Why should you read this obituary?

Michael Stern Hart... all heart

Unfortunately media failed to notice that Michael Stern Hart- founder of the Project Gutenberg- passed away on 6th September.

Here is his obituary:

Michael Stern Hart was born in Tacoma, Washington on March 8, 1947. He died on September 6, 2011 in his home in Urbana, Illinois, at the age of 64. His is survived by his mother, Alice, and brother, Bennett. Michael was an Eagle Scout (Urbana Troop 6 and Explorer Post 12), and served in the Army in Korea during the Vietnam era.

Hart was best known for his 1971 invention of electronic books, or eBooks. He founded Project Gutenberg, which is recognized as one of the earliest and longest-lasting online literary projects.

Overhauling Dhaka bus business

Yet another in my series on traffic management solutions. The solution presented here is very Dhaka-centric and designed with Bangladeshi characteristics and idiosyncrasies in mind. As always the idea can just as easily be replicated in all the other cities and towns across Bangladesh... and in this case, if this idea is ever implemented, should.

Traffic Management: Lesson 6: Dhaka has little to offer as options in public transport, people can walk, take the rickshaw or jump on an already overcrowded and dilapidated bus run by the government or the private sector.

The buses never run timely but are always run poorly. What Dhaka needs before the metro line or the elevated expressway come is a complete overhaul of the bus system. Mind you people who invest in this sector do so to make money – and the cut-throat nature of the industry extends to how the business is run.

Phasing rickshaws off Dhaka streets

This yet another piece in a series of traffic management articles that I began last week. The ideas presented are particularly designed and thought out with the streets of my hometown Dhaka in mind. The ideas can just as easily be replicated in all the other cities and towns across Bangladesh.

Traffic Management: Lesson 5: No traffic management essay would be complete without some thought and a proposal for a solution that attempts to tackle the rickshaw issue.

The rickshaw issue has many facets to it, least of which is that it is a public service that is in great demand since the other public service options are limited at best and thoroughly unreliable.

Reigning in jaywalking in Dhaka

This article part of a series of traffic management articles that I have undertaken – particularly designed and thought out for the streets of my hometown Dhaka (and expandable to all the other cities across Bangladesh). Where it'll all end no one knows... [this is true for both the deplorable traffic condition in Dhaka and the number of articles in this series]

Traffic Management: Lesson 3... err 4: I have always maintained that there are few countries as free and democratic when it comes to personal freedoms than Bangladesh. Very few countries will allow people to cross the street at any point that is deemed convenient – this is regardless of the time of day or night, the width of the road being crossed, or the average speed in which on-coming traffic is moving.

The denizens of Dhaka cross the street anywhere and anytime they please; oftentimes under the cool shade of the pedestrian overpass.

Putting a toll on Dhaka traffic

Traffic Management: Lesson 2: Like many other countries, so too in Bangladesh money is king. Sadly, in more and more cases, as governance goes awry the end (i.e. making money) is being used to justify any means.

Money has become precious because it is erroneously considered the root to all happiness – and even if happiness remains elusive, at least the big car, over priced real estate and perceived neighbour envy helps a lot of people try and sleep at night (which most probably find is as elusive as their happiness they expected mollycoddled in the moolah).

But I digress.

Unclogging Dhaka city intersections

Whose right of way? More like 'right away'

Traffic Management: Lesson 1

Today marks the first in a series of traffic management articles that I will undertake – designed for the streets of my hometown Dhaka (and executable in all the other cities across the nation).

Just as anyone stuck in traffic has done time immemorial – I too have studied the traffic around me and been honed into an 'expert' in traffic management.

But before I go any further, I want to add that the difference between me and most self-trained (and self-professed) 'idle' traffic management experts, is that I have never designed traffic management situations in my mind as a fancy pass time or just a product of a burst of sudden insight; only to be forgotten by the next red light for another 'light bulb' moment.