Dealing with Resignations

Reading a couple of articles on project management and how to deal with an Employee who resigns and I see how the way a resigned employee is dealed with in this part of the world is opposite of what the Industry experts advice. Couple of lines from different articles:

• Have the employee leave as a friend
• Once somebody has given notice, their heart leaves, better to leave them immediately
• If you don't need them for the transition training, it's best to let them go
• It's not necessary to treat him like a criminal
• Why make a person feel poorly about leaving?

time to go home....more to come ....

WSS Post SP2 Hotfix

As I am working on a test upgrade, I wanted to use the Stsadm -o databaserepair option to get rid of my orphaned sites. Hence I installed one of the Microsoft Post SP2 HOTFIX on both my Sharepoint 2003 web servers. And everything went on fine. I ran the operation and resolved my Prescan issues.

next day morning when I came to office, one of the web servers was giving the error: "This Windows Sharepoint Services Virtual server has not been configured for use with ASP.NET 2.0.50727,832. For more information ..." Any one would go insane looking at that on your production webserver when you dont have ASP.NET 2.0 on it and users calling you.

And the Resolution was, I restarted IIS on the affected Web server and everything was fine. Strange but true.

MOSS Web Server gives 403 You are not Authorized

Have a MOSS Server farm, one of the Web servers call it Server2 was shutdown and changes made to the other web server call it Server1, when the Server2 was later connected I would get a HTML 403 error, you are Not authorized to view this page. When I disabled Friendly HTTP Error messages in my Internet Explorer, I saw the error was "Directory Listing Denied, This virtual Directory does not allow contents to be listed"

Was wondering whats wrong tried to run the Sharepoint Configuration again on Server2 but no luck, still same error.

Resolution: Went to Central Administration page, and In farm topology Clicked on Server2 and than Stopped the Windows Sharepoint Services Web application service and Started it again and now the site started rendering back.

Random Thoughts

Life is soo Amazing. Show me one man who has no problems?? But the best ones are those, who know how to deal with their problem. If you have a problem, First Dont Panic. I remember a friend quoted some Doctor telling him. "When you are in a hurry, Go Slow" So take a deep breath and look at the options around you. Look at the channels that are accessible to you. In my case being a believer in Islaam, we believe in Destiny, that everything is destined (Dont get confused, it does not mean that you sit with your hands folded) but we still need to work hard. As the creator loves man to do whatever he does in the best way. So look at your options, look at your priorities, Seek help from Almighty and work on the options available and see what comes your way. And than decide if you wanna grab it?

And trust me, when I was in India, being in the Software Industry, when I resigned from the second company I worked for, I told him I did not want to go to USA as it was too far from India, I would love to be somewhere where I can reach back home in 3 hours or be in MUMBAI. As for me my family is a priority. So he mentioned to me Awwab you are destined to go to USA. On a second thought I thought he was right. Bcos the next company I joined it was all planned and I was about to go to USA, tickets booked except that the Approval was waiting from the bigger bosses since the project managers had already approved it. But the way things changed, I landed up in Kuwait without having imagined this would happen. And now I am so Happy over here, God willing I will stay here for long if all moves fine.

So now you see, what I meant about destiny.... Well Food ready and me hungry... Gotta Run....

Jan Tielens in Kuwait

Blogging after long, I guess Jan Tielens inspired me to. Got this In-house training in my company for Sharepoint 2007 provided by the best, none other than U2U. And the tutor is none other than Jan Tielens and trust me, If it would not have been U2U, i would not have bothered to attend it.

To brief u, he is a Guy known (Maroof in Arabic) for his Sharepoint skills, and I remember I refer back to his blogs whenever i need some help while working with sharepoint development. I have also heard him in many screencasts. So finally, this gentleman whom I knew only through blogs and audio was in front of me, and giving a live training. It was an amazing experience (Thanks to Diyar 'My company'). I know him since 2003-2004, when i Initially started working with Sharepoint 2003

He is like my role model, in Sharepoint area. This is the first time he is in Kuwait, and I guess at the wrong time of the year, the climate is the highest in July and August out here. And I very recently heard from some1 that "Kuwait is the most Hot Inhabitated land in the world". I dunno if thats true.

Anyways, I wish Jan a good trip and I am sure I am gonna benefit from this training in a lot of ways, not just learning sharepoint. But observing how the Sharepoint Guru deals with his students, he is humble, he is nice and he is the Sharepoint Guru. Cheers...

One year and still kicking

Time flies like anything. Its 6th of May, and the same date last year, I had arrived in Q8. So it has been a year for me to be here already. And it seems just like yesterday. I still feel I am too new to Q8. But its a year and counting...

