Zaatar w Zeit VIP valet physically attacks customer; Police fine victim! (UPDATED)

nospam@example.com (finkployd) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:27:39 +0200

Next step, creating a framework for accountability: the Valet Code of Conduct.

2012 we take back the streets.

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UPDATE 3 - Feb 8 2011: Incident à Beyrouth entre un voiturier et un automobiliste, la blogosphère en ébullition
Par Elie WEHBE | olj.com | 08/02/2012
LOrient-Le Jour

LIBAN L'affaire portée devant la justice; sur Twitter, les témoignages se multiplient.

Beyrouth, dimanche 5 février, 3h30 du matin. Samer Karam, qui sort dune soirée entre amis, se rend à la rue Bliss, à Beyrouth, pour contenter une petite faim avant de rentrer chez lui. Il gare sa voiture devant le snack "Charlie's hot dog", un kiosque adjacent à "Zaatar w Zeit", restaurant et chaîne de fast-food libanais. C'est à ce moment que la soirée tourne mal.

"Avant même que je sorte de ma voiture, un employé de la société "VIP Parking Control" (valet parking) s'est approché et ma demandé de déplacer mon véhicule en mexpliquant que cette place est réservée aux clients de Zaatar w Zeit", explique Samer Karam dans un entretien accordé à L'Orient-Le Jour. "Jai tenté de lui faire comprendre que cet espace de stationnement se situe sur la voie publique et qu'il n'a pas le droit de m'interdire de me garer", ajoute-t-il.

Selon M. Karam, le voiturier s'est alors énervé et lui a crié dessus. "Il a essayé de monter dans ma voiture en ouvrant violemment la porte. Je l'en ai empêché à plusieurs reprises", précise le Libanais. "Mais il na pas renoncé et a tenté à nouveau d'arracher ma ceinture de sécurité pour me sortir de la voiture", poursuit M. Karam qui affirme avoir crié pour attirer l'attention des passants. "Il a fallu que trois hommes interviennent pour l'éloigner de moi", conclut-il.

Choqué, Samer Karam contacte la police à qui il explique lincident. Selon M. Karam, le valet parking de VIP a, pour sa part, nié en bloc. Le policier en charge de laffaire conseille alors aux deux hommes de régler laffaire à lamiable afin d'éviter de passer la nuit au commissariat.

Read more here: http://www.lorientlejour.com/category/%C0+La+Une/article/744171/Incident+.html

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UPDATE 2 - Feb 8 2011: Apology issued after valet attendant allegedly assaults motorist
By Emma Gatten
The Daily Star

BEIRUT: VIP Parking Control and Zaatar w Zeit apologized Tuesday after an alleged assault on a man by a valet attendant outside a branch of the cafe chain in Hamra over the weekend.

Samer Karam, the founder of startup Seeqnce, wrote on his blog Monday that he had been approached after stopping his car in a public parking space on Hamras Bliss Street by a VIP Parking Control valet attendant working for the restaurant Zaatar w Zeit and told the space was reserved.

According to Karam, the attendant succeeded in forcing his way into Karams car, and attempted to physically assault him before three passersby pulled him away from the car.

Chadi Habr, the managing director of VIP Parking Control, told The Daily Star Tuesday that the employee in question had been fired, and that the company was issuing an apology to Karam for the inconvenience caused.

In no way does this incident represent VIP Parking Control, he said.

Habr added that, contrary to earlier rumors, VIP Parking Control would not be pressing charges against Karam.

Zaatar w Zeit issued an apology to Karam Monday and added that the incident had been a single accident and that accidents do happen whether with our own employees or with outsourced companies and said it had attempted to contact Karam to resolve the matter.

Read more: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Local-News/2012/Feb-08/162566-apology-issued-after-valet-attendant-allegedly-assaults-motorist.ashx

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UPDATE 1 - Feb 7 2011: Between talking to lawyers, emptying my schedule (to take a day off from work and go to court), catching up on lost sleep during time spent at Police Station, and dealing with PTSD, responding to frivolous PR statements by Zaatar w Zeit is not my top priority.

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Beirut, Lebanon: On Sunday February 5 2012, at roughly 3:30 AM, a customer (let's call him Marwan) legally parked right in front of Charlie's Hot Dogs on Bliss Street, next to the American University of Beirut, in order to jump out for a quick bite (hotdog) before heading home for the night.

Marwan had just finished from a housewarming evening at a friend's place, and had agreed with another friend (Maria [an alias only]) that they would grab a bite on Bliss. She wanted a man2oushe, he wanted a hotdog.
Just as Marwan parked, engine still on, seatbelt still on, door still closed, a VIP valet guy by the name of Ali Mrad (actual name) comes up to his door, opens it to tell him that he can't park there. Ali claimed that he had reserved the spot for another car.

Ali (through VIP Parking Control) was working for Zaatar w Zeit (adjacent to Charlie's Hot Dogs).

Marwan explained to Ali that this is a public road, and that he (Ali) cannot reserve a spot. At which point Ali started shouting, and pulling at Marwan's car door to get into the car. Marwan frantically tried to close the door, pulling with all his strength to keep Ali out of his car. Ali was keeping the door open with one hand on the handle and the other on the frameless glass window.

Panicked, Marwan raised his voice, hoping to get the attention of passers-by, and managed to pull the door shut for a split-second before Ali reopened it with rage in his eyes.
This time, Ali lunged into the car, grabbing at Marwan, catching and pulling at his seatbelt (still on), with Marwan shouting at the top of his lungs with the hope of avoiding physical injury.
Within a few seconds, 3 guys pulled Ali off Marwan, out of the car, and onto the sidewalk.

Shocked and nervewrecked, Marwan called 112 (emergency police number), and waited until the Police arrived. Meanwhile, Ali continued to park cars and enter Zaatar w Zeit unobstructed, while the Zaatar w Zeit manager told Marwan that it was alright, and that shit happens, and that it wasn't necessary to escalate things, not once apologizing to Marwan or reprimanding Ali.
Here Ali is being pulled away from Marwans car

By the time the Police arrived, Maria had joined Marwan, insisting on sticking around as a witness in case things got out of hand.
The Police arrived and asked Marwan & Ali to tell their stories. After Marwan, still shaken, described how the events unfolded, Ali proceeded to lie about how he was courteous, and how Marwan was insolent and that he (Ali) did not force his way into Marwans car or physically attack him.

Marwan, in the presence of the Police, was able to show that Ali was fabricating the story, which led to Ali rewording his story several times. Ali refused, however, to admit any fault, even though he was clearly told by the Police (then and there) that he was breaking the law by reserving public parking spaces for commercial gain. Zaatar w Zeits manager also did not admit fault, and did not offer an apology, he simply repeatedly asked Marwan to let things go.
Marwan further explained to the Police that Ali was lying as he had left clearly visible fingerprints inside Marwans car window as he viciously forced open the door. The Police didnt bother to check the car, and simply said that if the matter was not resolved amicably on the street, both Ali and Marwan would have to go to the Police Station. Had the Police checked the car, they would have noticed the window damage that resulted from Alis attack. The frameless window was pulled with so much force that the door no longer closed properly!

Marwan insisted on filing a complaint against Ali and his employers (Zaatar w Zeit and VIP Parking Control). Ali proceeded to state that in response he wanted to file a complaint against Marwan for insulting him. The Police told Marwan and Ali to follow them to Makhfar Hbeish (Hamras Police Station). Maria went with Marwan.

Marwan and Maria arrived at Makhfar Hbeish (Police Station). Ali Mrad, the Zaatar w Zeit VIP valet who had physically attacked Marwan was already inside.
The Police Chief' (rank unknown) was woken up. He asked to hear each side of the story. Both Ali and Marwan told the story as they had told it earlier.

When the Chief realized that Maria was in the room, he sternly asked her to leave. She asked why, and he insisted that it is not her place (this is not a woman's place) to be in the Makhfar. She obliged, but stayed close to the door.
After Maria walked out, the Chief asked why matters werent resolved amicably, to which Marwan responded, What is amicable about Ali physically attacking me in my legally parked car? Marwan insisted on pressing charges.

The Chief responded that if Marwan insisted on pressing charges, he (Marwan!) would have to spend the night in jail, because pressing charges would require that both Ali and Marwan stay in jail until 'Police Operations' opened up the next day. Maria overheard this, and is a witness to this statement.

Though the Chief's statement about spending the night in jail didn't make sense, Marwan didn't want to take the risk of challenging him without a lawyer present, and so decided to try the peaceful route.
The Chief led Marwan into his private office, where he explained to him that he should just let it go, and that (repeating this 3 times) the companies (Zaatar w Zeit and VIP Parking Control) will be fined 3,500,000 Lebanese Pounds (over 2000 USD) for using public parkings for private commercial activity. Marwan felt this was an acceptable outcome, and so told The Chief that a simple genuine apology from Ali would go a long way.
The Chief called Ali in, and asked him if he felt responsible for what happened. Ali continued to insist that he didn't do anything wrong.

