September 2012 - KICTANet

Re: [kictanet] [Skunkworks] Standard Digital News : State warned on ditching copyrighted software
by Evans Ikua 17 Sep '12

17 Sep '12

Conrad, this debate will not end any time soon and you can be sure its important. I am sure you would know how much money Microsoft alone mints in Kenya. With the threat of loss of market share, we do expect them to continue feeding us with half truths about what is important. I know what is important for me, and I also speak for the person who does not understand the issues, nor care about what software is running their solutions. Because I know something that they dont. You dont want us to believe that proprietary software has better value than open source, do you? What value? I have no doubt that all platforms must co-exist, at least to a certain extent. But it would be better to face the facts as they are as opposed to peddling cheap lies about security and vulnerabilities. I for one always have a problem with the Government using my tax money to buy closed source software, while at the same time spending the meagre forex resources that we have to fatten the wallets of developers in Redmond and Germany. The bargain here is that we are left with proprietary formats that tie us to companies that are not guaranteed to last the next 20 years, leave a lone 100 years. Did you know that Americans can't sell anything to (or visit) Cuba because of sanctions? What hapens if Mitt Romney (God Forbid) wakes up one morning and decides he does not like Kenya, and therefore we can't do business with the US? Or are we stuck with "good behaviour" so that we don't land in bad books with anyone, so that we can guarantee to run our economy with other people's technology? Where is the freedom there? The freedom that we refer to is not price, but the freedom to control how our software works, without having to depend on a handful of companies that control the source code, and if and when we can get bug fixes, so long as we behave ourselves. For individuals, its a matter of personal choice. But for our government, its a matter of freedom, foreign exchange, and developing local capacities. So its good that our government is finally getting the message, though unfortunately there is going to be some losers. Evans Ikua On Sun, Sep 16, 2012 at 11:32 PM, Rad! <conradakunga(a)gmail.com> wrote: > These debates of open/closed source are pointless and juvenile, especially > coming from veterans in the industry. > > Mwananchi does nor know nor care how things run, provided they a) Work and > b) solve his problems. > > Can we at least get to that point before having these spurious arguments. > Our police stations use counter books for records. Marriage registries use > typewriters and box files. The city council and lands ministries are > festooned with box files and papers. > > And we are here on ivory towers arguing over open vs closed source leaving > fundamentals unaddressed! > > Pragmatic people have no need to resort to extremism. Just as there is > room on roads for Mercedes S Class and Toyota Vitz I'm pretty sure there is > room for Open and Closed Source software. > > As for the issue of cost - I encourage folks to look at it from an > economics perspective. Cost and value are very different things. > > On Sunday, September 16, 2012, Mark Mwangi wrote: > >> All I see is opportunity. Am not anti Microsoft or any closed source >> software company. Painting open source software as insecure, unsupportable >> and almost unhygienic is not being realistic in my opinion. >> >> The reason there aren't many linux folk is because there is no demand for >> them. If the govt decided that everything on their systems (or at >> least most) would be foss then thats where the talent will gravitate. It >> starts with a stance though. >> >> On Sun, Sep 16, 2012 at 10:29 PM, Agosta Liko <agostal(a)gmail.com> wrote: >> >> issue is Open Source is free but very few people know linux or mysql as >> well as the closed guys who know aix and oracel very well. >> >> IT does not matter, all that matters is how well one can support whatever >> they are deploying .... >> >> >> >> On Sun, Sep 16, 2012 at 10:21 PM, Odhiambo Washington <odhiambo(a)gmail.com >> > wrote: >> >> Given that Kenya is not the first country to make such a move, I see no >> reason for M$ to spell doom, really. >> >> Kenya can learn and borrow from those countries. I am sure M$ knows that >> there are countries already fully on FOSS. >> >> >> >> On Sun, Sep 16, 2012 at 9:15 PM, Mark Mwangi <mwangy(a)gmail.com> wrote: >> >> Isnt it interesting that it is only closed source software vendors >> spelling doom and gloom? >> >> >> On Sun, Sep 16, 2012 at 7:34 PM, <awatila(a)yahoo.co.uk> wrote: >> >> >> Last week, the Government issued a warning that in the next three >> years it will move its IT operations to Free and Open Source Software >> (FOSS), a move that will reduce cost by more than half in IT expenses. >> >> http://www.standardmedia.co.**ke/?articleID=2000066158&** >> story_title=State-warned-on-**ditching-copyrighted-software<http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/?articleID=2000066158&story_title=State-warn…> >> ______________________________**_________________ >> Skunkworks mailing list >> Skunkworks(a)lists.my.co.ke >> ------------ >> List info, subscribe/unsubscribe >> http://orion.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/**mailman/listinfo/skunkworks<http://orion.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks> >> ------------ >> >> Skunkworks Rules >> http://my.co.ke/phpbb/**viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94<http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94> >> ------------ >> Other services @ http://my.co.ke >> >> >> >> >> -- >> Regards, >> >> Mark Mwangi >> >> markmwangi.me.ke >> >> >> >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Skunkworks mailing list >> Skunkworks(a)lists.my.co.ke >> ------------ >> List info, subscribe/unsubscribe >> http://orion.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks >> ------------ >> >> Skunkworks Rules >> http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 >> ------------ >> Other services @ http://my.co.ke >> >> >> >> >> -- >> Best regards, >> Odhiambo WASHINGTON, >> Nairobi,KE >> +254733744121/+254722743223 >> _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ >> I can't hear you -- I'm using the scrambler. >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Skunkworks mailing list >> Skunkworks(a)lists.my.co.ke >> ------------ >> List info, subscribe/unsubscribe >> http://orion.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks >> ------------ >> >> > _______________________________________________ > Skunkworks mailing list > Skunkworks(a)lists.my.co.ke > ------------ > List info, subscribe/unsubscribe > http://orion.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks > ------------ > > Skunkworks Rules > http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 > ------------ > Other services @ http://my.co.ke > -- *---------------------------------------------------- Kind Regards, Evans Ikua,* lanetconsulting.com, lpi-eastafrica.org, ict-innovation.fossfa.net, Skype: @ikuae Cell: +254-722-955831

