Upon logging in to my Gmail to check my mails, I was surprised to see a new feature called Google/Buzz. Reading from Google Blog:

“Google Buzz is a new way to start conversations about the things you find interesting. It’s built right into Gmail, so you don’t have to peck out an entirely new set of friends from scratch“

But in my own words, I’d rather define it as “Google’s Twitter like service in Gmail, allowing you to tweet right from your Gmail and forget Twitter.” I’m just being frank here.

Also, it is obvious that Buzz comes with the main twitter features in place.

When Twitter came to life, Follow and Unfollow was born with it. I assume its Twitter’s way of defining friends. When you follow a friend, you get to see all his tweets like wise when you unfollow, you take him off your tweets timeline.

Now that’s is live on Gmail’s Buzz.

From my little finding, I also realized that Buzz has replaced the Google/Search real time results from Twitter. You may try a search like “Buzz Google” you’d see what I’m talking about.

I remember, reading from a blog (I forgot the address though) that no matter how Good, Unique and Accepted your product or service is, you should also be on the watch for Google. Because, if by chance Google decided to bring similar (mostly better) service like yours, that defines the dying date of your product.

But I still wonder, would Buzz make me reduce my twitter usage?

Well, I’m not sure about that. But surely, I’d love to tweet from my Gmail. * Frankly speaking, I’m not in support of Buzz but If Google will allow my Buzz to reach Twitter via Twitter/OAuth. I’m going to be a Buzz Addict!

Some Major Selling Points for Buzz include

- Uses your friends/contacts on Gmail, whom you email or chat with always. So, you’re automatically ready to go.

- You have security over your Buzz, either public or simply to your friends only. Privacy setting is always crucial you know.

- It automatically grab images from links you post, you remember the Facebook thing, select which image to display.

- It also allows you to attach videos easily, while you buzz.

- Finally, it comes on mobile too. Making it  easy to Buzz on the go!

A layman may thought the email is real, since its coming from @gtbank.com which is the bank’s official site address. (Well its not so.)

The email I quote:

SUBJECT: GTBank Public Announcement. MESSAGE: We regret to inform you that access to your GTBank Online Account and Atm Cards has been temporarily limited. This has been done due to several failed log-in attempts. To restore your account please log in correctly here: http://ooowhy-not.ru/language/gtbaccount.html If you fail to log in correctly your account will be suspended for fraud prevention. You will be able to register again for GTBank Online Account only after you authenticate your profile. We apologize for the inconvenience, this measure was taken for your protection. GTBank  Security Team

I received the above email over seven times within the weeks.

Avoiding such scam emails is easy, you should always be cautious of the provided link and the mail sending sever. See the link above, its on http://ooowhy-not.ru/ which is not a GTBank website but scammer’s.

If it was to be a GTBank email, it will take you to http://gtbank.com and you can confirm that from your browser address bar even after you click the link.

On a better note, you should first contact the bank before you fill any form online. Call your accountant or walking to the bank to confirm if they surely needed your information.

Be careful of scammers, they sometimes get stupid enough to confuse you.

Name:

Profession: Web Developer.

I was born in Sokoto and I attended University Primary School and University Secondary School in Sokoto. Now, I am in the University (Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto) in my year three (3) studying B.Sc Physics.

I have had so many successes through the few years I’ve lived in this world. I wish to share with you a little about me and my achievements. You may not find this else where on this internet.

First of all, I started using the internet back in 2004 (AGE: 15) when I was only learning how to use my emails and chat using Yahoo Messenger. WOOH!

In 2005, I began learning how to create web sites. I was creating dummy web sites like http://mukoshy.8k.com until when I helped an Indian friend of mine who was as of then living in Nigeria to create the web site http://mukoshy.i8.com/THEGREAT (formerly, great-india.tk). A site about his country, cultures and more. (AGE: 16)

By 2007, (AGE: 17) I was creating average good looking web sites. So I took a bold step to venture into web hosting. That was when I started http://aimtechng.com to deliver hosting solution to friends and co. Today, Aimtech NG is one of the pioneer hosting providers in Nigeria.

