One of the Facebook engineers turned NASDAQ button to his B*tch to automatically post “Mark Zuckerberg has listed a company on NASDAQ – FB” to the CEO’s Timeline as he rung the bell to open the NASDAQ’s day of trading.

Here is how, David Garcia, a senior software engineer at Facebook, Open-graphed NASDAQ in just 3 days.

It was 14th May 2012, the last Monday before Facebook could go Public, a normal day in a life of a Facebooker, when suddenly during lunch an idea stuck, how awesome would it be if the second Mark rang the bell a story would post to his timeline to let his friends and subscribers know.

And then the quest of Hack the NASDAQ button began.

I was so excited about this idea that when I got back to my desk, I posted on Facebook: “We should totally hack the button so it pushes an open graph action, “Mark Rang the NASDAQ bell”, said David.

The first person to comment? Zuck: “It would be epic if you pulled that off.”

I got to work that night.

The Solution: Connect the NASDAQ button to a Mobile phone logged into Facebook to generate an OPEN GRAPH Action, sounds simple, implementing it would be tough.

STEP ONE:

Hack the headphones of the Mobile Phone

Just like you use a headphone to play and pause music, the button needed to be hacked to have publish an action on Facebook. A Soldering Iron was what did the trick, so the trigger was read.

STEO TWO:

Hack the NASDAQ Button

By the time NASDAQ arrived on Wednesday, a few engineers rushed there and checked the button, NASDAQ also provided it’s support under one condition: “DO NOT BREAK IT.”

As we unscrewed the cover and poked around inside, we discovered that it looked quite different from what we were expecting. While the system wasn’t too complicated (a touch pad, a light, and grey box containing some relays connecting to the power supply), our hack was going to prove a bit of a challenge. We plied open the gray box to test the various circuits and figure out exactly how they worked. After some delicate tests with a voltmeter, we came up with a solution.

A couple of us then headed off to Radio Shack to pick up a couple relays, capacitors, and resistors. A couple of hours later, we had built our hack. The finished product wasn’t exactly the prettiest thing, but hacks aren’t supposed to be. They’re just supposed to work.

We ran back to the conference room with the button to make sure it did.

We hooked up our hack to run at exactly the same time as Mark pushed the button to turn on the light and ring the bell. Then we attached a wire that hooks to the hack and into the headset jack of a cell phone. When the button was pressed, it sent a signal through the hack, and the phone got the signal that triggered the custom action through our Open Graph API, posting a story onto Mark’s Timeline. It worked, Said one of the Engineers.

The result

“Mark listed a company on NASDAQ – FB – with Chris Cox (VP of Product) and 4 others [Sheryl Sandberg (COO), David Ebersman (CFO), Cipora Herman (Treasurer), and Dave Kling (Deputy General Counsel)”

In less than 3 days, an idea became reality, something that would be seen by people all around the world. All in all, a normal day at Facebook.

via: TechCrunch

The DNetWorks Team

The lawsuit has been filed in California, and combined 21 individual cases that were spread out across the United States by subscribers who claim the company invaded their privacy by tracking their Internet use. We had already reported this long back about Facebook tracking user’s every move even when they are not of Facebook.

“This is not just a damages action, but a groundbreaking digital-privacy rights case that could have wide and significant legal and business implications,” says David Straite, a partner at Stewarts Law.

The U.S. Wiretap Act “provides statutory damages of the greater of $100 per violation per day, up to $10,000, per Facebook user,” according to the complaint. Facebook’s more than 800 million members are entitled to about $15 billion in total, according to the plaintiffs.

via: Slashgear

The DNetWorks Team

The reason they came in the Anonymous line of fire was the blockage of the below websites in India.

YOU Broadband

• Isohunt.com
• thepiratebay.org/thepiratebay.se
• torrentz.eu
• kat.ph
• torlock.com
• kickasstorrents.com
• torrentfunk.com
• fenopy.eu

Airtel Delhi/Mumbai/Bangalore:

• Vimeo.com
• DailyMotion.com
• Xmarks.com
• Pastebin.com
• Isohunt.com
• thepiratebay.org/thepiratebay.se
• torrentz.eu
• kat.ph
• torlock.com
• kickasstorrents.com
• torrentfunk.com
• fenopy.eu

MTNL Delhi/Mumbai:

• DailyMotion
• torrentz.eu
• Piratebay
• Kickass Torrents
• Sumotorrent
• Monova.org
• Mininova.com
• Vimeo