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KENIC IS SLEEPING Kenic.or.ke Down for over 16 hours and Counting!
by Wycliffe 17 Sep '12

17 Sep '12

Kenic.or.ke (the .ke registry system ) which is supposed to have 100% availability has been DOWN for over 16 hours -from approx. 5 pm (14th September 2012) upto Now (15th September 2012 at 0900hours ) and counting. No word yet from Kenic team ( The NEW CEO, Change manager ,,,,,Nobody) to registrars and hence to customers. As far as I know, NO domain registered / renewed for this period and counting. Can we have an update on when this site will be up??? Anybody from Kenic board here!!!!!!!!! Note: If the site is available, you can check the registration / renewal statistics from here: https://registry.kenic.or.ke/statistics.jsp Disappointed Wycliffe

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New Book and New Report on Internet Public Policy Dialogue Available for Download
by Ben Akoh 17 Sep '12

17 Sep '12

Hi All, I did promise a while back to circulate links to a book under development. I had mentioned the important lesson learned from kictanet - on online policy dialogue. I recall suggesting that "lurkers" value and benefit from participation on the list. And that there are interesting ways in which a framework can be used to evaluate (and design) long term sustainable ICT projects in Africa, broadly and perhaps, Kenya more specifically. The links below point to a) toolkit on facilitating public policy dialogue; and b) to a country report in which some of the tools in the toolkit was used to analyze a specific country situation. Thanks for opening up your network to lurkers and learners. Hope you enjoy the publications. Best, Ben New Book: Akoh,B., Egede-Nissen, B., & Creech, H. (2012). Toolkit on Internet Public Policy Dialogue: Tools for the Practitioner. IISD. Available at: http://www.iisd.org/publications/pub.aspx?pno=1619. Download for free. This Toolkit can be used by new or emerging public policy groups seeking to understand and support public policy dialogue with stakeholders. It is based on two central activities: the gathering of evidence to support policy recommendations, and the securing of consent among the stakeholders to be affected by policy change. ---- New Report: Akoh, B. (2012). Supporting Multistakeholder Internet Public Policy Dialogue in a Least Developed Country: The Togo Experience. IISD:Canada. Available at: http://www.iisd.org/publications/pub.aspx?pno=1683. This case study for Togo, a least developed country, illustrates how multistakeholder dialogue can identify priorities and challenges for the development and deployment of the Internet in support of the country's economic, social and environmental needs. Information and communication technology (ICT) growth in Africa has been steady in the past five years, with impacts on the economic and social landscape. Grassroots involvement and local level policy consultations should be considered an intrinsic part of the process of developing national priorities and objectives for ICTs and the Internet.

