Being the Company’s “Blue Eyed Employee”

 

If we boil it down, there are two basic kinds of employees; those who are liked by all and then there are those who are not. We all have had encounters with colleagues and seniors who seem to be a little too harsh, the “in your face-know it alls” and we do feel a repulsion from them. On the other side, there are also people we appreciate and are keen to interact with. If we observe, the employees who seem to be kind and gentle often climb that company ladder quicker compared to those who are a little over the limit. Why is that so, and if one needs to be kind and professional to grow within the company how does one go about it without the risk of being too sweet?

Step 1: Blending in the Company:

The first step towards becoming the blue-eyed employee of the company is to blend; this might bring up the argument “those who blend are not noticed”; the Chinese came up with a response, “the nail that sticks out, gets hammered”. You will need to blend in brilliantly according to the company’s atmosphere and the way they carry out daily routines. This comes down to the way you interact with others around you particularly your seniors. Your goal here is to make it clear to them through your actions that you have completely accepted the company’s atmosphere and you appreciate being a part of it.

Step 2: Making Your Presence Felt:

This is where it gets slightly technical; your next task is to make your presence felt without giving an impression of you being “over efficient” or “over confident”. Should you be tagged as being over efficient you will be swimming in crimson tides for sure? Making your presence felt starts fromcompleting whatever is assigned to you in exactly the way it is expected to be completed – not more, not less. If there are ways you believe can improve the quality of work you are assigned with, make sure you let your supervisor know in the most humble tone possible. For that matter, you can say something like, “Sure Sir, I will compile the report sooner than you expect it; but Sir do you suppose it would be better if we do it this way?” Understand the play of words here, by saying that, you are actually putting your supervisor in a “supervisory” role without questioning his/her authority. The worst thing you can possibly do is to question your supervisor’s position – no matter what level of career you have; no matter how silly your superior seems to be. You cannot question your senior officer’s position, period!

Step 3: Be Professional:

Being professional is one of those things no university or educational institute can teach you perfectly – you need to learn that on your own. Yes, there are some rules to professionalism you are told; “nothing is formal unless it is on paper” is one of those; however, the rest you need to observe and learn on your own. For instance, where does the boundary of professionalism end and rudeness begin? We have all encountered someone who was a little too formal for us; and although they were being nothing but, we felt they were being rude. The goal here is to be professional without being rude; dress up neat and clean; a well-pressed suit is always the best bet. Do not wear bulky belts or watches resembling that of a rapper; wear in moderation. Your hair should always be neatly trimmed, and your shoes should always be polished. Next, comes your interaction; being polite with a gentle smile on your face does not mean you are being unprofessional. Keep a friendly smile when situation asks for it and always maintain a calm eye contact; also make sure you are serious when something serious is being discussed. Be attentive, and be confident.

Step 4: Be the Pack Leader:

By now, you have shown your supervisors that you are enthusiastic, professional, sincere to other employees and intend the best for the company. Now is the right time to let them know you are ready for a team of your own. Take initiatives, take charge; whenever your supervisors ask for volunteers, step up to the challenge and come through. While doing so, make sure you do not step over someone else – as it is very easy to do so in this stage. If there is someone else trying to get the same assignment, just make your presence felt be competitive but do not step over them – let your supervisors know, you are willing to take on the challenge. Sooner than you know it, you will climb up the ladder one-step. To keep growing you need to keep practicing these steps religiously.

Often that promotion will take a while before it knocks on your door; the key is consistency and positivity. Whenever someone else is promoted, share the cheers and do not feel bad about it. Negativity shows on your face and supervisors know how to read it- so stay positive!

Thanks & regards,

"Remember Me When You Raise Your Hand For Dua"
Raheel Ahmed Khan
System Engineer
send2raheel@engineer.com
sirraheel@gmail.com

http://raheel-mydreamz.blogspot.com/
http://raheeldreamz.wordpress.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/My-Dreamz-Rebiuld-our-nation/176215539101271   
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Beauty-of-islam/223983470988333?sk=wall               
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Health-is-wealth/289486761065829?sk=wall

Combating the "Unemployed" State of Mind

 

You have a brilliant profile, with outstanding grades on your university mark sheet – yet, still unemployed. What a buzz kill! Let’s face it, unemployment is a nightmare that many of us are living, in these financially challenged times. All that hard work you put in achieving top grades, all the effort you rendered for making a top class thesis – no use since you do not have a job, right? Wrong! It is not the end of the world; unemployment launches us into a particular state of mind which instead of helping us, pushes us even further away from our goals. Like a whirlpool, this state of mind keeps sucking us into a void of oblivious depression and stress. Sooner than you can notice it, your temperament starts to change, and you have a strange urge of tattooing the word “HATE” on your knuckles. You’d be surprised to know, you can change this “state of mind” just like you turn on a light bulb – with a flick of a switch so to say.

Realizing the Obvious – Acknowledging the Circumstances:

So you are unemployed – you have been applying for every suitable position; but you never get to hear from the company you applied to. Understand the fact, just asyou get short of money, sometimes companies do too. Look around, observe the trends; it is not just you going through these tough times. You are not alone in this labyrinth of unemployment. So what’s wrong, is it you? 90% of the times, that inner voice in you will tell you that, it is not you. For in fact, it is a global issue, like a bad weather you do not have much control over it – but; yes, you can control how you survive this bad weather. Make peace with it, and acknowledge it. Once you have done so, you are ready and geared up to face this nightmare toe to toe.

Situational Awareness – Be Aware:

Situational awareness is actually a military term, which means to have an understanding of the situations and circumstances that surround you. The first thing to do when combating the unemployed state of mind is to be aware of all possible opportunities that you may cash in. Get yourself a soft board – the white board you loved to doodle on when you were a student, only smaller. Note every opportunity down and make sure you get the contacts of Managers (preferably HRMs) working in that company. It is very simple; all you do is visit the website and browse the “Contact us” section – or you can call the company up and ask for the HR Manager, once through you can show your interest and be noticed as well. Keep your mind open, and always remember, you may not always get a desirable response. Do not allow yourself to get demotivated- as they say, “keep trucking!”