The Chief then asked Ali to apologize to Marwan. Ali insisted that Marwan should be the one apologizing. The Chief then insisted that Ali apologize, and assured him that in return Marwan would apologize. Ali eventually apologized, though not genuinely.

It appeared to Marwan that matters had been resolved, until the Chief asked him to enter another room, where an older policeman (let's call him The Writer, as he was responsible for writing things up) was instructed to prepare documents for both Ali and Marwan. Marwan didn't quite know what the documents were until Ali was asked to sign a Mahdar Dabt (a fine) that referred to a heated exchange of words over parking on the street (no mention of the attack). Whilst filling in the Mahdar Dabt, Ali lied blatantly about his ID (or lack thereof), first saying that he had left it home, then saying that he had never been granted an ID (mandatory National ID) in the first place. The police caught the lie, and asked him about it, but chose to ignore that Ali was blatantly lying about his identification card. Marwan started feeling uneasy as things didnt seem right.

Shortly thereafter, Marwan found himself asking the Writer if he expected him to sign a similar document, to which the Writer responded yes.
Marwan, shocked, asked the Writer, How is it possible that the victim of the attack, who was attacked in his car, while still wearing his seatbelt, is being fined? Marwan refused to sign the document and asked for further explanation.
The Writer responded with a fit, saying that if that's the case, then Marwan will be spending the night in jail until 'Police Operations' open up the next day. He proceeded to say, Either you sign this tonight, or you spend the night and sign it tomorrow.

Marwan asked the Writer flabbergasted, "Are you seriously telling me that I'll be spending a night in jail if I don't sign a document that puts me at fault in this physical attack on me in my car?" To which he responded with an even greater fit, closing his book, and telling Marwan sternly, You'll be spending the night here then!

At that point, The Chief is called in, and Marwan asked him why he is being fined for an attack that he was the victim of. He responded with "I thought I had made that clear to you earlier. Because you chose to come to the Police Station, the only way you can get out is by signing this document and accepting the fine."

Overwhelmed, exhausted, uncomfortable, and not wanting to spend the night in jail, Marwan told the Writer to go ahead, seeing as it would be negligible in terms of cost, and the Writer assured him that the fine would not appear on his record (sijil). The Writer proceeded to fill in that Marwan is at fault for a heated exchange of words in a parking incident, without any mention of being physically attacked in his own car, and with no reference of the perpetrators (Ali, Zaatar w Zeit, VIP Parking Control) or that Marwan was legally parked to begin with. When Marwan asked for the wording to be changed to state the facts, the Writer refused to do so and said, If you dont want to spend the night in jail, you need to sign this as is.

Against his will and better judgment, Marwan signed the document.

Marwan has to appear before a judge on Wednesday / Thursday to pay the fine.

Zaatar w Zeit and VIP Parking Control

should be held accountable for:

- the physical attack on Marwan
- the fine that Marwan was forced to sign
- the threats of incarceration that Marwan received
- the psychological trauma that was inflicted on Marwan
- using public spaces for private commercial benefit

Related Media + Links:

http://blogbaladi.com/najib/lebanon/zaatar-wou-zeit-valet-parking/

http://blogbaladi.com/najib/food/zaatar-wou-zeit-valet-parking-update/
(seems nothing was learned from this incident)

http://blogbaladi.com/najib/lebanon/for-your-convenience/

http://www.nowlebanon.com/NewsArchiveDetails.aspx?ID=210420

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/Business/Lebanon/2011/May-20/Lawless-valets-a-woe-of-economic-proportions.ashx

http://www.nba3asna.com/2012/01/05/gemayse/

http://sietske-in-beiroet.blogspot.com/2011/03/only-bitch-in-line.html

http://blogbaladi.com/najib/lebanon/international-valet-parking-for-all-wedding/

http://blogbaladi.com/najib/lebanon/schtroumpf-achrafieh-valet-parking/

http://ritakml.info/2011/12/29/boxed-in-gemmayzeh-lebanon/

http://ritakml.info/2010/12/18/gemmayzeh-one-street-with-a-lot-of-problems/

Saudi Prince assaults on-duty Police Officer, GETS an Apology (Lebanon)

nospam@example.com (finkployd) — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 16:57:55 +0300

Beirut, Lebanon

This story is big in Lebanon and is being talked about on Arabic websites throughout the world. Here is the story. Al-Akhbar was the first media to reveal the story. His name has been suppressed in Arab media but New TV yesterday revealed his name: Prince Salman Bin Faysal bin Muhammad bin `Abdul-`Aziz. He was drinking hard last Saturday in downtown Beirut and parked his car in a marked "no parking" spot. A passing traffic cop passed on his motorcycle and proceed to give the Prince a ticket. The Prince emerges with his entourage, very drunk, and proceeded to insult the cop and the Lebanese people and saying that "we bought this downtown area". A group of young Lebanese (25 or so) gathered and were offended at the sight: so they proceeded to beat the shit out of the Saudi prince. The Lebanese Internal Security Forces (Hariri-run) were dispatched to the scene and arrested the cop--kid you not. The prince was hospitalized and the cop was forced by his bosses to go and offer an apology to the Prince. Yesterday, the Lebanese police arrested the 25 Lebanese. This is not it: the Hariri parliamentary bloc met and said: "In the last period, cases and practices that violate the rules and laws have been repeated against Arab and foreign tourists, the last one of which happened in downtown Beirut where an attack was perpetrated against an Arab citizen." I kid you not. This last passage was a verbatim translation of the official weekly statement by the Hariri Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc. (source-- Angry Arab)

tags: saudi, prince, ksa, police, assault, beat, beaten, apology, kingdom of saudi arabia, illegal, insult, lebanon, downtown, beirut, video, youtube, drunk, alcohol, scandal, new tv, parking, policeman, officer, angry arab, mustaqbal, hariri, isf, internal security force, al-akhbar, salman bin faysal bin mohammad bun abdul aziz al saud

Coworking in the heart of Beirut

nospam@example.com (finkployd) — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 01:46:49 +0300

Lebanon is finally entering the knowledge age, with its recent Internet price reductions and upcoming massive infrastructure upgrades.
Just in time, as Beirut's only coworking space opens its doors in Hamra, the building just before the Central Bank, with the fastest Internet connection you can walk into.

Work it harder, make it better. Daft Punk

Coworking is a style of work which involves a shared working environment, sometimes an office, yet independent activity. Unlike in a typical office environment, those coworking are usually not employed by the same organization. Typically it is attractive to work-at-home professionals, independent contractors, or people who travel frequently who end up working in relative isolation.

Coworking in Beirut is now possible! For just 14 USD a day, you can co-work in Lebanon's state-of-the-art internet startup accelerator, Seeqnce, alongside entrepreneurs, professionals, students, and freelancers. Seeqnce's State-of-the-Art facilities are open 6 days a week for coworking. Featuring the fastest internet connection you can walk into, writable walls and desks, a zen lounge, and a full kitchen.

Seeqnce is ideally located in Hamra, at the heart of Beirut, and just 10 minutes walking distance from the American University of Beirut, downtown Beirut, and the famous Beirut corniche.

Apply now to cowork at Seeqnce: https://www.facebook.com/Seeqnce?sk=app_153791278050386

tags: beirut, lebanon, hamra, central bank, banque du liban, aub, lau, haigazian, student, professional, freelancer, coworking, hackerspace, seeqnce, startup accelerator, lounge, internet, facebook, application, cowork

Cinemoz, Hulu of Arab World - Teaser Trailer - Meet the Team

nospam@example.com (finkployd) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 19:12:19 +0300

Cinemoz is one of the Middle Easts very first on-demand online video service. With an obvious comparison to Hulu, the service is set to officially launch by the end of summer.

Founded by 27 year old Lebanese-French Karim Safieddine, Cinemoz started out as a concept jotted down on a post-it-note. The service launched having secured the necessary funding with the help of Seeqnce, a Top 10 Startup Accelerator in the MENA.

With a private beta coming at the end of the summer, Cinemoz will be offering Arab films, TV series and documentaries, with a social networking twist, allowing you to share and rate what youre watching on your social networks.

Interestingly enough, as Cinemoz is to be offered throughout the Arab world, the site will be tailored to suit each country it is offered in so a GCC audience wont necessarily be seeing exactly the same content as their Lebanese and Egyptian counterparts, for example. --TheNextWeb

tags: cinemoz, hulu, middle east, arab world, arabic, content, movie, film, series, premium, freemium, advertising, thenextweb, trailer, video, teaser, youtube, team, karim safieddine, samer karam, maroun najm, fadi bizri, zeina tabbara, remoz control, brightcove, beirut, lebanon

Ogero finally falls in line the Laws of the Republic of Lebanon

nospam@example.com (finkployd) — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 13:33:29 +0300

Ogero finally falls in line with the Laws of the Republic of Lebanon.

http://www.lbci.com.lb/NewsDetails.aspx?ID=5097

3G is go!

DSL+ is go!

