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New "The 411..." Posts...
by Mike Bullut 23 Apr '09

23 Apr '09

Greetings, I've written some new posts on my *blog <http://kipsang.wordpress.com/>* & I'd like you guys to let me know what you think. By all means, feel free to comment on the articles I post and if you have anything you want posted, drop me a line. Enjoy! - *The 10 most dangerous species of help desk callers...<http://kipsang.wordpress.com/2009/03/10/the-10-most-dangerous-species-of-he…> * - *Women In ICT: Are We Moving Forward?<http://kipsang.wordpress.com/2009/04/21/women-in-ict-are-we-moving-forward/> * *<http://kipsang.wordpress.com/2009/04/21/women-in-ict-are-we-moving-forward/> * - *Q & A: White African...<http://kipsang.wordpress.com/2009/04/15/q-a-white-african/> * Popular Posts: - *100 Common Interview Questions...<http://kipsang.wordpress.com/2008/09/29/100-common-interview-questions/> * - *M-Pesa: How It Works...<http://kipsang.wordpress.com/2008/11/17/m-pesa-how-does-it-work/> * - *Special Edition: Nairobi Pictures (Kenya), A Beautiful East African City...<http://kipsang.wordpress.com/special-edition-nairobi-pictures-kenya-a-beaut…> * - *Special Edition: New Style of ATM Thefts...<http://kipsang.wordpress.com/special-edition-new-style-of-atm-thefts/> * - *Special Edition: Worldwide Job Cuts...<http://kipsang.wordpress.com/special-edition-worldwide-job-cuts/> * Warm regards, Mike. *-- "The computer programmer . . . is a creator of universes for which he alone is the lawgiver. . . . No playwright, no stage director, no emperor, however powerful, has ever exercised such absolute authority to arrange a stage or a field of battle and to command such unswervingly dutiful actors or troops." ~ Joseph Weizenbaum... --*

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Fwd: [Skunkworks] Twitter Experience...
by Margaret Gichuki 22 Apr '09

22 Apr '09

Ooops! My bad.Posted this to the wrong list. Here you go Walu. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Margaret Gichuki <wams2006(a)gmail.com> Date: Apr 22, 2009 1:32 PM Subject: Re: [kictanet] [Skunkworks] Twitter Experience... To: jwalu(a)yahoo.com Cc: New Vision List <NewVisionKenya(a)yahoogroups.com> Walu, It's a great tool but hooking.The young man below is doing alot of good and have attracted so many people including celebrities like Oprah and Barbara Walters.Walters in yesterdays show the View was shown how to use it and sent out a MSG.'' Barbra loosing her twitter virginity''....She had tons of responses within an hr and her life will never be the same again if she gets hooked.10,000. mosquito nets are on their way to Africa.Read on. http://showhype.com/story/twitter_showdown_cnn_vs_ashton_kutcher/ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/andy-ostroy/twitter-dee-and-twitter-d_b_18912… On 4/22/09, John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > > > > am @jwalu on tweeter. > > i guess that means i will get more guys stalking me ;-) I truly feel like > some old zack, being xtra careful on where am stepping...even FB, Linkden, > and others remain for me purely academic and explorative exercises. > > I am looking for real benefits, that type that puts bread on the table > rather than waste productive working time. Something like what was posted > yesterday @ www.irb.com/jwrt/indexxx.html - where the some young techies > use the internet to stream the rugby action in Nairobi. That was cool - no > need for expensive frequency payments to CCK and yet broadcasting and > competing with the DSTVs of this world! > > So anyway, where is the bread in all these social networks? > > walu. > > > --- On Wed, 4/22/09, Victor Ngeny <victormaritim(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > > From: Victor Ngeny <victormaritim(a)gmail.com> > > Subject: Re: [Skunkworks] Twitter Experience... > > To: jwalu(a)yahoo.com, "Skunkworks forum" <skunkworks(a)lists.my.co.ke> > > Date: Wednesday, April 22, 2009, 4:05 PM > > Hey Walu, > > Been on twitter since 2006, have learnt a great deal from > > it, created > > worthwhile contacts and now use it for work. am *@ngeny* on > > twitter, whats > > your username? > > > > V > > > > On Wed, Apr 22, 2009 at 3:01 PM, John Walubengo > > <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > > > > > > > > I have heard about blogs, but now there is this new > > buzz about Twitter. > > > Anybody locally using twitter and finding it useful? > > > > > > I just registered and am following some chap called > > arsenal_mania and > > > frankly speaking it is informative while being > > entertaining (addictive?). > > > Which brings me to the question - are there instances > > of local "handles" > > > that are worth following and are having an impact > > within our local > > > socio-economic context? > > > > > > plse share. > > > > > > walu. > > > btw: some guys i dont know are already "stalking > > me" on twitter ;-) > > > > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > Skunkworks mailing list > > > Skunkworks(a)lists.my.co.ke > > > > > http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks > > > Other services @ http://my.co.ke > > > Other lists > > > ------------- > > > Skunkworks announce: > > > > > http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks-announce > > > Science - > > http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/science > > > kazi - > > http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/admin/kazi/general > > > > > > > > > > > -- > > Victor Ngeny > > > > Mobile +265770586704 > > GTalk: victormaritim Twitter: @ngeny > > Yahoo: vikngne Skype: victor.ngeny > > > > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: wams2006(a)gmail.com > Unsubscribe or change your options at > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/wams2006%40gmail.com >

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[Fwd: Re: [Fibre-for-africa] What's Up EASSy?]
by alice 22 Apr '09