Distract Yourself:

You cannot stay on that computer for hours at end applying and taking notes of company managers; from time to time distract your mind. We all have activities we love to do, things we look forward to doing when we have some time on our hands – well, now you have time on your hands so go ahead and engage yourself in those activities. Movies, music, walks, hikes, drives, hanging out with friends – whatever helps you get your mind off the unemployment, get on with it and do it. What this does is, it reduces the chances of getting “fixated”; fixation is a psychological term which means an obsession with an entity (may be human, may be something inanimate). This obsession drives you to ruin your health, your temperament, and even your attitude. You have time, enjoy it; once you get a job (which you eventually will), you might not have the opportunity to catch up with your interests – so better do it now.

Stay Positive!

A widely known “law of attraction” suggests; whatever you hold in your mind, you will eventually hold in your hand. Stay positive! There are times when Uncles and Aunties ask you “Son, what are you doing these days?” and when you say, “Nothing, I am looking for a job” they utter a very demotivating “Ohhh…” Ignore it! Instead, answer them with a positive tone, something like “I am engaged in fighting unemployment”. Make sure you maintain a positive outlook towards everything. When you are positive you feel confident, when you feel confident you increase your possibilities of securing and acing an interview.

Time is time, and people are people; you cannot make them all happy all of the time. Make sure you spend your time trying to make those people happy who matter- and for those, it really does not matter if you have a job or not. All that matters to them is you effort, so give it your best shot! The results are not our domain to worry about, so don’t.

Do not quit! Keep your chin up and keep trucking; practice these three tag lines you have herd so many times and you will make it to sandy shores with white sands and clear waters. Remember, unemployment may be a storm in your life; but just like any other storm, “this too shall pass”…

Go get some!

Thanks & regards,

"Remember Me When You Raise Your Hand For Dua"
Raheel Ahmed Khan
System Engineer
send2raheel@engineer.com
sirraheel@gmail.com

http://raheel-mydreamz.blogspot.com/
http://raheeldreamz.wordpress.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/My-Dreamz-Rebiuld-our-nation/176215539101271   
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Beauty-of-islam/223983470988333?sk=wall               
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Health-is-wealth/289486761065829?sk=wall

Top 20 best tablet PC iPad alternatives

Which tablet PC iPad alternative is right for you?

Hooray for 2011!
The original iPad may have launched way back in the mists of early 2010, but it's only now that there is a plethora of genuine iPad alternatives to choose from.
Nvidia's Tegra 2 CPU has been the driving force in a new generation of dual-core Android 3.0 tablets, while wildcard alternatives like the TouchPad and the PlayBook also sprung up running completely different operating systems.
We now stand on the brink of the next-next generation of tablets. Nvidia's 'Kal-El' Tegra 3 platform will imminently cross the streams with Google's 'Ice Cream Sandwich' Android 4.0 OS and give birth to a raft of exciting new products.
Apple is of course putting the finishing touches to the iPad 3, and there's also a whole raft of other innovative tablets on the way with glasses-free 3D screens and all sorts of features you probably haven't even heard of yet.
So let's take a look at the best of the bunch as they currently stand. These are the top 20 best tablet PC iPad alternatives – there's one for you in there somewhere!

Asus Eee Pad Slider SL101

UK release date: Autumn/Winter 2011
Specs: Android 3.2, Nvidia Tegra 2 dual-core CPU, 10.1-inch capacitive display at 1280x800, slide-out keyboard, micoSD, HDMI-out, rear-facing camera, front-facing camera
What we think: While the form factor might not suit those going for an iPad-a-like Android option, the Slider is still a gorgeous tablet. With its slide-out QWERTY keyboard, it offers the perfect balance between portability and functionality. It's also got an absolutely gorgeous screen, and offers the best Android 3.2 touch experience of any tablet out there.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9

UK release date: Autumn 2011
Specs: Android 3.1, 1GHz dual core Nvidia Tegra 2 CPU, 1GB RAM, 16GB storage, 8.9-inch capacitive screen at 1280x800 (WXGA), Wi-Fi only, 447g.
What we think: The Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 is almost indistinguishable from its 10.1-inch big brother. To that end, it's a fantastic tablet which is both significantly lighter and thinner than the iPad 2. It's ideal for anyone who thinks 10.1 inches is just slightly too big for a tablet, but also finds 7-inch options a tad too small. A great screen, and premium features across the board make it a superb option.

Asus Eee Pad Transformer TF101

UK release date: Out now
Specs: Android 3.2, Nvidia Tegra 2 dual-core CPU, 10.1-inch capacitive display at 1280x800, full-size keyboard dock, card reader, HDMI-out, rear-facing camera, front-facing camera
What we think: Asus is keeping all its bases covered by offering a variety of different tablet options, and waiting to see what people buy. The Eee Pad Transformer comes with a keyboard dock and the whole package costs just £429 - a veritable bargain. Asus is certainly flying under the radar when it comes to marketing its new tablets, but you should associate the name with words like 'quality' and 'user experience'. This is a fantastic product.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

UK release date: Out now
Specs: Android 3.0, 1GHz dual core CPU, 1GB RAM, 16GB/32GB storage, 10.1-inch capacitive screen at 1280x800 (WXGA), 3MP rear-facing camera, 2MP front-facing camera, 3G, 599g.
What we think: As an out-and-out tablet, the Galaxy Tab 10.1 is brilliant. It matches the performance of the other Honeycomb Tegra 2-based tablets while beating the pants off them in the portability stakes. This tablet is the lightest and thinnest 10-inch tablet in the world - and yep that includes the iPad 2. So unless that keyboard dock above is a serious draw for you, this is currently the one to watch.

Sony Tablet S

UK release date: Out now
Specs: Android 3.2, 1GHz dual core CPU, 1GB RAM, 16GB/32GB storage, 10.1-inch capacitive screen at 1280x800 (WXGA), 3MP rear-facing camera, 2MP front-facing camera, 598g.
What we think: We love the Sony Tablet S and its wedge-shaped design. It really makes it stand out from the crowd. The responsive touchscreen and unique shape combine to make this tablet extremely usable, and a joy to type on. If you're choosing an Android tablet you won't be disappointed, but if it's a shoot out between the Sony Tablet S and the iPad 2, unless you're a hardened Sony fan, then your money is still better spent with Apple.

