understood the heat of the situation and things have gone worse than I expected. My PRO told me that they will put me behind bars for 1 or 2 months and they will deport me back to India.

Realizing my situation, I called my uncle who was residing with his family in Qatar and explained him the whole story in detail and asked him if he can help me out. The cell which I was locked up was fully air-conditioned with required lighting with attached bathroom. It had a small ventilation hole at the top and the door was shielded with steel plate. I can’t control my tears and was visualizing the aftermath. My uncle came with his friends and a imam who knows Arabic at around 9 PM. They can’t do anything as the police has already filed a country crime offence against me and asked them to meet me at Public Prosecution (Court) the next day.

I was left aloft and was just praying to God to help me out who was my only hope. At around 12 AM midnight, they took me out and luckily I got one cop who understands a bit English. I explained him that I was unaware of the stuff inside and added that If I had known it earlier, I wouldn’t have taken along with me. He converted my words into Arabic sentences with his little bit English knowledge. Until that time they didn’t provide me anything to eat or drink. And was denied to drink water also. That night went like hell.

Next day early morning, I was again asked for signatures which left me totally discombobulated. I was left both physically and mentally debile. Around 7:30 AM I got a cake to eat. Then by 8 AM, I was again hand-cuffed and taken to Public Prosecution. We reached there around 8:30 AM and was again put up behind bars over there until 11 AM. Then I was ready to be taken in front of Judge. Just before that, I saw my uncle with his friends who hold higher positions in Qatar government.

Right from the point where it started from customs office and till court, no-one knew English and I understood the importance of local country language. Goodness, the Judge also doesn’t know English and I requested for a translator. They were told that am a “Mohandis” (engineer) and I told the judge what happened actually. Translator did his job perfectly it seems. After around 20 minutes, judge told something in Arabic. Later I got translated it as, that was the last excuse being given to me and if I get caught in some other issues within the country, I will deported immediately.

Then around 2 PM, they took me back to police station for legal procedures and was put up in cell until 4:30 PM. I could see them conversing angrily and starring at me with anger. They were not happy with my release. Around 5 PM, I signed on all papers whatever and wherever they shown. The cop told me “Good Luck” like the villain in “Taken” movie and was finally released completely.

I was just thinking about the incident for so many days which I couldn’t forget and however recovered with help of my friends. My family was informed that night and everyone in my family was left disturbed for next one week. I thought to share this with all, as each and everyone will be visiting new places and countries as they wish, despite not aware of the local rules and regulations ending up in strange incidents which happened to me.

Cheers guys. Do share if you have got some different, strange, good or bitter experiences like this in your life.

Will be back soon with some interesting stuff.