"Lost time is never found again" - Benjamin Franklin Ibid 1743

"Time and tide wait for none."

He said Tafaddal

Yesterday nite, it was around 11, I was on my way back home and with me was Moiz, and there was a regular checking going on in Mangaf, What I mean by checking is, In Q8, the Cops might come to some corner and stop every car passing by and whoever they doubt, they ask for identification, we have a Civil ID, which we need to have with us all the time. And if u dont have your Civil ID, u might be in trouble. And sometimes, they may ask for driving License and car document as well. It all varies from case to case. What he thinks from the first look he glances at you.

After being in Q8 for exatly one year, I had never come across this by the Grace of almighty, so I have been counting like, In 1 year, no1 has ever asked me for my Civil ID by the Grace of Almighty. I mean, I just look soo Genuine, like a Genuine Windows XP ;) Actually I look Arab too, up until I open my month, no1 knows I am an expatriate.

Yeah so yest, i slowed down my car, as checking was going on. Although I had my Civil ID + driving License+ car documents, but still, it was my first experience of being in a checking. So I was looking forward to it. As each car was moving ahead. Now came my turn, I pulled down my windows and said Salaams to the cop. He glanced at me and bent a little to have a glance at Moiz who was sitting next to me and than said "Tafaddal" Hurray...... So I can still count On, 1 year and didnt ever show my civil ID by the Grace of almighty. Lets see how long can I count.

Well for Non-arabs, tafaddal . Literally I think it means Welcome. Suppose u r passing by my office, and I want to invite u, i might say Tafaddal Yaa akhee, Welcome O brother. Or i m eating and some1 is sitting around I would say Tafaddal. Like Join In. Taal - actually means come.
So Taal hunaa, is like Come here, but it sounds Rude. So u always say Tafaddal when u r calling some1.

And the same Tafaddal, when the cop stops u and says means, U can Go Ahead. So u c, How Genuine I am. Tafaddal.

Body Language in Kuwait

Body language across the Middle East is distinctly different and diverse, thus it is strongly recommendable to be learnt for the sake of avoiding unintentional insults.

The greeting

The initial greeting at a formal or informal meeting is always preceded by a handshake. In the Middle East people shake hands with the right hand only. Handshakes open up and close a meeting and hands are shaken longer but less firmly than in the West.

Residents who have been here longer are familiar with the local nose-kiss greeting when men close to each other greet by touching with the tip of their noses. (I have never tried this one)

Further, placing a hand on your heart along with a slight bow is a sign of respect demonstrated at the initial stage of a meeting. Having greeted one's partner, business talk can commence. Mind it - maintaining eye contact is considered a prelude for a friendship or business deal as it creates a bridge of trust between the parties. Lack of eye contact, some say, might strongly convey the message 'you are unimportant'.

Here is a list of some more signs used in Kuwait and in the Arab world :

When a Kuwaiti touches his nose ('ala hashmi' in literal translation from Arabic 'on my nose') he means: 'I will do the favour you asked me for.'

So does the gesture of pointing at both eyes with both your forefingers. If a Kuwaiti man points at his moustache, he also sends a message making a vow to keep his promise. "I'll take care of this" or "It is my duty" could be pictured with the gesture of placing one's right hand or right forefinger right under one's right eye.

The gesture, literally translates into "I'll do what you want." If one puts his/her right forefinger on top of the head he supposedly indicates, "Everything is on my head to accomplish." In Kuwait, pointing at one's head and mentioning someone by name saying ('ala razi' or 'on my head') is interpreted as "I have respect for him/her." If the person you are talking to touches his head making this same gesture he means 'I respect you.'

Tantamount gestures

If a Kuwaiti starts moving his hand in circular movements in front of his stomach he disagrees with the mess that has been done. If an Arab touches his nose and at the same time lifts his head upward he says 'you are a snob.'
That gesture, an Arab expat explained, is often witnessed in traffic-related situations when the right of way was abruptly taken from someone. "The person whose right of way was not respected would follow the driver who was in the wrong and would point ironically to his nose lifting it slightly upward," he added.

On the other hand, the expression 'I am thinking' is illustrated grasping one's chin with the thumb side of the right fist. Beware, though, that if you hold your chin and start moving your hand up and down this can be considered a mockery of the person you are pointing at.

Biting one's right forefinger, which has been placed sideways between the teeth is an expression of regret. It usually means: 'I wish I did that' or 'I wish I knew' etc.

On the other hand, 'Wait a little bit' or 'be careful' is a sign illustrated by holding one's fingers in a pear shape and having the tips pointing up above the waist level and moving the hand slightly up and down. This gesture, many agree, can be observed extensively when driving in the jam-packed cities. And not only since the sign also implies: Be patient.