Motorola Xoom

UK release date: Out now
Specs: Android 3.0, Nvidia Tegra 2 dual-core CPU, 1GB RAM, 32GB Flash storage, 10.1-inch capacitive LCD at 1280x800, proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, barometer, gyroscope, 5MP rear-facing camera, 2MP front-facing camera, 3G, 730g.
What we think: The Motorola Xoom is one of the second-generation Android tablets that the tech world got very excited about when it came out. Packing Nvidia's super-powerful Tegra 2 chip and running the tablet-friendly Android 3.0 OS, the Xoom was the first genuine iPad challenger. Ultimately though, it failed to attract buyers, which is why you've probably never seen one. These days, while the Xoom is still a decent, premium and well-built tablet, there are simply better options available. Stay tuned for the Xoom 2, coming very soon!

BlackBerry Playbook

UK release date: Out now
Specs: BlackBerry Tablet OS (QNX), 1GHz Cortex A9 dual core CPU, 1GB RAM, 7-inch capacitive LCD at 1024x600, 3MP front-facing camera, 5MP rear-facing camera, 400g.
What we think: The BlackBerry PlayBook is designed to be mobile and business-friendly. That means, at 130x194mm, the device is small enough to hold with one hand, slip in a laptop bag side pouch, and even carry around all day to meetings. The problem's start, though, with the lack of an email app, the dependence on owning a BlackBerry smartphone and a terminal lack of apps. The Playbook is powerful and has brilliant multitasking capabilities, but for now it's one to watch rather than one to buy.
Read more: BlackBerry Playbook review

LG Optimus Pad

UK release date: Out now
Specs: Android 3.0, 1GHz Tegra 2 CPU, 1GB RAM, 32GB storage, 8.9-inch capacitive screen at 1024x768, 2x 5MP rear-facing cameras for 3D capture, 2MP front-facing camera, phone-friendly 3G, 630g.
What we think: The Optimus Pad is a super-looking tablet and has the USP of having dual 5MP rear-firing cameras for 3D image capture. Add to that dual-core Tegra 2 CPU, a decent screen and Android 3.0 and you've got an exciting tablet on your hands. But pricing could be this tablet's Achilles heel – it's pricey. And frankly, 3D image capture without a 3D display = a product before its time. In 2012 we expect to see the LG Optimus Pad 3D, but until then, this probably isn't for you.

Toshiba AT100 (aka Toshiba Thrive)

UK release date: Out now
Specs: Android 3.2, 1GHz dual core CPU, 1GB RAM, 8GB/16GB/32GB storage, 10.1-inch capacitive screen at 1280x800 (WXGA), 5MP rear-facing camera, 2MP front-facing camera, 725g.
What we think: The Toshiba AT100 (known as Toshiba Thrive outside Europe) is a good choice for those who like the idea of full-size HDMI and USB ports. For a specific use, including customisations and future upgrades, the Toshiba AT100 offers some extra flexibility.Yet, the hefty size and weight (plus the passable screen quality) is the main reason we prefer other recent tablets.

HTC Flyer

UK release date: Out now
Specs: Android 2.3, 1.5GHz single-core Snapdragon, 1GB RAM, 32GB memory, 7-inch capacitive LCD at 1024x600, 5MP camera, 3MP front-facing camera, phone-call-friendly 3G, 415g.

What we think: HTC has decided to release its first tablet running on Android Gingerbread (2.3), which will upset some purists that only believe these tablets should run on Honeycomb. However, it does come with a new version of HTC Sense with dual-pane windows which works well with videos and email. As a single-core device in a dual-core world, though, the Flyer just isn't good enough. And the chunky form factor and lack of sparkling features are a real let-down.

Archos 101 G9

UK release date: Out now
Specs: Android 3.2, Dual-core CPU, 10.1-inch capacitive display at 1280x800, HDMI-out, rear-facing camera, front-facing camera, multiple storage options including 250GB HDD.
What we think:If you're in the market for a capable tablet, but have a limited budget, then this is one of the best options outside of price cuts that you can get.The potential problem is we're about to be bombarded by cut-price tablets, and much better units can be had for this kind of cash - tablets with more memory, built from better materials and generally put together with more love.

Viewsonic ViewPad 7

UK release date: Out now
Specs: Android 2.2, Qualcomm MSM 7227 600MHz CPU, 512MB RAM, 512MB storage, 7-inch capacitive LCD at 800x480, 3MP rear-facing camera, VGA front-facing camera, phone call-friendly 3G, 375g.
What we think: Not technically built by Viewsonic, this tablet is also available under various different titles. Essentially it's a Chinese-built OEM device, but you'd be wrong if you think that means it's not very good. It is. It's responsive, it's a nice size and it's usable. The problem is that at launch it should have cost £200, not £400. And even though it can now be found for around £180, the ship has sailed!

ExoPC Slate

UK release date: Out now
Specs: Intel Atom N450 1.66GHz CPU, 2GB RAM, 23GB/64GB, 11.6-inch capacitive LCD at 1366x768, 1.3MP front-facing camera, 950g.
What we think: While the list is dominated by Android tablets, let's not forget poor old Windows 7. It's in no way a touch-friendly operating system, but that doesn't mean there isn't some decent hardware out there doing its best. The ExoPC Slate is the best Windows tablets at present, and so if you MUST have Windows on your tablet, this is currently the one to get.

HP TouchPad

UK release date: Discontinued
Specs: webOS 3.0, 1.2GHz dual-core Snapdragon CPU, 1GB RAM, 16GB, 32GB storage, 9.7-inch capacitive screen at 1024x768, 1.3MP front-facing camera, 740g.
What we think: The HP TouchPad is less polished than the iPad, with a smaller range of impressive third-party apps. Yes, it's got features that the iPad lacks, but so do the Android tablets, and they have a bigger app selection, too. The interface appears more polished than many Android tablets, but in operation that doesn't really stand up. It's also lagging behind in many hardware features, such as HDMI output. And it's also not very tricky to get hold of, as HP killed it just a couple of months after it launched. If you can pick one up cheap though, it could be a good budget option.

Acer Iconia Tab A500

UK release date: Out now
Specs: Android 3.0, Nvidia Tegra 2 dual-core CPU, 1GB RAM, 10.1 capacitive screen, 5MP rear-facing camera, 3G.
What we think: The A500 was ultimately a disappointment. It was relatively competitive on price, but it simply did not offer the same good looks as the likes of the iPad or Galaxy Tab. It will forever be known as an also-ran, but you can be sure that Acer will be back for more next year. If you can find this model at a crazy cheap price, it might be worth a splash. But otherwise, you should opt for one of the tablets higher up in this list.

