I am writing this blog post just to find some meaning in the agony of three frustrating nights trying to install Mac OS X Lion on my kids’ Mac Mini.

The Mac Mini (running Snow Leopard, updated) has a Bootcamp partition on which we have Windows XP installed. This seems to be the source of my troubles. Needless to say I read countless forums and blog post trying to resolve the issue and tried to follow multiple solutions until something worked.

The problem is the so-called “No Recovery HD” issue. Lion tries to create a small recovery partition on your hard disk which can be used to recover your mac if it crashes.

For some reason, Bootcamp partitions confuse the Lion installer. The Installation process starts, your are prompted to restart, then the installation commences, but then stops at minute 29 with an error saying the Recovery HD cannot be created.

I don’t know exactly what worked in the end but here is a list of stuff I did, all of which didn’t work (I will tell you what worked in the end, but all the other stuff I did might have contributed to the solution. Who knows?)

– Fixing permissions of my hard disk using Disk Utility – Freeing up hard disk space – Making the Mac partition slightly smaller then larger using Disk Utility – Installing Lion on an external USB drive and then booting into it (via restart while holding option key) then trying to install Lion on Main HD from there (tried this with copies of the Lion installer on both my main HD and the external drive). – Creating a recovery HD using Apple’s new Lion Recovery Assistant or whatever the hell its called, on a USB thumb drive, which stayed plugged in afterwards.. – And so on..

What worked in the end, after doing all the above and restarting a million times was to simply copy the Lion installer (make sure you make a copy afer you download it from the App store) on the external drive and installing Lion from there. I have no idea if this would have worked right from the start, but it’s worth trying.

Another thing I did just prior to the installation working was booting into Windows and back to MacOS. I did that as I was hoping to update Bootcamp. BTW I couldn’t upgrade to Bootcamp 3.1 from the Apple software update on Windows, as I got an ‘invalid signature error’.

I still have not tried to boot into XP after Lion worked but it’s too late and I need to get some sleep.

I know this blog post isn’t systematic enough. But maybe I might have saved myself hours of futile work and waiting had I just copied the installer to external drive and just installed it on my main HD from there. That’s why I am sharing this as maybe this would help someone out there.

Good luck!

I will freely admit that I am an opponent of nuclear energy. For me this is a moral stance. But I know full well that the issue of nuclear energy can also be discussed on other levels, not just from a moral point of view.

I am also not an energy expert. But there are people who ARE experts and who work with governments around the world who would tell you that nuclear energy is simply not a good choice for the future.

There is a healthy public debate now raging in Jordan regarding the adoption of nuclear energy. At a recent debate held at the Landmark hotel in Amman, organized by the Jordanian consultancy Edama, the hall was packed with people. Judging from the applause the pro and against speakers were getting I can safely say that this debate was clearly won by the against camp.

The disconnect between the Jordan Nuclear Commission and the public was reflected in the presentation of the Commission’s speaker, who came across as engineer and scientist who almost blindly believes in new nuclear technology and how safe it is supposed to be.

In the media there have been examples of writers who describe the anti nuclear movement in Jordan as being a tool of a global/Zionist conspiracy that wants to deny Jordan access to nuclear technology. This generalization is very dangerous and totally unacceptable. There are good scientific, economic, social and environmental reasons to oppose nuclear energy anywhere. Just because Israel and the US raised issues about Jordan’s nuclear program, doesn’t make people in the “anti” camp traitors.

But what concerns me the most is the attitude of part of Jordan’s Twitter elite. For some people nuclear energy has become a “patriotic” issue that you just have to support. Others talk about it as an inevitable solution for our energy problems. If you mention to them solar, wind or geothermal energy they would say “yes we are for that as well, but we NEED nuclear too. Show me a country that produces all it’s energy through alternative sources”.

If you tell them that the Germans, Japanese and many other nations are opting out of nuclear in the next decade they would tell you “yeah but these are rich nations, Jordan CAN’T AFFORD the LUXURY of alternative energy!”.

“China, the UAEand Saudi Arabia are building nuclear plants,” they would tell you.

This mindset can be simply described as unimaginative and non-innovative.

Why follow China’s example. Why imitate the UAE or Saudi Arabia.