Reliance Communications:

Some users reported that the websites, such as PirateBay, Pastebin, etc., weren’t accessible

Pacenet Mumbai

• Vimeo.com

Tikona

• Vimeo.com
• ThePirateBay

BSNL

• ThePirateBay

Zylog Wi5

• Vimeo.com
• DailyMotion.com
• Torrents.eu
• Extratorrent.com
• Kickasstorrents.com
• ThePirateBay.org/ThePirateBay.se
• Torrents.net
• Isohunt.com
• Torrentroom.com

Infotel ConnectBroadband

• Torrents.eu
• ThePirateBay.org/ThePirateBay.se

Aircel Edge/3G

• Vimeo.com
• DailyMotion.com

Block list via: MediaNama

How to Access Blocked websites by the Government of India or in General

There are several workarounds to access websites that are blocked in your country.

Use HTTPS instead of HTTP

By using Secure Hypertext Transfer Protocol  (https://) you can access blocked websites, All you have to do is replace the usual http://websitename.com to https://websitename.com

Use Proxy Websites

Proxy websites basically bounce your IP and access the page via their servers, so what happens is, You computer is accessing the Proxy website and that website is accessing the blocked website (which is not blocked in the country the proxy website resides) and serves it on your browser.

So it’s a browser inside a browser kind of thing.

You can google for free proxy websites and there are millions of them allowing you to access various websites from various countries. We have our Own US based Proxy website it’s called OPEN and located at open.dnetzone.in

Use Proxy Softwares

Along with the websites providing the accessibility features, there are softwares as well that enable access to the blocked websites.

You have to download these softwares and install them, this eliminates the need to go to a proxy website and you can you your own browser to access the blocked websites.

In Browser Proxy

You can go ahead and configure proxy settings in your browsers too, search for “Proxy List”, use the details in your browser configuration or settings and Voila!

Use IP instead of the URL

This one is an Old trick, it may work though, DNS, the name resolution service, converts IP address to domain name and vice-versa, some times only the Domain named is blocked, if by some means you get the IP address the website becomes accessible.

How to get IP address of the Domain name?

Go to Command Prompt in Windows or Terminal in Linux/Mac

type: ping <websitename>

eg: ping facebook.com

You will get a 12 digit number something like this 66.220.158.11, paste this in your address bar and the website might just open up.

Use Google Cache

Search Engines like Google maintain a cache copy of all the websites, so even if the domain name and the IP is blocked, the page can be served via Google Servers, Go to Google and Search for the website, once the results appear, click on a link that says “Cached” and the website will open up.

Use Google translate

Website translation services can also be used to access blocked website, say Google Translate, go to translate.google.com and type in the website that is blocked, convert it to another language and then covert it back to English or whichever language you prefer.

Retrieve Webpages via Email

Web2Email is a free service that sends websites you want to read right into your inbox. All you need to do is send an email to www@web2mail.com with the URL as subject title.

RSS Feeds

This might not work for all sites, but if the site you intended to visit provides RSS feeds, you can subscribe and read it with a RSS reader, or have it regularly send the contents to your email or a RSS Reader.

Use VPN

Search for VPN that virtually move you to a different country as if you were present there and accessing the website from there.

We could go on with the ways to access blocked websites, but I think we should stop here.

Let us know if you have any queries.

The DNetWorks Team

The news coming in again from the horses mouth is that They will be attacking BJP (bjp.org) and Reliance Big Entertainment (rbe.co.in) today, the attack is likely to happen at 1400 hours IST.

The government has come under heavy cyber attacks from Anonymous since yesterday.

Anonymous says, “Is it just about free internet? NO. Think beyond. Its corruption. Its terror. Its disease. Its poverty. Want more reasons?“

Here are some of the crucial information we’ve found

1. Sites hosted on NIC server that can or will be attacked

2. PASSWD file on NIC Server

 3. Leaked Login Information of the NIC Server

We will be posting a few of the ways, not procedures, Anonymous carries out these attacks. Stay tuned.

The DNetWorks Team

The news is that hacktivists Anonymous have taken down The Supreme Court of India(supremecourtofindia.nic.in) and All India Congress(aicc.org.in) website down.

They’ve given the reason: Internet Censorship, this take down comes after the website like Vimeo, PirateBay etc have been blocked by most of the Indian ISP on government request.