22 Apr '09

Dear All I use EASSy as a case study for a course I teach on and recently came up with the following summary of where the project currently stands. The "update" was put together to complement a stakeholder analysis that was done by APC late 2006/early 2007 and which can be downloaded here: http://www.apc.org/apps/img_upload/f22c64f43b568608639b68dbdd91d89a/Updated… I would appreciate any comments on this. Abi > > -----Original Message----- > > From: fibre-for-africa-bounces(a)lists.apc.org <mailto:[email protected]> [mailto:fibre-for-africa- <mailto:fibre-for-africa-> > > bounces(a)lists.apc.org <mailto:[email protected]>] On Behalf Of wakabi(a)cipesa.org <mailto:[email protected]> > > Sent: 26 March 2009 01:43 > > To: eric(a)afrispa.org <mailto:[email protected]>; APC - Private list for use by EASSY Workshop > > Participants > > Subject: [Fibre-for-africa] What's Up EASSy? > > > > What's up EASSy? > > > > It's been a few quiet months at the EASSy stable, but word is now out > > on > > where this initiative has gotten to. And the word doesn't seem to good > > for > > EASSy enthusiasts. Once a front-runner in the so-called race to land > > fibre > > at the eastern coast of Africa, EASSy has conceded it is seriously > > trailing SEACOM (which appears comfortably perched in the driver's > > seat) > > and TEAMS (which is following in, albeit not too closely). > > > > According to a report in Kenya's Daily Nation, EASSy now expects to get > > operational around June 2010 (we add: 8 years after visionaries > > initially > > conceived it and got down to putting it together). Quoting Chris Wood, > > CEO > > of West Indian ocean cable Co. Ltd., the SPV for EASSy, the report says > > indicates EASSy will leverage on a "competitive long-term business plan > > to > > reduce the coast of bandwidth for coastal and land-locked countries". > > Besides, Wood claims his cable will have the biggest capacity of them > > all. > > Details: > > http://www.nation.co.ke/magazines/smartcompany/-/1226/549886/- > > /srb1j8z/-/index.html > > > > SEACOM, meanwhile, announced this week it would go commercial in July > > this > > year - although the cable would be ready in June. Monthly charges for > > bulk purchases would be around US$100-US$200 per Mbps. They said demand > > is > > so high they will offer bandwidth at lower prices than their earlier > > biz > > plan forecast; talked about profitability reaching lots earlier than > > initially anticipated; and said carriers in the region would actually > > be > > better off accessing more than one cable. Nice. > > > > But some are wondering: Now that the cables are coming, what are we > > gonna > > do with that bandwidth? Possibilities are vast, plans probably much > > less. > > It appears in Kenya, there's both thinking and action. 1) This week, an > > education minister has spoken about interesting e-learning plans whose > > implementation later this year he said would be enabled by the > > availability of the cable. 2) Kenya Data Networks, one of those > > gleefully > > signing onto the SEACOM offering, has said they will reduce their costs > > from next month. 3) At the end of last year the Kenya ICT Board > > unveiled a > > US$4.1m kitty for developers of local content.... > > > > For some of the other countries, there doesn't appear to be as much > > cooking as in Kenya. Or may be someone just isn't telling us yet. > > > > Wakabi > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Fibre-for-africa mailing list > > Fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org <mailto:[email protected]> > > http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fibre-for-africa > > _______________________________________________ > Fibre-for-africa mailing list > Fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org <mailto:[email protected]> > http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fibre-for-africa _______________________________________________ Fibre-for-africa mailing list Fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org <mailto:[email protected]> http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fibre-for-africa _______________________________________________ Fibre-for-africa mailing list Fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fibre-for-africa

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Re: [kictanet] [Skunkworks] Twitter Experience...
by John Walubengo 22 Apr '09

22 Apr '09

am @jwalu on tweeter. i guess that means i will get more guys stalking me ;-) I truly feel like some old zack, being xtra careful on where am stepping...even FB, Linkden, and others remain for me purely academic and explorative exercises. I am looking for real benefits, that type that puts bread on the table rather than waste productive working time. Something like what was posted yesterday @ www.irb.com/jwrt/indexxx.html - where the some young techies use the internet to stream the rugby action in Nairobi. That was cool - no need for expensive frequency payments to CCK and yet broadcasting and competing with the DSTVs of this world! So anyway, where is the bread in all these social networks? walu. --- On Wed, 4/22/09, Victor Ngeny <victormaritim(a)gmail.com> wrote: > From: Victor Ngeny <victormaritim(a)gmail.com> > Subject: Re: [Skunkworks] Twitter Experience... > To: jwalu(a)yahoo.com, "Skunkworks forum" <skunkworks(a)lists.my.co.ke> > Date: Wednesday, April 22, 2009, 4:05 PM > Hey Walu, > Been on twitter since 2006, have learnt a great deal from > it, created > worthwhile contacts and now use it for work. am *@ngeny* on > twitter, whats > your username? > > V > > On Wed, Apr 22, 2009 at 3:01 PM, John Walubengo > <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > > > > > I have heard about blogs, but now there is this new > buzz about Twitter. > > Anybody locally using twitter and finding it useful? > > > > I just registered and am following some chap called > arsenal_mania and > > frankly speaking it is informative while being > entertaining (addictive?). > > Which brings me to the question - are there instances > of local "handles" > > that are worth following and are having an impact > within our local > > socio-economic context? > > > > plse share. > > > > walu. > > btw: some guys i dont know are already "stalking > me" on twitter ;-) > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Skunkworks mailing list > > Skunkworks(a)lists.my.co.ke > > > http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks > > Other services @ http://my.co.ke > > Other lists > > ------------- > > Skunkworks announce: > > > http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks-announce > > Science - > http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/science > > kazi - > http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/admin/kazi/general > > > > > > -- > Victor Ngeny > > Mobile +265770586704 > GTalk: victormaritim Twitter: @ngeny > Yahoo: vikngne Skype: victor.ngeny

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Re: [kictanet] Twitter Experience...
by John Walubengo 22 Apr '09

22 Apr '09

I have heard about blogs, but now there is this new buzz about Twitter. Anybody locally using twitter and finding it useful? I just registered and am following some chap called arsenal_mania and frankly speaking it is informative while being entertaining (addictive?). Which brings me to the question - are there instances of local "handles" that are worth following and are having an impact within our local socio-economic context? plse share. walu. btw: some guys i dont know are already "stalking me" on twitter ;-)