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'Poverty barons' who make a fortune from taxpayer-funded aid budget
by Agosta Liko 17 Sep '12

17 Sep '12

The Department for International Development (DFID) paid almost £500million last year to consultants, mostly British, many of whom earn six, even seven-figure incomes, courtesy of the taxpayer. DFID also funds dozens of foreign consultancy firms. It is paying £6million to the University of Cape Town to investigate mental health issues in southern Africa and millions of pounds to US-based organisations, including the Clinton Foundation, the International Food Policy Research Institute and Family Health Inter-national. It is paying a Washington-based group, Search for Common Ground, £3.9million to “support the electoral cycle in Sierra Leone”. Consultancy firms in India and Uganda are also receiving large sums. read on http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/9545584/Poverty-barons-who-make-a-…

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Konza Techno Park Launch?
by Edith Adera 17 Sep '12

17 Sep '12

Listers, Just wondering if anyone knows what ever happened to the planned launch and ground breaking for Konza Techno park? Is it still on? or a pipe dream? Would be good to know as we strive to achieve vision 2030, let us accompany the mega road construction we see around with some landmark ICT mega projects, we should not be left behind as an industry. Bwana Ndemo/Mugo, could you please shed some light? expected date of launch? I hope before the end of the year? Edith

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Standard Digital News : State warned on ditching copyrighted software
by awatila＠yahoo.co.uk 17 Sep '12

17 Sep '12

Last week, the Government issued a warning that in the next three years it will move its IT operations to Free and Open Source Software (FOSS), a move that will reduce cost by more than half in IT expenses. http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/?articleID=2000066158&story_title=State-warn… Alex Watila ICT Manager Kenya School of Law Langata-South Road, Karen P.O. Box 30369 00100 Nairobi skype: awatila Telkom Wireless +254(020) 2699581,2699582, 2699583, 2699584, 2699585, 2699586 Tel +254 20 8890 044/94, 8891 399, 8891 200 Fax +254 20 8891 722 “You can visit KSL on the internet at www.ksl.ac.ke”

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New Twist in Carjacking - with ICT this criminal could be behind bars
by Edwin Onchari 16 Sep '12

16 Sep '12

Listers, I thought I should share this to highlight the urgency of entrenching and investing in ICT in our law enforcement agencies. It would have been so easy to dust for prints and run against a criminal database/register of persons..wonder how many have fallen victim Edwin Please sample this, and watch out: This is very scary and could happen to any of us. Seems like every nice thing people do for one another can be perverted. A new twist on kidnapping from a very smart survivor: About a week ago there was a woman standing by the Sarit Centre entrance in Westlands, this woman had finished shopping, went out to her car and discovered that she had a flat tyre. She got the jack out of the trunk and began to change the flat tyre. A nice man dressed in a business suit and carrying a briefcase walked up to her and said, "I noticed you're changing a flat tyre. Would you like me to take care of it for you?" The woman was grateful for his offer and accepted his help. They chatted amiably while the man changed the tyre, and then put the flat tyre and the jack in the boot, shut it and dusted his hands off. The woman thanked him profusely, and as she was about to get in her car, the man told her that he left his car around at The Mall, and asked if she would mind giving him a lift to his car. She was a little surprised and she asked him why his car was at The Mall. He said that he left his car because of a traffic Jam, and now he was running late. The woman hated to tell him "no" because he had just rescued her from having to change her flat tire all by herself, but she felt uneasy. (Trust that gut feeling!) Then she remembered seeing the man put his briefcase in her boot before shutting it and before he asked her for a ride to his car. She told him that she'd be happy to drive him around to his car, but she just remembered one last thing she needed to buy. (Smart woman!!) She said she would only be a few minutes; he could sit down in her car and wait for her; she would be as quick as she could be. She hurried into the mall, and told a security guard! what had happened, the guard came out to her car with her, but the man had left. They opened the trunk, took out his locked briefcase and took it down to the police station. The police opened it (ostensibly to look for ID so they could return it to the man). What they found was rope, duct tape, and knives. When the police checked her "flat" tire, there was nothing wrong with it; the air had simply been let out. It was obvious what the man's intention was, and obvious that he had carefully thought it out in advance. The woman was blessed to have escaped harm. How much worse it would have been if she had children with her and had them wait in the car while the man fixed the tire, or if she had a baby strapped into a car seat? Or if she'd gone against her judgment and given him a lift? I'd like you to forward this to all those you know that may need to be reminded that the world we live in has a lot of deviants in it. It may save a life. Better to be safe than sorry. A candle is not dimmed by lighting another candle. If you love your mothers, wives, sisters, daughters, etc., you may want to pass it on to them, as well. Mr. Leonard Maina Mugambi +254 720 248 873

