June 2012 - KICTANet

ICANN seeking volunteers on advancing IDN capabilities in the DNS
by alice＠apc.org 18 Jun '12

18 Jun '12

ICANN is seeking volunteers to work on advancing IDN capabilities in the DNS. The project 2.1 "Root IDN Table Process" part of the IDN Variant TLD Program, is designed to develop, in consultation with the community, the process to define: * allowed code points, * corresponding variant code points, and * related allowed states for IDN Variant TLDs. ICANN is soliciting participation from volunteers with the following areas of expertise: IDNA, DNS, Linguistics/Unicode, Policy. You can indicate your interest until 13 July 2012. For more information, see: http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-18jun12-en.htm

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Invitation to Applicants: Internet Society Ambassadors to the Internet Governance Forum (IGF)
by Alice Munyua 18 Jun '12

18 Jun '12

The Internet Society is pleased to invite applications for the 2012 Internet Society Ambassadors to the Internet Governance Forum (IGF). As part of the Internet Society's Next Generation Leaders (NGL) programme, the Ambassadorships to the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) are available to Internet Society members between the ages of 20 and 40. The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) is a multi-stakeholder forum for policy dialogue on issues of Internet governance. It brings together government, private sector, and civil society stakeholders, including the technical and academic community, on an equal basis and through an open and inclusive process. The IGF facilitates a common understanding of how to maximize Internet opportunities and address risks and challenges that arise. *_About the 2012 Ambassadors to the Internet Governance Forum (IGF)_* In 2012, the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) will focus on /Internet Governance for Sustainable Human, Economic and Social Development/. Participants will explore key topics such as Cybersecurity, Online Child Protection, Intellectual Property, Copyright, Managing Critical Internet Resources, Access & Diversity and numerous others. The Forum will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan from the 6-9 November 2012. Ambassadors to the IGF may be involved in various activities at the Forum, including contributions to the IGF Ambassadors' blog, participating broadly in the IGF meeting agenda and assisting with staffing of the Internet Society booth at the venue. Details of these opportunities will be confirmed in advance of the Forum. For more information, please visit: http://www.internetsociety.org/what-we-do/education-and-leadership-programm… *_How to apply_* To apply to be chosen as one of the 2012 Internet Society Ambassadors to the Internet Governance Forum (IGF), please go to: http://zoomgrants.com/gprop.asp?donorid=2107&limited=294 <http://zoomgrants.com/gprop.asp?donorid=2107&limited=294> */Please Note:/*/ The above link will take you to our new application service provider, //zoomgrants.com/ <http://zoomgrants.com/>/. Before beginning the application process, you will need to register as a new user on the system, even if you've previously been an awardee of any Internet Leadership programmes (the moderated e-Learning course, the Fellowship to the IETF, the Fellowship to the World Bank infoDev Global Forum or the Fellowship to the OECD Technology Foresight Forum)./ In addition to completing the online application form, you will be required to upload a 2-3 page briefing paper as well as upload your most recently updated CV. The deadline for applications is midnight UTC on 6 July 2012. Successful candidates will be notified on 20 July 2012. *_The Next Generation Leaders programme_* The Internet Society's Next Generation Leaders programme is supported by funding from SIDN and is conducted under the patronage of the European Commission for Information Society and Media. For more information about the Next Generation Leaders programme, please visit: http://InternetSociety.org/Leaders You can also contact us at leaders(a)isoc.org <mailto:leaders@isoc.org>. If you are interested in becoming a Corporate or Organizational partner of the Next Generation Leaders (NGL) programme, please email leader-sponsor(a)isoc.org <mailto:leader-sponsor@isoc.org> ------------------------- *Niel Harper* Senior Manager, Next Generation Leaders Internet Society 1775 Wiehle Ave. Suite 201 Reston, VA 20190 *direct:*571.299.2509 *mobile:*246.243.3818 *skype:*olokunbb

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ICT for ICT's sake...road carnage - is there an app for that?
by Francis Hook 18 Jun '12