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Mobile thieves using mobile money transfer ...
by wesley kiriinya 21 Apr '09

21 Apr '09

A thief stole a mobile phone and called the owner's close relatives saying the owner had been involved in a road accident and was in critical condition. The hospital required money before admitting the patient so the thief was asking for 4,000 to be sent by M-PESA to the owner's mobile. The bigger question is, have people discovered loop holes to withdrawing money from mobile transfer solutions like M-PESA without the owner's ID document? I wonder how the thief could have withdrawn the money. O_O

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FW: [OPENMRS] OpenMRS proudly announces summer internships
by Edith Adera 21 Apr '09

21 Apr '09

This may be of interest. From: announce(a)openmrs.org [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Burke Mamlin Sent: Monday, April 20, 2009 5:17 PM To: openmrs-announce-l(a)LISTSERV.IUPUI.EDU Subject: [OPENMRS] OpenMRS proudly announces summer internships [cid:[email protected]]OpenMRS is proud to announce our summer internships for 2009<http://soc2009.openmrs.org>. We are once again participating in Google Summer of Code. We are also mentoring projects this summer as part of our IDRC-funded OpenMRS Internship Program (OIP), which focuses on mentoring and capacity building in developing countries. This summer's interns come from nine different countries: Jaoa Portela from Portugal will be building a WYSIWYG form designer for the HTML form entry module. As many in the OpenMRS community know, we can use all the alternatives for data collection we can find. Darius made a great module for crafting HTML-based forms as an alternative to InfoPath and Jaoa will make form building even easier. Primary mentor: Darius Jazayeri, Backup mentor: Daniel Futerman. Dilupa Munindradasa from India will be integrating a Quartz scheduler into OpenMRS. Justin created our current scheduler that's responsible for running and managing all of the background processes for OpenMRS. Quartz<http://www.opensymphony.com/quartz/> is an open-source enterprise-level job scheduler that can further enhance our background job processing capabilities. We've wanted to adopt Quartz for a while, but just haven't had the time. Dilupa will be able to bring enterprise level job scheduling to all of our OpenMRS implementations. Primary mentor: Justin Miranda, Backup mentor: Vibha Anand. Lu Zhuang Wei from China will be building a serialization service for OpenMRS. Web services and some of our core reporting tools depend on the ability to efficiently transform OpenMRS "objects" into other formats. To date, we have been using various and sometimes redundant methods to do this work throughout OpenMRS. By introducing a new core service into OpenMRS, Lu will help us consolidate and improve our core code. Primary mentor: Ben Wolfe, Backup mentor: Daniel Kayiwa. Omar Verduga from Mexico will be building a longitudinal data review (flowsheet) module for OpenMRS. Providers, data managers, and researchers often depend on quick and intuitive access to historic patient data. Omar will help us build the first version of a cutting-edge clinical data viewing tool for OpenMRS. Primary mentor: Paul Biondich, Backup mentor: Maros Cunderlik. Pavel Konnikov from Russia will be adding global Property types to OpenMRS. Many different parts of OpenMRS, from modules to portlets to general features depend on global property settings to fine-tune them to fit an implementation's needs. Currently, managing various settings is fairly clumsy within OpenMRS. Pavel will pave the way for much more sophisticated handling of global property settings within OpenMRS. Primary mentor: Dave Thomas, Backup mentor: Justin Miranda. Antoine Nzeyimana from Rwanda will be enhancing data synchronization by improving the process needed to create a new node. Partners In Health has been field-testing data synchronization, which allows multiple OpenMRS servers to share data. As the OpenMRS team works to make this a core feature available to all implementations, one of the challenges is improving the addition of a new server to the network. Antoine, who helped with synchronization last year, will be joining us again to improve this critical piece of the synchronization puzzle. Primary mentor: Maros Cunderlik, Backup mentor: Ben Wolfe. Harshini Gudiwada from India will be adding role-based home page support to OpenMRS. Several implementations have asked for the ability to have different people see a different starting screen when logging into OpenMRS. Harshini will make this possible under the mentorship of Saptarshi, one of last year's Google Summer of Code students. Primary mentor: Saptashi Purkayastha, Backup mentor: Darius Jazayeri. Nimantha Baranasuriya from Sri Lanka will be building an audit module for OpenMRS. Any one managing large amounts of clinical data knows that quality data requires not only safeguards to ensure data errors are avoided wherever possible, but also tools to monitor the data for inconsistencies or errors. Nimantha will be creating a tool that can be used by any OpenMRS implementation to facilitate data quality monitoring. Primary mentor: Brian McKown, Backup mentor: Mike Seaton. Katherin Kuan from the U.S. will be building video upload capabality for Moca<http://www.mocamobile.org/> mobile devices load ultrasound and other video media into OpenMRS. Moca has built mobile tools that integrate with OpenMRS. Katherine will help add clinical video uploading to the list of mobile possibilities. Primary mentor: Gari Clifford, Backup mentors: Zack Anderson and RJ Ryan. Jenny Liu from the U.S. will be building authentication and registration capabilities for Moca<http://www.mocamobile.org/> mobile devices integrated with OpenMRS. Several mobile solutions are being built around OpenMRS and they all need a way to authenticate and register patients. While working on a solution for Moca mobile devices, Jenny will help create a standard model for mobile authorization/registration in OpenMRS for other mobile solutions to use as well. Primary mentor: Zack Anderson, Backup mentors: Gari Clifford and RJ Ryan. Upul Godage from Sri Lanka will be adding active lists support to OpenMRS. Some of the key data elements for any electronic medical record system are problem lists and allergy lists. Upul will help make these a core part of OpenMRS. Primary mentor: Burke Mamlin, Backup mentor: Dave Thomas. Robert O'Connor from the U.S. will be creating aggregate data entry tools for OpenMRS. While OpenMRS strives to build reports from high quality patient-level data, sometimes reports depend on aggregate data from external systems. Robert will allow implementations to enter and manage these data within OpenMRS so they can be used by reporting tools. Primary mentor: Mike Seaton, backup mentor: Darius Jazayeri. Amogha Gundavaram from India will be integrating the OpenEMPI Master Patient Index with OpenMRS. OpenEMPI<https://openhie.projects.openhealthtools.org/> is an open-source master patient index system. As organizations grow, they often need to move control of the master patient list from the electronic medical record system to a centralized system, such as OpenEMPI. Amogha will help create a module or messaging solution to integrate OpenMRS with OpenEMPI. Primary mentor: Odysseas Pentakalos, Backup mentor: Shaun Grannis. Saketh Bhamidipati from the U.S. will be enhancing the patient de-duplication workflow in the OpenMRS patient matching module. As implementations grow, ending up with duplicate patient records is a common problem. Shaun is a leader in the field of patient matching and mentored a student last year in creating a patient matching module for OpenMRS. This summer, Saketh will improve the interface so that patient de-duplication will become a tool in every OpenMRS implementation's arsenal. Primary mentor: Shaun Grannis, Backup mentor: James Egg. Moses Mugisha from Uganda will be integrating FrontlineSMS with OpenMRS. FrontlineSMS<http://www.frontlinesms.com/> is an innovative solution for gathering data via SMS messages, even allowing simple forms to be sent to devices and responses collected over SMS. Moses will integrate FrontlineSMS with OpenMRS, allowing simple form data using OpenMRS concepts to be collected from mobile phones over SMS. Primary mentor: Daniel Kayiwa, Backup mentor: Paul Biondich. Felicia Rosemond from the U.S. will be adding global caching support to the OpenMRS decision support engine. We have created a logic engine to support complex decision support rules at a low level within OpenMRS. One of the critical improvements needed for this service to become widely used is improved caching of derived results. Felicia will replace the existing rudimentary caching in the logic service with a high quality open-source caching library. Primary mentor: Tammy Dugan, Backup mentor: Burke Mamlin. [cid:[email protected]]OpenMRS is also excited to announce that, thanks to the generosity of the team at Verio.com<http://verio.com/>, each of our summer interns will have access to their own public hosted server running OpenMRS within which they can load, debug, and demonstrate real-time project progress to the rest of the community. This will not only provide a great resource for the interns, but will facilitate getting valuable feedback from end users. Thank you Verio! We're honored by the excellent interns listed above as well as the many others who applied and we couldn't accommodate this summer. We're also thankful for a great (and growing) group of OpenMRS mentors and we're looking forward to the best summer of coding yet! - The OpenMRS Team ________________________________ Click here to unsubscribe<mailto:[email protected]?body=SIGNOFF%20openmrs-announce-l> from OpenMRS Announcements mailing list (note: if you are subscribed to any OpenMRS mailing list, you will continue to receive announcements) ________________________________ Click here to unsubscribe<mailto:[email protected]?body=SIGNOFF%20openmrs-announce-l> from OpenMRS Announcements mailing list (note: if you are subscribed to any OpenMRS mailing list, you will continue to receive announcements)

