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After a very long time it was nice to do some real geekery stuff. I recently got a MBP, i was on PC for the last two years at work. I started porting all my PC stuff to mac everything was going smooth until i was at a point of transferring all my old email from Outlook 2007 to Entourage 8. I started this project 2pm this afternoon and after 5 hours of struggle finally managed to do it all.

For those who have been this path before you would understand what i am talking about. There are few commercial tools for price that “claim” to do the job but there were also all sorts of errors that people reported. This is when the geek in me raises and said WTF its just data that need to be ported from one app to another app. Upon some serious search i found two libraries libpff and libpst these are opensource linux packages that convert any pff files and pst files to mbox exactly what i need. All is well so far, but here is where the real trouble beings. These packages need to be complied, configured and make files are to be run. So i have here summarized the steps. PLEASE FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS TO THE DOT. I have done this on MBP running Snow Leaport (10.6.2).

0. Check if you have gcc installed by opening Terminal and typing “which gcc” at the command prompt. It should return “/usr/bin/gcc” or another path where gcc is installed. If there is no response (as in Snow Leopard) that means gcc needs to be installed. Insert the Snow Leopard CD. Enter the “Optional Installs” folder. Run Xcode.mpkg. This should install gcc. Once the install is complete check again by running the command “which gcc” at the command prompt. Alternatively you can download xcode from ADC. You need to be a member to download. Don’t worry its a free to signup. I have downloaded mine here, http://developer.apple.com/tools/xcode/

1. Download libpst source from http://www.five-ten-sg.com/libpst/packages/ (I downloaded libpst-0.6.45.tar.gz which was the latest version). It should automatically unzip in the folder you downloaded it into. Remember this directory path for later.

2. In order to install libpst you also need to install “boost”. Download the latest source from the boost site here http://sourceforge.net/projects/boost/files/boost/ and download the latest version (mine was 1.41.0).

3. Open Terminal and ‘su’ as root (you can also use sudo for each command from here on but su is easier in my mind. If you do not have a root account setup on you mac then google for the steps to activate it.) and “cd” to “/usr/local/” and run this command at the command prompt
“tar –bzip2 -xf /your/download/directory/boost_X_XX_X.tar.bz2” (where X_XX_X represents the release number).

4. Once that is complete you will see a directory now under “/usr/local/” called “boost_X_XX_X”. “cd” into this directory.

5. At the command prompt type “./bootstrap.sh –prefix=/usr/local/”. This will take a few mins to run.

6. Once that is done at the command prompt type “./bjam install”. This will take a while to run – 15 to 30 mins. Get a cup of coffee. Note: you will see some deprecated errors. Dont worry the package will be installed.

7. At this point boost is installed. “cd” to the directory where you downloaded libpst-X.X.XX (Step 1).

8. Type “./configure” at the command prompt. Once that is done type “make” at the command prompt. And once that is complete finish with “make install”.

9. You have now successfully installed libpst. You should find libpst, readpst and pst2ldif under “/usr/local/bin” directory.

10. Run this command at the command prompt in the directory you want the “mbox” created “readpst -r /path/to/the/pst/files/yourfile.pst” and you have successfully converted pst files to mbox. Piece of cake!. If you want to know the complete usage of readpst, here it is http://www.five-ten-sg.com/libpst/rn01re01.html

You need to be well experienced working within terminal. Here are some tips for novice terminal users:

1. How to turn on the root account?
If you are in the admin account you should be able to change the root password. Just type “psswd root”

2. How to see hidden files in finder?
By default Mac OS shows only those files that are needed by user. But if you are familiar in Linux environments seeing all files is helpful. The only reason to hide files is to protect users from deleting important stuff. Type this in terminal “defaults write com.apple.Finder AppleShowAllFiles YES” and restart Finder. You can restart Finder by hold down the Option key, then click and hold on the Finder icon in the Dock.

Hope you find these tips helpful. Save the money by not buying those COTS stuff, be bold and try this solution.

It was a huge success at SocialCamp Memphis on 7th March 2009. There were great line up sessions during the day. Like in many conferences the best part of participating in a conference/meeting are the hallway conversations and this is no different. There are lot of blogs out there that have summarized the experience here is one that summarizes all.

Memphis Bragging Rights!

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Here is a summary of my readings, research and my take on what Social Media means to a business. The best way to learn was to experiment. Participate in a network to get a feel of it.