2nd Floor is reclaimed!

read this for the backstory:

http://www.bloggingbeirut.com/archives/1767-ISF-stages-coup-on-the-Ministry-of-Telecom-on-behalf-of-Ogero.html

tags: telecom minister, nicolas sehnaoui, lebanon, beirut, lebanese, government, ogero, ministry of telecom, adlieh, abdelmenhem youssef, 3g, dsl, infrastructure, internet, mobile, law, legal, beirut

ISF stages coup on the Ministry of Telecom on behalf of Ogero?

nospam@example.com (finkployd) — Thu, 26 May 2011 15:08:11 +0300

two weeks ago we reported the existence of an 'unknown' third mobile network (Ogero Mobile) operating in Lebanon:

http://www.bloggingbeirut.com/archives/1764-LBN-OGERO-Mobile-41505-Conspiracy-Theory.html

when the Ministry of Telecommunications went to investigate this unlicensed, unreported, and 'illegal' mobile network (Ogero Mobile), this is what happened:

The Daily Star: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Local-News/2011/May-26/Police-prevents-Nahhas-from-entering-sealed-off-room.ashx

BEIRUT: Caretaker Telecoms Minister Charbel Nahhas accused Thursday a branch of the Internal Security Forces of unlawfully preventing him access to facilities linked to the Telecoms Ministry.

Describing the act as a coup, Nahhas said some 400 heavily-equipped members from the ISFs Information Branch have also banned employees from entering the second level of the building attached to the ministry in Adliyeh, east of Beirut.

Nahhas said rooms on the second floor, which contained communications equipment donated to Lebanon, were sealed off since Friday.

This a coup by the Information Branch, Nahhas told a news conference at the ministry shortly after the incident which was aired live on a local television station.

Under the law, this act is considered a mutiny, Nahhas said, laying the blame on ISF chief Maj. Gen. Ashraf Rifi.

He said Rifi had taken a unilateral decision to deny access to ministry employees, adding that caretaker Interior Minister Ziad Baroud had no knowledge of the decision.

Nahhas, a member of Michel Aouns Free Patriotic Movement, also said he was waiting for the withdrawal of the police unit after they had been ordered by Baroud to do so.

Naharnet: http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/7030-security-forces-prevent-nahhas-and-technical-team-from-dismantling-ogero-station

Security forces prevented on Thursday caretaker Telecommunications Minister Charbel Nahhas, several directors at the ministry, and a technical team from entering one of the ministrys buildings at the Adlieh area.

Sources told Naharnet, that the minister and the technical team headed to the building in order to dismantle a mobile phone station belonging to Ogero Telecom.

The station, which was operating under a trial period, was presented as a gift from the Chinese government to Ogero a few months ago.

Ogero Telecom General Director Abdul Monem Youssef had previously informed Nahhas that he has no right to dismantle the station and transfer it to the MTC mobile phone operating company.

Any modification to the donation agreement between Ogero and the Chinese government would require approval by Cabinet, he added.

The telecommunications minister disregarded this fact and insisted on dismantling the station, he said.

Nahhas headed to the building at Adlieh Thursday morning where he was confronted by the security forces who informed him that he may enter the station, but without the technical team, Youssef clarified.

The minister later held a press conference recounting the mornings developments, describing the practices at the ministry as a coup, led by the Internal Security Forces.

He urged the army leadership to suppress the ISF coup, saying that the Intelligence Bureau is refusing to implement caretaker Interior Minister Ziad Barouds order to pull security forces out of the ministry building.

Now Lebanon: http://nowlebanon.com/NewsArticleDetails.aspx?ID=274928

Telecommunications Minister Charbel Nahhas said Thursday that Internal Security Forces (ISF) Information Branch personnel have occupied a building owned by the Telecommunications Ministry in the Adliyeh area of Beirut and are mounting a coup against the states authority.

In a press conference broadcast on OTV, Nahhas said that ISF personnel had taken over the second floor of the building and prevented his ministrys technical teams from performing routine maintenance work.

Interior Minister Ziad Baroud was not aware of the situation and, once notified by the telecommunications minister, issued an order requiring the personnel to leave the building, Nahhas said.

He said that he visited the building on Thursday morning and encountered 400 armed personnel, military and civilian, with their weapons ready when he tried to go up to the second floor.

He stated that these units have not left the building and are therefore rebelling against the state, accusing the ISF Directorate-General of defying the Interior Ministrys orders.

tags: Lebanon, telecom, Ministry of Telecommunications, Ogero, MoT, Nahas, minister, Youssef, Lebanese, politics, video, youtube, image, instagram, Ogero Mobile, coup, ISF, Internal Security Force, force, Interior Ministry, Baroud, Rifi, Naharnet, Daily Star, Now Lebanon, OTV, illegal, armed, hostile, takeover, #FlipTheSwitch, #Ontornet, Flip The Switch

Lebanese Spammers Outed - Blacklist them now!

nospam@example.com (finkployd) — Thu, 19 May 2011 15:44:15 +0300

What do Digital ITS, Moursel, eCAMM, ePublicities, and Right Services have in common? They're all spammers -for- hire!

These companies have been sending me over 100 spam emails a day. I never subscribed or registered for their services.

Blacklist them on your servers. File them as Spam. Block their IPs (see below). Let's take them down once and for all.

If nothing else, perhaps this will discourage the many legitimate companies that are using these services to stop paying to dollar for spam-folder bound emails.

Moursel Lebanon http://www.mourselmailer.com/

MourselMailer.com is an EMail service launched in 2009 by Ourjouwan.com SARL

Moursel
Lebanon, Beirut
t - 961 1 870 123
e - info@moursel.com

Digital ITS http://www.digitalits.com/

Lebanon, Santa Maria Plaza Center, 3rd floor,
Hadath - Lebanon
Tel / Fax: +961 5 464323
Email: info@digitalits.com

eCAMM http://www.ecammnet.com/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi

ePublicities http://epublicities.com/

Right Services http://www.therightmail.com/index.php

Powered by Right Mail a division of Right Service ® for digital marketing
International Main Road | Louaize Center | Near Pharmacy Bennani | Louaize Baabda, LEBANON
Tel / fax : +961 5 922353 | P.O.Box : 45-120

------------------------- a few IPs to blacklist - list incomplete, please contribute ----------------------

64.120.152.5
64.120.152.6
64.120.152.7
64.120.152.8
64.120.152.9
64.191.102.5
64.191.102.6
64.191.102.7
64.191.102.8
64.191.102.9
64.191.12.165
64.191.12.166
64.191.12.167
64.191.12.168
64.191.12.169
64.191.81.149
64.191.81.150
64.191.81.151
64.191.81.152
64.191.81.153
66.197.156.149
66.197.156.150
66.197.156.151
66.197.156.152
66.197.156.153
66.197.156.154
66.197.156.155
66.197.156.156
66.197.156.157
66.197.156.158
66.197.163.5
66.197.163.6
66.197.163.7
66.197.163.8
66.197.163.9
66.197.196.37
66.197.196.38
66.197.196.39
66.197.196.40
66.197.196.41
66.197.204.213
66.197.204.214
66.197.204.215
66.197.204.216
66.197.204.217
85.234.144.111
96.9.136.82
96.9.136.83
96.9.136.84
96.9.136.85
96.9.136.86
96.9.136.87
96.9.136.89

------------------------------------------------

tags: Lebanon, spam, spammer, eCAMM, Lebanese, email, Digital ITS, Right Service, Right Mail, ePublicities, blacklist, RBL, e-mail, Moursel

Ministry of Telecommunications - Meeting 1 - Flip The Switch - May 12 2011

nospam@example.com (finkployd) — Tue, 17 May 2011 17:21:06 +0300

Disclaimer: The notes below are provided as is from the meeting, without fact checking. These notes reflect - verbatim - the answers to the questions asked during the meeting.

Meeting 1

Ministry of Telecommunications

May 12 2011

Vision: make Lebanon the Arab Worlds internet hub, building an internet surplus (not deficit, as currently is the case), which will be sold to the Arab World

Current Projects:
o IMEWE (done, pending signature of Ogero to launch)
o National fiber backbone, connecting major cities (in progress, started 2 months ago)
o 3G 4G
 HSPA+ covering Lebanon
 LTE covering Beirut
 Huawei MTC Touch
 Ericsson - Alfa
 Contracts acquired in open bidding process at half original cost of (35M USD vs 75M USD)
o International fiber links
 JADI (Jeddah, Amman, Damascus, Istanbul)
 Cadmous
 Tartous
o Local fiber
1. FTTx: made a call for requests by large institutions who need fiber now for at least 100 Mbps, only received 12 applicants!
2. FTTh: 2012

Pricing:
o New pricing matrix has been drafted, awaiting government formation and Council of Ministers to implement
o Pricing matrix aims to reduce prices by at least 40%
o E1 pricing should come close to 600 USD
o Pricing reductions are always slowed down by the Ministry of Finance (as is currently the case, and was the case during the pricing reductions on the cellular services a couple of years ago)
o Ministry of Finance is not willing to reduce prices due to fear of loss of income that is being used to finance the public debt.
o FYI: Telecom revenues finance over 40% of the public debt

Services:
o Planning Triply Play via new infrastructure

Speed:
o Aiming to raise the average internet speed to 10 Mbps by end of 2011

Privatization:
o Privatization is not in the best interest of the government, as it needs the telecom sector to continue financing its public debt.

