February 2009 - KICTANet

Re: [kictanet] Paypal Vs Mpesa
by Barrack Otieno 04 Feb '10

04 Feb '10

Honourable Members, I was just having a chat with a good friend who is a web developer over the issue of online payments. I realised paypal is common but the procedure and processes involved seem to be too complicated despite the fact that it is an important medium for online transactions globally. Does anyone has an idea of how we can encouarage local banks to interface with such systems to facilitate online transactions instead of the difficult route being undertaken currently, better still can mpesa be a viable option. They have an arrangement with pesa point which saved my neck on new year because of its efficiency can it be extended to facilitate online transactions international (say with Kenyans in diaspora Just curious On Wed, Jan 21, 2009 at 8:22 PM, Alex Gakuru <alex.gakuru(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > > > > --- On Wed, 1/21/09, Okulo Anthony <anthony.okulo(a)okulo.co.ke> wrote: > > > From: Okulo Anthony <anthony.okulo(a)okulo.co.ke> > > Subject: Re: [kictanet] Obama Speech puzzle: read, memorised or simply no > script? > > To: alex.gakuru(a)yahoo.com > > Cc: kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > > Date: Wednesday, January 21, 2009, 12:22 AM > > Most good speakers especially litigation lawyers memories > > their speeches and when making the speech they rely on > > points so that it looks as if they are not reading a script. > > most likely Obama had his "points" on a screen in > > front of him. > > > > > > Anthony Okulo > > > > A trick we used in O-Levels to "cram" formulas, make "words" shortened > abbreviations for Chemistry, Geo, Bio, Hist, Maths etc.. It works wonders-- > only remember "new word" only known to thyself and Hey Presto! UR genius;) > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: otieno.barrack(a)gmail.com > Unsubscribe or change your options at > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/otieno.barrack%40gmail… > -- Barrack O. Otieno ISSEN CONSULTING Tel: +254721325277 +254726544442 +254733206359 www.issenconsult.com http://projectdiscovery.or.ke To give up the task of reforming society is to give up ones responsibility as a free man. Alan Paton, South Africa

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Day 2 of 10:-KCA 2008-Broadcasting-The Bad
by John Walubengo 04 Mar '09

04 Mar '09

Looks like Day 1 on the good aspect of the Broadcasting Section was too quiet. I am not sure if that is because there is nothing good about it or maybe fatigue has just kicked in. Either way, today we want to review the so called bad aspects. They have been in the press/public domain for the last 4weeks but here is my take of the top three. 1. that the retained 'draconian' clause 88 gives unrestricted powers to the two ministers (Internal Security and Information Ministers) and their regulatory (CCK) appointees. These Powers enable them to declare an emergency and raid media houses. The beef is that these powers are likely to be abused particularly because of the heavy Govt composition of the Regulatory Authorities who would likely serve their appointing authority (Executive) rather than the common good (Public) 2. that the Content Regulation (Programming Code) aspects is also flawed in that it is ONLY the Information Minister and his appointees who can decide what is prohibited and what is not, what should go on air and at what time. 3. that a Signal Distribution Monopoly would be enforced given that current broadcasters would need to channel their transmission through a licensed signal distributor i.e. dismantle their current distribution infrastructure in the likely event that they are not the designated signal distributor. Any more? Feel free to clarify as well where I may have errored in the interpretation. Tomorrow we shall look at the proposed interventions once we are agreed on the problems/issues. walu.

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Kenya: Good Mobile Access Fails To Boost Weak Connectivity Rating 2009
by alice 28 Feb '09

28 Feb '09

Its a new way of measuring connectivity do you agree with the verdict on Kenya? <http://www.connectivityscorecard.org/countries/kenya> Good Mobile Access Fails To Boost Weak Connectivity Rating Kenya’s performance on the 2009 Connectivity Scorecard places it nearly at the bottom of the nations sampled. In almost every consumer and business measure of connectivity, Kenya failed to achieve a passing score. Exceptions include an above average proportion of the population provided with mobile access, and a relatively high literacy rate. Kenya displays one of the worst secondary school enrolment rates out of all the countries surveyed, along with weak broadband and internet penetration. Bandwidth availability is also quite low. Kenya’s E-Government ranking falls below the median. Despite a history of innovation, notably in the mobile segment, Kenya’s economic progress is held back by a lack of investment in human development in order to provide workers with the skills necessary to drive an ICT-based economy. Regulation of the telecommunications sector has also slowed development of the broadband services required to create a more sophisticated business infrastructure. Kenya Connectivity Performance by Scorecard Component

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Fw: Multimedia University College (formerly KCCT) looking for Lecturers...
by John Walubengo 27 Feb '09

27 Feb '09

Incase you missed to catch the above in the Dailies - plse sambaza (spread) far and wide. walu. NB: Two thousand years ago, He said 'The Harvest was big, but the Laborers were few'. Plse help in getting us the laborers by spreading the message.