Samsung Galaxy Tab GT-P1000

UK release date: Out now
Specs: Android 2.2, 1GHz Cortex A8 CPU, 512MB RAM, 16GB/32GB, 7-inch capacitive LCD at 1024x600, 3.2MP rear-facing camera, 1.3MP front-facing camera, phone-call-friendly 3G, 380g.
What we think: While the Galaxy Tab promised the world, it didn't quite deliver the tablet experience we were hoping for. As the first big-name tablet to take on the iPad, it failed to live up to its billing. That said, user response has been positive, and despite the ageing features, this first-generation Android 2.3 tablet can now be picked up for under £200 if you look hard enough.

Acer Iconia Tab A100

UK release date: Out now
Specs: Android 3.0, Nvidia Tegra 2 dual-core CPU, 7-inch capacitive screen at 1024x600, 5MP rear-facing camera, 2MP front-facing camera, 3G.
What we think: The A100 is the little brother to the Acer Iconia Tab A500, and it's not a bad option all-told. It's hardly a great looker though, and ultimately fails to make a case for itself among better and more aggressively priced competitors.

Asus Eee Pad MeMo

UK release date: Winter 2011
Specs: TBC...
What we think: We don't know much about the Asus Eee Pad MeMo yet. What we do know is that there are four models in the Asus Eee Pad range, and the MeMo is the one yet to see even a hint of a release. We do know that Asus is taking its time with these Eee Pads, so we can be fairly confident that when it does finally go on sale, it'll be good. And the latest news suggests it may have a glasses-free 3D screen.

Amazon Kindle Fire

UK release date: Early 2012?
Specs: Heavily modified Android 2.3, 512MB RAM, 1GHz Texus Instruments OMAP 4 4430 CPU, 7-inch capacitive screen 1024x600, microUSB port, Amazon Sevices bundled, 8GB storage
What we think: After months of speculation, the Amazon Kindle Fire has been officially announced at an event in New York, marking the first time the company has entered the tablet market proper. The successor to the Amazon Kindle is a 7-inch device that comes with Android, albeit a version that has been heavily altered by Amazon to make the best use of the company's e-shopping spine.The screen is an IPS display that's made from Gorilla Glass, it houses a dual-core processor, and weighs in at 14.6 ounces. There is a tablet-optimised shopping app on board - this is said to comprise simplified and streamlined pages, so it is easier to buy stuff on than the actual Amazon website.

Thanks & regards,

"Remember Me When You Raise Your Hand For Dua"
Raheel Ahmed Khan
System Engineer
send2raheel@engineer.com
sirraheel@gmail.com

http://raheel-mydreamz.blogspot.com/
http://raheeldreamz.wordpress.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/My-Dreamz-Rebiuld-our-nation/176215539101271   
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Beauty-of-islam/223983470988333?sk=wall               
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Health-is-wealth/289486761065829?sk=wall

Five feature-rich Web browsers for the Android platform

The Android platform offers its own built-in browser, but it doesn’t include the selection of features available with other browsers — features a lot of users want. There are plenty of browsers out there with features to spare. But which should you choose? Just because a browser has tons of features doesn’t make it the best of the best. It takes a combination of features, performance, and reliability.

Here is my short list of best-in- breed Web browsers for the Android platform. As you’ll see, the default browser has been excluded from consideration.

1: Firefox

It took long enough, but the mobile version of everyone’s favorite open source browser finally arrived — and boy is it packed with the goods. Firefox (Figure A) features browser sync, add-ons, tabs, personas, built-in sharing, location-aware browsing, one-touch bookmarks, Awesome Screen (learns your typing habits), multi-search engine integration, full-screen view, and much more. Although Firefox doesn’t load quite as quickly as Chrome, it does render pages fast and renders them to perfection.

Figure A

2: Dolphin

Dolphin (Figure B) was kind of the Firefox for mobile before Firefox arrived. Dolphin was one of the first mobile browsers to begin offering feature sets unheard of by other browsers. It still offers some great features, while retaining great performance. The features include add-ons, gestures, webzine, multi-touch pinch zoom, tabbed browsing, sidebar, speed dial, smart address bar, bookmark folder, user agent, themes, and multi-language support. But what’s best about Dolphin is that even with all of the features, it still performs as well as any mobile browser available.

Figure B

3: Skyfire

Skyfire (Figure C) is one of the more interesting browsers, offering features such as flash video, user agent switching, Facebook QuickView, Fireplace Feed Reader, Popular Pages, Related Ideas, Skyfire OneTouch Search, Facebook Like button, Twitter integration, Sports, News & Finance buttons, Google Reader, and customizable Skybar (scrollbar). Many will look at Skyfire as a mobile browser for the social network inclined.

Figure C

4: Opera

Opera (Figure D) is still around, and it still provides a unique browsing experience. It has always been one of the fastest-rendering browsers as well as offering one of the most feature-rich Web experiences. The mobile version does not come up short on either front. Opera offers features such as a more mobile-friendly interface, pinch-to-zoom and smooth panning, synchronize bookmarks, speed dial, and built-in Twitter and Facebook support. One especially unusual feature is that games and free apps can be downloaded from the Opera Mobile Store (found in Opera Mobile’s Speed Dial). You will notice two versions of Opera: Opera Mobile and Opera Mini. For tablets and more powerful devices, go with Opera Mobile. For smaller and less powerful phones, go with Opera Mini.

Figure D

5: Miren

Miren (Figure E) is one of the lesser known browsers, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth trying. It does a great job of blending desktop features on mobile devices. It’s fast, it offers a solid list of features, and it has an outstanding, clean interface. The feature list includes tabbed browser with smart full-screen mode, top site navigation, smart suggestions, fast rendering speed, Flash support, multi-touch pinch zoom, bookmark management, and bookmark import/export. One of its nicest features is the ability to quickly jump back and forth between full screen and windowed mode.

Figure E

Plenty of choices

Five browsers for one platform — and that’s just scratching the surface. If you want a leaner browsing experience, you can get that as well. But if you’re looking for a diverse feature list and solid performance, try one of the above browsers. Actually you should try them all, because each has something unique to offer that might be the best match for your needs and personality.

Thanks & regards,

"Remember Me When You Raise Your Hand For Dua"
Raheel Ahmed Khan
System Engineer
send2raheel@engineer.com
sirraheel@gmail.com

http://raheel-mydreamz.blogspot.com/
http://raheeldreamz.wordpress.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/My-Dreamz-Rebiuld-our-nation/176215539101271   
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Beauty-of-islam/223983470988333?sk=wall               
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Health-is-wealth/289486761065829?sk=wall

Five free CMS tools for do-it-yourself Web site builders

Even if you don’t have the budget to hire a professional Web design staff, you can still build a great-looking site yourself. The following list introduces several feature-packed CMS tools that can help you get your Web site up and running in no time. All the tools are available on Linux, Windows, and OS X platforms — and all of them are free.