Why go for the outdated model of highly concentrated, time bomb like, polluting energy concept of the dead 20th Century, instead of imagining the possibilities of distributed, cleaner and simpler alternative energy solutions.

ou want a national challenge that inspires Jordanians? How about becoming a world leader in alternative energy?

It is a matter of mind set. A pro nuclear stance is the continuation of our typical import oriented thinking, which usually involves buying technology and expertise from the West and partnering with big corporations as a way to solve problems.

An anti nuclear stance opens the door for a new kind of thinking: in the face of those lobbies and “experts” who tell the world that alternative energy is not enough, we should say: we WILL make it work and we will prove the “experts” wrong.

And this is not a shot in the dark. The technology of alternative/renewable energy is developing quickly. It is faster to install. It can be manufactured locally.

It also would require investment in smart electrical grids (very exciting stuff, Google it). This would put Jordan in the lead and make our infrastructure future ready.

It would also force us to think about the wise use of energy and the efficiency of every lightbulb, machine appliance we use.

Nuclear has been shown to be on the decline in the countries who invented it. The ris of alternative energy will be fast.

I really hope that more of our educated and vocal citizens adopt a mindset of 21st century innovation. Nothing in human history is “inevitable”. Smart nations can shape their destinies.

In fact, in Jordan, we need a big national goal to rally around.

Half finished skyscrapers on the 6th circle in Amman, incomplete shopping malls in Abdali and hardly working special economic zones have failed to inspire our national imagination.

My son asked me the other day.. “Dad, is Jordan the best in the world at anything?”

I had no convincing answer.

“The French built us a nuclear plant” would not be an answer.

I would like to tell him in 10 years: “Although we are a small country mostly covered by desert, we are a world leader in solar, wind and geothermal energy.”

Why does a promising urban rehabilitation project like the one GAM is doing come with so much agony, dirt, carelessness.

This fiasco has been going on for too long.

Every reasonable person knows that a major rehabilitation of a street will result in disruptions. But the way the construction work in Faisal Street has been going on is beyond belief!

I am not talking about the design, which, although some people are objecting to, I think will turn out fine. But the digging and building and rubble and trash has just been a shameful affair.

Residents, merchants and tourist have really suffered from this. And Amman’s image, as well as GAM’s reputation has been tarnished.

Yesterday I walked across Faisal Streets. I think the pictures above talk for themselves. What on earth does the contractor think he’s doing. I have been seeing construction material leftovers laying there for months and months.

Now, all this stuff is being mixed up with street garbage. What a cocktail!

All it takes is for a senior member of GAM or the contracting company management to take a walk and get people of their butts to clean the rubble and to finish the loose ends here and there.

What we see now is just the epitome of carelessness and disrespect for our city.

The Jordanian state, media and large part of public opinion are loudly condemning the violence that happened in Zarqa last Friday.

Of course, many people are extra nervous because the people who demonstrated in Zarqa belong to an ultra-fundamentalist group. Some call them Salafists. Some call them Takfirists or Jihadists. Whatever. These are scary guys with long beards, some with army camouflage jackets, who have no problem chanting for Zarqawi and Bin Laden.

Unless you’ve been burying your head in the sand for the past few years, we all knew that such groups live among us. Not all Salafists are pro terrorists or violent, of course. But the photos published on news sites of some men wielding swords, knifes and sticks are scary indeed.

But here is the thing..

The bearded, sword yielding Salafists are not more scary or more dangerous that their jeans-wearing Fascists counterparts who have literally terrorised the peaceful demonstrators of the Interior Ministry Circle on March 25 or waved guns and swords out of their cars on the streets of Amman.

Stabbing policemen is just as a bad as throwing concrete blocks from a high building on citizens on the street.

Shouting pro Zarqawi slogans is as bad as verbally abusing demonstrators.

Violence is violence and abuse is abuse. Whether the perpetrators are carrying Jordanian flags or fundamentalist slogans makes no difference.

We should not become hypocrites with double standards.

We’re seeing super strong statement from the security forces about what happened in Zarqa and arrests of dozens of Salafists Jihadists.

Yes, we heard some condemnations of previous thuggery coming from our political leadership. But where are the mass arrests of the thugs of March 25?

