Sriram Sharma

Blogger, Connector, Entrepreneur, Idea generator, Inventor, Journalist, Startup, Technologist, Writer/Editor

Journalist and writer based in Mumbai, specialised in science and technology, with 7+ years in IT media ( Computer Gaming World, Digit, Techtree.com, PC Magazine Middle East, Official PlayStation Magazine. During my 5 years in Dubai, I also worked as a project manager for www.cashu.com, an e-commerce portal from Maktoob. cashU is the Paypal of the Middle East, and is very popular among those without access to a credit card but want to buy web hosting, subscriptions, VoiP, and play online games. During my time as Product Manager, and with due credit to my colleagues and mentors, I pulled off a dual-language redesign, adding new features to a fairly complex and homebrew financial product, communicating with a developer team in Jordan over Skype, using interactive site prototypes for new pages, design changes, admin and reporting tools. I currently work as a correspondent for Mumbai Mirror and Digit, (I wrote a feature about TED India in Mysore for them) and also update their website with news stories and developments that interest me. I am going to launch a couple of startups for a couple of very good ideas next year. One of them has very good potential as a social entrepreneurship venture.

Artists, Science, Technology, Philosophy, Freedom of speech. Optimisation: Whether it be computer hardware, workspace, software tools, health, yoga, or vegetarian cooking.

Support durable computer products with a good servicing ethic, and insist on platforms that have a lesser number upgrade lifecycles. Computers should not be scrapped every two years. A 2004 UNU report which states that it takes 1.8 tonnes of materials to make a desktop computer and a monitor. This includes 240 kg of fossil fuels, and 22 kg of chemicals. Computers are fast enough, and if bloatware is eliminated, it would continue to be fast and efficient beyond its ordinary lifecycle. Buy a computer not just on the basis of its performance or price, but also power efficiency. Support platforms that allow you to easily upgrade or repurpose the hardware. The energy savings potential of reselling or upgrading is some 5-20 times greater than recycling.

I was at TED India on work! Filed five science and tech articles for Mumbai Mirror (Times Group)about TED India in Mysore, and a feature for Digit Magazine (December 2009). There were a lot of good ideas at TED India, the TED fellows were an inspiration, and the event was, as promised, full of unexpected coincidences and connections. The friend who tuned me on to TED in 2006, was there to witness the event at Mysore too. I met a TED fellow who started a poetry website on which I first exchanged notes my fiancee.

Remembering people, anecdotes and things even after a decade or two. I have a strong sense of empathy, and am connected to a lot of people who are not on facebook or twitter.