1. Create remarkable content. Links are the currency of the Internet. Think NYC. Links are like lots of train stations, airports, bus terminals, subways, and a zillion other means of getting to your destination from the world outside.
2. Build content-based communities. Transform your Website from a brochure to a vibrant community.
3. Hit a thousand points of light. Publish your content everywhere that matters — Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, or wherever your target audience hangs.
4. Optimize. Make your content search engine- and social media-friendly with easy “scanability” of titles and URLs.
5. Publicize. Give your community ways to help you market. Make your community a hub with spokes to different “watering holes” (e.g., have a Twitter button, Digg button, Facebook Connect link, etc.).
6. Measure. New measurements are required. For example, measure not just site visitors but the sum of email lists, RSS subscribers, Twitter followers, LinkedIn Group members, Youtube followers, etc.
7. Mind your Twitter do’s and don’ts. Don’t use Twitter just to reproduce RSS feeds, and don’t talk at followers. Do offer something different, do cultivate a unique voice, and do follow others (don’t just be followed).
8. Bring value to the community. If you’re an advertiser, give people something to do (e.g., brain games, contests, or projects), listen, be authentic and transparent, respond, and listen some more.
9. Become a community influencer. Cultivate your status in the community and become a trusted source. Don’t just be a “peer” — become a “super-peer.”
10. Know your goals and pick your spots. Understand where you are going and the audience you’re trying to reach. Social media is not appropriate for every application, and the ROI won’t always be there.

There are several source to quote here. I wish i could list them all.

I first joined Twitter, http://twitter.com on Mar 18th, 2008. As always it was my curiousity to use new tools made me jump on this. But honestly i haven’t been really using until late 2008 when i realised the potential of this simple tool.

What is Twitter?
This is nothing but a simple way of updating what you are doing, where you are and anything that you want to say in a short message (140 char). It started off as an alternate to SMS.

Ever since its launch it picked up as a wild fire and was soon in the top 10 web apps in 2008. Today twitter is so popular that it is not limited to individuals but corporations have found a use for it. Beauty of this system is how it is becoming available where ever you are. Twitter on your phone, twitter apps on your computer, smart phone, on Social Media site you name it. There is always a way to use this nifty little tool. Recently twitter got more funds to continue their excellent work. Kudos to the twitter team and for all you twiple have a great twirrific day.

Follow my twitter @ssusarla. Send me a DM if you need more info.

Some useful tips on Twitter:
Top 10 Twitter Tips for beginners, http://tinyurl.com/ddo3wn
Six ways to use Twitter, http://tinyurl.com/cowjc9

t-17 days for the SocialCamp Memphis, http://socialcampmemphis.com. Thanks MPACT for your sponship. Registration is now open for SocialCamp go and get yourself a ticket. Stay tuned for more updates from me on this event.

It was shocking(wasn’t this expected??) to read the eMarketers article about the social network would start selling user data to market researchers this spring. Although Facebook’s spokesman quickly called it rumor and kept a good public face but seriously wasnt this unevitable? Just look at the growth of the network ~500k user per day? this is insane. I have to agree Facebook is great for target marketing especially pulling real time demographics to make sure your ad/marketing campaing gets the bang for the buck.
I really hope FB keeps the good faith and stay away from the evil acts of “Marketing” for a easy buck. If you want to share your comment feel free to share it here or in my blog entry on Internet Evolution.

A recent report from eMarketer says that even though plenty of users rush to social networks but marketers yet dont take them to bank. There is all sorts of data and trends showing a strong growth of the user base in Social Networks. Not only the users are growing they are actually posting public content and/or have a real public profile. According to eMarketer 79.7 million people, 40% of US Internet users, will create content on social networks at least once a month in 2009, either by updating a profile or communicating publicly.

An excerpt of the article can be found here

Today is the first day after this site is upgraded to 2.7. When i checked this morning the site changed it self to a default theme. My first thoughts were sh** did i just made my server a honey pot during the upgrade. Needless to say i spent the next hour or so frantically looking for holes (if any) but didnt find any. So with no explanations what so ever on how this happened i humbly reactivated the site with the theme of my choice.

I will be watching to see if this happens again..is my site developing its own personality!!!

I am trying ANOTHER new thing is to recap and capture what i have been doing. This is my recap for the month of January 2009. Apart from my day job at FedEx here are few things that i did over the month.

• Created my photoblog, http://susarla.com/photoblog
• Freelanced a photoshoot for Telugu Community. Result can be seen here
• Joined a gym..FINALLY
• Became a moderator for Internet Evolution site. This is lot of fun. Very interesting artilces and discussions
• Participating in SocialMedia Expedition breakfast meetings. Follow on twitter @SMExpedition. Highly recommend you all to check it out. Awesome group and very interesting coversations.

These are the highlights. I hope to finish up couple of draft blog i have been working on for a week now. I am collecting data on Psychology behind socialmedia/social networking. If anyone finds an interesting article please pass it along. I hope to keep up with my updates in coming months..stay tuned.