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Changing BPO landscape favours Kenya call centres
by Margaret Gichuki 21 Apr '09

21 Apr '09

Is this really true given the cost? Wams http://www.bdafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=14054&Ite…

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Jobs in the US without matata
by Preston Odera 21 Apr '09

21 Apr '09

Wanted: Computer hackers ... to help government WASHINGTON – Wanted: Computer hackers. Federal authorities aren't looking to prosecute them, but to pay them to secure the nation's networks. General Dynamics Information Technology put out an ad last month on behalf of the Homeland Security Department seeking someone who could "think like the bad guy." Applicants, it said, must understand hackers' tools and tactics and be able to analyze Internet traffic and identify vulnerabilities in the federal systems. In the Pentagon's budget request submitted last week, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said the Pentagon will increase the number of cyberexperts it can train each year from 80 to 250 by 2011. With warnings that the U.S. is ill-prepared for a cyberattack, the White House conducted a 60-day study of how the government can better manage and use technology to protect everything from the electrical grid and stock markets to tax data, airline flight systems, and nuclear launch codes. President Barack Obama appointed a former Bush administration aide, Melissa Hathaway, to head the effort, and her report was delivered Friday, the White House said. While the country had detailed plans for floods, fires or errant planes drifting into protected airspace, there is no similar response etched out for a major computer attack. David Powner, director of technology issues for the Government Accountability Office, told Congress last month that the U.S. has no recovery plan for a digital disaster. "We're clearly not as prepared as we should be," he said. Administration officials says the U.S. has not kept pace with technological innovations needed to protect its computer networks against emerging threats from hackers, criminals or other nations looking for national security secrets. U.S. computer networks, including those at the Pentagon and other federal agencies, are under persistent attack, ranging from nuisance hacking to more nefarious assaults, possibly from other nations, such as China. Industry leaders told Congress during a recent hearing that law enforcement and other protections are too outdated to fend off threats from criminals, terrorists and unfriendly foreign nations. Just last week, a former government official revealed that spies had hacked into the U.S. electric grid and left behind computer programs that would let them disrupt service. The intrusions were discovered after electric companies gave the government permission to audit their systems, said the ex-official, who was not authorized to discuss the matter and spoke on condition of anonymity. Cyberthreats are also included as a key potential national security risk outlined in a classified report put together by Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Pentagon officials say they spent more than $100 million in the last six months responding to and repairing damage from cyberattacks and other computer network problems. Nadia Short, vice president at General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, said the job posting for ethical hackers fills a critical need for the government. The analysts keep constant watch on the government networks as part of a surveillance programs called Einstein that was initiated by the Bush administration under the U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team. US-CERT is a partnership of the Homeland Security Department, other public agencies and private companies. The Einstein program is an automated process for collecting and sharing security information. Short said the $60 million, four-year contract with US-CERT uses the ethical hackers to analyze threats to the government's computer systems and develop ways to reduce vulnerabilities. Faced with such cyberchallenges, Obama ordered the 60-day review to examine how federal agencies manage and protect their massive amounts of data and what the government's role should be in guarding the vast networks that control the country's vital utilities and infrastructure. Over the past two months, Hathaway met with hundreds of industry leaders, Capitol Hill staff and other experts, seeking guidance on what the federal government's role should be in protecting information networks against an attack. She sought recommendations on how officials should define and report cyberincidents and attacks; how the government should structure its cyberoversight; and how the nation can increase security without stifling innovation. A task force of technology giants, including representatives from General Dynamics, IBM, Lockheed Martin and Hewlett-Packard Co. urged the administration to establish a White House-level official to lead cyberefforts and to develop ways to share information on problems more quickly with the private sector. The administration has struggled with the basics, such as who should control the nation's cyberspace programs. There appears to be some agreement now that the White House should coordinate the overall effort, rejecting suggestions that the National Security Agency take it on — a plan that triggered protests on Capitol Hill and from civil liberties groups worried about giving such control to spy agencies. ___ On the Net: White House: http://www.whitehouse.gov General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems: http://www.gd-ais.com/ U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team: http://www.us-cert.gov/ GAO report: http://tinyurl.com/aczgk6 Jobs in the US without matata. Our graduates should take the opportunity. Preston Odera Executive Director K-Ninety East Africa Limited Kenya School for the Blind Complex Mai Mahiu Road off Langata Road P.O Box 3894-00100 Nairobi Kenya Tel +254 20 608316 Tel +254 20 3544352 Fax + 254 20 608318 Cell +254 722 771 478 Email; info(a)k90ea.com