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Re: [kictanet] ISP Advertising Standards: Open Letter to CCK
by Victor Kapiyo 15 Sep '12

15 Sep '12

I think there are well established definitions and standards e.g. those developed by the ITU on QoS. Should we apply these, it will be possible to benchmark the services offered by local ISPs against the standard, and determine whether they meet the threshold, which in my view, would if met, constitute "reasonable quality" as defined by the law. In addition, I think it is dishonest, and more so fraudulent to advertise network capable theoretical speeds as actual expected speeds, like most providers are currently doing. It is even worse, when the speed is throttled and the period which it is throttled, is not disclosed to consumers - who are expected to be always 'understanding' when we hear the 'our cables were vandalised' excuses, yet money, which in most cases is non-refundable has been paid! In my view, ISPs should reimburse users monies paid when they fail to meet QoS as expected, because it is a fundamental aspect which goes to the core of their contracts with users. CCK should implement the law. Victor Sent from my Windows 8 PC <http://windows.microsoft.com/consumer-preview> *From:* S.M. Muraya *Sent:* 13 September 2012 10:46:37 *To:* Victor Kapiyo <vkapiyo(a)gmail.com> *CC:* KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> *Subject:* Re: [kictanet] ISP Advertising Standards: Open Letter to CCK If no one ever reaches "up to xx Mbs" between 12am and 6am, is it a clear case of fraud / throttling bandwidth advertised? The ISP may have valid reasons for bandwidth throttling but CCK officials should (probably do) have connections to test advertised ISP services at their various residential locations. How about when ISP's can honestly claim (many times) that network "injuries" caused by accident or vandals lower their QoS? On Sep 13, 2012 9:59 AM, "Victor Kapiyo" <vkapiyo(a)gmail.com> wrote: > Collins, Listers, > > I think it's important to have standards. > > With regard to enforceability, allow me to quote some relevant provisions > of the law: > > The Constitution provides for Consumer Protection under Art. 46: > > *46. (1) Consumers have the right—* > > *(a) to goods and services of reasonable quality; > * > *(b) to the information necessary for them to gain full benefit from > goods and services; > * > *(c) to the protection of their health, safety, and economic interests; > and > * > *(d) to compensation for loss or injury arising from defects in goods or > services. > * > *(2) Parliament shall enact legislation to provide for consumer > protection and for fair, honest and decent advertising. > * > *(3) This Article applies to goods and services offered by public > entities or private persons* > > NB: The Consumer Protection Bill, which is to be enacted pursuant to Art > 46 (2), is yet to be passed by Parliament. > > In addition, we already have regulations under the Kenya Information and > Communication Act, i.e. Kenya Information and Communication (Consumer > Protection) Regulations 2010, which is already in force. > > Allow me to quote: > > *"3. Rights and obligations of customers.* > > *(1) A customer shall have the right to— > > (a) receive clear and complete information about rates, terms and > conditions for available and proposed products and services; > > (b) be charged only for the products and services they subscribe to; > > (c) where possible, select a service provider and service of the > customer’s choice; > > (d) personal privacy and protection against unauthorized use of personal > information; > > (e) accurate and understandable bills for products and services > authorised by the customer, and to fair prompt redress in the event of a > dispute in the provision of the products and services; > > (f) protection from unfair trade practices, including false and > misleading advertising and anti-competitive behaviour by licensees; and > > (g) equal opportunity for access to the same type and quality of service > as other customers in the same area at substantially the same tariff > limiting variations to available or appropriate technologies required to > serve specific customers."* > > > And Rule 23: > > *"23. Offences and penalties. > (1) A licensee who— > > (a) fails to perform the measurement, reporting and record keeping tasks > within the required time; > > (b) fails to reach a target for any of the parameters stipulated under > these Regulations; > > (c) fails to submit, during a time specified by the Commission, > information requested by the Commission pursuant to these Regulations; > > (d) submits or publishes false or misleading information about the > quality of its services; > > (e) obstructs or prevents an inspection or investigation carried out by > the Commission pursuant to these Regulations; > > (f) engages in any act or omission whose effect would be to defeat the > purposes of these Regulations, commits an offence. > > (3) A person who commits an offence under these Regulations shall, where > no specific penalty is provided for, is liable on conviction to a fine not > exceeding three hundred thousand shillings or to imprisonment for a term > not exceeding three years or both."* > > As you can see from the foregoing, there are sufficient provisions in the > law to regulate licensee conduct with regard to advertising. If these were > followed and implemented to the letter by all persons, then we'd have more > transparency especially with regard to advertising. > > What would perhaps problematic is the level of disclosure, i.e. what would > constitute complete information within the meaning of the law? > > Here, I think that either standards or further guidelines would be > important, to provide clear criteria or guidelines for the class, > elements or type of information that would need to be disclosed to meet the > threshold of the provisions so quoted. I think the industry needs to sit > down and agree on this bearing in mind the industry best practices and the > practicability of implementing the same in the Kenyan context. > > Victor > > > Sent from my Windows 8 PC <http://windows.microsoft.com/consumer-preview> > > *From:* Ali Hussein <ali(a)hussein.me.ke> > *Sent:* 11 September 2012 21:06:26 > *To:* vkapiyo(a)gmail.com > *CC:* KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > *Subject:* Re: [kictanet] ISP Advertising Standards: Open Letter to CCK > > Collins > > Good idea. We could also appeal to APA (Advertising Practitioners > Association) as this also borders on culpability from an advertising agency > perspective. > > Ali Hussein > > +254 773/713 601113 > > Sent from my iPhone® > > On Sep 11, 2012, at 8:52 PM, Areba Collins [ @BrainiacKE ® ]< > arebacollins(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > > > Hello listers, > Im following this from a discussion in the other list from one Kelvin, his > assertions were: > > I think we need to as a group write a couple of recommendations for the >> CCK to rein in ISPs especially how they advertise. This could cover aspects >> such as :- >> >> >> - Proper disclosure to customers on speeds i.e should Orange >> advertise 21mbps and get away with it >> - Outline whether its shared >> - Provide figures for the FUP >> - Disclose whether or not inernet is unlimited >> >> There are some things you wouldnt get away with the FCC in the US . >> >> What are your thoughts ? >> >> Kevin >> >> > I need to hear what CCK has to say about this, I would very much preffer > ISP companies to give full disclosure of what they are selling , using a > standardized nomenclature. Could someone please advise if this is > enforceable? > > Regards, > > > -- > *“The twentieth century has been characterized by three developments of > great political importance: the growth of democracy, the growth of > corporate power, and the growth of corporate propaganda as a means of > protecting corporate power against democracy”* > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > Unsubscribe or change your options at > https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/info%40alyhussein.com > > The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform > for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and > regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT > sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development. > > KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors > online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, > share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do > not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications. > > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > Unsubscribe or change your options at > https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/vkapiyo%40gmail.com > > The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform > for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and > regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT > sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development. > > KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors > online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, > share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do > not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications. > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > Unsubscribe or change your options at > https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/murigi.muraya%40gmail… > > The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform > for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and > regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT > sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development. > > KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors > online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, > share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do > not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications. >