The state should not flex its muscles selectively.

This is the whole point of reform: The unified application of the rule of law without the bias of kinship or political allegiance.

Is what happened in Zarqa scary and worthy of condemnation. Yes. But so is every act of violence in the street.

I get contacted by PR agencies quite often to plug product launches and stuff like that for 360east, and I usually decline, unless its something that really interests me. So here is one of those

We’ve all been engulfed in the news of political change that is sweeping the region this year. But you know what? Jordan’s entrepreneurs are still plugging away, starting and building businesses. So it’s time to shine some light on them before we turn our attention to the next Arab revolution!

Ernst and Young, the big global consulting firm has been giving out an ‘Entrepreneur of Year Award’ for over two decades. This year the Award is being given out in 135 cities in 50 countries. Jordan is one of them.

The people shortlisted in Jordan this year represent an interesting mix of Jordan’s dynamic businesses. As expected, technology firms are well represented. But we’re seeing more specialization in the field. It’s no longer just your typical system integrators and software houses. Digital content, gaming and innovative web portals are emerging as viable businesses in Jordan.

But it’s not just about tech, web and content. We’re seeing successes in the fields of medical testing, pharmaceuticals, consulting and retail too.

I will be attending the award ceremony next monday and maybe doing some live-tweeing, to let you know who ends up being selected as the über-entrepreneur in Jordan for 2010.

I am by no means a big fan of the concept of awards and award shows. Passionate people do what they do because they feel it fulfills an inner calling or a mission to change the world, not to get awards. But I think that for all the talk about entrepreneurship in the region the past couple of years, we still need more people starting companies and growing them if we ever hope to push our economies forward. So celebrating people who are creating value locally, creating employment for a new generation and following their dream can’t be a bad thing.

See you at the Oscars
—
Here is Ernst & Young PR:

Nine business leaders in Jordan have been short-listed as finalists in Jordan’s Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award 2010. The winner will be announced at the prestigious award ceremony being held under the Royal Patronage on 18th of April 2011, and will represent Jordan at the World Entrepreneur of the Year Award to be held in June 2011. The Entrepreneur of the Year program reflects Ernst & Young’s commitment to promoting the spirit of entrepreneurship, which is a major driving force of economic growth. The program celebrates entrepreneurs who are leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses in

The Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year event is held in 140 cities across 50 countries and has been running for 23 years globally.

To be eligible for consideration, nominees must be owners and managers who are primarily responsible for the recent performance of a business that is at least two years old, or founder shareholders of a listed company who are still active in senior management or are still a 51% owner.

The short-listed candidates include: Dr. Amjad Aryan, of Pharmacy1; Dr. Amid Abdelnour of Biolabs; Ammar Sajdi of Realsoft; Abeer Qumsieh of Better Business; Dr. Fadi and Dr. Mohammad Al-Atrash of API; Firas Otaibi, Mohammad Asfour and Wael Attili of Kharabeesh; Marwan Said of e-Points; Mahmoud Khasawneh and Candide Kirk of Quirkat; and Omar Koudsi and Laith Zraikat of Jeeran.com.

The winner is selected by an independent panel of judges. The judging process is based on the criteria of entrepreneurial spirit, financial performance, strategic direction, impact on Jordan’s economy, innovation, personal integrity and influence.

Waddah Barkawi, Partner and Jordan’s Entrepreneur of the Year leader at Ernst & Young, said: “The program recognizes and rewards Jordanian entrepreneurs who in pursuing their vision contribute to local innovation and economic growth, while creating employment opportunities for Jordanians.”

1. Jordanians have been forced to be interested in politics and public affairs. It’s Politics 101 for many young Jordanians. (Question from a young colleague at the office: “Ahmad.. What is a ‘Leftist’ party?”)

2. Students, workers and other groups suddenly have a voice after years and years of not being heard. Political organizations reflecting their voices are being born everywhere (compare that to the pathetic political scene during the last election, where slogans mostly ranged from the mundane to the nonsensical).

