Facebook Buys Instagram For $1 Billion- Did Zuckerberg do the right decision?? Will He be happy???

Facebook has just finished a deal to acquire mobile photo sharing app Instagram for approximately $1 billion in cash and stock. Instagram will remain an independently branded standalone app that’s separate from Facebook, but the services will increase their ties to each other. The transaction should go through this quarter pending some standard closing procedures
Last year, documents for a standalone Facebook mobile photo sharing app were attained by TechCrunch. Now it seems Facebook would rather buy Instagram which comes with a built-in community of photographers and photo lovers, while simultaneously squashing a threat to its dominance in photo sharing.
At 27 million registered users on iOS alone, Instagram was increasingly positioning itself as a social network in its own right — not just a photo-sharing app. And it was clear that some users were doing more of the daily sharing actvities on Instagram rather than Facebook’s all-in-one mobile apps, which had to be cluttered with nearly every feature of the desktop site.
With the Instagram for Android launch last week, Instagram was going to get to 50 million registered users in a heartbeat after racking up more than 1 million in the first 24 hours. And with that kind of momentum, Facebook felt like it had to move — fast. After all, photo sharing and tagging are arguably what *made* Facebook.
Whatever you think of the price given the fact that Instagram had no revenues, the reality is it was going to be worth whatever Mark Zuckerberg felt like paying for it. Both Google and Facebook had approached Instagram several times over the past 18 months, but the talks clearly didn’t result in a deal. So Facebook was going to have to offer a huge premium over the last valuation for Systrom and the board to take any deal seriously.

[Instagram's founders from left, Mike Krieger and Kevin Systrom. Portrait by Cody Pickens]
With the deal, Instagram will gain massive design and engineering resources by joining forces with Facebook, a big change after running as a famously lean company with just a handful of employees. Still, the deal seems to let Instagram stay somewhat independent and maintain some of its company culture. Instagram CEO Kevin Systrom writes in a blog post, “It’s important to be clear that Instagram is not going away.”
This is a really big departure from the way Zuckerberg has historically run Facebook as a single product. He has always been insistent that everything feed back into Facebook itself. Keeping Instagram as a separate product and brand is reminiscent of what Google has done with keeping YouTube and Android as separate fiefdoms within the company following their acquisitions.
Instagram’s investors included Benchmark Capital, Greylock Capital, Thrive Capital and Andreessen Horowitz, along with angel investors including Quora’s Adam D’Angelo, Lowercase Capital’s Chris Sacca and Square and Twitter’s Jack Dorsey.
The early investors must be thrilled with the price. From our understanding, the later investors, who put capital into the company at a $500 million valuation, seem happy with basically getting a 2X in a few days after the money was wired last Thursday.
Congratulations to Instagram’s founders Mike Krieger and Kevin Systrom. You opened the world’s eyes to seeing art in everyday life, and now Facebook has opened its doors to you. So in your honor, we’ve made you part of the TechCrunch home page logo.

More On The Instagram acquisition

From 0 To $1 Billion In Two Years: Instagram’s Rose-Tinted Ride To Glory
Right Before Acquisition, Instagram Closed $50M At A $500M Valuation From Sequoia, Thrive, Greylock And Benchmark
Facestagram: Five New Features Facebook + Instagram Could Launch
With Instagram Buy, Facebook Officially Pushes M&A Strategy Beyond The ‘Acqui-hire’
Insta-Backlash: Twitterverse Overreacts To Facebook’s Instagram Acquisition, Users Delete Accounts
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Mark Zuckerberg posted the following letter to his Timeline about the purchase:

I’m excited to share the news that we’ve agreed to acquire Instagram and that their talented team will be joining Facebook.
For years, we’ve focused on building the best experience for sharing photos with your friends and family. Now, we’ll be able to work even more closely with the Instagram team to also offer the best experiences for sharing beautiful mobile photos with people based on your interests.
We believe these are different experiences that complement each other. But in order to do this well, we need to be mindful about keeping and building on Instagram’s strengths and features rather than just trying to integrate everything into Facebook.
That’s why we’re committed to building and growing Instagram independently. Millions of people around the world love the Instagram app and the brand associated with it, and our goal is to help spread this app and brand to even more people.
We think the fact that Instagram is connected to other services beyond Facebook is an important part of the experience. We plan on keeping features like the ability to post to other social networks, the ability to not share your Instagrams on Facebook if you want, and the ability to have followers and follow people separately from your friends on Facebook.
These and many other features are important parts of the Instagram experience and we understand that. We will try to learn from Instagram’s experience to build similar features into our other products. At the same time, we will try to help Instagram continue to grow by using Facebook’s strong engineering team and infrastructure.
This is an important milestone for Facebook because it’s the first time we’ve ever acquired a product and company with so many users. We don’t plan on doing many more of these, if any at all. But providing the best photo sharing experience is one reason why so many people love Facebook and we knew it would be worth bringing these two companies together.
We’re looking forward to working with the Instagram team and to all of the great new experiences we’re going to be able to build together.

[Additional reporting by Kim-Mai Cutler, Image Credit: Max Woolf]

You can see here each one is on the growth of building wealth. We see also that even
in this life one obtains a good education or money by good work.
Similarly, in our next birth we get such desirable positions only by good
work. Otherwise, it would not so happen that two persons born in the same
place at the same time are seen differently placed according to previous
work. But all such material positions are impermanent. The positions in
the topmost Brahmaloka and in the lowest Patala are also changeable
according to our own work. The philosophically inclined person must not
be tempted by such changeable positions. He should try to get into the
permanent life of bliss and knowledge where he will not be forced to come
back again to the miserable material world, either in this or that
planet. Miseries and mixed happiness are two features of material life,
and they are obtained in Brahmaloka and in other lokas also. They are
obtained in the life of the demigods and also in the life of the dogs and
hogs. The miseries and mixed happiness of all living beings are only of
different degree and quality, but no one is free from the miseries of
birth, death, old age and disease. Similarly, everyone has his destined
happiness also. No one can get more or less of these things simply by
personal endeavors. Even if they are obtained, they can be lost again.
One should not, therefore, waste time with these flimsy things; one
should only endeavor to go back to Godhead. That should be the mission of
everyone's life. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acknowledge your blessings

I dreamt that I went to Heaven and an angel was showing me around. We walked side-by-side inside a large workroom filled with angels.
      
My angel guide stopped in front of the first section and said, 'This is the Receiving Section. Here, all petitions to God said in prayer are received.' I looked around in this area, and it was terribly busy with so many angels sorting out petitions written on  voluminous paper sheets and scraps from people all over the world.
    
Then we moved on down a long corridor until we reached the second section. The angel then said to me, 'This is the Packaging and Delivery Section. Here, the graces and blessings the people asked for are processed and delivered to the living persons who asked for them.'
      
I noticed again how busy it was there. There were many angels working hard at that station, since so many blessings had been requested and were being packaged for delivery.
      
Finally at the farthest end of the long corridor we stopped at the Door of a very small station to my great surprise, only one angel was seated there, idly doing nothing. 'This is the Acknowledgment Section,' my angel friend quietly admitted to me. He seemed embarrassed 'How is it that there is no work going on here?' I asked.
    
'So sad,’ the angel sighed. 'After people receive the blessings that they asked for, very few send back acknowledgments.'  


   
'How does one acknowledge the blessings?' I asked.

'Simple,' the angel answered.  Just say, 'O Lord! Let me be grateful to You for all Your blessings upon me.’

Live! Aftershocks in India, 3.9-metre waves at Andaman

 Aftershocks have been felt in Chennai and Kolkata, six districts in Orissa on high alert as well as Andaman and Nicobar. 3.9-metre-high waves seen at Andaman and Nicobar. The government says there is no cause for panic and that it is fully prepared. The PM has issued instructions to take all precautions, says home secretary RK Singh.