Note: This list is based on an entry in our DIY IT Guy blog.

1: Drupal

Drupal is an open source content management system that’s driven by MySQL. It can do just about anything required for your company Web site. It’s one of my favorite tools for building database-driven, dynamic Web sites. Drupal has a huge repository of modules and offers additional functionality beyond content management, including the ability to create your online e-commerce presence and numerous social networking functions and features. Of all the CMSes I have tried, Drupal is one of the easiest to install and manage.

2: Joomla!

Joomla! is a dynamic, open source CMS that focuses on power and features. Like Drupal, it has a large repository of add-ons that greatly extend the functionality of a Joomla!-powered site. Even with its near-overkill feature list, it still manages to maintain a fairly simple installation process. The one catch with Joomla! (as with any of the more complex user-management tools) is that it requires careful consideration when dealing with permissions.

3: XOOPS

eXtensible Object Oriented Portal System (XOOPS) is similar to Drupal and Joomla! in many ways. It is a database-driven CMS that is powerful, extendable, easy to install and administer, and themeable. However, XOOPS is different in that it offers a great templating system and the ability to import entire HTML-based sites. XOOPS has a built-in backup system and an outstanding built-in email notification system. It’s the number one CMS listed on SourceForge and is recognized by the Real Story Group (formerly CMS Watch).

4: WebsiteBaker

WebsiteBaker is less well known than the preceding tools, but it doesn’t fall far behind them in terms of usability, functionality, and power. And WebsiteBaker offers one attractive option that the other tools do not: a portable edition. This edition, powered by Server2Go, lets you test and run a WebsiteBaker installation on the local machine from a USB drive. You can get to the heart of the portable version by extracting the contents of the .exe file and navigating into htdocs to see the .php and .css files used by WebsiteBaker Portable. WebsiteBaker really excels with its easy installation.

5: Concrete5

Concrete5 is a CMS tool built for marketing, which makes it perfect for small companies with little to no budget for a marketing-based Web presence. It also has plenty of modules and themes to extend your site even further. Out of the box, a Concrete5 site is light-years beyond what other CMS tools offer. Concrete5 might be the future of the CMS.

Thanks & regards,

"Remember Me When You Raise Your Hand For Dua"
Raheel Ahmed Khan
System Engineer
send2raheel@engineer.com
sirraheel@gmail.com

http://raheel-mydreamz.blogspot.com/
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Secrets of HAJJ

Thanks & regards,

"Remember Me When You Raise Your Hand For Dua"
Raheel Ahmed Khan
System Engineer
send2raheel@engineer.com
sirraheel@gmail.com

http://raheel-mydreamz.blogspot.com/
http://raheeldreamz.wordpress.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/My-Dreamz-Rebiuld-our-nation/176215539101271   
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10 reasons why tablets will overtake laptops in the next year

 

The laptop has been around for quite some time, but it will more than likely be replaced as the go-to tool for computing on the move. What will be the successor? The tablet — obviously. Many doubters think the tablet is nothing more than a gimmick to help boost sales. I was one of those doubters for quite some time. But after using tablets enough, I have come around to seeing just how incredibly helpful that technology is. Here are some reasons why I believe tablets will replace the laptop as the mobile device of choice.

1: Power consumption

There is no question here: The tablet blows away the laptop with regard to power consumption. On average, I can get a full day out of a tablet on a single charge. A laptop? Not even close. And for anyone on the go, losing power is just another obstacle that interferes with work. With a tablet, you don’t have that issue. It would be a rare occasion that you would burn through your power before getting access to a means of recharging.

2: Viruses

Android? iPad? Viruses anyone? I think not. Not that it will never happen, but it’s a pretty safe bet that tablets will never suffer from the same deluge of viruses that plagues a Windows laptop. Because of this, a tablet can safely work on without concern for viruses and malware. Oh sure, you’ll find antivirus software in the Android Market, but they are pretty much pointless. Who in the world wouldn’t want to work with a portable device that isn’t vulnerable to the masses of viruses and malware out in the wild?

3: Portability

You can lug around a 4- to 12-pound laptop or a sub .5-pound tablet. Which do you want when you’re going through airports, taxis, hotels, conferences, meetings, etc.? You’re going to choose the tablet every time. But not just because of weight. The ability to work with a tablet in confined spaces totally overshadows the laptop. Need to work in a cab? Tablet. Need to work in the bathroom? Tablet. You simply can’t beat the tablet for portability.

4: Cost effectiveness

Out of the starting gate, a really good tablet will cost about the same as a low- to mid-range laptop. So you’re getting more for your money at the outset. But now figure in the price of an extra battery and software for the laptop and you can see how quickly the cost will add up. Tablets are fast becoming one of the most cost-effective office tools you will find.

5: Online connection

Pay the extra fee and get your tablet with a 4G connection, and you won’t have to worry about finding a Wi-Fi connection to access whatever cloud or service you need. Most models can be purchased with a constant network connection (to the tune of 3G or 4G), which makes the tablet a step ahead of most laptops. Yes, you can purchase aircards for laptops, but that’s just another piece of hardware to worry about.

6: Available applications

There are thousands upon thousands of applications now available for tablets. So many in number and variety are these applications, it almost makes going back to a laptop a real pain. And yes, a good portion of those apps are worthless, but not all of them. And a good portion of the solid, useful apps are free! Best of all, those apps can be installed from anywhere without installation media. You have a network connection, you can install software.

7: User friendliness

Tablet interfaces are probably some of the single most user-friendly desktops you will come across. They are simple, elegant, and don’t get in the way of work. I fully believe (as do Ubuntu and GNOME) that this is the future of the PC desktop. The applications (for the most part) were also designed with amazing user friendliness in mind. Simple to use, very little clutter to the interface (no Ribbons to get in the way), and singular in purpose (in many cases). So you might have more apps installed than you would on a laptop, but because of the ease of installation/removal, that’s not a problem.

8: Bluetooth connectivity

I have become a fond user of the Bluetooth. Headphones, headsets, keyboards, you name it. And tablets make the connection between these devices a breeze. Connecting those same devices to a laptop? Not so easy. Even with a built-in card, the connection process is not nearly as easy as it is when done from a tablet.