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Fellowships to attend AfriNIC-10 Cairo, Egypt]
by alice 26 Feb '09

26 Feb '09

-----Original Message----- From: announce-bounces(a)afrinic.net [mailto:announce-bounces@afrinic.net] On Behalf Of Lillian O. Sharpley Sent: 26 February 2009 15:53 To: announce(a)afrinic.net; africann(a)afrinic.net Subject: [AfriNIC-announce] Fellowships to attend AfriNIC-10 Cairo, Egypt Dear Colleagues, Please be advised that AfriNIC is offering several fellowships to attend AfriNIC-10 which will take place 10-22 May, 2009, Cairo, Egypt (back-to-back with AfNOG-10). The fellowship is reserved for individuals representing small organizations, universities, and journalists who are activity involved in Internet development in the African Region or ICT Policy in their countries and respective communities, who can positively and actively contribute to IP address management awareness in the AfriNIC region of service. Upon selection of the fellows, AfriNIC will notify the selected fellows directly and allow the fellow 7 days to reply with an acceptance of the fellowship. Public announcement of the fellowship winners will be made after the acceptance by the winners. The fellowship includes: assistance with round-trip airfare to the meeting venue, hotel accommodates for the AfriNIC event, from the night before the beginning of the event to the last day of the event. If you think you meet the criteria above, please complete the online application form at http://meeting.afrinic.net/afrinic-10/fellowship-form1.htm Or, reply to the questions below in a separate email along with your personal detail information to fellowship(a)afrinic.net before (15 March 2009). Personal details: * Name of Participant: * Name of Organisation: * Is your organization an LIR?: * Your position in the Organisation: * Physical Address: * E-mail: * Passport Number: * Country and City of residence: * Cost of ticket from your residence city to Egypt: * How much are you willing to contribute towards the fellowship? General Questions: ** Your answers to the questions bellow will determine you eligibility to the fellowship 1. Which Internet related meetings (inc. AfriNIC meetings) have you attended in the past? Please give details of events and dates. 2. What has been or is your contribution in your Country/Africa in relation to the ICT field? Please give details of events and dates. 3. How are you planning to share with your community what you will learn from the AfriNIC-10 meeting? 4. What has been your contribution to discussions within the AfriNIC community? Other requirements from the fellows: * To attend and participate in events as outlined in the agenda and complete a survey of the meeting events; * To provide a meeting/attendance report within 15 days after the last day of the meeting; * To provide a follow-up report to AfriNIC within four (3) months after the meeting on how he/she is contributing to the community as a result of the AfriNIC participation and how the meeting has benefited the fellow; and, * Ensuring requirements for entry into Egypt are met at least three weeks prior to the first date of the event, such as, obtaining passport and visa. Please direct questions to fellowship(a)afrinic.net. Sincerely, Lillian Sharpley Communications Area Manager AfriNIC www.afrinic.net

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[Fwd: [AfrICANN-discuss] Research and Markets: Web Domain Registration Markets 2009-2011]
by alice 23 Feb '09

23 Feb '09

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/research-markets-web-domain-registrat… Research and Markets: Web Domain Registration Markets 2009-2011 Last update: 7:03 a.m. EST Feb. 23, 2009 DUBLIN, Ireland, Feb 23, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Research and Markets ( http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/a0525d/map_research_forec) has announced the addition of the "MAP Research Forecasts: Domain Registration Markets 2009-2011" report to their offering. The world's first report on the size, state and future of the global domain registration industry. Research results show that by the end of 2008, the overall industry will have a market value of $3.6 billion (all figures in $US), forecast to increase to $5.3 billion by 2011. According to the report, whilst the overall market size of the global domain industry is expected to increase over the next three years, growth will be at a slower rate than previous years and a drop in average revenue per domain is forecast. And although growth in global top-level domains (ie .com and .net) will slow, growth in country code top-level domains (ie .au and .uk) is expected to increase in developing countries such as Brazil, Russia, India and China ("BRIC nations"). The research also predicts trends in the domain industry such as consolidation to gain market share; a growing emphasis on bundling services; growth in demand for 'domain parking'; growth of mobile internet and .mobi; and a new internet provider platform, IPv6, dramatically increasing the number of available domain names. Domain registrars are now becoming 'one-stop-shop' service providers, offering their customers variety of services such as domain registration, domain management, web hosting and domain resale. With the contractions of the top-level market, many of the global domain registrars are diversifying their revenue base by providing a number of related value added services to the provision of domain registration. These additional services are increasingly being bundled with domain registration and include web hosting, domain parking, pay-per-click advertising and selling domain portfolios. As part of the research, a number of the top 20 global domain registrars were interviewed. Key points from the Global Domain Industry Report: Registered domains total 185 million, a growth of 20.8% over 2008, expected to reach nearly 297 million by 2011. Overall size of the industry is $3.6 billion (all figures in $US), expected to reach $5.3 billion by 2011. The generic top level domain (gTLD) market has grown 15.1% over 2008 to a value of $1.83 billion. Domain registrars are diversifying into value added services such as web hosting and domain management. Country code top level domains (ccTLDs) will grow by 21% to a value of $1.81 billion in 2008, driven largely by stronger demand in the BRIC nations and Eastern Europe. MAP Research forecasts stronger demand in BRIC nations following increasing internet penetration rate, growing economies and also increasing online advertising market. GoDaddy is ranked number one in the world, with a market share of 27.9% in the gTLD market. Companies Mentioned: GoDaddy eNom Tucows Network Solutions Melbourne IT 1&1 Interent Moniker Online Register.com Directl Key-Systems For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/a0525d/map_research_fore SOURCE: Research and Markets Laura Wood Senior Manager press(a)researchandmarkets.com Fax from USA: 646-607-1907 Fax from rest of the world: +353-1-481-1716 _______________________________________________ AfrICANN mailing list AfrICANN(a)afrinic.net https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo.cgi/africann