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ICANN gets "securitized": What would this mean for the Internet Governance and ICANN?]
by alice 20 Apr '09

20 Apr '09

Date: Sat, 18 Apr 2009 11:03:48 +0200 From: Soenke Zehle Subject: Mueller, Securitization of ICANN To: incom-l ICANN gets "securitized" by Milton Mueller on Thu 02 Apr 2009 12:58 PM EDT <http://blog.internetgovernance.org/blog/_archives/2009/4/2/4141451.html> <http://cdt.org/security/CYBERSEC4.pdf> This is no April Fool's joke: here is a bill that is almost a caricature of what the rest of the world fears about U.S. control of the Internet DNS root and ICANN. Legislation unveiled today by Senate Commerce Chairman John (Jay) Rockefeller and Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, would require a Presidentially appointed cybersecurity advisory panel to ensure that national security would not be compromised before approving the renewal or modification of the contract between the U.S. government and the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers. According to a summary of the bill, it would "make sure that ICANN does not succumb to foreign pressure" to end its relationship with the U.S. government. ICANN is only one part of a comprehensive and authoritarian approach to cybersecurity. According to the Center for Democracy and Technology, "The Cybersecurity Act of 2009 would...give the President unfettered power to shut down Internet traffic in emergencies or disconnect any critical infrastructure system or network on national security grounds." Read the proposed Cybersecurity Act of 2009. -- Regards. -------------------------- Fouad Bajwa @skBajwa Answering all your technology questions http://www.askbajwa.com http://twitter.com/fouadbajwa ____________________________________________________________ You received this message as a subscriber on the list: governance(a)lists.cpsr.org To be removed from the list, send any message to: governance-unsubscribe(a)lists.cpsr.org For all list information and functions, see: http://lists.cpsr.org/lists/info/governance

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Revealing Security Holes vrs "The Rogue Tracker" type of stories
by wesley kiriinya 20 Apr '09

20 Apr '09

I believe that the ICT bill makes it illegal for someone to reveal security holes in IT systems. However doesn't investigative journalism stories like the recent "The Rogue Tracker" reveal 'security holes'? So what makes that legal? If one was to discover a security hole in a system, then one can do their own investigative journalism then reveal everything about the security hole. I believe the tracking system is an IT system. And it seems a security hole was revealed. It's like saying half of the companies that claim to have installed a particular firewall might not really have the firewall installed. Revealing security holes might be a necessary evil. Just like how some people might have lived with the false security about their cars, some people might be living with false security about their personal info in IT systems. Just the other day someone posted that s/he had bought something which was wrapped by paper containing security authentication credentials from a bank. Another post showed the lack of experience of a local bank's website programmers that allowed anyone to get the password of one of the subjects in their database system. Now all the funky possible stuff is left to the hacker's imagination who might be sitting in the middle of Migingo, sorry, Mijinjo. o_O?

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Re: [kictanet] South Africa embraces ICT on polls
by Evans J. Nyagah 18 Apr '09