Predictably, 'Thank You' is a sign made by placing the palm of the right hand on the chest, bowing the head a little and closing one's eyes. Sticking your thumb between the teeth and pulling it out, across the Arab world, means someone who implies is not wealthy. The sign says, I am told, I have no money.

And my personal favourite: It is made with a quick snap of the head upwards with an accompanying click of the tongue translated as No. "That gesture can also mean 'unlikely', or 'whatever' explained a female Kuwaiti. A clicking sound accompanied by the word hruti (bull***t) means 'you are lying'. Hitting the right fist into the open palm of the left hand could be interpreted as contempt or threat for the person the gesture is directed at.

Also, showing the soles while sitting is considered rude because it is symbolic of 'you are being lower than my feet'. Lastly, 'come here' is illustrated with having one's right hand out, palm down, and fingers brought toward oneself repeatedly. The sign calls someone to come closer.

Source: http://www.kuwaittimes.net/read_news.php?newsid=ODMzNDk4MDcz

My New Apartment

Well i was staying with a relative since I came to Kuwait. And me being a Born, Brought up and Spoilt Dude from Mumbai... he had a hard time, managing me, my Interests, my Lifestyle etc. etc.

So finally by the Grace of Almighty we agreed that I should stay in a different apartment for Good Insha Allah. And hence I moved to my new apartment, and already learning how it is like to stay in your own place, being responsible for your stuff and doing things on your own etc etc. Had to make a shopping list and buy stuff, get an A/C bought and fitted and so on. SO learning lot of things as Life moves on Insha Allah.

Got a Car, Got an Apartment... Now u guys can guess whats needed next.....High Time Man!

My First Car - A Corolla

That's my first car bought with my own hard earned money...a Toyota Corolla. Poor man's car

Being a younger brother of someone who was dealing in used cars, back home I had driven most of the available Indian cars and some Imported cars. The most i loved out of them were the Jeep types, Tata Sierra Turbo was my favorite among the Jeeps there.

So, I wanted to buy a Jeep, but than didnt want to invest too much money in cars at this moment. So thought of going for a cheap car, Lancer, Galant etc. Which is Mitsubishi, so maintenance is easy and can get it cheaper than Toyota. but somehow could not convince myself on it....So I thought lets buy a Decent car to be my first car and went for a Toyota Corolla

And Trust me driving your own car - bought with 100% hard earned money, its a different feeling altogether, no installments nothing, Alhamdulillah Sooo Koollll. May God save it from harm and protect it. And protect me from Envy.

So I guess that was a Big decision i took on my own, I m learning things...Usually I would run away from decisions and use some1 else to take the decision for me. This time, i consulted my friends and consulted the one i trust the most and took my own decision....

Good, so Awwab is growing up...hmmmm

Yes, Kuwaitis r real nice people, as there was one involved in making sure this worked out for me.

Practice what you Preach

Well I just lost interest in Blogging, bcos i wasnot blogging my will out, I was always wondering what am I writing, should I write, shouldn't I. And hence left it completely. But today my Twin blogged, and she mentioned I was the one who encouraged her to blog, so it did not make sense that I m not blogging and asking her to Blog. I remembered an old lesson "Practice what you Preach"... Twin, Thanks for the worrying part. I dont need to worry nemore if u doing that for me.

So here I m. Life has been cool lately. Went home last week after around 7 months, a different feeling going home first time back. The flight was around 3 hr 15 mins. I couldnt sleep a minute out of excitement. So now i feel home is too close. If the airlines wud give a monthly pass for cheap ofcourse, i can go for a weekend every month. After all being in INDIA is the best feeling for some1 staying abroad.

the worst part was that i was for 10 days, but it seeemed like a Single Day. N that is when i understood the statement "Between 2day and 2020, One Day" so however long be the period, time is flying so fast. That u feel its just 1 day.

Well i couldn't meet most of my friends because of time, I just wanted to be at home with the family. And spend my time with them. Sorry friends, next Trip Insha Allah.

The travelling has improved so much, its just a like a walk in the park, Alhamdulillah. Well I want to buy a car out here, but not sure which one, too confused. I wish someone gifts me one.

Some of my friends working for Microsoft when they realised I was in town, asked me why I didnt tell them, they cud have scheduled an interview. So I do have caring friends. Thanks Baba!
Maybe I can work for Microsoft, Kuwait and if they dont have an office, than I can become the Country Head for them and i dont see a prob wit that..... lol

I did my first Custom Workflow on MOSS 2007 today. I wanna deep dive into MOSS 2007 and ASP.NET 2.0 man.... I have just been too lazy.....


Different thoughts out of the mind. lets stop for now.