June 2007 - KICTANet

Techdirt: Net Neutrality Debate Again Descends Into Shouting, Farce
by Alex Gakuru 24 Jun '07

24 Jun '07

[farber] http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20070622/093628.shtml from the par-for-the-course dept Net neutrality is a complex issue, but as tends to happen with most things these days, it gets boiled down into easily consumable, though not wholly accurate, ideological soundbites from both sides. And even when people try to have an open, even-keeled discourse about the issue, they still run into problems explaining things well. For the most part, debate on net neutrality has glossed over the fundamental, but perhaps less incendiary issues, and been characterized by intellectual dishonesty and propagandizing from activist groups on both sides. It was hardly surprising, then, to read about a panel at the Supernova conference descending into a shouting match between a Commerce Department official (ie the "anti-regulation" guy) and "pro-net neutrality" supporters in the audience. Really, it's an apt characterization of the whole debate: a bunch of yelling, very little exchange of useful information, and nobody really moves from their previously established ideology. All this means is that, in the end, it's very unlikely for the right, or even a good, solution to emerge. Instead, it will just come down to whichever side can muster the most political clout -- which is pretty much how things have gone in telecom regulation anyway ---------------------------------------------------------- WWWhatsup NYC http://pinstand.com - http://punkcast.com ---------------------------------------------------------- [Reading Provocative Comment No 4 at http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20070622/093628.shtml] # by Stu on Jun 23rd, 2007 @ 8:29am "political clout -- which is pretty much how things have gone in telecom regulation anyway." The problem is that political clout has become a function of money, rather than votes. It's much too difficult to replace an incumbent elected politician - also a function of money. Just listen to the news reporting about elections - it's all about the money. Out goes legislation for the common good - in comes legislation for big money interests. "The liberty of a democracy is not safe if the people tolerate the growth of private power to a point where it comes stronger than their democratic state itself. That, in its essence, is fascism - ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or any controlling private power." Franklin D. Roosevelt ____________________________________________________________________________________ Boardwalk for $500? In 2007? Ha! Play Monopoly Here and Now (it's updated for today's economy) at Yahoo! Games. http://get.games.yahoo.com/proddesc?gamekey=monopolyherenow

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Call for Papers-2nd Internet Governance Forum (IGF)
by John Walubengo 22 Jun '07

22 Jun '07

For those wishing to contribute towards the 2nd IGF meeting in Rio de Janeiro on 12 - 15 November 2007. Plse checkout http://www.intgovforum.org/ walu. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Boardwalk for $500? In 2007? Ha! Play Monopoly Here and Now (it's updated for today's economy) at Yahoo! Games. http://get.games.yahoo.com/proddesc?gamekey=monopolyherenow

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Kibaki names ombudsman to hear complaints
by Alex Gakuru 22 Jun '07

22 Jun '07

[Complaint No.1 ICT Consumer Protection. we shall surely turn up as soon as they assume office] Story by NATION Reporter Publication Date: 6/22/2007 President Kibaki yesterday appointed an ombudsman to deal with public complaints. The Public Complaints Standing Committee will be chaired by Mr James Simani, an advocate of the High Court of Kenya. The President also appointed Mr Peter Migwi Karingu, Ms Grace Barbara Ngele Madoka and Ms Nafisa Abdirahman Abass as members of the committee. The appointments will run for three years. Mr Karingu and Ms Madoka are advocates of the High Court of Kenya while Ms Abass is a holder of Masters of Business Administration (MBA). A Kenya Gazette notice issued later said the committee will have a chairman appointed by the President and a vice-chairman by the committee. It shall also have not more that three members appointed by the President following recommendations from Justice minister. It shall also have a director appointed by the minister and who shall be its secretary. The committee is required to promote alternative dispute resolution through mediation. It is further mandated to publish quarterly reports on complaints received and action taken. The committee is answerable to the President and could use previous investigation reports in its work. The establishment of the public complaints committee is geared towards enhancing good governance, management and administration in public institutions, a statement from the Presidential Press Service said. The functions of the committee include receiving, registering, sorting, classifying and documenting all complaints against public officials in ministries, parastatals, statutory bodies and other public institutions, it added. In some jurisdictions, including West Australian State, the ombudsman is referred to as the Parliamentary Commissioner. http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=2&ne… ____________________________________________________________________________________ Sick sense of humor? Visit Yahoo! TV's Comedy with an Edge to see what's on, when. http://tv.yahoo.com/collections/222