Anonymous Tweeted

Namaste #India, your time has come to trash the current government and install a new one. Good luck. | #SaveTPB #Anonymous #Censorship

— Anonymous Operations (@Anon_Central) May 17, 2012

They’ve been very quick on this, the blockage started in the morning and within hours we see Government website being taken down by Anonymous.

They’ve named this operation, “MT Operation India” Let’s see how this one goes, this seems interesting.

I am strictly against this censorship, also there are workaround you can use to access the websites, we will be soon posting those. Stay tuned

The above websites are down, when this article was published: 17th May 2012, 15:30 IST

Update: 17th May 2012, 21:10 IST: Department of Telecom (DOT) and CopyrightLabs taken down, while Supreme Court and All India Congress website is up but slow

@Anon_CentralWe thank fellow anons for supporting #opindia. TANGODOWN : dot.gov.in & copyrightlabs.in

— opindia (@opindia_revenge) May 17, 2012

The DNetWorks Team

The price range had been increased from between $28 to $35 to between $34 to $35. The cut-off has been decided at the mid-point of the price range at $36. This gives the company a valuation that rivals Amazon and one which exceeds that of HP and Dell put together. However, before investing, you need to consider the following.

Management and Administration:

Mark Zuckerberg is known to make quick but volatile decisions. It almost appears as if his decision making is influenced by an underlying anxiety of being faced with a situation where the revenues are declining and the targets are missed. (Eg. Facebook VideoChat after Google+ Hangout launch and Instagram Takeover before Twitter could acquire it)

Of course he doesn’t want Facebook to be another sinking ship like Yahoo or RIM. Not too long ago he had hastily taken the decision of acquiring Instagram, and again this decision was taken by Zuckerberg solely without the involvement of the other Board of Directors at Facebook.

Here, Zuckerberg is the single largest shareholder who holds more than 50% of the shares and hence, he has the ability to override or veto the decisions taken by his board.

Not to mention, the decisions after the IPO, will solely be for Profit and not to CHANGE THE WORLD TO BE A BETTER PLACE AGENDA.

Interesting: Facebook to acquire Bing from Microsoft, What happens if that happens

Challenges:

1. Users may not always like the changes that are introduced:

Consider Timeline.

While Timeline contributes immensely towards a rise in Average Revenue per User (ARPU), this is one feature which most users hate and wish that it did not exist. Likewise there may be other features as well that may not go down well with the users.

2. Increasing use of Smart Phones, no way YET to monetize:

The greatest threat for Facebook is the increasing use of mobile phones. It’s ironic that Faacebook’s mobile app offers users a timeline free experience. Facebook is yet to figured out a way to generate revenues from its smartphone-based users. Considering that about 30% of the traffic is via Facebook for mobile, they need to find a way to monetize it.

3. Competition from Google:

Facebook relies solely on Ads for revenues. Yet, Facebook has not been able to optimize the resources it has to it’s advantage. It has the information of the users, but definitely not the advantage that Google has with its Adsense. Google Ads are more relevant both contextually and interest based, Plus there are Million plus websites where Google Ads are strategically places to ensure maximum conversion

Facebook advertisements on the other hand work more like brand building. For instance, I won’t go to Facebook to apply for a loan from Citibank or to Buy a Car.

Facebook has already received a shocker from General Motors, who has decided to stop using Facebook as a medium for sales and marketing, citing a lack of effectiveness.

This would have been the last thing Zuckerberg would want to discuss just before the IPO, leave alone the embarrassment caused.

Facebook IPO may have been over subscribed, but still it hasn’t got the response that may have been anticipted.

Social networking is a phenomena that looks unstoppable. However, unlike users, investors are not someone who would get addicted. Investors would stay invested only until better opportunities arise.  So if you are an investor or a trader who has subscribed for Facebook IPO, be sure to book profits at the right time.

P.S.: 50% of Americans think Facebook is a Passing Fad, check out the Mashable Article about it.

Related: Eduardo Saverin gives up his US Citizenship, save taxes (US$600million) before the IPO

You may also like: Life After IPO, Who owns how much share in Facebook

The DNetWorks Team

Google is expected to make an official announcement on Android 5.0 Jelly Bean during its I/O developer conference, which is happening in June 2012.

Jelly Bean is the name floating around ever since September 2012, also Google was giving out Jelly Beans at the Android-themed Mobile World Congress stand in Barcelona, Spain, this year.

Android 5.0 Jelly Bean Expected Features

Currently we have no concrete evidences about the feature list but there have been various rumors about the possible features that comes packed with the Sugar Coated nuggets.