Law 431:
o The law is outdated, and needs to be revised, for example voice is separated from data, which is the reason behind most of the VOIP crackdown weve witnessed in the past few years
o The law has never been implemented fully, and thus is problematic in that it is being used by the Shura Council to selectively pass or block specific decisions

TRA:
o Previous TRA head was at odds with MoT
o Current TRA head is working together with MoT
o TRA self-financing target not met, MoT still finances TRA

Ogero:
o Is the execution arm of the MoT, and thus without the cooperation of Ogero, many projects cannot be executed, including turning on the IMEWE
o Many projects, services, installations, and activities are on hold due to stalemate between Ogero and MoT
o Ogero Head is appointed by the Council of Ministers

LBN OGERO Mobile 41505
o 2G network built with donated Huawei equipment in 2008/2009
o Operating without a license, purpose and activities unknown to MoT

People to Talk to:
o Mr. Tony Hanna
o Dr. Chebaro
o Mr. Imad Abi Rashed

IMEWE: yes, flipping the switch will result in immediate increase in quality of service, even if there is no government to reduce prices (need for Council of Ministers)

MoT financing: Ministry of Finance has limited financing of MoT projects, and thus MoT is self-financing most of its new projects, seeing as it is a cashflow positive ministry

Priority Next Steps:
 Increase awareness about open call for FTTx requests for large entities needing over 100 Mbps
 Increase awareness about MoT activities, projects, vision, and mission

LBN OGERO Mobile 41505 Conspiracy Theory

nospam@example.com (finkployd) — Tue, 10 May 2011 22:00:57 +0300

LBN OGERO Mobile 41505 - now that's a conspiracy theory if there ever were one

tags: ogero, mtc touch, alfa, zain, orascom, lebanon, beirut, lebanese, mobile, cell, 3G, 4G, mic1, mic2, conspiracy, photo, image, proof, network, ogero mobile

Your Questions to Lebanon's Internet Administrators

nospam@example.com (finkployd) — Tue, 03 May 2011 13:25:33 +0300

I will be scheduling meetings with:

Mr. Antoine Boustani (MoT)
Mr. Mahmoud Haidar (MoT)
Mr. Kamal Bou Farhat (MoT)
Dr. Imad Abi Rached (Ogero)
Dr. Imad Hoballah (TRA)

Regarding the prices from the MOT-Ogero to the ISPs which currently are at 2,700 USD per E1 per Month or 1,350 USD per Mbps per Month, this should be resolved by a Decree from the MOT and the Ministry of Finance; It is really a Lebanese Government initiative; You cannot blame one person or one party.

Regarding the connectivity from Lebanon to the outside, we have the cables:

1- CADMOS: 40 Gbps currently from Lebanon to Cyprus (ON)
2- IMEWE: 120 Gbps from Lebanon to France (OFF)
3- Berytar to Syria (?)
4- Terrestrial to Syria and Syria is connected to JADI and to RCN (?)

Also, the MOT has contracted recently for:
1- Fiber project of 4,000 KM of Fiber inside Lebanon to CET and Alcatel-Lucent;
2- DWDM contract to Ericsson to light up that fiber;
3- 3G contract of Alfa Mobile to Ericsson;
4- 3G contract of MTC Touch to Huawei;
5- Ongoing tender for FTTH;

The RFS date of the 3G is for July 2011; so we are technically as good as the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar but we need 20% efforts to light up all these capacities and provide them to the end user at good rates.

Post all your questions here.

from: Flip The Switch Group: http://on.fb.me/FlipTheSwitchGroup

Blogging Beirut featured in Communicate Magazine

nospam@example.com (finkployd) — Tue, 03 May 2011 13:17:07 +0300

tags: Communicate Magazine, Lebanon, Levant, Beirut, Blogging Beirut, Internet, Fast Lebanon, Flip The Switch, Ontornet

Anonymous VS Fast Lebanon Campaign

nospam@example.com (finkployd) — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 19:44:39 +0300

NOTE: we are not affiliated or related to these videos or their creators in any way

tags: anonymous, lebanon, beirut, #fastlebanon, fast lebanon, internet, lebanese, cedarcom, mobi, youtube, video, clip

Fast Lebanon Campaign Practicing Coercion and Suppression (UPDATED)

nospam@example.com (finkployd) — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 02:46:05 +0300

(updated with a screenshot of personal threats to members of the Flip The Switch Group - see end of post after jump)

(our commenting system is broken, so many comments oftentimes don't show [no your comment was not deleted] - to see the latest comments, just check the middle sidebar for "Recent Comments")

(updated with more screenshots at bottom of post - new developments and personal attacks)

It all started with the Flip The Switch campaign, calling for a demonstration to turn on the IMEWE dark fiber cable that would immediate boost Lebanon's internet access by 200x.

Alongside this campaign, two other campaigns flourished:

#Ontornet & #FastLebanon

#Ontornet is run by respected, neutral people in the Twitterverse. Their objectives are: research, share, create awareness, build momentum, trigger mass reactions to build pressure to implement fast internet & monitor

#FastLebanon on the other hand has proven to be very sinister, here's my story with them:

Upon creating the #FlipTheSwitch campaign, I was approached by #FastLebanon repeatedly to join their cause. They insisted that I join their ranks, and support their 20,000+ strong Facebook community. Naturally, I was skeptical, as #FastLebanon was spending thousands of dollars on their campaign, participating in high profile conferences like ArabNet, and would not divulge their sources of funding, or the identity of their leaders, even after repeated requests for more information. Something just felt wrong, so I chose to hold off on working with them, even though I "Like"d their Facebook page.

Shortly thereafter, I began receiving Facebook messages from them insisting that I join their ranks, and that they knew my friends, etc. I did not respond, as I found them to be too aggressive for my taste, particularly the referencing of friends and whatnot. (screenshot below)

Within a couple of days I received a threatening message from them in BOLD letters: "You didn't REPLY back" to which naturally I did not respond, that's just rude!

And that's when things got really ugly... on Sunday, considered quiet family day Lebanese, at 5:02 PM I received a phone call from an unknown number... continued after the jump...

Continue reading "Fast Lebanon Campaign Practicing Coercion and Suppression (UPDATED)"

#FlipTheSwitch Campaign for Faster Internet in Lebanon - UPDATED April 3

nospam@example.com (finkployd) — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 07:57:36 +0300

Assets:

http://on.fb.me/FlipTheSwitchGroup facebook group: for planning

http://on.fb.me/FlipTheSwitchPage facebook page: for visibility (search engine indexable)

http://on.fb.me/FlipTheSwitchEvent facebook event: the event itself

Hashtag: #fliptheswitch

We are calling for a Mass Demonstration (day, time, location TBD).

1. In light of the fact that Lebanon HAS the capacity to increase its Internet capacity by 100x with the flip of a switch. http://imewecable.com/
...
2. In light of the fact that this increased Internet capacity has been paid for and has been available since 2009. http://imewecable.com/

3. In light of the fact that political bickering is the ONLY reason this fast Internet switch has not been flipped.

4. In light of the fact that this constant and continuous political bickering has pushed Lebanon to the bottom of the 'connected' countries list.

5. In light of the fact that slow Internet services have made us regionally uncompetitive, falling significantly behind both Syria & Jordan.

6. In light of the fact that slow Internet has negatively impacted economic growth and limited diversification away from banking, tourism & real-estate.

5. In light of the fact that slow Internet services and high costs are in the Top 5 most talked about topics in Lebanon.

6. In light of the fact that all previous - non-demonstration - efforts, including petitions & lobbying have failed.

We are calling for a Mass Demonstration ... day, time, and location to be announced!

We own the fiber, our tax dollars have paid for it, why not demonstrate to get access to it?

Telecom Law 431 / 2002 - Law 431, or the Telecommunications Law as it is often referred to, was issued in 2002 to provide the framework for governing the organization of the telecommunications services sector and to set the rules for its transfer to the private sector.