Over the last two years, (AGE: 19) I developed great skills of web site design and development, So I began creating rich internet applications. I created the first and still the only Nigerian domain market place, http://nairaparking.com and also a social site for my university colleagues, http://danfodites.com.

Bellow are some of my web and desktop programming skills.

SKILLS:
HTML, PHP, MySQL and JAVA.
I am also learning; XML, AJAX and JAVASCRIPTS. Hopefully, I will learn Ruby too!

I believe my life is only beginning and I’ve a long way to go. Like I once said, Nigerians are waiting for Vision 2020 (yr. 2020) for reformation. But I am already 20 today, so I’ve reached my 2020. I am up to make a change and achieve the impossible.

You may wish me some birthday wishes by commenting.

Thank you for reading about my little life anyway. I’m happy I’m now 20years old, I’m out of the teenage life. So, you call me ADULT!

Follow Me on TWITTER: @mukoshy | Facebook: http://facebook.com/mukoshy

Facebook now got a new and exciting stuff in there system. They can see how happy you are and over 200 Million people across the globe, using their system. A very exciting and innovative global use of your statuses.

We all use the facebook status update to share how we feel with the people that matters to use everyday. These updates are tiny windows to how we are doing in general because they are brief, to the point and descriptive of what’s going on with our life every week, every day and even right now.

When grouped together, these updates are indicative of how we are collectively feeling as stated by Adam D. I. Kramer, from facebook team. So, earlier this year; a data scientists at Facebook started the project to measure the overall mood of people from the United States on Facebook, based on the sentiment expressed in status updates.

The result was an index that measures how happy people on Facebook are from day-to-day by looking at the number of positive and negative words they’re using when updating their status. When people in their status updates use more positive words OR fewer negative words then that day as a whole is counted as happier than usual.

Examples of positive or happy words include "happy", "yay", and "awesome", while negative, or unhappy words, include "sad," "doubt" and "tragic." 

When you use these words, facebook count you as happy or unhappy depending on the ratio. A survey of some Facebook users showed that people who use more positive words relative to the number of negative words, reported higher satisfaction with their lives.

Over time, Facebook has seen spikes in the index for different days of the year. Some of the happiest days include U.S. national holidays like Thanksgiving and Fourth of July, social holidays like Halloween and religious holidays including Christmas and Easter. Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008 when the U.S. was celebrating the election of President Barack Obama was over twice as happy as the average Wednesdays.

“How happy will all of us be tomorrow, on our birthdays or during the World Cup? It depends on you and what you decide to share about how you’re feeling with your friends through your status updates.”

This was more than interesting for me, it shows how useful Facebook’s data can be. Really, Facebook’s data team have done really a great job. Well done!

Emmanuel Jal was born in southern Sudan, and while he doesn’t know exactly when, he believes it was in the early 1980s. He was taken from his family in 1987 when he was about seven 6years old, and sent to fight with the rebel army in Sudan’s bloody civil war. For nearly five years, he was a “child warrior,” put into battle carrying an AK-47 that was taller than he was.

Emmanuel’s father joined the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) where his mother was killed when he was about 7years old by the government’s soldiers.

He then decided to join the thousands of children traveling to Ethiopia who had been told that they could be educated there. However, many of the children, Emmanuel included, were recruited by the SPLA and taken to military training camps in the bush in Ethiopia.

The camp was disguised as a school in front of international aid agencies and UN representatives, but behind closed doors the children were training to fight.

“I didn’t have a life as a child. In five years as a fighting boy, what was in my heart was to kill as many Muslims as possible”. – Emmanuel Jal

When the fighting became unbearable, Emmanuel and some other children decided to run away. They were on the move for three months, with many dying on the way, until they reached the town of WAAT, which was the headquarter of a small group that had separated themselves from the main SPLA.

After a series of harrowing events, he was rescued by a British aid worker (Emma McCune) who smuggled him into Nairobi to raise him as her own child.

She died in a road accident a few months later, but her friends helped Emmanuel to continue his studies. To help ease the pain of all that he had experienced. Emmanuel started singing and music became his weapon of choice.