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promoting the ccTLDs
by Rebecca Wanjiku 22 Jun '07

22 Jun '07

while its good to have a .ea, i think in the intervening period we can promote the .ke, .tz etc i have met people who think that having a .ke domain restricts you to kenya or you are not seen as "modern" enough some have .biz, .net and see it as more "global" than .ke in my opinion, if people appreciate their ccTLDs, then they will not need much convincing when the new regional ones come up.. for instance, the .tz is free yet their registration is not much, if there is no proper awareness, then we might have all the domains and still the uptake is low, yes people in the industry will understand, but we need others to on the same page, regards Alex Gakuru <alex.gakuru(a)yahoo.com> wrote: I had specified "Top Level Domain" Sponsorship" but you see they threw me to ccTLDs. Figured this would assist as foundation for relevant Kiswahili content. Could there be other Kiswahili speakers interested we run with it next year? Michuki Mwangi <michuki(a)kenic.or.ke> wrote: Did you request for a .SWA ccTLD or a .SWA TLD?. There is no open window for sponsored TLD's submission. I think this will probably open up in 2008. Regards, Alex Gakuru wrote: > After I requested to sponsor .swa for Kiswahili speaking community of > interest, ICANN/IANA 18 May 2007 reply referred me to ccTLDs as follows: > > ---snip--- > Please see the following for information on how new country code top-level > domains (ccTLDs) are created: > > http://www.iana.org/cctld/cctld-establishment-procedures-19mar03.htm > > > Best regards, > > Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) > ---snip--- > > Michuki is quite right on "The process will require intense collaboration > from the community and its stakeholders to be successful." > > Alex > */ > Michuki Mwangi /* wrote: > > Bill et al, > > Bill Kagai wrote: > > > > Michuki...I therefore see [.eac] as an aggressive business strategy > > complimenting [.ke], [.tz] etc and not as competition. > > > > Competition is healthy, it is an instigator of creativity and innovation > and i welcome such incentives. For your information, there are > interested parties evaluating submissions to ICANN for a TLD for Africa > i.e .africa. Hence this will make the African scene alot more > interesting in my opinion. > > Any addition into the Root zone outside the ccTLD category will be > considered under the Sponsored/Unsponsored TLD category. There are > procedures to this as evidenced in the following URL: > > http://www.icann.org/tlds/new-tld-application-instructions-15aug00.htm > > ICANN has published guidelines for applying for a TLD under the > following URL and i would wish to invite the members to read through > this document. > > http://www.icann.org/tlds/application-process-03aug00.htm > > > Alice...If KICTANET knows some influential people at the East Africa > > Community Secretariat in Arusha, maybe they can help get things into > > second gear with ICANN?? > > > > ICANN will not just insert a TLD in the Root zone. The process will > require intense collaboration from the community and its stakeholders to > be successful. The case studies for .asia and .eu are well documented on > their webiste www.dotasia.com and www.doteu.com - also from the ICANN > website. It will be interesting to have the community read through their > experiences in order to have a deeper understanding of the issues faced > in the process. > > I would recommend a start of by identifying the need for the regional > TLD (i think we have interest based on this threads), then convening a > regional working group that is inclusive of stakeholders to drive the > process to its logical conclusion. > > Notably resources are critical in the process as it somewhat tends to > drag on in trying to ensure inclusion of all stakeholders. More of the > social engineering than the technical. > > Its is however possible to achieve this and we should probably aim for > the next ICANN window on TLD applications - which i think happens ever 4 > years. > > Regards, > -- > Michuki Mwangi > KENIC > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > Please unsubscribe or change your options at > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/alex.gakuru%40yahoo.com > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > Get the Yahoo! toolbar and be alerted to new email > wherever > you're surfing. > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/michuki%40kenic.or.ke -- Michuki Mwangi KENIC _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/alex.gakuru%40yahoo.com --------------------------------- Be a better Heartthrob. Get better relationship answers from someone who knows. Yahoo! Answers - Check it out. _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/rebeccawanjiku%40yahoo.com Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ --------------------------------- Get the free Yahoo! toolbar and rest assured with the added security of spyware protection.