UPDATE: after a thorough investigation on all levels, including MOT, TRA, Ogero et al, here are our findings:

CONFIRMED: Originally, under X-Ministry of Telecom (MOT), the X-MOT mandated Ogero to negotiate and sign on the participation in the IMEWE cable (there are multiple partners along the path of the fiber cable), providing Ogero with X millions of dollars to exercise for this purpose

CONFIRMED: Ogero complied with the X-MOT's request and negotiated and signed accordingly, then executed as per its mandate the installation of the IMEWE cable

CONFIRMED: The IMEWE cable is in place and all the necessary equipment is installed and has been paid for by the X-MOT through Ogero

CONFIRMED: As the MOT changed hands, a problem arose. Previously, the X-MOT & Ogero were all of the same camp. This facilitated the participation in the IMEWE cable, and is considered the reason why the cable lands in Tripoli rather than Beirut

CONFIRMED: However, now that Ogero and the Y-MOT are of different camps, the Y-MOT has decided that Ogero - which is mandated as per the partially implemented Law 431 to only operate the infrastructure - should not be responsible for negotiating the contract for the Tier 1 bandwidth that would 'LIGHT UP' the dark fiber IMEWE

CONFIRMED: The Y-MOT believes that Ogero had already gone beyond its mandate when it accepted to negotiate Lebanon's participation in the IMEWE cable

CONFIRMED: The signature on the IMEWE cable reads Ogero, not MOT

CONFIRMED: So the Y-MOT decided that it will negotiate the Tier 1 bandwidth, and upon signing the contract submit it to Ogero for execution and operation, as per Ogero's mandate in Law 431

CONFIRMED: However, Ogero has so far been adamant that it should retain its position as administrator (negotiator and signatory), rather than become relegated to just operations

FACT: Ogero is fully financed by the Lebanese government through the MOT

PARTIALLY-CONFIRMED: Since Ogero was the original signatory on the IMEWE cable, and because in effect it will be operating the cable, it has so far successfully blocked the Y-MOT from buying Tier 1 bandwidth to #FlipTheSwitch and 'LIGHT UP' the dark fiber This is PROBLEMATIC as it begs the question: How can Ogero block the Y-MOT?

NOT-CONFIRMED: The contract for Tier 1 bandwith HAS been negotiated (by the Y-MOT) but not signed or fulfilled due to the stalemate between Ogero and the Y-MOT

NOT-CONFIRMED: The (recently in the news) Y-MOT's decision to stop financing Ogero is directly linked to the stalemate between Ogero and the Y-MOT over the IMEWE and other telecom upgrades / changes

SUMMARY: Ogero & the Y-MOT are at a stalemate over who will negotiate the Tier 1 bandwidth contract

FACT: Law 431 is the one law that rules them all. It has not yet been fully implemented.

#FlipTheSwitch is a campaign focused only on lighting up Lebanon's (currently dark) IMEWE fiber optic cable. Turning the IMEWE on would increase Lebanon's Internet capacity by 200x overnight. This is a direct action campaign with one and only one purpose, #FlipTheSwitch. This campaign does not concern itself with how it is done, or who does it, be it public sector or private sector, as long as it is done.

#Ontornet is a movement that aims to increase awareness about the state of the Internet in Lebanon, the reasons behind this state, and to hold those responsible for its current state accountable for their words and actions

#FastLebanon is a campaign funded by the private industry

Telecom Law 431 / 2002 - Law 431, or the Telecommunications Law as it is often referred to, was issued in 2002 to provide the framework for governing the organization of the telecommunications services sector and to set the rules for its transfer to the private sector.

Faster Internet in Lebanon Campaigns Picking up Momentum

nospam@example.com (finkployd) — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 12:48:07 +0300

OntorNet just released this cool video:

Flip The Switch Group just crossed 1100 members, and over 4000 invitees to the planning session for the upcoming demonstration!

A draft Mission Statement has been crowdsourced, and the discussions in the group have provided all members with great insight on the issues at hand, and the need to demonstrate for actionable items in the short term, while we lobby for the implementation of Law 431 in the long term.

previous post on #FlipTheSwitch campaign can be found here: >>> click

tags: lebanon, internet, imewe, fiber, submarine, cable, dark fiber, flip the switch, #fliptheswitch, beirut, lebanese, ogero, mot, tra, #ontornet, video, clip, youtube, Facebook, group, demonstration, protest, planning

Sarab, the interactive web comic

nospam@example.com (finkployd) — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 14:22:09 +0300

of the hundreds of products labeled "Made in Lebanon" this is one of the few that is globally competitive...

Sarab, the interactive web comic, is an original Web 2.0 Startup that allows the reader (yes that's YOU) to decide what Sarab (the hero) does next.

In short, You Vote, We Draw!

So what are you waiting for, click on the link below to begin your journey in Thalamus, the world of Sarab.

tags: Sarab, web comic, bd, comic, manga, anime, Lebanese, Lebanon, Made in Lebanon, illustration, interactive, Thalamus, Web 2.0, startup, Seeqnce

Anti-Sectarian Movement doing it the Sectarian Way

nospam@example.com (finkployd) — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 02:12:37 +0300

I really can't tell the loud convoys apart...

tags: #unitelb, Lebanon, secular, sectarian, politics, government, political, convoy, loud, music, revolution, Lebanese, downtown, Beirut

Less Talk, More Action: supporting Earth Hour

nospam@example.com (finkployd) — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 02:13:46 +0300

Now this is a campaign I can support :)

On the occasion of EARTH HOUR, and for the 3rd consecutive year, Radio One has Shut down its transmitters for one whole hour, on Saturday March 26, from 20:30, till 21:30.

tags: Lebanon, radio, Radio One, Lebanese, Earth Hour, environment, support

Old Phoenician Wall - 2000 BC - Batroun, Lebanon (vid 1)

nospam@example.com (finkployd) — Sun, 14 Jan 2007 00:55:46 +0200

PROPERTY OF BloggingBeirut.com

video taken in Batroun, North of Beirut, Lebanon, at the Old Phoeniciaon Wall which dates back to 2000 BC
taken on January 13, 2007

-finkployd- all rights reserved to Bloggingbeirut.com

Old Phoenician Wall - 2000 BC - Batroun, Lebanon (vid 2)

nospam@example.com (finkployd) — Sun, 14 Jan 2007 01:53:20 +0200

Demonstrating for Faster Internet in Lebanon

nospam@example.com (finkployd) — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 03:26:43 +0200

Twitter Hashtag: #FlipTheSwitch

Perhaps we're the first to call for it, but surely not the first to think about it...

We are calling for a Mass Demonstration on April 17 at 10 AM at the root of the SOLUTION, at the IMEWE Internet Cable Trunk in Tripoli, North Lebanon.

1. In light of the fact that Lebanon HAS the capacity to increase its Internet capacity by 100x with the flip of a switch. (link)

2. In light of the fact that this increased Internet capacity has been paid for and has been available since 2009. (link)

3. In light of the fact that political bickering is the ONLY reason this fast Internet switch has not been flipped.

4. In light of the fact that this constant and continuous political bickering has pushed Lebanon to the bottom of the 'connected' countries list.

5. In light of the fact that slow Internet services have made us regionally uncompetitive, falling significantly behind both Syria & Jordan.

6. In light of the fact that slow Internet has negatively impacted economic growth and limited diversification away from banking, tourism & real-estate.

5. In light of the fact that slow Internet services and high costs are in the Top 5 most talked about topics in Lebanon.

6. In light of the fact that all previous - non-demonstration - efforts, including petitions & lobbying have failed.

We are calling for a Mass Demonstration on April 17 at 10 AM at the root of the SOLUTION, at the IMEWE Internet Cable Trunk in Tripoli, North Lebanon, where Lebanon IS connected to the rest of the world at 100x the current Internet capacity.

We own the fiber, our tax dollars have paid for it, why not demonstrate to get access to it?

Twitter Hashtag: #FlipTheSwitch

tags: twitter, IMEWE, Lebanon, Beirut, Tripoli, Internet, speed, download, upload, cable, fiber, demonstration, revolution, Lebanese, capacity, connection, #fliptheswitch, fliptheswitch, flip the switch

Double Parked Police Car Blocks Beirut Highway

nospam@example.com (finkployd) — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 12:32:02 +0200

This just popped up on Twitter:

Perhaps someone should ticket him?

Or, just give him one of these.

tags: Lebanon, Beirut, Sin El Fil, Horsh Tabet, Habtoor, police, car, vehicle, Lebanese, highway, road, street, double parked, illegal, corruption, law, ticket, traffic, backed up, chaos, government, parking, park, blocking

Grow My Business Competition Fee Waived!

nospam@example.com (finkployd) — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 12:46:21 +0200

a little effort goes a long way, we've convinced the Grow My Business competition to waive their 100 USD application fee! WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? apply apply apply (Steve Ballmer style)

http://www.growmybusiness.me/grow.html

The Competition

Grow My Business is a joint initiative between Beirut Traders Association, MIT Enterprise Forum Pan Arab Region and Bank Audi. Its primary objective is to encourage owners of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to add value to the economy by taking their businesses to the next level and, ultimately, creating more jobs and income generation. It provides Lebanese SMEs and start-ups with the proper platform to upgrade their business through expansion, merger, acquisition, export, or introducing a new line of product/services.

Continue reading "Grow My Business Competition Fee Waived!"

Now This is Lebanon! Snow Capped & Pine Forests

nospam@example.com (finkployd) — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 14:32:01 +0200

tags: Lebanon, mountain, Beit Mery, Brummana, snow, Sannine, ski, pine forest, snoubar, canyon, blue sky, sunny day, photo, image, picture, Mount Lebanon

I Love #Jan25 Stickers Campaign goes Live!

nospam@example.com (finkployd) — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 06:14:36 +0200

ReBlog: I ♥ #Jan25 Stickers Campaign just launched on Jan25.tv, see below.

