Echoes

Re: # 207

...personally i recommend removal of this good for nothing `letters to editor` section...it does not serve any purpose except to put the editors under unnecessary pressure and a chance to losers to get closer to the power base through the tried and tested mantra of flattery and apple polishing...neither are you going to implement any of the recommendations that may not fit in with your world-view, so why this painful excercise in pretence and `democracy`...be honest...thank you.

I think the peer rating system in one’s profile should be done away with. What purpose does it actually serve? I mean, ain’t everyone equal, a few more equal than others. Similarly, there’s should be a need for “ignored by”. One can always be “manually” ignored. These were suggestions for cosmetic appearance. Now for the content:

There should be a place to list articles submitted (pretty much like monitors at the airport arrival halls). Like this:

- Dogs and Military – by Romair – Submitted on 11/6/98 – To be reviewed
- MukhtaraN Mai and Starbucks – by Urstruly – Under Review
- India Pakistan and US in a threesum – by Dulla Bhatti – Rejected due to adult language
- Waterhose and Hydraulics – by Mr. Gill – to be published on 11/12/05

Such a status of submissions will give the Chowkies an idea of what exciting stuff to look forward to, and also to make vacation plans accordingly.

#210


Correction: It should read as “There shouldn’t be a need for “Ignored By”….

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE USUAL LOOK???????????????????????????

Updating without warning is like eating pizza for breakfast.................................

I read write-ups at Chowk with interest, but sometimes I cant help say to myself: Fuk it (I say that while I clinch my fists real tight). The journalistic component on this website is pretty edgy, but some of the subsequent discussions end up in fist-fights among Chowkies. E.g., Indians blaming everything on Pakistanis, and half of Pakistanis blaming Pakistanis, and the remaining are divided between India haters and Jew haters. Once in a while, you find an Indian hating other Indians. One cannot but notice that this tension, if you will, is what makes this place tick. This tension also brings Pakistanis closer to other Pakistanis and Indians and Jews. Therefore, it might not be a bad idea to have a new tab labeled “Gleason’s Gym” – a Boxing gym in Brooklyn where over a 100 Boxing Champions trained (including heavy weights like Mohammad Ali, Mike Tyson, George Foreman). Most recently, Hilary Swank, the “Million Dollar Baby” trained there for her role.

The purpose of “Gleason’s Gym” will be to have a purely dedicated section for Indo-Pak (and Pak-Pak) rivalry, because as it is, every discussion gets corrupted by the useless bare-knuckle fights between the various groups, and very rarely is there is a knockout. In this section, there will always be a knockout. You be the referee.

While I am not it… Since Chowk is tabbed into various sub-sections named inappropriately without any significance to what is being discussed there (I never heard the name Leafyglade until I came here – I still don’t have a clue what it means – I am clinching my fists again), I think some of the other tabs should also be re-named. “Gymkhana” sends very upper crusty vibes for a section’s name. I avoid going there caz the name intimidates me. I think you shouldn’t be so abstract, and should choose more user-friendly (and lower middle class) names for various sections. Not everyone lives in Gulberg. My German colleague once was very surprised to know that we have places in Pakistan named in Duetche;;; I told him, Gulberg is not on the Neckar, and is prettier than Heidelberg.

Re: # 209 Keeping up appearances, is what seperates Democracy from
other other forms of govt.

I realize it`s a personal thing but i find sites that are not cluttered nor complicated to look at very inviting. Interestingly, I find that the color stripes on the front page a turn off - i have to make a special effort to go to those articles. I also note that they have had a lot fewer clicks.
I also realize that you`re trying to make this look more like a magazine than a blog site. Therefore it`s hard to know how complicated in appearance this can be while keeping the visual appeal.
Also, articles that invite a lot of interest could be pushed to the margin before they are pushed off the front page. This way their transition into oblivion will be more gradual.