9: Efficiency

Getting a laptop and a tablet out of hibernation is like comparing apples and oranges. Tablets are as close to an instant-on tool as we have in the industry. And when on the go, nothing beats instant on. Need to write a note or send off a fast email? You’ll be completing that task much more quickly when doing it from a tablet.

10: Social integration

Some might argue that social networking isn’t ideal for business use. I would argue that it is. Even when you’re on the go, you need to remain in contact with co-workers, family, and friends. Why not do that with the ease of nearly seamless integration? Forget having to use a browser for everything. Instead, grab an Android tablet that can quickly have you Facebooking, Tweeting, and Tumbling. And if you think that’s nothing more than a waste of time, remember that small businesses depend upon social networking tools for free marketing.

The tablet era

Tablets are not only here to stay, it will only be a matter of time before they have fully and finally usurped the laptop as the go-to hardware for the mobile business user. After you get past the acclimation period for the keyboard, the tablet is an amazing tool for portable business (or even casual) usage.

Thanks & regards,

"Remember Me When You Raise Your Hand For Dua"
Raheel Ahmed Khan
System Engineer
send2raheel@engineer.com
sirraheel@gmail.com

http://raheel-mydreamz.blogspot.com/
http://raheeldreamz.wordpress.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/My-Dreamz-Rebiuld-our-nation/176215539101271   
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10 things to love about Ubuntu 11.10

Ubuntu 11.10 is out. Why is that important? It is a .10 release after all. Well, it’s important because of one major issue: Unity. When Ubuntu 11.04 first arrived, Unity was a nightmare, seeming to take the Linux desktop (at least on the Ubuntu front) a few steps backward. It was a completely different desktop metaphor that just happened to be buggy and based on dated libraries, and it showed little promise. But with the release of 11.10, things have taken a turn for the improved. Much improved. I thought I would share with you 10 of the bits and pieces that have given Ubuntu a breath of… wait for it… hope.

1: Unity Dash

The Unity Dash is that ubiquitous tool that opens when you click the Ubuntu icon in the top-left corner. It allows you to access applications (ones that aren’t on your favorites bar) and files, search, and much more. When Unity first arrived, the Dash was somewhat worthless. It was about as efficient as a Web server without a network connection. But now, the Dash has had a serious facelift, making it work more efficiently and giving it more features (such as new filtering mechanisms). If the progression of the Dash in 11.10 is a sign of things to come, Unity might have some serious firepower in store for end users.

2: Login screen

This isn’t a huge deal, but the new login screen for Ubuntu 11.10 is quite nice. Not only have the look and feel been drastically updated, but the ease of use is quite improved. I really like how the users are easily displayed and selected, as well as the improved means of selecting the desktop to be started. No, this isn’t a make-or-break enhancement. But it does give Ubuntu a sleek, updated look that is an improvement over its previous login screen.

3: 2D UI

Finally, the 2D version of Unity is complete. So those whose hardware won’t support the 3D version of the desktop don’t have to turn their back on the latest version of Ubuntu. The 2D version of the desktop will be automatically launched if there is no 3D-supported hardware. So it’s not like end users will have to make a choice or install anything specific to their hardware. The good news is that the 2D version has been modeled closely after the 3D version, so 2D users won’t be missing too much.

4: Bye-bye Evolution

Ubuntu 11.10 brings to life the replacement of Evolution as the default email client. This has been long overdue, since Evolution has become a fairly bloated hog of an application. The new default is Thunderbird 7.0.1. From my perspective, this is an outstanding move. Although some users might miss the Outlook-like interface of Evolution, the size and scope of the application has finally started to overshadow its usefulness. And besides, Thunderbird is an outstanding client!

5: Gwibber makeover

Finally. Up until now, Gwibber has been a to-be-avoided application. With its tendency to run away with your CPU cycles and memory, as well as its ugly interface and inconsistent updating, Gwibber was just not something I used. Now? I like it. The UI overhaul has made a difference, and the improvement in the performance actually makes this a social networking app worth using. How did they make such drastic improvements so quickly? The developers finally wised up and switched the Python and WebKit-based application interface with a GTK3 and Vala-based interface. Good call.

6: An actual backup tool

Ubuntu 11.10 comes with a default backup tool, the incredibly easy-to-use Deja Dup. It has few bells and whistles, but what it does have is a simple single-click backup and restore. Another nice touch is that the users’ default backup destination is their Ubuntu One account. So not only do users get a backup, they get an offsite backup.

7: Software Center

The Ubuntu One Software Center UI has been completely overhauled. Gone is the standard look and feel, replaced by a more Apple App Store look and feel. Although I don’t personally find this as an improvement, the average user will see this as much more familiar territory. What is really nice about this change is the ability to filter by ratings (Top Rated being one very handy filter).

8: OneConf

Now this is just plain awesome. OneConf is a tool that lets you record software information from Ubuntu One to be synchronized with other computers as needed. At the moment, this does not include application settings and configurations, but it’s not out of the realm of possibility.

9: ARM support

That’s right, you can now get your Ubuntu on while using an ARM processor. What this means in the near term isn’t as significant as what it will mean in the near future: tablet support. Although Canonical is certain that the big deal with ARM will be multicore ARM processor powered servers, I believe the bigger deal is tablets. I can only hope Ubuntu jumps on that bandwagon as quickly as possible. I want my Linux-powered tablet!

10: New Compiz + Unity

Yes, the compositor is Compiz, and the combination is really starting to gel. But what is best about this “unity” is the performance boost 11.10 enjoys. No more will having the compositor running cause the desktop to lag. You will now enjoy an incredibly snappy and robust desktop that works exactly as expected. No more do you feel like Unity and Compiz are at odds with one another.

Kudos

Ubuntu 11.10 has made significant improvements over 11.04. This, of course, is to be expected. What wasn’t expected was making Ubuntu Unity work as well as it does so quickly. Bravo to Canonical and the Ubuntu developers. They have worked some serious magic on a desktop I thought was bound for extinction.

