How google reminds you of appointments in advance via Free SMS

Wouldn't it have been awesome if a human brain could have sent a person an auto-reminder before the commencement of any day-to-day event in one's life. Actually, in some way, it already does that job, by reminding an event information to itself. But it has a two-fold problem, it's neither universally reliable for all human beings nor it fits the 21st century definition of a reminder, i.e. an SMS or an Email.

Fortunately, Google Calendar solves that problem for all intelligent creatures who have access to internet.

Google Calendar Notification is one of great value-added features. Now, not only you can receive Free SMS Alert on your mobile phone but you can also receive alerts by Email and Browser Pop-ups.

Google's supported mobile providers in Pakistan
Steps to Configure Mobile for Google Notifications
Set up Notifications for SMS, Email and Browser Popup
Add An Event To your Calendar

Google's supported mobile providers in Pakistan
Following are three google's supported mobile providers in Pakistan:

* Mobilink-PMCL
* Telenor Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd.
* Paktel Limited

But it also worked for me on:
* Warid Telecom
* You can try your network(Ufone, Zong etc)

It is hardly a 2 to 4 minute process, you just need to go through A & B sections once, and later by following instructions in section C you can add events if and when you have to put something up for reminder.

Steps to Configure Mobile for Google Notifications:
*Assuming that a mobile is being configured for receiving alerts in Pakistan.

1. Log on Gmail
2. Click on the link 'calendar' ( Next to Gmail link ) in the top left corner.
3. Click on the link 'settings' under 'My Calendar' pane, it will open up new settings window.

4. Click on the link 'General' in the new window that you opened in step 3, to ensure your country and time zone are configured correctly and if not you must set it accordingly and Press 'Save'.

5. Click on the 'Mobile Setup'.

6. Select your country, e.g. Pakistan, and enter your phone number, e.g 92CCCNNNNNNN and press 'Send Verification Code'
7. Enter the verification code that you just received on your cell phone NNNNNN and press 'Finish Setup'
8. Confirm your 'validation status' under 'Mobile Setup' option if it has been properly setup.


Set up Notifications for SMS, Email and Browser Popup:


1. Under Calendar 'Settings', Click on 'Calendar' followed by 'Notifications'
2. You can set Event Reminder settings for SMS/Email/Popup and the time to receive the reminder before each event.
3. Don't forget to Press 'Save' button for any changes you just made.



Add An Event To your Calendar:


1. Click on the date in the left pane you wish to add an event for which you want to set a reminder.
2. Click in the desired area in the right pane to create your event, enter the brief description for the event and/or time of event and press 'Create'.
3. If you wish to modify the default notification settings for particular event (type of notification or time before the event), then click on the newly created event pane description link and change the settings as you desire, and don't forge to press 'Save' button.
Note: You can set the event's privacy settings to Public/Private/Default


Depending on the nature of your work, you can use Google Calendar to your advantage in many different ways. You can coordinate schedules with friends and family, your friends can manage calendar together, send invitations and track RSVPs and etc.

Turning off Google Buzz, Let me only GMail

When was the last time you found Google Buzz interesting? (I like calling it GUZZ though). Or didn't it raise your eyebrows when you found it located right next to your Inbox? Presumably it appeared as if it acted more like an undercover agent.

Don't worry, it wasn't the case though, but of course the prime reason to include such feature within Gmail was to capture the ready-made circle of friends from your Gmail account.

Although it did sound nice from Google's business perspective to use its existing Gmail user-base to its advantage and capture some share in the social network market from day one, on the other hand it became a serious issue of intrusions of privacy for Goggle Users.

If you are interested to read more about it there's an interesting read on Google Buzz testing flaws / privacy issue on BBC.

For now, if you don't really feel much excited about Buzz, the next door neighbor to your Gmail Inbox, here's how you can turn this feature off from your account.


Turning off Google Buzz
a. Log on Gmail
b. Check for the link 'turn off buzz" at the bottom of the page.
c. Click the link and the page will reload without Buzz.

You can always sign up Google Buzz back again!
It can be turned on back again by following the link 'turn on Buzz' at the bottom of your Gmail account.

Brief Information on Fulbright Scholarship in Pakistan - Why you should apply!

As a former Fulbright Scholar (2007-09) from Pakistan I feel obliged to inform Pakistani students about one of the world's most prestigious Scholarship awards that has recently been announced in Pakistan for year 2011.

I just thought to put this information for all interested candidates in a very informal way. If you are not in rush, you can go through following information else if you prefer you can directly visit Fulbright USEFP website from here.

Million Dollar Question:
Ask yourself, What do I get out of this Scholarship?
The answer is pretty simple and attractive, yes indeed I must say, very attractive! You earn a Master, Ph.D. or both degree(s) from any University in the United States without requiring you to spend a single penny of yours, or should I be more specific and say 'A SINGLE PAISA of yours!'. It funds tuition, living stipend, airfare, health insurance and of course textbooks as well!


My Objective For Now:
As of now, my prime objective is to keep you updated on the latest announcement, but later I would try to share my 'personal' thoughts with regard to various questions as to what are the most important ingredients one should focus on in order to get hold of Fulbright Scholarship.


Scholarship Announcement by USEFP For Year 2011
The United States Education Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP) had announced Master's and Ph.D. Scholarship Program for year 2011 almost like a month ago, generally it is announced around three months to the closing date. Closing date for year 2011 program is May 18, 2010'. Please visit for this year's program at Fulbright Scholarship for year 2011


I'm Interested, But How and Where to Start From:
1. Check your eligibility for the Scholarship Program.
2. If you meet the eligibility requirements, you should plan for GRE Exam and start preparing for it. Take a look into the availability of the GRE test dates at your local or nearby testing centers. USEFP has a special section on GRE/TOEFL on their website which gives you detailed information on the GRE Exam and the Testing Agency, namely Prometric Testing Center. Please visit:
GRE Exam for Fulbright Scholarship
3. Take your application VERY SERIOUSLY and start filling it out gradually and well in advance, cause it is not going to take just few days, rather weeks. Surprised? Yes, you should be, only if you are serious about it. There are reasons why you should take it seriously, cause this is the most important document which they grade and your chances of getting selected are heavily dependent upon how well you score in your APPLICATION, and the rest of top two factors include your Academics and GRE Score. I would shed some more light on these things in my later posts.

This is a great opportunity for all youngsters to attain Higher Education from world's top-notch schools in US! If you feel like going abroad on Scholarship, you must avail this chance, and later should think about contributing towards development of Pakistan.

For detailed information about USEFP's different scholarship programs please visit usefpakistan