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ICT & Media
by Wainaina Mungai 23 Feb '09

23 Feb '09

Dear All, Made in Kenya Network is in a position to offer consultancy and training on the use of ICT in Media/Journalism. Kindly contact me for details. Regards Wainaina

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E-waste in Africa- findings
by Rebecca Wanjiku 23 Feb '09

23 Feb '09

just in case you are wondering what happened to the e-waste research findings, the report was released in Barcelona last week http://computerworld.co.ke/articles/2009/02/20/hp-and-partners-tackle-afric… Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/

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invited to waste time online, and pay for it...
by Alex Gakuru 23 Feb '09

23 Feb '09

Hello, I am amazed at the increasing numbers of strangers inviting me to waste my time at online with their other "e-friends" at social networks sites, chats, (now including dating services...Mungu one) etc. Its not exciting to have all those intrusive pop-ups messages, when one must still find time to earn money to pay for their monthly bandwidth consumption. Amazing! Anyway, and as policy, I accept none if care not to bother wasting your invites? If have something constructive, write me a direct email. No hard feelings? It's just policy. Sincerely, Alex

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Adobe Reader, Acrobat Vulnerable To Attack
by Evans Kahuthu 21 Feb '09

21 Feb '09

FYI: Security companies are warning of a vulnerability in two Adobe programs that could allow hackers to compromise your PC. Attackers are actively exploiting the flaw, although security researchers say the onslaught isn't yet widespread. Versions 9 and 8.x of Adobe Reader and Acrobat are affected. According to Adobe, this vulnerability would cause the application to crash and could potentially allow an attacker to take control of the affected system. Adobe categorizes this as a critical issue and recommends that users update their virus definitions and exercise caution when opening files from untrusted sources. "Adobe is planning to release updates to Adobe Reader and Acrobat to resolve the relevant security issue. Adobe expects to make available an update for Adobe Reader 9 and Acrobat 9 by March 11th, 2009," Adobe said in its security advisory. "Updates for Adobe Reader 8 and Acrobat 8 will follow soon after, with Adobe Reader 7 and Acrobat 7 updates to follow." Several Attack Variations In the meantime, Adobe said it is in contact with antivirus vendors, including McAfee and Symantec. According to the Shadowserver Foundation, there are several different variations of the attack, and it's only a matter of time before the vulnerability ends up in every exploit pack on the Internet. Zero-day attacks are the preferred choice of cybercriminals because victims are less able to defend against them. "At the turn of 2009, malicious PDF documents were discovered to be exploiting a zero-day vulnerability affecting Adobe Reader 8.x and 9.x. In parsing a specially crafted embedded object, a bug in the reader allowed the attacker to overwrite memory at an arbitrary location," said McAfee's Geok Meng Ong. "The attacks, found in the field, use the infamous 'HeapSpray' method via JavaScript to achieve control of code execution." When successful, the attack installs a backdoor for remote control and monitoring of infected systems. While the distribution of this exploit so far appears to be targeted, new variants are expected as more information is made public, Ong said. As with the Conficker experience, Ong noted the lack of good patch management is a very worrying trend that deserves more attention from IT security practitioners. A JavaScript Payload Symantec says it has received several PDF files that actively exploit a vulnerability in Adobe Reader. Symantec said the vulnerability is caused by an error in parsing particular structures within the PDF format. Once the malicious document is opened, it will trigger the vulnerability. The JavaScript payload then sprays the heap with malicious code in an attempt to increase the chances of a successful exploit. If the exploit is successful, a malicious binary will be dropped and executed on the victim's system. "We are continuing to remain in contact with Adobe on this vulnerability in order to ensure the security of our mutual customers," said Kevin Haley, director of Symantec Security Response. "This exploit is currently detected heuristically as Bloodhound.PDF.6 by our products. We have noticed an increase in submissions of similar PDFs using this exploit. So far, these attacks appear to be targeted and not widespread. Symantec is continuing to monitor the vulnerability's use in the wild." Evans Kahuthu

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