Support the popular uprising in Egypt, print & post I ♥ #Jan25 stickers in your city.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Download the PDF (designed for A4 paper) (click image below for PDF)

Print it in color on sticker paper, cut (3 per A4)

Post up in high profile public places in your city

Take a picture of the sticker-in-place

Tweet it on Twitter (hashtag #Jan25) OR just email it to us [admin -at- jan25 (dot) tv] and we'll publish it through social and mainstream media channels for global visibility

This campaign style spread support for Beirut during the 2006 Israeli war on Lebanon via I ♥ Beirut stickers. The stickers appeared in over 5 continents, 30 cities, dozens of mainstream media mentions, to an audience in the millions.

click here to see I ♥ Beirut Campaign photos

tags: Egypt, Cairo, Suez, Alexandria, January 25, #jan25, #sidibouzid, #tunisia, popular uprising, revolt, revolution, Mubarak, president, I Love Beirut, I Heart beirut, social media, mainstream media, sticker, campaign, support

Policymaking: Internet & Connectivity Issues in Lebanon (ReBlog)

nospam@example.com (finkployd) — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 08:42:52 +0200

to all community leaders in the blog, twitter, facebook worlds of Lebanon, please register and attend this to help shape Lebanese government policy on ICT (this is a focus group for social media leaders)

You are cordially invited to attend a special focus group meeting on "Internet and Connectivity Issues in Lebanon".

As our country is going through a transition and forming a new government, the time is opportune to discuss these issues with government representatives.

As bloggers, twitterati, facebookers, and interested stakeholders, we can together perhaps shape tomorrow's policy decisions by sharing our views and having an open and frank discussion with my guest speaker, Mrs. Salam Yamout.

Mrs. Yamout is the National ICT Strategy Coordinator at the Presidency of the Council of Ministers. I would appreciate, if you could send me ahead of time and in bullet points format, the issues that you like to discuss so I can organize the meeting and manage the scarce time we have.

Register here: http://policymakingsm.eventbrite.com/

http://blog.seeqnce.com/post/2937840162/policymaking-internet-connectivity-issues-in-lebanon

tags: lebanon, ict, government, council of minister, salam yamout, seeqnce, focus group, social media, policymaking, policy, lebanese, beirut

Goodbye Glass Café - Naharnet

nospam@example.com (finkployd) — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 18:48:43 +0200

Beirut, 06 Jan 11, 16:52 - Original Source Naharnet

Over 300 young men and women answered the calls of Save Beirut Heritage and braved the rain Wednesday night to join hands with Gemmayzeh locals to pay a last homage to their beloved 'Café Gemmayzeh', better known as Glass Café.
The youth movement Save Beirut Heritage started the ceremony with a speech expressing their anger and sadness over the disappearance of the historic Lebanese landmark. The speech was then followed by a short movie by Sarah Gharzeddine.

It was a symbolic funeral, a safe space where Lebanese citizens, café regulars and its long-time employees decried the loss of a space that holds within its walls so much of their common history.

Then followed a musical concert where the youth, through their music, also expressed regret over the loss of their city's heritage.

Save Beirut Heritage stressed: "We are all to blame for the loss of our cultural heritage."

Continue reading "Goodbye Glass Café - Naharnet"

This Christmas, I will grow a beard if you donate a gift

nospam@example.com (finkployd) — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 11:30:40 +0200

No-shave November? Why shave December? Sherif will grow his beards up until December 24. He is doing this to gather gifts and donations to make this Christmas worth while for many children at the Home of Hope, a Lebanese orphanage.

You can help:
1) donate gifts or donations by calling 03/082338.
2) grow your beard and get donations! To participate, call 03/082338.

What's next?

On Christmas Day, Sherif will color their beards white and go to the orphanage to distribute the gifts.

Merry Christmas!

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=152688834775074

tags: Lebanon, Lebanese, Sherif Maktabi, Christmas, Xmas, Beirut, orphans, orphanage, Santa Claus, beard, shave, white, photo, pic, image, donate, gift, present, giving, give, December, Facebook, event, activity

keeping the curtains open, William Choukeir goes public

nospam@example.com (finkployd) — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 02:20:17 +0200

http://williamchoukeir.posterous.com/

raising the curtains and revealing all my private notes

behind a password I have more than 100 personal notes, thoughts, and ideas.

a while back I asked myself: 'what am I doing keeping all these notes to myself?'

the only answer I could think of is this: 'society hones us to keep our lives private so we can feel secure.' but is it true? what I feel is that the more private my life is, the more afraid I am.

and so I'm raising the curtains and revealing all my past and future 'private' notes with you.

the date is 14 December, 2010.
that's next Tuesday.

you don't have to remember the date, just follow this posterous and you'll automatically get everything by email (or RSS).

please share with everyone you know so they could all benefit, and together make this a more open world.

yours, will

twitter: @williamchoukeir

P.S: sneak peak of coming topics:

how do you create a culture of spirituality with minimal effort?
how is a mountain a problem? ...sometimes.
do business cards really work? or do they actually sabotage connecting?
how stardom & influence can be a good thing?
how food compensates for undone projects?
how we ran animals to death + how that's related to laziness?
how being too careful in your communication is a bad thing?
how lack of self-esteem is like standing in the face of a stampede?
why spend $6000 on a TED conference when you can watch it online for free?
how do you unleash the creative beast without using your brains? and how do you do that when brainstorming collectively? 2 vital rules.
'no-problem' is strong because you remove the problem out of the problem.
iPhone 4 sales page dissected.
how did apple get real fans to help her take iPhone viral?
Why do people enjoy watching others suffer?
how religions are the same as Apple, Nike, and the like?
how and why do we cause our own bodies to get sick?
how to stop pretending and filtering?
instead of saying I cant, say I wont.
how miracles lie in the comfort zone?
Vegan Chocolate Cheesecake

http://williamchoukeir.posterous.com/

tags: William Choukeir, Lebanon, Lebanese, blog, privacy, personal, notes

Faraya is White!

nospam@example.com (finkployd) — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 07:50:37 +0200

and the storm persists....

tags: Faraya, Kfardebian, Lebanon, mountain, snow, storm, pic, picture, photo, image

Ski Time! Snow finally blankets the mountains of Lebanon

nospam@example.com (finkployd) — Sat, 11 Dec 2010 15:30:42 +0200

Cedars

Faraya

tags: Lebanon, snow, Faraya, Kfardebian, Cedars, 2010, picture, photo, image, mountain, webcam, Mediterranean, Levant, Liban

Johnny Walker names a Giant: Bernard Khoury

nospam@example.com (finkployd) — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 23:58:30 +0200

Today Johnny Walker named Bernard Khoury a Giant...

I attended the event, which was awash with blue and gold label walkers, suits and skirts, and of course The Yellow Monkey.

A successfully executed event by any measure, but most notably, and predictably, the star of the show was Bernard Khoury... actually, it wasn't Bernard or his creations, surreal as they may be, but rather his spirit. Rarely do I see men make non-self-congratulatory statements during their moments of fame. He said little about walker and walking, choosing to focus more on the role of architecture in life, in shaping lifestyles, and the quality of life. He warned his audience that the lack of planning, oversight, respect (cultural, environmental, etc), and plain simple common sense is going to be the end of Lebanon as we know it.

So perhaps Bernard Khoury is a Giant, at least I'd like to believe that his spirit is, as we need a Giant spirit to take on the [mindless architects] of this country before we lose ourselves amidst grey boxes.

truly inspirational Bernard Khoury 'story' videos here: http://www.KeepWalkingLebanon.com

tags: Bernard Khoury, Johnny Walker, Giants, Keep Walking, Lebanon, Beirut, architecture, Lebanese, BO18, B018, photo, image, picture, event

a Community is Born in the Throes of a Party (reblog)

nospam@example.com (finkployd) — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 20:34:04 +0200

On Saturday November 27th 2010, Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) Lebanon 2010 came to a grand finale with the biggest entrepreneurship party to ever take place in Lebanon, the GEW Small Wins & Ecosystem Party, aka GEW Party, hosted by Seeqnce.

An Entrepreneurship Community is born. Roughly 200 entrepreneurs, investors, industry leaders, professionals, designers, developers, hackers, and artists, men and women equally, came down on Karaj, the Arts and Technology Lab turned GEW Party Arena, to mingle and chat free of any formalities: no speeches, no suits, no ties, no walls plastered with sponsors logos. Good food and drinks aplenty, thanks to our generous sponsors Element^N / Apstrata, Dewars, Almaza, Kefraya, and Red Bull, ensured a chill environment devoid of obstacles to communication.

To further mix things up, instead of industry leaders & investors making oratory speeches, young entrepreneurs took to a make-shift pedestal to tell their Small Wins (and Failures) Stories:

Continue reading "a Community is Born in the Throes of a Party (reblog)"

Grant Competition for Investigative Reporting

nospam@example.com (finkployd) — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 13:01:41 +0200

The Institute for War and Peace would like to invite you to apply to a Grant Competition for Investigative Reporting.