Here are some of them:

Android 5.0 Jelly Bean will dual boot Windows 8

Android 5.0 Jelly Bean will dual boot Windows 8 and to the users delight, they could switch between a Android and Windows. If this happens there will be hell lot of users switching to Android, which will give them best of both the world.

Some would argue that, why should an open-source OS be integrated with some closed end, proprietary OS, sounds a valid point.

Android 5.0 Jelly Bean will dual boot Google Chrome OS

The second OS contender to dual boot with Android 5.0 Jelly Bean can be Google own Chrome OS. At the Mobile World Congress last year Google’s then chairman Eric Schmidt told the delegates that Android and Chrome OS will converge, so year, we cannot rule out this point.

Intuitive Gesture based Interface

Last year, Google patented quite a few letter gestures to act as shortcuts, say, a G gesture might fire up Google search etc.

Google Chrome Browser comes in as a Standard offering

Yes, Google Chrome is available on ICS, but is via the Play Store. So, I am sure, that instead of getting it downloaded from the Play Store, this will come in as a standard offering with Jelly Bean

A Lá Siri App

An App codename Majel, is what Google, it seems, is working on to compete with Siri, Android users are anxiously waiting for such an App which could make their life easier with zillions of things to do with their smartphone

Interesting Article: Is Siri the Dark Knight for Apple? How important is Siri for Apple’s success?

Better Battery Management

It’s high time Google starts thinking about the battery consumption with all the features on the phone with the Huge-a** screens and Quad Core processors and stuff, I think, Better Battery Management should be number 1 on their list of things to do.

Release Date for Android 5.0 Jelly Bean

So, Google hasn’t made an official announcement about this as well, but considering ICS arrived in autumn 2011, Jelly Bean is seems will also release somewhere around Autumn 2012, probably with the Nexus Flagship phones.

Jelly Bean could be showed off at the Annual I/O developers conference, we will keep you informed about when this happens.

I hope we will see all the features of Android 5.0 Jelly Bean when they air it, whenever they do that is.

The DNetWorks Team

Google is now changing tracks an reportedly be allowing multiple manufacturers to build the Nexus phones starting Fall 2012. We can expect 5 devices to be launched by 5 different manufacturers will all different specification and features.

Google also plans to sell the gadgets directly to consumers in the U.S., Europe and Asia through its website, and potentially through some retailers, this person said.

Interesting Article: What will be the names for Future Android versions after Ice Cream sandwich and Jelly Beans? 

The Next Gen Nexuses’ will be running Android Jelly Bean (Android 5.0) and the portfolio of devices will be ready by Thanksgiving Day.

Smart move, I think

The DNetWorks Team

Thought Saverin gave up his Citizenship in August of 2011, but this was definitely with the IPO in mind, The Facebook c0-founder, currently enjoys a more tax-friendly residency status of Singapore, where the maximum personal income tax rate is 20 percent and capital gains are not taxed.

Interesting Related Post: Life After IPO, Who owns how much share in Facebook

Eduardo Saverin, owns about 5% stake in Facebook which comes up to about US$ 4 Billion and taxes about US$600 Million. “I have worked with him for over a year, and that never came up, Obviously it was a big decision, but he’s making all these investments in Europe, Asia and the U.S. It just seemed a lot simpler. Everyone is trying to tie this to the IPO and taxes, It was never about that.” said, Saverin’s Spokeperson, Goodman.

The renunciation, published by the State Department at the end of April and reported first by Bloomberg a few days ago became public just days before Facebook shares are expected to be sold to the public. The company is expected to be valued at more than $85 billion.

A record 1780 people gave up their US passports last year compared with 235 in 2008, according to government records. That number may soar again next year when income tax rates for top US earners rise to 39.6 per cent from 35 per cent and rates on capital gains and dividends are also are scheduled to rise.

There is an extremely awesome article written about What Eduardo Saverin owes America, at Pandodaily go check it out.

Is it a Smart Move or just betrayal?

The DNetWorks Team

Below are the original links spoken about in the Show

• Anonymous to release information about Extra terrestrial Beings (UFO, Aliens, etc.) 
• Sega makes Piss powered Games, Literally
• Facebook adds a feature Foursquare would love, Action Links
• Directory of Facebook Contacts — Report Issues, Bugs to Facebook, via these 100+ forms
• Hulk gets hacked, Bring on the Avengers

The DNetWorks Team