Being new in the business field of Linux services and products, I can’t pretend that I am a know-it-all person. But in such a short time it started to be very obvious that Linux does have a very good future in the middle east, and in Saudi Arabia in particular. Reasons are already known to those who know about Linux and its benefits. But most importantly, it is the Cost and the Reliability that attract people to solutions with Linux.
Nevertheless, there are some major challenges, mostly, the lack of local and even imported expertise in that field. People are afraid of what they don’t know, and don’t know how to use, and this is where training and awareness comes to the picture. It may seem that I am promoting the company that I work with, being a Red Hat Certified Training Partner, but the fact is that awareness and training is needed for any new technology.
OSS & Linux
Well, although everyone, including my boss, told me not to come to work in the weekend, I could not prevent myself. I guess I am turning to a workoholic, afterall I am trying to catch up all the work I missed last year :)
I went today to Al-Rashed mall in Khobar. I can tell you, with 11 gates, you really have to know where you parked, and what gate you came from, as once you are inside, getting lost is the easy part. I had lunch there, and stayed there until around 9, when I headed back to the office.
Tomorrow the fitness center will open, I will pass to make the subscription and so. I hope that I will commit my self to it, I will have to as I plan to get a yearly plan. I am at office now reading papers, while thinking about what I will fix myself for dinner. Fnassar gave me a good diet plan last time I saw him when we went to see Burhan. I plan to follow us as much as I can.
About Me
I started to ask around about a nice fitness center, not that I need one (this is for those who does not know how I look :) ) I found a nice one near my stay, which will encourige me to go more often. I plan to go tonight to the kornaish of Dammam (which I had not seen yet). I was told that it goes for 3-5 KM of flat paves, perfect for walking.
Yesterday was my second time to drive to Khobar, I tried to invent a new road, which turned out not to exist :) after all I reached there by time (or maybe 15 minutes late). I was told by the people of Khobar that they even tend to get lost in Dammam because it’s roads are not that organized as Khobar is, as Khobar roads and systematic, organized by blockes, roads are either parallel, or crossing with 90 degrees, which makes guessing (or inventing) paths easier.
I started to discover stores around, I found a nice bakery, a supermarket, and a couple of restaurants (besides Hashem). So far I like it in here, infact, I don’t have time not to like it, as I had been really busy. On the phone and emails almost all day.
For those who are reading, and have something in mind, comment on articles.
About Me
I started to enjoy myself, yesterday I drove to khobar, which is about 20 minutes drive away, a totally different city than the one I am in. With only one U-Tern, I was able to reach there almost directly. I had plans to get myself some cloths, but because I met yousef a little late, the plans got changes, and we had dinner, and had a walk at the “Wajha Ba7riyeh” what ever that is.
One good thing is that a certain blog site that I wanted to check every now and then for news is not unblocked, so no more excuses Mr. start blogging and you may get a gmail account :)
About Me, Internet & Technology
Yesterday was really nice, I had breakfast at Hashem (yes, the Jordanian Falafel one), went to office, met AH, got the mobile, had a business meeting, and then another meeting, then sea food restaurant, coffee at Starbucks, rented a car, work again until 9:30pm to get my office set up.
I was scared when I first drove the car to the place I stay in, as I had no idea if I can really find where I live. after all I think that things were not that bad :) and without much detours, and U-turns I found were I live.
At night, Yousef passed over, we went and had dinner with Abu Dawood whom I didn’t see for more than 2 years (since Univ). Meeting Youcef’s friends, and staying be the sea at the Kornaish was really special. We stayed until 3:30 am, when I told Youcef that I need to go back home to be able to function today, as I had plans to work on friday to get my office and work up.
About Me
Well, After spending sometime in the airplane, and waiting in the airport for someone I never met, I think that today was longer. I forgot how boringit is to fly alone. What is even more boring is that the 6 seats row that I was in in the airplane was empty, yes I was alone in the row from Window to Window :(
I spend some time in the hotel, tried to refresh and so.. now I am in the office, trying to gasp all the changes. Tomorrow I have a meeting already. I guess that things are moving too fast.
I am using Windows XP now (Sadly), tomorrow I will get my flavor of choice installed in a desktop and a laptop. and get things moving. I am sure I will sleep deeply tonight…
About Me
It had been a long day, it is 1 AM now, I am still packing, almost done. Today had been a long day, visiting many people, doing many things, and having the long process of packing.
Probably the best part of the day was the evening, where Anan, Abu El-Jalajel, Fadi Bio, and Khaldoon came, and we had a nice quite conversation in the garden :) well it was not very quite, but it was nice. I guess the main reasons for that debate was that Fadi and I enjoy having debates :) while others were trying to make one of us shut up so that the other would do that as well.
I feel really sleepy now, and tired. I was surprised to see that I don’t have a lot of things to pack, or in other words, I don’t find a lot of things that I would like to wear or take with me. I took 2 mugs with me, I know there are many mugs in there, but those mugs ma7sobeen 3alai :p
About Me
Well, to be frank, the bags are bot packed yet… I got the international driving permit, they didn’t know what they are doing when they gave me that, I am danger on the road :)
Fedora Core 2 should be out by now, although I do not use it at my home PC, I worked on it for more than 45 days at my last work. I can’t deny that I liked it, but will I find it too close to my taste. So I will stay with Debian.
I am still feeling full after the Italian diner last night with Wazzan and Tareq. I really should be easy on myself, and have better control.
About Me, OSS & Linux
AH bought me a Nokia 6108 mobile phone. Looking at the phone features and so, it seems to be fine:
http://www.nokia-asia.com/nokia/0,,28252,00.html
But, the problem is that, I REALLY DON’T LIKE NOKIA PHONES… maybe this is part of my refusal to the most common. After all I use Linux, and don’t like to use Windows, and my mobile phones had been Siemens, Ericsson, and Sony Ericsson.
I know that AH did it with good intentions, wanting to make things smooth and available once I am there, but what he he did not know is that I have issues. Ask Anan and he will tell you, yes I have issues…..
About Me, Internet & Technology
Yes, in 3 days it is.. I am not sure what should I get, or leave. I am not sure how long I will stay there, or when I will be back, all I know is that in 3 days I am leaving Amman.
Probably because I had been waiting for this for a long time, or maybe because I thought it will not happen, but in 3 days I will be leaving to Saudi Arabia to work for Remal, and I don’t really believe it yet.
About Me