IWPR is offering grants for young journalists interested in investigative stories on local governance, transparency and municipal politics in Lebanon to encourage local and national media to dig deeper and to hold local politicians accountable.

IWPR wants to give a group of you the chance to work on an investigate story of your choice.

To qualify for the grant, please submit the story idea you want to pursue along with a research outline and a brief CV summarizing your background.

Please send your submission to:

grant [at] no2at3al7ourouf [dot] com

iwpr.beirut [at] gmail [dot] com

for more about the project, kindly visit www.no2at3al7ourouf.com

The Institute for War and Peace Reporting
01- 387 557
www.iwpr.net

Global Entrepreneurship Week Small Wins & Ecosystem Party

nospam@example.com (finkployd) — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 18:37:17 +0200

Register NOW (it's free!) http://GEWparty.eventbrite.com

What?
On November 27 2010, 9 PM at Karaj (Arts & Technology Lab) in Mar Mikhael Gemmayze, we will all come together informally - no suits and ties - for Global Entrepreneurship Week Lebanon's final curtain call, the Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) Small Wins & Ecosystem Party.

Why?
The purpose of this party - not that parties ever needed purposes - is to celebrate our spectacularly successful Collaboration & Partnership - the coming together of an Entrepreneurship Ecosystem.

How?
Reintroducing ourselves without the formalities, without hierarchies, without labels or titles, and surely without the suits in which we uphold all these social norms, in other words turning the fledgling bonds of Partnership into strong bonds of Friendship that last and accelerate the growth of the Ecosystem.

Who?
Invited are all of the following:

- Entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs, with a special invite going out to all those who attended / will attend GEW events, including this past weekend's Startup Battle and all events listed on this agenda: http://www.gewlebanon.org/calendar/

- NGOs / NPOs that support the Entrepreneurship Ecosystem

- Investors, VCs, and Fund Managers

- Seasoned Entrepreneurs and businessmen

- GEW Partners, of course!

- All individuals and organizations that support, engage, facilitate, empower, (splice in another adjective here) the Entrepreneurship Ecosystem

When?
Saturday November 27 2010 at 9 PM

Where?
Karaj [Arts & Technology Lab] in Mar Mikhael, Beirut, Lebanon ( http://www.karajbeirut.org/ )

Program
This event is mostly ad hoc focused on good tunes, drinks, grub, mingling, chitchat, and having a 'jolly good time', but will include informal activities such as Open Mic sessions for 30 second Small Wins stories.

Hosted by Seeqnce [http://www.Seeqnce.com]
Seeqnce is a Startup Catalyst for the Arab World
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GEW Lebanon 2010 Partners
AMIDEAST, AUB, Riyada, Berytech, Cedrus Ventures, Hibr, Lebanon Executive, Push magazine, AllWorld Network, MEVP, University of Balamand, LAU, MIT Arab Business Plan Competition, Bader, Potential, CISCO, Yallastartup!, LLWB, DevineMedia.me, YAWE, RootSpace, SMEXbeirut, Beyond Reform & Development, & Seeqnce.

REGISTRATION (it's a free)
Register Now! to secure your Ecosystem Pass to the GEW Small Wins & Ecosystem Party. Due to the limitations of the space, the Ecosystem Party has a registrations cap, so hurry up and register before it's too late!

link to register: http://GEWparty.eventbrite.com

Double U SAL rapes Lebanese for a profit while Apple watches (Nov 9 '10 UPDATE 11)

nospam@example.com (finkployd) — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 09:51:16 +0200

It's an iPhone, iPod, iPad application that costs 6.99 USD, is listed in the official Apple marketplace, sanctioned and verified by Apple.

It's an iPhone, iPod, iPad application by Double U SAL [aka DoubleU S.A.L] (a company operating in Lebanon) using a confidential / 'secure' / private government (Lebanon) database.

It's an iPhone, iPod, iPad application that gives the user access to all the personal / private information of any mobile number owner or registered vehicle owner in Lebanon, including:

First Name
Father's Name
Last Name
Marital Status
Full Home Address
Financial Debt Status
Fixed Landine Numbers
Spouse's Name
and lot's more

According to Dr. Toni Issa, Lawyer and President of the IT Committee for the Beirut Bar Association, the release of these databases to a third party (by the Interior Ministry) is against the law. Furthermore, copying or stealing databases is a direct violation of the Lebanese Penal Code. The only people who can legally solicit this information are the police or judicial authorities. Any kind of usage of this information is strictly illegal. Moreover, the use of the information violates intellectual property and consumer protection laws.

Apple is reaping quite a profit from this application, at 30% margin, they don't seem to mind that this application breaks so many local and international laws. It's easy to turn a blind eye to rape when you're being paid off handsomely.

As for Double U SAL, these applications are based off of illegally acquired government (Interior Ministry) databases. The fact that a company, registered in Lebanon, can publish an application in the open (public Apple iTunes App Store), make a handsome profit off of it, get mentioned in local newspapers, and still be operating freely, goes to show you the absurd level of corruption in the government of Lebanon.

The applications:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/lebanon-directory/id389756749?mt=8

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/lebanon-cars-directory/id394077287?mt=8

This blog post is a call out to all privacy advocates in Lebanon and around the world.

Please repost this message on all your blogs, your newspapers, your magazines, your forums, tell your mothers, your grandmothers, your brothers, your fathers, let your politicians, your mayors, your lawyers know.

We cannot sit idly by while our private information is sold on the open market, with the approval of Apple and the indifference of the Lebanese Government.

More information about the company, Double U SAL:

Ziad Salameh
DoubleU S.A.L
81St. George Bld. - Maarad Str.
Nejmeh Square ,
Beirut, Downtown, Beirut 00961
Lebanon

(961) 198-8883

Domain Name: UUAPPS.COM
Created on: 04-Mar-10

Double U SAL is also known as DoubleU S.A.L

UPDATE 1

To all iPhone, iPad, iPod users, please report these applications to Apple, using the following process:

1. Load the App Store

2. Search for "Lebanon Directory"

3. Select any of the following apps:

> Lebanon Directory
> Lebanon Cars Directory

4. Click on the "Report a Problem" link in the top right corner

5. Select either:

> This application is offensive
> My concern is not listed here

6. Enter your Comments, something along the lines of "This application uses a stolen database of confidential personal records from the Interior Ministry of Lebanon. The use of the database outside of the Ministry is illegal. The possession of this data by a non-government agency is illegal."

7. Click the blue Report button in the top right corner

UPDATE 2

A tip came in about the source of the data on these apps. It seems all the data resides on this website:

http://www.mulhak.com

The website appears to be "unused" / "offline"

However, if you use this query:

http://mulhak.com/phonebook.aspx?number=03######

you can see the results for any phone number in Lebanon.

This query can be executed by anyone, at no cost, and without any authentication!

The database of all of Lebanon's phone and car records, including all of your personal information is available unsecured for the whole web to harvest!

The owner of Mulhak.com is:

DoubleU
Nader Tfaili
81St. George Bld. - Maarad Str. Nejmeh Square
Beirut, Downtown 961
LB
Phone: +1.9611999199
Created on..............: 2009-05-04

UPDATE 3

Seems the guys at Mulhak have noticed the buzz around their illegal activities, and have proceeded to shut down their service.

UPDATE 4

Just received a tip-off on a Facebook App that makes use of the same illegal phone number database [stolen from the Interior Ministry of Lebanon]. The name of the app is LebTell, and can be found at this link:

http://apps.facebook.com/lebtell/

To report this illegal app to Facebook:

1. Please click on the above link, scroll to the bottom and click on the lower left hand corner link that says "Report/Contact this Application"

2. If you are not logged in you will be asked to log into Facebook

3. Click on "Report Lebtel if you believe it has violated the Facebook Terms", and then click Continue

4. Select "Data / Privacy Violation" in the Violation box

5. In the Summary: Write something along the lines of "this application uses illegally data"

6. In the "Description & Steps to Reproduce", write something like: this application makes use of the confidential / private database of the Interior Ministry of Lebanon of the people of Lebanon. This database is not for public use, and is an internal database compiled by the Government of Lebanon. The database consists of all phone number owners in Lebanon, mobile and fixed lines, and includes full home addresses and details about the owners that are confidential. This application is in clear violation of Lebanese and International IP and Privacy laws.

7. in the "Violation URL" enter "http://apps.facebook.com/lebtell/"

8. Click on "I understand and agree that the information I am submitting may be used by Facebook to investigate or otherwise act upon a potential violation of policy, including but not limited to passing this information and any uploaded files to the developer of the reported application. I also affirm that I have verified this information to the best of my knowledge and am not intentionally submitting false information."

DO NOT CLICK ON THE "I would like a copy of this report to be sent to the developer of the application."