Earthquake: Govt evacuates some people from South Andaman as a precautionary measure

NEW DELHI: India on Wednesday issued a tsunami warning for Nicobar islands and alerted the coastal regions of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh after an earthquake of 8.9 magnitude hit waters off western coast of northern Sumatra.
"We have issued a tsunami warning for Nicobar islands," Shailesh Nayak, Secretary Ministry of Earth Sciences told PTI.
The projections issued by the Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre (ITEWC) showed the tidal waves triggered by the quake hitting parts of Nicobar, Komatra and Katchal minutes after it struck the region at 14:08 IST.
The ITEWC also issued an alert for coastal Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and the Andaman islands forecasting the arrival time of the first wave.
For Tamil Nadu, the first wave was expected to reach the coastal regions at around 4:33pm.
Strong tremors were felt in Chennai and some other nearby areas. People in multi storeyed apartments and those working in high rise buildings rushed out to open areas.
Kolkata and its neighbourhood were rocked by tremors which were also felt in North 24 Parganas adjoining Kolkata and in the north Bengal town of Siliguri.
A large number of people rushed out of offices in Park street and downtown BBD Bagh area here as windows and doors rattled.
According to reports, some buildings on Park street developed cracks.
Metro Rail services in the metropolis were suspended from 2:42 pm and passengers were asked to vacate stations.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii said a tsunami watch was in effect for Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Australia, Myanmar, Thailand, the Maldives and other Indian Ocean islands, Malaysia, Pakistan, Somalia, Oman, Iran, Bangladesh, Kenya, South Africa and Singapore.
A tsunami watch means there is the potential for a tsunami, not that one is imminent.
The US Geological Survey said the powerful quake was centered 33 kilometers beneath the ocean floor
A giant 9.1-magnitude quake off the country on December 26, 2004, triggered a tsunami in the Indian Ocean that killed 2,30,000 people, nearly three quarter of them in Aceh.

Earthquake in bangalore

Bangalore earth quake !!! Mild Quake was experienced by residents of Bangalore the quake was reported at HSR Layout, Kengeri and J.P Nagar around 8.45 to 9.00 am though residents were panicked and came out if their home in these areas....

Though in some part of the city no vibrations were sensed but people in almost all parts of Bangalore heard the loud noise which resembled lightning and the people in some areas experienced fluttering ow windows and doors for about 5 seconds though it is speculated that the tremors of size 1.0 to 1.3 would have been occurred.......

though Bangalore is very safe and lies in Deccan plateau where quakes are rare have to see how the nature co operates in the future but some times i feel whether it is really a quake or some weird underground experiments from government?

After Indonesia earthquake, tsunami alert and tremors in India

New Delhi:  A tsunami warning has been issued for the entire Indian Ocean after an earthquake measuring  8.7 on the Richter scale hit Indonesia a little after 2 pm.  Officials in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are preparing for evacuation procedures.

The quake was felt in Singapore, Thailand and India. High-rise apartments and offices on Malaysia's west coast shook for at least a minute.

In India, tremors were reported in Mumbai, Kolkata,  Bangalore and the southern part of Chennai.  The tremors lasted for a few seconds.  In Bhubaneshwar, people were seen running out of their homes and offices. No damage has been reported so far.

Also Read

• Indonesia issues tsunami warning after an 8.9 earthquake
• Earthquake measuring 5.2 on the Richter scale hits Jammu and Kashmir

Also See

• 
  

  0:50
  Earthquake in Indonesia, tremors felt in Kolkata
• 
  

  1:31
  5.2 magnitude earthquake hits J&K

NDTV viewer AG Kalidass emailed from Bangalore to say, "We were feeling our building shaking." Another viewer Shyam Agarwal writes, "I am from Kolkata. Just now a few minutes back heavy stroke of earthquake has been observed here."