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Kimathi Information Centre reaches out again
by Jose' 21 Jun '07

21 Jun '07

With the rescent symposium that was held on 24th March 2007,Kimathi Information Centre had purposed to follow up on the delegates who had participated in the symposium. Having invited Ministry of youth,Kenya Women Finance Trust,Faulu Kenya,IFC and Edith Adera of IDRC we saw up to 185 youth delegates attend the March 24th symposium and listen to the speakers on how to be ICT empowered. Thanks to Cyberschool who lent us a projector on the Sunday 17th June 2007 and we were able to gather up to 51 youths who were eager to tell us how the symposium was beneficial to them and how they have been able to network professionally. Kimathi Information Centre made a presentation on how one can grow your enterprise one step at at time,how to prepare business proposals and grant proposals.Having made sure all participants had email adresses from the previous symposium,we enrolled them into the kimathi Information Centre mailing list using the yahoo groups.Thanks to KICTANET mailing list effective idea.Through this mailing list Jobs shall be advertised,workshops announced and anything that the youth need to communicate to each other addressed. Best Regards, Jose' Njuki-Imwe Ngunjiri || +254 722 336754 || ____________________________________________________________________________________ Never miss an email again! Yahoo! Toolbar alerts you the instant new Mail arrives. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/toolbar/features/mail/

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Alexander Forbes Financial Services (EA) Limited donates computers
by Jose' 21 Jun '07

21 Jun '07

Through the Kictanet forum,Mr.James Kagwe of Alexander Forbes came into contact with Kimathi Information Centre "DIGITAL VILLAGE" and has been following the organizational performance with great interest. Mr.Kagwe wrote an email and suggested that he would love to donate some few working computers to the centre to be used for training and bridging the digital divide as is always evidently stressed at the centre. The main core activity of the centre is not only to bridge the digital gap by training but also ensuring that the whole community gets a glimpse on how computers will ease their daily lives and enhance there business productivity. Four working computers were donated on Monday 18Th,June,2007.We purpose to use them for training.On the ground we had 13 computers for which 12 are being used to train 12 students per two hours.Now we shall increase the number to 16 students per two hours. Mr.James Kagwe has emphasized on the PPP(Public Private Partnership) that Dr.Bitange Ndemo always emphasizes apron.The four computers donated will be serviced at the computers for Schools Kenya(CFSK) if they get to break down. We cannot forget to mention our mentor Ms.Edith Adera of IDRC who has worked tirelessly to see us(K.I.C) to the position we are in today.Having networked us to Kictanet-Ms.Alice,Ministry of Information-Dr.Bitange Ndemo and Computers for schools-Mr.Tom Musili.Just to mention a few. With this thank you very much Mr.James Kagwe for reaching out to our vision of "BRIDGING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE THROUGH ICT" Best Regards, Jose' Njuki-Imwe Ngunjiri || +254 722 336754 || ____________________________________________________________________________________ Expecting? Get great news right away with email Auto-Check. Try the Yahoo! Mail Beta. http://advision.webevents.yahoo.com/mailbeta/newmail_tools.html

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[Fwd: {EuroAfrica-ICT Initiative} Upcoming events - July 2007]
by alice 21 Jun '07

21 Jun '07

Hi All Some of you may wish to attend the Kenya version workshop. See below. best alice -------- Original Message -------- Subject: {EuroAfrica-ICT Initiative} Upcoming events - July 2007 Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2007 12:21:30 +0200 From: EU-Africa S&T Cooperation <info(a)euroafrica-ict.org> To: <alice(a)apc.org> CC: EuroAfrica-ICT workshops <awareness_workshops(a)euroafrica-ict.org> Dear Ms Munyua, I contact you today to inform you about the upcoming events organised in the framework of the EuroAfrica-ICT initiative. Launched in September 2006, the EuroAfrica-ICT initiative is implemented by a consortium of three partners: Orionis (France, project coordinator), the Meraka Institute of CSIR (South Africa) and the Panos Institute West Africa (Senegal). The initiative - funded by the European Commission - specifically aims at enabling a better representation of sub-Saharan African organisations in EU funded projects addressing R&D in the field of ICT (within the 7th framework programme of the European Union, or FP7). As you may already know, the EuroAfrica-ICT initiative is organising its third and fourth awareness workshops in sub-Saharan Africa (Accra, Ghana, July 20 & 21 and Nairobi, Kenya, July 26 & 27). These workshops specifically aim at supporting the development of a deeper and broader Scientific and Technological cooperation between the European Union and sub-Saharan Africa in the ICT sector. Detailed information on these workshops is available at the following link: <_http://www.euroafrica-ict.org/awareness_workshops.html_>. We think that this information could be relevant for KICTANet (taking into account that one of these events will take place in Kenya). In this respect, I attach to this email a short press release concerning these upcoming events. We would be really grateful if you could send it to your contacts and database should you find it useful. We really thank you in advance and really look forward to hearing from you soon, Kind regards, Roseline Favresse --- The EuroAfrica-ICT/START initiative <_info(a)euroafrica-ict.org_> <_http://www.euroafrica-ict.org_>