Thanks & regards,

"Remember Me When You Raise Your Hand For Dua"
Raheel Ahmed Khan
System Engineer
send2raheel@engineer.com
sirraheel@gmail.com

http://raheel-mydreamz.blogspot.com/
http://raheeldreamz.wordpress.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/My-Dreamz-Rebiuld-our-nation/176215539101271   
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10 tips for dealing with armchair IT experts

 

I have been writing about technology since the mid 90s and speaking at the occasional technology conference for the last several years. One thing I have come to learn is that whether I am delivering a presentation or reading the message boards for my latest article, there are almost always people who want to prove that they know more than I do.

When I stopped and thought about it, I began to realize that the corporate world isn’t really any different. Any time someone tries to pitch a new IT idea, there is usually someone else who takes issue with it.

With that in mind, I thought that it might be fun to talk about some ways of dealing with wannabe IT experts. Most of my ideas came about from public speaking, but they can easily be adapted to other situations as well.

1: Be prepared

The number one bit of advice I can give anyone with regard to speaking or writing about IT is to be prepared. Make sure that your information came from a reliable source and that it is not outdated. Otherwise, someone is sure to call you out on it. Being prepared and knowing your stuff are the most important things you can do to avoid confrontation with those who have a point to prove.

2: Learn from them (if you can)

Although it is often the jerks who will publically challenge you, you can’t automatically assume that the person who is questioning you is an idiot. About a year ago, I sat in on a session that a friend was presenting, and someone stood up and challenged him during his presentation. My friend told the guy that we were all here to learn and that if he had something to add to the material then to go ahead.

The person who was challenging my friend actually made a perfectly valid point. It was a little bit outside the scope of the presentation, but it was good information and it did not directly contradict anything my friend was discussing.

3: Give them enough rope to hang themselves

I once gave a presentation and had someone stand up and tell me that everything about my presentation was wrong. At that point, I had two choices. I could have called for security to have the guy removed, but that would have left everyone in the room wondering about the validity of his comment. My other option was to give him the floor.

I asked the guy to be more specific and to tell me exactly what I was wrong about.The guy thoroughly embarrassed himself and was soon put in his place by other attendees.

4: Use humor

Sometimes, you might be able to use humor to defuse a situation.  A couple of years ago, I was at an IT conference in which two attendees got into a heated debate with each other during the middle of a session. The speaker defused the situation by telling them that he needed to move on but that since we were in Vegas, he was sure they could find a place to mud wrestle later on that evening.

5: Set the ground rules up front

If you suspect that someone might heckle you during a presentation, one thing you can do is set some ground rules before you get started. For instance, you might say something like, “I’ve got a lot of material to cover in a short amount of time, so let’s try to hold all questions and comments until the end.”

6: Work the clock

Another way to deal with someone who is trying to put you in your place is to use the clock as an excuse. It’s a bad idea to completely dismiss someone’s question, because that can cause others to doubt your credibility. Instead, it is better to give a brief answer and then tell the person that you need to move on but will be happy to discuss the issue with them after the presentation.7:

7: Don’t be afraid to concede minor points

If someone keeps trying to correct you, don’t be afraid to give way on minor points. That may be enough to get the person to back off. Of course, some of the more brazen critics will only be emboldened by this and will make additional attempts to hijack the conversation. In either case, though, being willing to concede a minor point or two shows the audience that you are willing to be fair.

8: Ask for proof

If someone challenges you on a point you are making, you can always ask them to prove it– nicely, of course. The way to accomplish this is to say something like, “I hadn’t seen that, but would you mind emailing it to me?” This allows you to keep the presentation moving because you have just taken away the supposed expert’s ability to further argue the point.

9: Use the nuclear option

As an absolute last resort, you can use what I like to call the nuclear option. Confront the person who is trying to challenge you.

Last year at TechEd, I attended a session in which someone in the audience kept interrupting the speaker. After a while, the speaker had enough and told the heckler that the people in the audience had paid a lot of money to be there, and that he was wasting everyone’s time. If memory serves me, I believe that the speaker’s tirade ended with something to the effect of, “Now either sit down and shut up or leave.”

While I wouldn’t normally encourage the use of the nuclear option, It seemed appropriate in that situation and it kept the speaker from being interrupted again.

10: Stay out of it

All the ideas I have presented have revolved around what to do if someone interrupts you and claims that the information that you are presenting is wrong. If such a direct assault occurs, you usually have no choice but to respond. However, not every situation calls for a response.

For instance, as someone who has been writing for the better part of two decades, I can tell you that people talk trash about me in the message boards all the time. Tempting as it might be to respond, it is better to just let it go.

The same thing can be said for conversations. For example, I have someone in my family who doesn’t work in IT but is constantly giving others bad IT advice. It’s tempting to jump in with the correct information. But in the interest of not starting a fight, I usually pretend that I didn’t hear the conversation. If someone directly asks me my opinion, I will most certainly give it to them, but otherwise I try to mind my own business.

Thanks & regards,

"Remember Me When You Raise Your Hand For Dua"
Raheel Ahmed Khan
System Engineer
send2raheel@engineer.com
sirraheel@gmail.com

http://raheel-mydreamz.blogspot.com/
http://raheeldreamz.wordpress.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/My-Dreamz-Rebiuld-our-nation/176215539101271   
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Seven reasons your coworkers don't trust you

According to a recent Civility in America 2011 survey, two out of three employees report that their performance has declined due to workplace incivility.  They also cite a “critical need” for civility training.

Most employees think that a breach of trust must be severe or even scandalous to take a toll on their relationships with co-workers.  To those people, Dennis and Michelle Reina, leading experts on promoting workplace trust say, “Think again.” Dennis and Michelle are co-founders of the Reina Trust Building Institute, a Stowe, Vermont-based consultancy, and co-authors of the award-winning business books Rebuilding Trust in the Workplace and Trust and Betrayal in the Workplace (Berrett-Koehler). They maintain that little breaches of trust over time are a big deal.  Like death by a thousand paper cuts, they kill productivity, performance, and morale.

The Reinas spell out seven reasons your co-workers might not trust you and show how to avoid the most common mistakes. The highlights are:

1. You withhold trust in others

Trust is a two-way street.  If you want people to trust you, you need to trust them.  For starters, avoid micromanaging.  Instead, give your co-workers the latitude to put their full talents to work.

2. You fail to acknowledge effort

When a co-worker goes above and beyond for you, how do you respond? Do you take a moment to personally recognize his effort? Or do you just say “Thanks” in a perfunctory email and move on to the next task?

3. You miss deadlines

Life happens and you miss a deadline here and there.  No big deal, right? Wrong.  Every time you don’t deliver, you betray trust because your co-workers were depending on you.