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URL for the ICANN Africa Strategy Working Group Docs
by Alice Munyua 15 Sep '12

15 Sep '12

Dear all, The url for the ICANN Africa Strategy documents: http://www.afrinic.net/en/community/icann-aswg Best Alice -------- Original Message -------- Subject: [AfrICANN-discuss] URL for the ASWG Docs Date: Fri, 14 Sep 2012 16:10:59 +0200 From: Dandjinou Pierre <pdandjinou(a)gmail.com> Reply-To: africann(a)afrinic.net To: africann(a)afrinic.net Listers, As a follow up to my earlier message , here is the url for accessing the ASWG documents : http://www.afrinic.net/en/community/icann-aswg Best regards Pierre -- Pierre Dandjinou Cotonou - 229 90 087784 / 66566610 Dakar 221 77 639 30 41 www.scg.bj skype : sagbo1953 _______________________________________________ AfrICANN mailing list AfrICANN(a)afrinic.net https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo.cgi/africann

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Please contribute to the ICANN Africa Strategy Document
by Alice Munyua 14 Sep '12

14 Sep '12

Dear Listers, Chers listiers! As promised, the working documents of the Africa Strategy Working Group are now available for your perusal and comments. Kindly go to www.afrinic.net and select ICANN-ASWG One of the documents listed there is key to the next steps of the development of the strategy : the strategy matrix; the ASWG would be grateful if you could concentrate on that document and provide the following in coming two weeks : 1- Your priority list of 5 to 10 strategic objectives with subsequent strategic projects 2- Your further comments and recommendations, if any, which could be inserted in the final document. Your contribution should be forwarded to ICANN-ASWG(a)Afrinic.net Many thanks for sending your feedback by the deadline of 28th September. Best regards Pierre On behalf of the ASWG

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