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ICT Events to Look out for.
by Rebecca Wanjiku 21 Jun '07

21 Jun '07

* EURO-AFRICA-ICT WORKSHOP IN GHANA AND KENYA The EuroAfrica-ICT initiative will organise its third and fourth awareness workshops in Africa: in Accra, Ghana (July 20 & 21) and in Nairobi, Kenya (July 26 & 27). The workshop in Ghana is supported by the African Network Operators Group (AFNOG) and Busy Internet, Ghana and the workshop in Kenya is supported by the African eDevelopment Resource Centre, Kenya, the consortium partners of the Science & Technology - Europe Africa Project (ST-EAP), the African Academy of Sciences, Kenya and the Council for Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), South Africa. The EuroAfrica-ICT initiative has also developed a set of services dedicated to European and African organisations willing to develop S&T cooperation in the field of ICT: search for partners service, helpdesks, open consultation, etc. For further information, please visit the project dedicated website (http://www.euroafrica-ict.org) or contact us (info(a)euroafrica-ict.org) ICTS FOR CIVIL SOCIETY CONFERENCE June 2007 South Africa The conference and exhibition organised by SANGONeT will be aimed at increasing NGOs awareness of the strategic importance of their websites and the online environment in general. For further information visit http://sangonet.org.za - HIGH SPEED ACCESS TECHNOLOGIES CONFERENCE 19-21 June 2007, Gallagher Estate, Johannesburg, South Africa IQPC's 2nd Annual High Speed Access Technologies conference is perfectly positioned giving you answers at a critical time offering an objective platform for you to hear case studies on current obstacles and successes of Broadband. You will also be able to join us for a Site Visit To the Eskom Test Site. This site visit will show you what progress has been made over the past few years and what MainNet is doing to promote broadband over Power Lines. For more information please contact Susan Theron on +27 (0) 11 669 5019 or visit our website http://www.iqpc.com/za/highspeed - SATWIBB AFRICA: AFRICAN SATELLITE & WIRELESS BROADBAND CONFERENCE & VOIP FORUM EAST AFRICA: Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi, 11-13 July 2007 WEST AFRICA: Muson Centre, Lagos, 21-23 August 2007 Theme: Broadband bridges across Africa: First and last mile solutions Local and international industry leaders will make presentations on the following topics: Efficient bandwidth delivery mechanisms Next Generation Networks: Selecting the right migration path Building wireless communities Fiber optic vs. satellite-based connectivity: Do they compete or do they complete? DVBS2: Its role in trunking Rural Wireless: The role of WiMAX, WiFi, CDMA and hybrid technologies VoIP survival strategies for telcos, ISPs and cyber cafes Build vs. buy: VoIP solutions for Africa Providing a VoIP service over a WiMAX network Maximising international VoIP services The event also includes a Masterclass on Building Wireless Communities by Paul Munnery, CEO, Wireless Digital Cities, UK To request full details, email info(a)aitecafrica.com or log on to www.aitecafrica.com - TELECOMS WORLD AFRICA 31st July - 2nd August 2007, Johannesburg, South Africa Key decision-makers in South Africa and leading international players will share their expertise and forge invaluable business relationships in a highly interactive environment. For further information visit www.terrapinn.com/2007/telecomza - WI-WORLD AFRICA 2007 27 30 August 2007, Michelangelo Hotel, Johannesburg, South Africa. In Africa, fixed-line infrastructure is lacking and there is a major problem with copper wire theft. Wireless communication is therefore a great alternative. For further information visit www.terrapinn.com/2007/telecomza - ICT AFRICA 2007 October 1-5, 2007, Kenyatta International Conference Centre, Nairobi, Kenya ICT Africa is an annual continental information and communications technology conference addressing all aspects of ICT development in Africa. The conference is convened by NEPAD council in collaboration with the NEPAD Kenya secretariat. The 2007 event will be organized by Global Conferences, Cape Town, South Africa. For further information contact rjacobs(a)globalconf.co.za - INFRASTRUCTURE PARTNERSHIPS FOR AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT (IPAD) CENTRAL AFRICA 3rd - 5th October, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo iPAD Central Africa 2006 provides an opportunity to network directly with key partners. The event aims to facilitate regional planning and collaborations under one roof between government, the public sector and business. iPAD Central Africa 2006 is a one-stop-shop for investigating investment opportunities in DRC and the Central African region as a whole. For further information visit http://www.spintelligent-events.com/ipad-central2006/en/ --------------------------------- Yahoo! Mail is the world's favourite email. Don't settle for less, sign up for your free account today._______________________________________________ Hanastaff-l mailing list Hanastaff-l(a)listserv.ru.ac.za http://listserv.ru.ac.za/mailman/listinfo/hanastaff-l Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ --------------------------------- Get the Yahoo! toolbar and be alerted to new email wherever you're surfing.