18 Apr '09

Staying with this issue, kenya has the next big opportunity to anticipate inclusion of ICT in electoral process, this will be realized when the electoral body yet to be formed revises the electorate registers- which should include contacts such as mobile and emails. Further a mechanism to have those in the diaspora oncluded will epitomize our development in ICT. Sent from my iPhone On Apr 18, 2009, at 12:08 PM, "kictanet-request(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke" <kictanet-request(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > wrote: > Send kictanet mailing list submissions to > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > kictanet-request(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > > You can reach the person managing the list at > kictanet-owner(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of kictanet digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Re: South Africa embraces ICT in polls (bitange(a)jambo.co.ke) > 2. Re: South Africa embraces ICT in polls (Gakuru Alex) > 3. Re: South Africa embraces ICT in polls (Solomon Mburu) > 4. Re: South Africa embraces ICT in polls (Gakuru Alex) > 5. Court jails Pirate Bay founders...Worlds most high profile > file sharing website (alice) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Fri, 17 Apr 2009 18:09:17 +0300 (EAT) > From: bitange(a)jambo.co.ke > Subject: Re: [kictanet] South Africa embraces ICT in polls > To: "Wainaina Mungai" <wainaina(a)madeinkenya.org> > Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > Message-ID: > <ed68a29c670ed4c654ab14de0670e33e.squirrel(a)mail.jambo.co.ke> > Content-Type: text/plain;charset=iso-8859-1 > > Wainaina, > Indeed we have made progress in this end. The Lands, Judiciary, Motor > Vhicle, and Pension Dept registries are being prepared for > digitization. > It takes time to go through the procurement process and fighting > resistance from staff. It is not all that easy as I once thought. We > shall not give up though. Parliament has to pass the FOI for all the > digitization to stimulate enterprise. > > Regards > > Ndemo. > > >> A few years back at the Safaricom offices, President Kibaki tasked >> former Info & Comm Minister with implementing such "Digitization" in >> government. What ever happened to that? >> >> **Is PS Ndemo still tasked with implementing digitization? >> >> Regards, >> Wainaina >> >> >> On 4/16/09, wesley kiriinya <kiriinya2000(a)yahoo.com> wrote: >>> Well our census is up in a few months. Let's see if technology >>> will be >>> used >>> to verify the truth of the collected data. >>> >>> I believe in a system where everything works like it's supposed >>> to, data >>> from deaths, births, immigration (and whatever affects population >>> size) >>> can >>> be used to update the population statistics, and a census only >>> conducted >>> in >>> areas where there seems to be an abnormal population size change >>> (small-scale census). Technology can go a long way into making >>> this a >>> reality. I believe the cost of maintaining the technology and doing >>> small-scale census would be cheaper than doing an entire census >>> every >>> decade. >>> >>> O_O >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> --- On Thu, 4/16/09, John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> wrote: >>> >>> >>> From: John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> >>> Subject: [kictanet] South Africa embraces ICT in polls >>> To: kiriinya2000(a)yahoo.com >>> Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" >>> <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> >>> Date: Thursday, April 16, 2009, 11:04 AM >>> >>> >>> >>> Not sure if our next "Kivuitu" wants to hear things like below ;-) >>> >>> walu. >>> ~~~~~~ >>> By CHARLES OMOND IPosted Thursday, April 16 2009 at 10:41 >>> >>> In Summary >>> >>> As the rest of the continent dithers, use of information >>> communication >>> technology in South Africa's political processes has enabled >>> thousands >>> of >>> its citizens overseas to vote, a whole week ahead of their home- >>> based >>> compatriots. >>> >>> JOHANNESBURG, Thursday >>> As the rest of Africa dithers, South Africa has moved fast to >>> embrace >>> information communication technology as part of its political >>> processes. >>> And >>> as a result of the revolutionary move, thousands of eligible >>> voters have >>> already cast their ballots away from home and a whole week ahead of >>> their >>> home-based compatriots. >>> >>> Rest of the story... >>> http://www.nation.co.ke/News/africa/-/1066/560768/-/13ph0aiz/-/index.html >>> >>> walu. >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> kictanet mailing list >>> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >>> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >>> >>> This message was sent to: kiriinya2000(a)yahoo.com >>> Unsubscribe or change your options at >>> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/kiriinya2000%40yahoo.c… >>> >>> >>> >>> >> >> >> -- >> --- >> http://www.bungesms.com >> >> http://www.madeinkenya.org >> >> _______________________________________________ >> kictanet mailing list >> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> >> This message was sent to: bitange(a)jambo.co.ke >> Unsubscribe or change your options at >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/bitange%40jambo.co.ke >> >> ---------------------------------------------- >> This message has been scanned for viruses and >> dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is >> believed to be clean. >> --------------------------------------------- >> "easy access to the world" >> >> > > > > ---------------------------------------------- > This message has been scanned for viruses and > dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is > believed to be clean. > --------------------------------------------- > "easy access to the world" > > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 2 > Date: Fri, 17 Apr 2009 18:37:59 +0300 > From: Gakuru Alex <alexgakuru.lists(a)gmail.com> > Subject: Re: [kictanet] South Africa embraces ICT in polls > To: bitange(a)jambo.co.ke > Cc: kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > Message-ID: > <1981f3fd0904170837r681702c3w684930526a644a02(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 > > On Fri, Apr 17, 2009 at 6:09 PM, <bitange(a)jambo.co.ke> wrote: > >> resistance from staff. ?It is not all that easy as I once thought. ? >> We >> shall not give up though. ?Parliament has to pass the FOI for all the >> digitization to stimulate enterprise. >> > > The Media: > > Please help in exposing more Civil Servants frustrating openness in > government. How does FOI threaten their interests? Why is the > Official Secrets Act their continued corruption cover-up. What > corruption perpetuating networks and cartels exist? Tally which MPs > declare their support for FOI if tabled in parliament today? > > regards, > > Alex > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 3 > Date: Fri, 17 Apr 2009 14:03:40 -0230 > From: Solomon Mburu <solo.mburu(a)gmail.com> > Subject: Re: [kictanet] South Africa embraces ICT in polls > To: Gakuru Alex <alexgakuru.lists(a)gmail.com> > Cc: kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > Message-ID: > <98099ee50904170933j7df14631l7c7ae19e2e185480(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 > > Dakitari, I believe no matter how much pressure and resistance is > coming from some civil servants, they will have to give in, only when > proper mechanisms and laws are put in place. > > On 17/04/2009, Gakuru Alex <alexgakuru.lists(a)gmail.com> wrote: >> On Fri, Apr 17, 2009 at 6:09 PM, <bitange(a)jambo.co.ke> wrote: >> >>> resistance from staff. ?It is not all that easy as I once >>> thought. ?We >>> shall not give up though. ?Parliament has to pass the FOI for all >>> the >>> digitization to stimulate enterprise. >>> >> >> The Media: >> >> Please help in exposing more Civil Servants frustrating openness in >> government. How does FOI threaten their interests? Why is the >> Official Secrets Act their continued corruption cover-up. What >> corruption perpetuating networks and cartels exist? Tally which MPs >> declare their support for FOI if tabled in parliament today? >> >> regards, >> >> Alex >> >> _______________________________________________ >> kictanet mailing list >> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> >> This message was sent to: solo.mburu(a)gmail.com >> Unsubscribe or change your options at >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/solo.mburu%40gmail.com >> > > > -- > Man is a gregarious animal and enjoys agreement as cows will graze all > the same