3. More people than ever are actually reading the constitution for the first time in the life.

4. People, in Amman, suddenly realize: oops, Amman is not Jordan!

5. The older generation is joining Facebook and Twitter to understand what the hell is going on.

6. Suddenly, there are public conversations between the most unlikely of conversation partners.

7. Most red lines and taboos have fallen. People are discussing everything, everywhere.

8. Al-Rai newspaper, the bastion of jordanian state conservatism is in revolt.

9. We discovered that there are people among us who have no problem using sticks and stones against peaceful protesters.

10. We discovered that some of our “cool” and “educated” friends are actually ignorant and insensitive to the rest of society, and only want “things to go on as they were”.

11. The flag business has become very profitable.

12. A whole new generation of future leaders and politicians was born. The business of recycling the same political elites is probably coming to an end.

13. Many of the privileged members of society got a wakeup call. We lost our illusion of “everything is ok”. Developing Jordan into a truly modern country will be a long, long, hard road.

14. We realized that the divisions that exist within Jordanian society (that have been swept under the carpet and never discussed openly) can be utilized by politicians to ruin the peace on our streets.

15. JTV is having to open up a bit. (But they are still a dinosaur).

16. Ammanis will be electing their entire city council and maybe even the mayor.

17. Corruption is back on the public agenda.

18. There is a national dialogue committee discussing election, political party and related laws. Some of the members of the committee are tough and are keeping the discussion interesting.

19. Social media now means more than “social media marketing”.

Two photos from the last 2 days in Jordan. You choose what Jordan you want to live in..

The youth of the March 24 movement. (via 7iber)

The so-called “loyalists” with knifes.

Am I over-simplifying here? Aren’t there a million shades of grey between these two pictures?

At a very basic level, the choice is simple, even if the situation is complex.

There is freedom of expression on one hand, and insults, stones, sticks and concrete blocks on the other.

There are youth who want reform and democracy and youth who think that blood-thirsty slogans and flag waving are patriotism.

There are thinking men and women from all walks of life who want to push the country forward and those living in their bubbles of comfort afraid of any change in status quo.

There are those who believe that we, the people are guarantee of Jordan’s stability and those who believe that stability means business-as-usual even as our institutions crumble, societal/tribal violence flares up and corruption eat away at the soul of the country.

Friday 25 March was Jordan’s most depressing day in decades. But it also clarified stances, put the cards on the table and made choices clear.

And no, I don’t think this is time to just be “nice” and say “let’s all come together in harmony”.

There is no harmony between people who want to express themselves and people who insult and harm.

There is no harmony between people who are open to debate and talk in a civilized manner and the people who want to shut you up and insult you on Twitter and Facebook.

To those who tell reformers “if you don’t like Jordan, go find another country to live in!” reformers should say: “we’re staying here and will create a more just future and you’re welcome to join after you stop your insults.”

If we want to save the country, INCLUDING those who attempted to murder our youth with concrete blocks thrown from high building, the only way is walk the difficult road of democratic reform.

The reform movement should be consolidated, emboldened, strengthened. It needs to grow teeth and grow in numbers.

It should speak loudly to gain more momentum and it should speak clearly to break through the propaganda and ignorance that turns the so-called “loyalty” youth into monsters and thugs, bent on harming the democracy protesters who they think are “Shia-Palestinian-Traitor-AntiMonrachist-MuslimBrotherhood-Agents”.

The picture is clear. The region has changed. Jordan has changed. Red lines have fallen. The painful march toward people-based democracy has finally started. We’d better get on board.

It should have been easy for Jordan. We had relative freedom and the room to participate and be creative for two decades. We should have achieved our democratic jump into the 21st Century.

But the culture of fear, divisions, narrow tribalism and holding on to privileges will not simply leave the stage without a fight. Yesterday we saw the ugly face of Jordanian fascism. But we also started to see the courage of the youth of March 24.

The reform movement has no weapons but the voice of the people. Let’s not kid ourselves, the reform movement is probably a minority in Jordan. But not an insignificant minority. And as more and more people wake up from “pretending to sleep” they too will see that the future of Jordan is better guaranteed with real democracy that allows all of us to participate in building a better future for this country.

This is not about agreeing on everything or agreeing with everything the March 24 people said. But It is about taking a moral stance against fascism and violence and taking a political stance for reform.