9. Click on "Report Application"

UPDATE 5

Another iTunes App Store app tip came in:

"Lebanon Directory+" from MT2 / Libancall, it's worse than DoubleU

http://itunes.apple.com/ae/app/lebanon-directory/id399776921?mt=8

It allows people to do the same as DoubleU + allows you even to type a name and get the phone number.

Yet another to report to Apple.

UPDATE 6

The creater of LebTel (the aforementioned Facebook App) has apologized, and assured us that the LebTel is no longer functional (not returning results).

UPDATE 7

The spotlight is back on Apple. Just got a tip that this is the second e-mail person X received from Apple, but no action is taken - just empty words. Is Apple turning a blind eye to illegal iTunes App Store apps to avoid losing its 30% margin? Is Apple complicit in the invasion of privacy of every person in The Republic of Lebanon? After all the 'raison d'etre' of corporations is to increase profits...

Hello,

My name is Jim from iTunes and I will be glad to assist you.

I understand that you want us to remove some applications from the iTunes Store as the are violating people's privacy.

I'm currently waiting to hear back from the department that is taking a look at this issue, so the second I have more information about this I'll contact you immediately.

Thank you so much for all of your continued patience!

Sincerely,

Jim

iTunes Store Senior Advisor

UPDATE 8

LebTel (the aforementioned Facebook App) is back online and up to no good - what's up Rony Fadel, why the backtracking on your apology and promise? @ronyfadel

UPDATE 9

Commerce du Levant picks up on this story with:

Nom, adresse, téléphone.... des milliers de données personnelles commercialisées sur le web libanais

UPDATE 10

L'Orient le Jour picks up on this story with:

Économie - Nom, adresse, téléphone...l

UPDATE 11

Things are not well at 1 Infinite Loop [Apple HQ]. I've just received the follow-up to our reader's correspondence with Apple on the illegal iPhone app report. Apple has now officially crossed the line as they can no longer play the "we did not know" wildcard with this response. What surprises me most is the statement "None of the Apps violate any of Apple's policies.", which begs the question, if a confidential database, stolen from the Government of Lebanon, being peddled on the Apple iTunes App Store for profit is not a violation of any of Apple's policies, what kind of immoral and evil corporation is Apple?

From: iTunes Store
Date: Monday, November 8, 2010
Subject: Re: App Store and iBooks; Follow-up:
To:

Dear HAL,

None of the Apps violate any of Apple's policies. You can contact the
developer(s) of those Applications as Apple is the third party in this
case.

If you find that there is an application on the App Store that is
infringing your rights, or violating people's privacy, please contact
our legal team at to work with them on
this matter.

Please send them a link (or links) to the content as it appears in the
App Store. You can send links by control-clicking (right-click on a
PC) on the App Title in the iTunes Store and choosing, "Copy Link"
from the pop-up menu. You can then paste the URL link to the disputed
app directly into the body of the email. In addition to the links,
please provide the following items:

- A representation, under penalty of perjury, that you are or that you
represent the authorized rights holder of the rights infringed by the
app
- A description of the rights infringed, and by which aspect of the app
- Your contact information

Your concerns will be forwarded to the developer so that they may
respond appropriately.

Best regards.

Sincerely,

Jim
iTunes Store Senior Advisor
http://www.apple.com/support/itunes/ww/

I work Sun-Wed 7AM-6PM PST. California

tags: DoubleU S.A.L, Double U SAL, Lebanon, Lebanese, Apple, iPhone, iPad, iPod, iTunes, App Store, App, application, Car Plate Directory, Mobile Directory, Lebanon Directory, illegal, privacy, data, database, Ministry of Interior, Interior Ministry, corruption, Ziad Salameh, uuapps, mulhak, Nader Tfaili, LebTell, LebTel, Rony Fadel, @ronyfadel

Blogging Beirut sets Lebanon / Levant blog record with 80 million hits

nospam@example.com (finkployd) — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 13:05:59 +0200

Blogging Beirut sets Lebanon / Levant records:

Most visited / popular Blog in Lebanon / Levant

over 80 million hits

over 20 million pageviews

over 4 million unique IPs

over 5 terabytes of data served

Oldest continuously active Blog in Lebanon / Levant

February 2005 to Present Day = 5.5 years, that's like 50 in Internet years

Highest number of blog posts / comments in Lebanon / Levant

1440 blog posts

over 5000 comments

Thank you all for making this possible :)

stats after the jump

Continue reading "Blogging Beirut sets Lebanon / Levant blog record with 80 million hits"

Amazon meet Antoine Online

nospam@example.com (finkployd) — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 19:32:44 +0200

Here's a comprehensive review / assessment of the newly launched Librarie Antoine e-commerce portal - by Fadi Bizri

It's a well made website. There's a lot of information, but I don't feel lost and quickly understand what each part of the site does.

The shopping cart on the top right is clear and standard, so felt comfortable with it. I wasn't able to remove items from my wishlist though.

One comment I would make is that the Antoine logo on the left attracts too much attention, and it makes the central panel feel smaller and cramped even though it's already more than 900px wide.

The synopsis of certain books is also too small. Also, if I am on a page other than the home page, and I move the mouse to the top left to click on AntoineOnline so that I return home, the "books" and "dvd" dropdowns always show and that can be annoying.

Also, some book and DVD images are badly shrunk, and so look grainy or unclear.

Good use of social media. Every entry has Facebook like and a Tweet button, without them being overwhelming.

Finally, I would put the "Most Popular Review" box higher because it's interesting to read.

All in all though, a good website.

Yes, we are 10 years behind Amazon, but this is where they started, so it's a good place to start: Antoine Online you have our support :)

Continue reading "Amazon meet Antoine Online"

GeekFest Beirut 3.14

nospam@example.com (finkployd) — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 19:17:51 +0200

GeekFest Beirut is tomorrow! Its at Plum bar in Monot Beirut (put these coordinates 33.891597,35.507448 on http://maps.google.com), we gather at 7:30pm and the event starts at 8pm sharp. Oh and there is are 2 parkings facing it, which is great!

We have quite a list of speakers, but dont worry, theyre gonna be very short (some for only 2 minutes), theyre diverse and for sure you will find really interesting info there and hopefully learn something new about the technology or the stuff that are happening nowadays.

- Sarah Karam GoNabit & e-commerce

- Cyril Antoine Online : web development / online purchasing

- Wisam Badine and Avo Sarafian Eastline Marketing: Augmented Reality Marketing

- Lynn Bizri - Night collective: photography

- Gino Raidy - AUB Bloggers convention: blogging

- Octavia Nasr Bridges Media Consulting: Social Media

- Naeema Zarif Yalla Startup Weekend

- Shankaboot Web series

- Samer Karam - Announcing new project to be live blogged

Just make sure you stick around till the end of the talks cause our nice speakers are giving away really cool gifts, and then the music will be ON again and we will continue our evening having fun! There is plenty of booz*!

http://www.geekfestbeirut.com

Call for submissions - Urban Facade Animotion

nospam@example.com (finkployd) — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 21:52:47 +0300

Call for submissions for the first facade projection project in Lebanon and the Middle East.
The event is a non-profit, non-commercial urban art installation and will be showcased for 6 days during the xmas and new year period in Martyrs' square.

See this teaser for more info: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsDdQvQf6K0

Continue reading "Call for submissions - Urban Facade Animotion"

Startup Weekend comes to Lebanon!

nospam@example.com (finkployd) — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 20:46:56 +0300

Mark your calendars and REGISTER NOW!

Startup Weekend arrives to the Arab World on the weekend of November 12th 2010. Register Now for a 25$ discount (see below for details):

Register at:

http://yallastartupweekend2010.eventbrite.com/

Register before September 30th to get the 25$ discount.

A separate 20% discount will be made available for the first 10 who send an e-mail to startupweekend@seeqnce.com

Countries included (but not limited to): Lebanon, Syria & Jordan
Cost: No more than 100 USD for Professionals & 50 USD for Students (discounts and early bird specials available)
* When: November 12-14

Startup Weekend Lebanon is organized by YallaStartup!

Seeqnce supports Startup Weekend as a Community Partner.

What is Startup Weekend?

Startup Weekend recruits a highly motivated group of developers, business managers, startup enthusiasts, marketing gurus, graphic artists and more to a 54 hour event that builds communities, companies and projects. It is an amazing opportunity to connect with other passionate and skilled individuals, and perhaps even find a co-founder or two to transform your idea into reality.

Startup Weeked doesnt have to teach entrepreneurship in a boring classroom setting, we model it in a fun, interactive, and results driven way. As a result, we have become one of the leading catalysts for startup creation, co-founder dating, and entrepreneurship education in startup ecosystems around the world.

There is currently representation in over 100 cities in over 25 countries for Startup Weekend, and being a resource strapped, bootstrapping startup ourselves, weve had to stop counting there. Up to may 2010, we have helped educate over 15,000 entrepreneurs at over 115 events, and launched over 560 new startup ventures. In 2010, we will have at least 60 events around the world, and our goal is 100 for 2011.

Continue reading "Startup Weekend comes to Lebanon!"