way to the side of a hill! > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 4 > Date: Fri, 17 Apr 2009 19:37:36 +0300 > From: Gakuru Alex <alexgakuru.lists(a)gmail.com> > Subject: Re: [kictanet] South Africa embraces ICT in polls > To: mwangi(a)wamae.com > Cc: kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > Message-ID: > <1981f3fd0904170937m7816ee45m68e54d9a4a252f32(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 > > Wasalaale! Please stop suspecting here's hard truth. Nowadays the > 'real' money is in procurement. > <http://www.ppoa.go.ke/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=47>. You > recall the time all 3,000 were sacked some years back.. > > Since the Public Procurement and Disposal Act, 2005 came into effect. > They changed tact and they put every hurdle in availing information > that would enable open tendering. Most of the costly ads are for PR.. > An example? One of them recently called me asking me to inform a group > of SMEs I was lobbying they get government business, to go collect > tender documents from their procurement department at 6 pm. The > deadline for submission was 9 am the following morning. You get what I > am saying? You don't suppose that person sat on that information 'by > accident' all the while? > > FOI would mean that anyone can go back and demand, for example, all > communication, call logs etc that Civil Servant had prior to the > tender award? Should pattern be established than impling that the law > was broken, then that somebody would find themselves on the other side > of the law. Just one example. > > > On Fri, Apr 17, 2009 at 7:16 PM, <mwangi(a)wamae.com> wrote: >> Alex: >> >> I suspect that civil servants are not anti the FOI per se, but >> afraid that digitization will lead to job cuts and, to be somewhat >> cynical, reduce their ability to exact "rents" from their jobs. >> >> -Mwangi, Jhb >> Sent via my BlackBerry from Vodacom - let your email find you! >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: Gakuru Alex <alexgakuru.lists(a)gmail.com> >> >> Date: Fri, 17 Apr 2009 18:37:59 >> To: <mwangi.wamae(a)gmail.com> >> Cc: <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> >> Subject: Re: [kictanet] South Africa embraces ICT in polls >> >> >> On Fri, Apr 17, 2009 at 6:09 PM, ?<bitange(a)jambo.co.ke> wrote: >> >>> resistance from staff. ?It is not all that easy as I once >>> thought. ?We >>> shall not give up though. ?Parliament has to pass the FOI for all >>> the >>> digitization to stimulate enterprise. >>> >> >> The Media: >> >> Please help in exposing more Civil Servants frustrating openness in >> government. How does FOI ?threaten their interests? Why is the >> Official Secrets Act their continued corruption cover-up. What >> corruption perpetuating networks and cartels exist? Tally which MPs >> declare their support for FOI if tabled in parliament today? >> >> regards, >> >> Alex >> >> _______________________________________________ >> kictanet mailing list >> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> >> This message was sent to: mwangi.wamae(a)gmail.com >> Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/mwangi.wamae%40gmail.c… >> > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 5 > Date: Sat, 18 Apr 2009 02:34:34 +0300 > From: alice <alice(a)apc.org> > Subject: [kictanet] Court jails Pirate Bay founders...Worlds most high > profile file sharing website > To: Kenya ICT Action Network - KICTANet > <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > Message-ID: <49E9120A.7070005(a)apc.org> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed > > Coming to Kenya soon > > ---------------- > Court jails Pirate Bay founders > > Pirate Bay's Peter Sunde, speaking on his website: 'We cannot and > wouldn't pay' > > A court in Sweden has jailed four men behind The Pirate Bay (TPB), the > world's most high-profile file-sharing website, in a landmark case. > > Frederik Neij, Gottfrid Svartholm Warg, Carl Lundstrom and Peter Sunde > were found guilty of breaking copyright law and were sentenced to a > year > in jail. > > They were also ordered to pay $4.5m (?3m) in damages. > > Record companies welcomed the verdict but the men are to appeal and > Sunde said they would refuse to pay the fine. > > Speaking at an online press conference, he described the verdict as > "bizarre". > > "It's serious to actually be found guilty and get jail time. It's > really > serious. And that's a bit weird," Sunde said. > > "It's so bizarre that we were convicted at all and it's even more > bizarre that we were [convicted] as a team. The court said we were > organised. I can't get Gottfrid out of bed in the morning. If you're > going to convict us, convict us of disorganised crime. > > "We can't pay and we wouldn't pay. Even if I had the money I would > rather burn everything I owned, and I wouldn't even give them the > ashes." > > > It is almost certain that The Pirate Bay will keep on sailing, long > after today's court judgement > > > The damages were awarded to a number of entertainment companies, > including Warner Bros, Sony Music Entertainment, EMI, and Columbia > Pictures. > > However, the total awarded fell short of the $17.5m in damages and > interest the firms were seeking. > > Speaking to the BBC, the chairman of industry body the International > Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) John Kennedy said the > verdict sent out a clear message. > > "These guys weren't making a principled stand, they were out to line > their own pockets. There was nothing meritorious about their > behaviour, > it was reprehensible. > > "The Pirate Bay did immense harm and the damages awarded doesn't even > get close to compensation, but we never claimed it did. > > "There has been a perception that piracy is OK and that the music > industry should just have to accept it. This verdict will change > that," > he said. > > The Pirate Bay's first server is now a museum exhibit in Stockholm > > The four men denied the charges throughout the trial, saying that > because they did not actually host any files, they were not doing > anything wrong. > > Speaking on Swedish Radio, assistant judge Klarius explained how the > court reached its findings. > > "The court first tried whether there was any question of breach of > copyright by the file-sharing application and that has been proved, > that > the offence was committed. > > "The court then moved on to look at those who acted as a team to > operate > the Pirate Bay file-sharing service, and the court found that they > knew > that material which was protected by copyright but continued to > operate > the service," he said. > > A lawyer for Carl Lundstrom, Per Samuelson, told journalists he was > shocked by the guilty verdict and the severity of the sentence. > > "That's outrageous, in my point of view. Of course we will appeal," he > was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency. "This is the first word, > not the last. The last word will be ours." > > Political issue > > Rickard Falkvinge, leader of The Pirate Party - which is trying to > reform laws around copyright and patents in the digital age - told the > BBC that the verdict was "a gross injustice". > > "This wasn't a criminal trial, it was a political trial. It is just > gross beyond description that you can jail four people for providing > infrastructure. > > Mark Mulligan from Forrester Research says what was different about > Pirate Bay > > "There is a lot of anger in Sweden right now. File-sharing is an > institution here and while I can't encourage people to break copyright > law, I'm not following it and I don't agree with it. > > "Today's events make file-sharing a hot political issue and we're > going > to take this to the European Parliament." > > The Pirate Bay is the world's most high profile file-sharing website > and > was set up in 2003 by anti-copyright organisation Piratbyran, but for > the last five years it has been run by individuals. > > Millions of files are exchanged using the service every day. > > No copyright content is hosted on The Pirate Bay's web servers; > instead > the site hosts "torrent" links to TV, film and music files held on its > users' computers. > > > > > ------------------------------ > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > > End of kictanet Digest, Vol 23, Issue 25 > **************************************** ##################################################################################### Scanned by MailMarshal - Marshal's comprehensive email content security solution. 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Re: [kictanet] kictanet Digest, Vol 23, Issue 25
by Evans J. Nyagah 18 Apr '09