18 Jun '12

I do not mean to throw cold water on home grown initiatives to leverage technology... http://www.itwebafrica.com/mobile/309-kenya/229396-dangerous-driving-app-la… but sometimes I think we need to pause a little and ask a ffew questions like: - if the app is really intended to make driving safer - bearing in mind the person who can make driving safer is the driver and NOT the passenger, how does such an app really help? if anything it prompts the driver to fiddle more with his phone while driving thus making him a danger to other road users. - if I may quote the article - "Allowing users to report dangerous drivers or vehicles as well as corrupt police officers, it is intended to flag situations that could potentially lead to an accident before they do." - we can already do this by dialling a number (and if we do not have a number, then one can be put in place) - do we seriously really need an app for this? - "“Once the user downloads the app, he will have a map with an updated index of the health facilities around the area they are travelling in and the hospitals that are closest to their location,” ...Google Maps already has this. - "The app, called ‘Nduru’ after the Swahili word for ‘scream’, allows Kenyans to report accidents, reckless drivers, dangerous vehicles and other high road risks." - I think there was a similar inititiative (overlap.co.ke) with similar intentions....but I gather that did not grow legs and perhaps served more to vent frustration that bring about any tangible action. I think a bigger part of the problem is how we are as Kenyans (drivers, police, passengers, pedestrians, etc) - our attitude is what needs to be changed more than yet another overload of info which no one will have time to look at/analyse and act on. At the very best, such apps will treat the symptoms and NOT the cause. Again, with all due respect to the developers and other aspiring developers. -- Francis Hook +254 733 504561

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Your views on M.Sc. curriculum - Stakeholder Input
by Mwololo Tim 18 Jun '12

18 Jun '12

Dear all, The School of Computing and Informatics (UoN) is in the process of reviewing its MSc programs. We value your input. Kindly complete the online survey to give us feedback. It will take you 10-15 minutes. ps: copy it in full https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dG9FNnVCSmxMaTVzdjNEZG… -- Timothy Mwololo Waema (PhD, PMACM) Professor of Information Systems School of Computing & Informatics, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 30197, 00100, Nairobi, Kenya.

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Internship Opportunity
by Evans Ikua 16 Jun '12

16 Jun '12

Dear Listers, We have an internship opportunity for a recent graduate who is determined to develop a career in line with our areas of interest. Previous work experience is not a prerequisite. The right candidate will have to demonstrate the following attributes: 1. Have recently graduated with a degree in IT, Computer Science, Business IT, Business/Commerce, Management or a related subject 2. Some knowledge or qualifications in Marketing or entrepreneurship - demonstrable business acumen 3. Self starter, self motivated, able to work without supervision 4. Excellent Leadership qualities 5. Excellent Communications skills, self confident, personable 6. Trustworthy, highly responsible, of high integrity, with solid references 7. Able to multi task and ready to learn 8. PASSION If you think you meet most of these qualities and are willing to learn, please send us an application letter with a one (1) page resume outlining your qualifications to this email address. Kind regards everyone and nice weekend. -- *---------------------------------------------------- Kind Regards, Evans Ikua,* lanetconsulting.com, lpi-eastafrica.org, ict-innovation.fossfa.net, Skype: @ikuae Cell: +254-722-955831

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Computer for Schools and Cloud Computing
by James Kagwe 16 Jun '12

16 Jun '12

Afternoon all, Computer for schools is definitely a very good initiative by the Kenya government and a strong statement that it supports ICT and hopes it will be a major driving force for the economy as we transition to a knowledge economy. This was clearly demonstrated by a budgetary in this years budget. The budget though small will definitely change something in the educational sector. Cloud computing technology on the other side is growing rapidly and is being said to have the capability of making the third world leap frog to first world in terms of technology. Imagine an application in the cloud which is taken up by at least half of Kenya's SMEs and the impact it would have on them. Cloud computing is also easy and fast to deploy from a user perspective and does not necessarily require the skills of an ICT project manager in the classical sence (you probably do not need an ICT project manager to move companies mails to Google apps or hosted Microsoft exchange). Cloud computing is envisaged to revolutionise computing in the classical sence in that people may not require PCs to do their work to an extent where BYOD (bring your own device) model will be used at our workplaces. If this really happens companies will definitely realize lots of costs reduction. It is also envisaged that people will increasingly move away from convectional computing devices (desktops and laptops) to smart handheld devices like smart phones, tablets etc. This technology should inform us a lot in our computer for schools provisioning strategies. The computer for schools approach has been buying out computers, setting up LANs and connecting them to internet in a laboratory. If trends in cloud computing continue we will see less and less of computers and more and more of handheld smart devices. Think about ourselves now and see how often we use the desktops in our offices. BYOD which is being fought by most ICT Managers will be an obvious situation. There is a possibility that the students in schools today might not use computers at all in their working life. I guess we should start thinking of how we can introduce these devices in schools because really they are the future of computing. Instead of teaching convectional programing we probably should be teaching mobile and cloud applications programming. The best thing about these devices is their mobility and the fact that you can charge once and use for several hours thus appropriate for areas with electricity power challenges. I could write more but those are my quick thought. regards, James