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Changing the Mindset
by CommunicArt | Lusiola 21 Jun '07

21 Jun '07

Have a look at this HYPERLINK "http://wesonga.peupe.net/"http://wesonga.peupe.net/ Lusiola No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.472 / Virus Database: 269.9.1/857 - Release Date: 6/20/2007 2:18 PM ---------------------------------------------- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is believed to be clean. --------------------------------------------- "easy access to the world"

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Sh1bn allocated to fibre optic cable project
by Mr President 21 Jun '07

21 Jun '07

Hi Alljust wanted to give my 2 cents on the budget and the 1 Billion for the Optical Fiber cable project,Now Now, what is the cost of the entire cable ?Is the amount allocated not a drop in the ocean ?Would an IPO, Bill Kagai has investment and stock figures, cant money be raised from the stock exchange? Or via Long term bonds?Reason for asking ??We allocate a drop hoping to fill an ocean, the funds have been allocated and put in whose bank? Earning interest for who ?Who will own the cable ? My concern when we last met, was ownership, management, cost to the user, Fatma Bashir was in Rwanda and she has some interesting news, they have a PLAN, do we ??We have some who as Kanja Waruru says, know not what an ipod is, yet we HOPE thet shall allocate funds forn CDF ??Now now , Guys lets get serious about things, what comes first the egg or the chicken ??The allocation of funds or rules, regulations, agreements on ownership etc, Bwana Ps Walu, made an impresive pion about different options, let me recapsulate for allPrivate ownership and fundingGovt owned or TelcosUniverasal access for allThe west african module, which is a scam, or the East African module that is know only by a few ? My humble suggestion would be1: Waive all duty on Optical fiber passive and active components.2: Formulate a PLAN either using KICTANET, as non partisan, none players3: Organise workshops to create second tier awareness- from� Govt Ps 's� down- Bwana� Bitenge can lead by example.4: Prior to Digital Villages and� Submarine, Terrestrial� cabling, form a� PLAN that would harmonise the digitalisation to the benefit of all5: The world bank has given funding for digital villages, yet organisations are being asked to sponsor? Kwani funds from world bank, had not feasibility study done? Even they don't PLAN ??Conclusion ?? If the 1 Billion allocated is 5 % of the total value allocated per annum, when will Kenya get the cable, not to mention the INLAND one, the lowering of costs to consumers, the polytechnics, the BPOs and outsourcing and the much hyped but yet to be realised E Government, Learning, Medicine and everything E apart from the E which in this case stands for Electronic............Point to ponder as you all enjoy and have a blessed week end, and to Kagai Bill i feel you pain about the NSE rules, the according to the MD of Keroche Ms Tabitha, the current rgime seemds to favour foreigners/ Multinationals and sugar Importers who KNEW ther would be a waiver prior to the budget, to the detriment of the local sugar companies..WashindweRegards Njenga M.Pthose who fear to fail.will never try to succeded,for to fail to plan is to plan to FAIL _______________________________________________ No banners. No pop-ups. No kidding. Make My Way your home on the Web - http://www.myway.com

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