Emmauel Jal – Warchild

His music has since taken him around the world, performing at events like Madiba’s 46664 concert and Live8, alongside artists like Alicia Keys, Annie Lennox, Damien Marley, Razorlight, Supergrass, amongst many others.

He’s life was a teaching to all.

You can learn more about him, his music and biography at his official web site. http://www.emmanueljal.org

Note: If you have not read the previous release; “Why do great startups suddenly die”. Just Click Here!

Some of the courses of business death include these highlighted yet very unidentified business problems that newbie’s doesn’t see.

Too much greed and heedlessness.

Don’t be that kind of entrepreneur that just want MONEY BY ALL MEANS; whether its right or wrong because you will end up cutting your customers just to satisfy your wants. Before you know it; you’ll be the only one willing to deal with your self again.

What I mean here is that; some business owners value money more than their customers and doesn’t care whether their customers are hurt as long as they are making money. This is not suppose to be so.

Your customers are your business; make them happy at all cost, make sure they are satisfied. I guaranty you’ll make money if you can make all your customers happy.

Over investment.

Over investment; Its wrong especially when you don’t have enough experience in the business to invest massive amount of money thinking money makes everything.

Lets go back to the basics of business.

We all know that capital is not the only requirement for a business to succeed. You need more than just money to keep your business, we have good labor; qualified entrepreneur and better location.

Some people are suppressed that they put in millions and yet someone investing thousands in similar business tends to make more profit and expand faster than they do. That just says its money!

One advice on this, make sure you start small; understand the business like no other and then invest more and expand. Starting big with no experience will only lead you to big loss.

Lack of Mentor/Advisor.

We all know what a mentor is; someone who knows better than you do and guides you through the ups and downs of a business similar to one that he has made a great one.

Some people still wonder why they need a mentor; Its not a big deal, I also wondered why I need a mentor until I realized that there are things I can’t see unless someone else point them to me.

Remember, a mentor is someone who has done it before and succeeded. He knows a lot and stepping on his roof top will only make you start as an expert.

If you don’t have a business advisor, I advice you meet one today. He will put you through the hidden secretes of success.

ATTN: I personally struggled with my businesses and till today I’m still struggling; but what differentiates me from others is that I’m still doing my businesses. You need persistence and patience to succeed with your business, so have them.

I wish you all the best, Ahmad Mukoshy.

But suddenly, all we hear is CLOSED!

WHY? That is the main question. Why would a great business idea turn out to be the pathway big loss?

Well, what I understand is that there are some necessary; yet missing strategies which new business owners doesn’t see. There absence has high tendency of leading a great innovation grave. 

So watch out for these:

» Mismanagement of Funds

Some times when you start your new business, it begins paying immediately or even earlier than it starts. Some people get carried away by the sudden cash flow and spends every bit of the income.

You end up buying unnecessary stuff for your self, gifts for friends and even end up changing your whole closet so that the whole world gets aware that you’ve made it big with your new baby business using your out fit.

You may never know, but there exist the “DARK TIMES” for all businesses. The time when your business will seize to pay and also demand from you (some times more than you can ever imaging). If you’re the type that spends everything, you end up broke and so will your business! (BROKE!)

Bye-bye will be the final message to your business, bankruptcy true kills. So, learn to save.

» Unidentified Purpose of Business

Every business comes with a purpose, you have to have a reason for doing the business. Your reasons doesn’t have to be the same with someone else’s but its necessary to have the reasons.

Before starting any kind of business, you should write your reasons for such business and always refer to those reasons to make sure you’re not diverting away from them

Stepping out of your purpose, might lead you into the DARK ZONE.

» Poor Marketing Strategies

Yes, marketing strategies matters a lot. Even if your business is great and could be of big impact to human life, it is possible that; “Its only you & your family/friends that are aware of your business”

So, its always good to adhere to some marketing strategies. Find a medium through which you will create awareness for your business. The customers might be out their searching while you are somewhere else displaying what you got to NOBODY! (You alone knows its there).

Find some great marketing strategies and follow them. That could lead your business to its ultimate success.

TO BE CONTINUED!

NOTE: You may comment; what you think about dead yet great business ideas. There are more courses out there. I’ve more too… Join Me!