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2012 Budget Highlights for ICT
by Dorcas Muthoni 15 Jun '12

15 Jun '12

*Technology, media and telecommunications* •• The world is expected to convert from analog to digital TV by 2015 and duty has been removed on imported converters of analogue to digital TVs. •• Duty on imported computer software has also been removed. •• KES 7.2 billion allocated to the ICT sector. •• Government investing in digitization of registry records at the lands registry and other important registries to eliminate the bottlenecks that investors experience. •• The government aims to consolidate the current cargo clearing system and all the entities involved are to be consolidated into one single entity. •• KES 480 million allocated for purchase of computers for schools.

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On line debate Agenda for 2012 Kenya IGF commences tomorrow June 14, 2012
by Grace Githaiga 15 Jun '12

15 Jun '12

Good morning Listers The Kenyan IGF debate will commence tomorrow and Barrack Otieno will be taking the lead. All your suggestions have been taken on board and even if they do not appear in the main themes, they will be dealt with in the debate. This is the proposed agenda: 1. ITRs, Thursday June 14, 20122. Intermediary liability, Friday June 15, 20123. Technology and violence against women, Monday June 18, 20124. Open data/E-government, Tuesday June 19, 2012· 5. Infrastructure Wednesday, June 20, 20126. Data Protection Bill as well as the Freedom of Information Bill, Thursday June 21, 20127. Winding up, Friday June 22, 2012. As always we look forward to a very healthy debate. RgdsGG

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Kenya IGF on line Discussions Day 1: International Telecommunications Regulations (ITR's)
by Barrack Otieno 15 Jun '12

15 Jun '12

Listers, International Telecommunication regulations are general principles related to international telecommunication services and its transport means. The purpose and Scope includes among other things: - Interconnection and interoperability of telecommunication facilities. - Giving precedence for the *Radio Regulations* in case of contradiction. - Allowing, within its framework, mutual agreements between countries. - To set primary rules for accounting and settlements between members. The ITR treaty was adopted in the *World Administrative Telegraph and Telephone* *Conference* (WATTC) held in Melbourne, 1988. It however came into force on July 1 1990, since then no updates have been made to the ITR provisions which leads to the following question: 1. As countries prepare for the World Congress on International Telecommunications to be held in Dubai in December 2012 ( http://www.itu.int/en/wcit-12/Pages/overview.aspx) What should Kenya's priorities be? 2. Should Kenya make its stand as a country or should we bargain through the Africa Telecommunications Union as per Dr. Ndemos proposal during a discussion on the list what are the implications of taking a stand as a country or as a regional block ? The floor is open -- Barrack O. Otieno +254721325277 +254-20-2498789 Skype: barrack.otieno http://www.otienobarrack.me.ke/

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Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS)
by Esther Wanjau 15 Jun '12

15 Jun '12

Dear All, The Directorate of e-Government has developed an Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS) geared towards providing information about the services provided by the Government to the public. This is departure from the traditional methods of providing this information like through the media (print and electronic), or physical enquiries from where the services are provided. It is a mobile based application where the citizens can get this information. It is a one-stop-shop. The system has been motivated by the high number of citizens (over 65%) with the access to the mobile phones as well as the changing communication channels. Please call 0900007282 from from your phone to get government services. For more information please visit www.e-government.go.ke. Let us have some feedback. Esther Wanjau Directorate of e-Government Presidency & Cabinet Affairs Office email: esther.wanjau(a)kenya.go.ke

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