The U.S. Geological Survey said the powerful quake was centered 20 miles (33 kilometers) beneath the ocean floor around 308 miles (495 kilometers) from Aceh's provincial capital.

Indonesia straddles a series of fault lines that makes the vast island nation prone to volcanic and seismic activity.

A giant 9.1-magnitude quake off the country on Dec. 26, 2004, triggered a tsunami in the Indian Ocean that killed 230,000 people  in 13 Indian Ocean countries, including Thailand, Sri Lanka and India.

Health benefits of quitting smoking | benefits of quitting tobacco

We all are aware of the destructive effects of smoking and
how cigarette smoking is injurious to health, yet people find it difficult to quit tobacco addiction. Let’s look at the other side. What are the benefits of quitting smoking/tobacco? Thelivingwine tries to tell you what are the benefits of quitting tobacco or cigarette and improve your health. It is time we improve our health. You may have to check out How to quit smoking?

There are innumerous benefits of quitting smoking or tobacco.

source:my.clevelandclinic.org

Heart and lungs improve:

The human body is an amazing machine. It is a machine that makes out the difference within matter of hours. When you quit smoking, the body realize that the smoking timetable has been changed and it starts altering the body on it’s own from the inside. Within 12 hours of quitting smoking or having your last cigarette the withdrawal symptoms begin. The lungs and the heart have their own mechanisms and they start cleaning the body from the inside removing the adverse damage caused by years of smoking! The heart rate and pulse rate which in smokers is very high start coming down to normal. Wow, the human body has its own clock which works! The lung clears the air sacs clogged due to the dust particles of cigarette and tobacco and voila! you are breathing easy now. Your Wheezing and cough seem to have disappeared.

Improved skin, eyesight and sense of smell:

Well if the inner parts of the body are improving the external part that is exposed to sunlight, rain and cold be left behind? No! The human body is like a self taught physician. As the internal body organs start recuperating and rejuvenating, the outer body parts like the hair, skin, teeth, eyes, and nose seem to improve too! Your sense of taste and smell improves considerably. Studies have revealed that after quitting smoking the eyesight of smokers improves by 15 – 20 %. The skin benefits of smoking too are wonderful. Skin feels tight and fresh and the wrinkles that are caused by smoking seem to disappear. With the bad taste of tobacco gone, the sense of taste improves and people tend to relish on foods which they once thought was bland!

Improved eating and digestion abilities:

Health improves a lot after quitting smoking or tobacco. The digestive system of the body seems to improve a lot after quitting smoke. People smoking cigarettes or addicted to tobacco seem to feel less hungry than others and this is due to the fact that the digestive system is not right and hence this leads to gastro-intestinal problems and acidity in smokers. When we quit smoking or tobacco, the body digestive system improves and so does the eating habits. People find themselves having larger servings of food and also put on weight which is actually an indication of improved digestion. Smokers may be enlightened on the fact that when smoking is quit, it is but natural to have larger servings and have frequent intake of fluids and have a craving for chocolate or ice cream.

Reduced threat of cancer:

Though cigarette may not be the only cause for cancer, it is surely one of the causes. Smoking or tobacco causes cancer of the lungs and throat cancer. Quitting smoking naturally reduces chances of cancer and also helps in living a healthy and prolonged life. It may also be noted if people having cancer quit smoking they have higher chances of preventing its growth and in some cases also cured cancer!