4. You arrive late for meetings

When you consistently arrive late, your co-workers feel that you’re wasting their time.  They also feel that you’d only be willing to do that if you think your time matters more than theirs.

5. You don’t admit your mistakes

By admitting your own mistakes, you not only acknowledge your humanity but also allow your co-workers to acknowledge theirs.  As a result, communication opens up, mutual trust is built, and people feel free to take smart, creative risks.

6. You spin the truth

Do your co-workers know that they count on you to tell the truth or do they just assume you’ll tweak it? Tell it like it is.  Spin never passes the sniff test anyway; people see it for what it is and, sooner or later, lose trust.

7. You behave badly

Be aware of your behavior.  Instead of berating a co-worker for missing a deadline, for instance, calmly ask how and why things got off track.  Understand what that person needs from you in the future.

Thanks & regards,

"Remember Me When You Raise Your Hand For Dua"
Raheel Ahmed Khan
System Engineer
send2raheel@engineer.com
sirraheel@gmail.com

http://raheel-mydreamz.blogspot.com/
http://raheeldreamz.wordpress.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/My-Dreamz-Rebiuld-our-nation/176215539101271   
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Visiting the Blessed Mausoleum of the Beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam

Visiting the Blessed Mausoleum of the
Beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam

I. Hadrat ibn ‘Umar Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu reported that the Messenger of Allah SallAllaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam said,

من زار قبري وجبت له شفاعتي
“Whoever visits my grave, my intercession is guaranteed for him.”

[al-Sunan al-Daraqutni (2:278) al-Kuna wa al-Asma’ al-Dulani (2:64), Majma’ al-Zawaid Haythami (4:2), al-Talkhis al-Habir Ibn Hajar al-Hafiz (2:267), Kanz al-‘Ummal (15:651), Jadhb al-Qulub – Shaykh ‘Abd al-Haq al-Dehlwi al-Muhaddith (204)]

II. Hadrat ibn ‘Umar Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu reported that the Messenger of Allah SallAllaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam said,

من جاءني زائرًا لاتحمله حاجة إلا زيارتي كان حقًا علي أن أكون له شفيعًا يوم القيامة
“Whoever visits me without any avowed purpose other than my visit, it is incumbent upon me to be his intercessor on the Day of Resurrection.”

[narrated by al-Tabarani in al-Awsat and al-Kabir (12:291) and al-Daraqutni and Majma’ al-Zawa’id al-Haythami (4:2) and Ittihaf al-Sa’dah al-Muttaqin Sharh Ihya’ ‘Ulum al-Din al-Zubaidi (4:416) and Tafsir al-Durr al-Manthur al-Suyuti (1:237) and Kanz al-‘Ummal Muttaqi al-Chishti al-Shadhili al-Hindi (Hadith no. 34928 (2:256) all references from Jami’ al-Ahadith – Imam Ahmed Rida Khan compiled by ‘Allama Hanif Khan Razvi Bareilly – Vol. 2 Page 268]

III. Hadrat ibn ‘Umar Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu reported that the Messenger of Allah SallAllaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam said,

من حج فزار قبري بعد وفاتي فكأنما زارني في حياتي
“Whoever makes pilgrimage then visits me after my death it is as if he visited me in my life.”

[narrated by al-Tabarani in al-Kabir (12:310) and al-Daraqutni (2:278) and al-Baihaqi in his al-Sunan al-Kubra (5:286) and in Mishkat al-Masabih Tabrezi (2756) and in al-Jami’ al-Saghir Suyuti (2:523) and Jadhb al-Qulub - ‘Abd al-Haq Dehlwi (205) and Ittihaf al-Sadah Zubaydi (4:416) and Kanz al-‘Ummal (5:135) and Majma’ al-Zawaid Haythami (4:2)]

IV. The Messenger of Allah SallAllaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam said,

من زارنى بعد موتى فكأنما زارنى فى حياتى
“Whoever visits my grave after my death is as those who visited me in my life.”

[Narrated by al-Tabarani in al-Kabir (12:406) and al-Awsat (1:94) and al-Daraqutni (2:278)]

V. Hadrat Anas ibn Malik said that the Messenger of Allah SallAllaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam said,

من زارني في المدينة محتسبا كان في جواري وكنت له شفيعا يوم القيامة
“Anyone who visits me in Madinah for the sake of Allah is near me and I will intercede for him on the Day of Rising.”

[al-Baihaqi and others as mentioned by Imam Qadi al-‘Iyad in al-Shifa – Section 9 – “Concerning visit to the Prophet’s grave...”]

VI. Hadrat Nafi’ Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu said,

كان ابن عمر يسلم على القبر رأيته مائة مرة وأكثر يجئ إلى القبر فيقول السلام على النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم السلام على أبى بكر السلام على أبى ثم ينصرف، وروى ابن عمر واضعا يده على مقعد النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم من المنبر ثم وضعها على وجهه
“I saw that Hadrat [‘Abdullah] ibn ‘Umar Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhuma used to come to the blessed grave a hundred times or more. He would say, ‘Peace be upon the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. Peace be upon Abu Bakr.’” Then he would leave. Ibn ‘Umar was also seen to put his hand on the seat of the Prophet at the mimbar and then place his hand on his face .

[narrated in al-Shifa’ – Section 9, and mentioned by Imam Ahmed Rida Khan the great Muhaddith and Mufassir and the Reviver of the Islamic sciences in his treatise “Abar al-Maqal – Page 3 and Jami’ al-Ahadith – Vol. 2 Pg. 268]

VII. Hadrat ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhuma reported that the Messenger of Allah SallAllaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam said,

من زارني في مماتي كان كمن زارني في حياتي، ومن زارني حتى ينتهي إلى قبري كنت له يوم القيامة شهيدا أو شفيعا
“whosoever visits me (my grave) after my death is as he has visited me in my life and I shall be an intercessor and witness for him on the Day of Resurrection.”

[Ittihaf al-Sadah (4:416) and al-Mughni Zain al-Din al-Iraqi (1:259) and Jadhb al-Qulub ‘Abd al-Haq al-Dehlawi (205)]

NOTES:

1. To perform the ziyarah (visit) of the blessed shrine of the Messenger of Allah is near to Wajib (being necessary). [Fatawa-e-Razawiyyah, Bahar-e-Shari’at]

2. To perform Hajj and not to visit the blessed shrine of the Beloved Prophet is a sign of wretchedness.