If you’ve ever started a business that died, share with us how it happed. You can also subscribe to this blog at the top right. Thanks!

Only if you are not living on this planet earth; you should have heard something about the new micro blogging service called twitter. Well, its a social site that allows you to answer the simple question:

“What are you doing”.

I’ve always loved twitter since the very first day I discovered it. It gives me more freedom to communicate im simple words like, “I’m updating my website”.

Major organizations, businesses, news websites likes CNN, FOX NEWS and City7 TV have adopted the use of twitter to communicate breaking news, live activities etc. My Company, Aimtech Nigeria is also on twitter at http://twitter.com/aimtech

Twitter Features:

Twitter usernames are in a unique format like @mukoshy (My own ID). It also comes with a unique URL like http://twitter.com/mukoshy where the general public can easily access your twits.

Its been 6months or so since I embedded twitter on the right side of this blog. See it titled “ What are you doing now ”. You might have been reading from my twitter long ago

Twitter allows you to customize your twitter page. Most twitter users I know have customized their twitter page. That way, you stand completely unique.

My twitter page is also customized.

Twitter Following & Followers:

Twitter allow users to follow other users twits via custom feeds. Thus, you can always read what your friends are doing from your twitter homepage. As you can see from the above screen shot. I’m following 66 people and 121 people are following my twits.

Scrolling down that page, will show all the twits from my friends. i.e the people I follow. Awesome!

So, register your own free twitter account. Follow me, I’ll follow!

Go to My Twitter Page?

Naija Born is a social media web site aimed at uniting proud Nigerians living in Nigeria and abroad. In short and simple words, its an advanced Nigerian version of LinkedIn.

Naija born is presently on a beta version. Thus, we’re working at best capacity to make it ready for the global access.

If you wish to join us on the beta version, we’re on http://naijaborn.com/beta/ – We’ll love to have your comments and suggestions.

Me joining 9jaborn!

Ever since the day I was introduced to Naija Born, I just felt in love with the Idea and wish to work it further together with the founders.

Just yesterday, 26th May 2009 I signed to Naija Born development team as an associate developer to work with Mambe Nananje (Afrovision Group) and Francis Oghuma (Qubestreet Entertainments) on the progress of Naija Born.

So, I may be resuming office today. Anyway, I am proudly Naija Born!

I guess you’re 2009,  Well I have been waiting for you!  You are the year I’ve planned to be the best of my decade. I’ve big and fully attainable dreams with you if only you’ll give me the chance to eliminate the procrastinating part.

Procrastination has always been a defeat to me, and I feel the pain. I always accomplish at the time when I am no more excited about what I do. But this year, I want to conquer this  barrier and reach out for my dreams when they mean joy and victory to me.

I have been planing for 2009 since around last September. My business, social and personal matters hopefully will all change this year, giving room for my new strategies to flow.

If you do visit this site, then you must have observed a little change on the look of the site. Thats a new year outfit which I have also applied to my other Internet businesses. The new web site look on most of my websites makes it pretty cool for strong business. You know me, I am a business jack!

Let me share with you some of my new plans.

This 2009 I want to hit not less than 3.5 GPA in order to get hold of a 2.0 CGPA.  Lately, I have been more focused with businesses than studies but now I want to give schooling its own share. Besides, I only have 2years to go for my Bachelor’s.

I will also hire additional workforce to help me run my businesses smoothly and effectively without the too much of “you’ve to be there” thing. I believe I can now trust others to do what I mostly kill all my leisures doing!

I also want to take the time to redevelop my home study, because recently I realized that I have retarded my home study skills. Usually, I learn most things on my own in order to build my IQ.

Finally, I want to be happy this year. I want to have some little fun, because I believe in the saying “All work no play makes jack a doll boy”. So, I want to start playing some outdoor games, like basketball because I cant even remember the last time I came close to a ball. Don’t be surprised, I don’t do outdoors!

So thats just my part, even though I have more written that what I wrote here. Would you mind sharing with me your own plans? Let me and my readers see what you think of 2009 and your plans for a whole new beginning.

Just reply by leaving comments.