Diabetes, blood circulation, stroke reduced:

Smoking is the cause for diabetes in most cases and also prevents blood coagulation which results in hemorrhage . Improper blood circulation causes stroke in the human body which is caused due to the lack of oxygen and blood to the brain cells. Quitting smoking helps prevent diabetes due to smoking and the blood circulation in the body. The brain cells get sufficient oxygen and blood and this reduces risk of stroke.
Financially beneficial and helps in image makeover:
It is somehow a general notion among people in the society that smokers are not good people and are addicted to other cheap stuffs which gentlemen do not conduct. However it is a wrong notion. Smokers have to always remain in that zone of doubtful retrospection by the society which tends to damage the personality of an individual. All smokers may have faced this embarrassment. You enjoy a leisurely smoke and enter the lift and you see people staring at you with shrew eyes and screwing up their nose as if a skunk just entered the lift! C’mon that is not smokers are but yes, smokers breath stinks! Quitting smoking improves the smell of breath and hopefully people will not be staring at you like an E.T! And remember smokers usually get a huge hole in their pockets due to the cost of cigarettes! Cigarettes are costly and it makes no sense spending so much money to die! The cost of cigarettes smoked in roughly five years or so can get a beautiful coffin and I suggest invest the money on the coffin rather than cigarette!
source:health.utah.gov
Well I have laid down the benefits of quitting smoking/tobacco and you are invited to let me know more benefits or correct me if I am wrong. Smoking kills and we don’t want lose great people who are here on this beautiful planet to make a mark and enjoy their stay here. Let’s quit smoking and live a fuller life. Let’s live to fulfill our dreams rather than dying young of smoking and being just a memory! Sorry if I have hurt a few smokers, but there are only facts out here!!

Stressed and want to see a vedic way of celebration

If you are Stressed and want to see a vedic way of celebration then you have to go to Iskcon bangalore on Bramhotsavam. The agamas or the Vedic literatures which describe the process of Deity worship in a temple recommend performance of Brahmotsava - a festival to commemorate the divine appearance of the Deities of that temple.

Generally, this is a grand eleven day long festival. Devotees at ISKCON Bangalore celebrate the merciful appearance of the Supreme Lord as the Deities, Sri Sri Radha Krishna Chandra. The Deity of the Lord in the temple is non-different from the original Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Krishna. The devotees offer tasty foodstuffs, perform gorgeous aratis, decorate the Deities with gorgeous dresses, jewellery, flower garlands and so on. The devotees offer their humble prayers unto the Deity to keep them always engaged in His service. The devotees also reveal their minds in front of the Deity and the Deity of the Lord also reciprocates. These are the wonderful dealings between the Deities and the devotees. Srila Rupa Gosvami has also written a comprehensive literature on Deity worship rules.
On the first day of the Brahmotsavam, all the important demigods like Lord Brahma, Indra, Shiva and so on are invited to participate in the festival. A flag bearing the picture of Garuda is hoisted (dhvaja arohana). This indicates the commencement of the festival. Every evening there is a gorgeous pallakki utsava. Everyday the utsava Deities of Sri Sri Radha Krishna Chandra are decorated in different alankaras. Each Pallakki has its respective carriers (vahanas), insignia carriers and the fan bearers. The Lord mounts the vahana and goes for a pleasure ride on His carrier, along with His eternal consort and other devotees just like a king goes out in his chariot along with his entourage. The Deities are carried in the particular vahana to suit the alankara He is wearing on that day. When He is adorned in the Suryanarayana alankara, His vahana is Suryaprabha vahana; and in His Seetharama Pattabhisheka alankara, His vahana is Hanumad vahana and so on.
Various performances of traditional dance styles, depicting the pastimes of Lord Krishna, are enacted in the evenings for the pleasure of the Lord. After the cultural performances, the Deities receive dolotsava seva, during which the utsava vigrahas are swung on a decorated swing.
Apart from these festivities, Brahma Rathotsava, Kalyanotsava and Churanabhisheka are also performed as part of the eleven day festival. During the Brahma Rathotsava, the utsava vigrahas of Radha Krishna ride on a chariot or ratha. Churanabhisheka is the ceremonial bath during which They are bathed in turmeric paste and other auspicious items.
The festival concludes with the dhvaja avarohana - lowering of the flag of Garuda.