I think # 210 is a brilliant idea

Re: # 61

We don`t expect - we demand a revolution! Please provide!!!

after all the good suggestions for the format of the front page, the front page remains the same.... a colorful, clownish, verbal vomitus


and they ask us for suggestions...... what a farce

... father raymond was RIGHT... i am going blind coz i swear i saw a news item `karachi blasted` on the front page a while ago, which i can`t see no more...i should have listened to the old padre and not used my palms...

dear sir,
i was told that my article, `mullah, mosque & state` has been published in Chowk but i did not found the same, please let me know about the fate of my article.
thanks
aftab alam advocate

copyright infringement and publication of interactor`s pictures without their permission:


is this allowed on chowk?

someone on unplugged posted a picture from a copyrighted site, a picture of an interactor and her family

i emailed chowk staff with the request to remove the interactor, and there was silence


Farzana,

Do you allow women and their families to be subjected to this kind of illegal `exposure` on this website?

some words from Farzana`s editorial and my response to them:

``“Who is Chowk staff?” was the question asked several times until just the other day, appended with adjectives about cowardice, invisibility and waywardness. Now, when I am here to take responsibility, the comment being made is about how you miss the ‘enigma’ that was Chowk!``

and then later..

``Chowk has not done that. It has given you the power to be yourself – together with that power comes responsibility. Clearly, not everyone is equipped for that. ``



Clearly, you can do better to use that `power` in a responsible way.

Actions speak louder than words Farzana. It`s easy to claim responsibility but to exercise it is another matter. You have not exercised it yet. Interactors and their families pictures are being posted along with copyright infringements, I emailed chowk staff to remove them.
But there is silence. So don`t talk about `responsibility` until you can really take it.

It`s all loose talk and loose talk is easy.

chowk staff
Since, Farzana Versey has joined the office, this chowk web site has become fish market. It was very interesting when Saima Shah was the chief editor. She cared for chowk`s interact guidelines. She was a decent woman of principles. Farzana versey is just the opposite of Saima Shah. Chowk has become a TAMASHA where khamkhwa and catchy are harrassing me and stalking me. They have NO life left. I feel sorry for these two persons who are stalking a stranger woman 24 hours/7 days.

Chowk has become just an insult to interact for fair people. Good for Saminasha and others who left. I am also leaving this web site. But, I think, khamkhwa and catchy just feel pleasure to stalk me. and I can not please them any more. Good for khamkhwa and catchy.
Now, they will stalk someone else.
used to enjoy chowk when it was just benign site with some standards, now, this web site is nothing more than a gutter....................I mean it. This gutter stinks.

Farzana Versey
Don`t you know the international rules and regulations of internet????
If, you do, you also have to set strict rules here or else, resign from your chief editor ship. I believe, Saminasha will be much much better CHIEF EDITOR. She has all the sense to run a web site. or Temporal was the best for running this web site......
As for as Farzana Versey is, yes I never liked her articles. But, choosing her as chief editor of chowk and then her response that she will not be responsible for Un Plugged , she will not appreciate COMPLAINTS, she will not take care of any abuse or porno pictures here, makes me nuseated, this is sick, absolutely sick...................
Being chief editor is a very sensitive job. It is samething, if some President of country after being elected announces that he will not be responsible for any CRIME in the country. All criminals are wellcome to committ crimes in this country under my rule.
Sorry, I can`t be part of this new version of crime chowk.com ....................

Chowk staff
{{speak wisely, you will be herad>}}}
When, we will be heard??After one century???
Why you do not respond to us immediately and stop this women abuse on Un Plugged??
Or, else I believe it is chowk staff and Farzana Versey who are harrassing women under different nicks.

Farzana Versey
Stop playing with words. Sometimes it is good to play with words, but, there are times when you have to be practical. Being chief ediotr, IT IS YOUR JOB TO POLICE THE CHOWK,ESPECIALLY UNPLUGGED. If, you will not police, and let men abuse women the way it is going on with no rules and regulations, Which direction will you take chowk to???
Obviously, you are encouraging chowk to become an abusive criminal web site with NO respect left for each other and for women. I condemn your policy...........