Author Archives: Rakesh Agrawal

About Rakesh Agrawal

Rakesh Agrawal is a 0-1 product leader. Ex-Amazon, Ex-Microsoft, as well as a number of startups. He tweets at @rakeshsfnyc

My first San Francisco visitor

Posted on February 26, 2008 by Rakesh Agrawal

Got my first San Francisco visitor last week when Wanita stopped by before we headed off to Kauai. (OK, technically Jason and Jeff were out here earlier, but Wanita was my first house guest.) We managed to pack a lot … Continue reading →

Posted in personal, photography | Comments Off

Au revoir, DC

Posted on February 5, 2008 by Rakesh Agrawal

It’s been a long, fun ride. It’s hard to believe it’s been four years. I’ve been fortunate to meet a lot of great people and make some friendships that will last a long time. The last month has been hectic … Continue reading →

Posted in personal, photography | 1 Comment

How not to design an ATM

Posted on February 3, 2008 by Rakesh Agrawal

I’ve written before about problems with the UI on ATMs, such as repeatedly asking what language you want and having you enter cents for withdrawals when no ATM I know of dispenses pennies. I ran across another problem the other … Continue reading →

Posted in fun, ui, usability | 1 Comment

Occassional reader – Camera clues, misplaced revenge, drunk dialing, ExtraGeek – Feb. 2, 2008

Posted on February 2, 2008 by Rakesh Agrawal

Yes, yes, I know. I’m behind. The new job, a coast-to-coast commute, moving and trying to maximize time with my DC friends have taken their toll on my reading and blog writing time. Photo Clues Lead to Camera’s Owner (AP) … Continue reading →

Posted in fun, random, weekly reader | 1 Comment

Microsoft yodels for Yahoo!

Posted on February 1, 2008 by Rakesh Agrawal

The announced Microsoft bid for Yahoo! means a lot of different things for lots of people. An emboldened competitor for Google. A stronger ad network for advertisers. Heightened acquisition hopes for AOL. Better benefits for Yahoo! employees. (Microsoft has the … Continue reading →

Posted in aol, google, iphone, microsoft, mobile, mobile search, social networking, wireless, wireless data, yahoo | Comments Off

Rocky’s paper eater

Posted on January 30, 2008 by Rakesh Agrawal

The movers came today and loaded up all my stuff for the move West. I laughed out loud when I looked at the inventory and saw “paper eater” as the description for my shredder. And I think she packed the … Continue reading →

Posted in consumer electronics, random | Comments Off

What would you do with $600?

Posted on January 28, 2008 by Rakesh Agrawal

That question seems to be on a lot of people’s minds these days, thanks to the newly announced $150 billion stimulus package. “I would like my check and I think everybody else feels the same way,” said David Wyss Chief … Continue reading →

Posted in marketing, personal finance | 1 Comment

Starting cars for dummies

Posted on January 27, 2008 by Rakesh Agrawal

You turn the key and the engine goes vroom. That’s how you start a car. In the more than 10 years since I started driving, there have been a lot of change in cars. I’ve seen the addition of safety … Continue reading →

Posted in fun, random, usability | 2 Comments

Weekly Reader – Jan. 12, 2008 – Tasing to your tunes, connected car

Posted on January 12, 2008 by Rakesh Agrawal

Busy with CES and the new job this week, so I didn’t get to do a whole lot of reading. These caught my eye: CES Video: Gadget of the day (Los Angeles Times) – Taser has introduced a stun gun … Continue reading →

Posted in consumer electronics, weekly reader | Comments Off

Packaged pani puri as progress

Posted on January 7, 2008 by Rakesh Agrawal

A few years ago at the TV Critics Association press tour my friend Neal asked NBC head Jeff Zucker why there weren’t any South Asians on ER. Anyone who has been to a hospital knows that they’re full of South … Continue reading →

Posted in random | Comments Off