18 Apr '09

Sent from my iPhone On Apr 18, 2009, at 12:08 PM, "kictanet-request(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke" <kictanet-request(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > wrote: > Send kictanet mailing list submissions to > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > kictanet-request(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > > You can reach the person managing the list at > kictanet-owner(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of kictanet digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Re: South Africa embraces ICT in polls (bitange(a)jambo.co.ke) > 2. Re: South Africa embraces ICT in polls (Gakuru Alex) > 3. Re: South Africa embraces ICT in polls (Solomon Mburu) > 4. Re: South Africa embraces ICT in polls (Gakuru Alex) > 5. Court jails Pirate Bay founders...Worlds most high profile > file sharing website (alice) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Fri, 17 Apr 2009 18:09:17 +0300 (EAT) > From: bitange(a)jambo.co.ke > Subject: Re: [kictanet] South Africa embraces ICT in polls > To: "Wainaina Mungai" <wainaina(a)madeinkenya.org> > Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > Message-ID: > <ed68a29c670ed4c654ab14de0670e33e.squirrel(a)mail.jambo.co.ke> > Content-Type: text/plain;charset=iso-8859-1 > > Wainaina, > Indeed we have made progress in this end. The Lands, Judiciary, Motor > Vhicle, and Pension Dept registries are being prepared for > digitization. > It takes time to go through the procurement process and fighting > resistance from staff. It is not all that easy as I once thought. We > shall not give up though. Parliament has to pass the FOI for all the > digitization to stimulate enterprise. > > Regards > > Ndemo. > > >> A few years back at the Safaricom offices, President Kibaki tasked >> former Info & Comm Minister with implementing such "Digitization" in >> government. What ever happened to that? >> >> **Is PS Ndemo still tasked with implementing digitization? >> >> Regards, >> Wainaina >> >> >> On 4/16/09, wesley kiriinya <kiriinya2000(a)yahoo.com> wrote: >>> Well our census is up in a few months. Let's see if technology >>> will be >>> used >>> to verify the truth of the collected data. >>> >>> I believe in a system where everything works like it's supposed >>> to, data >>> from deaths, births, immigration (and whatever affects population >>> size) >>> can >>> be used to update the population statistics, and a census only >>> conducted >>> in >>> areas where there seems to be an abnormal population size change >>> (small-scale census). Technology can go a long way into making >>> this a >>> reality. I believe the cost of maintaining the technology and doing >>> small-scale census would be cheaper than doing an entire census >>> every >>> decade. >>> >>> O_O >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> --- On Thu, 4/16/09, John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> wrote: >>> >>> >>> From: John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> >>> Subject: [kictanet] South Africa embraces ICT in polls >>> To: kiriinya2000(a)yahoo.com >>> Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" >>> <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> >>> Date: Thursday, April 16, 2009, 11:04 AM >>> >>> >>> >>> Not sure if our next "Kivuitu" wants to hear things like below ;-) >>> >>> walu. >>> ~~~~~~ >>> By CHARLES OMOND IPosted Thursday, April 16 2009 at 10:41 >>> >>> In Summary >>> >>> As the rest of the continent dithers, use of information >>> communication >>> technology in South Africa's political processes has enabled >>> thousands >>> of >>> its citizens overseas to vote, a whole week ahead of their home- >>> based >>> compatriots. >>> >>> JOHANNESBURG, Thursday >>> As the rest of Africa dithers, South Africa has moved fast to >>> embrace >>> information communication technology as part of its political >>> processes. >>> And >>> as a result of the revolutionary move, thousands of eligible >>> voters have >>> already cast their ballots away from home and a whole week ahead of >>> their >>> home-based compatriots. >>> >>> Rest of the story... >>> http://www.nation.co.ke/News/africa/-/1066/560768/-/13ph0aiz/-/index.html >>> >>> walu. >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> kictanet mailing list >>> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >>> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >>> >>> This message was sent to: kiriinya2000(a)yahoo.com >>> Unsubscribe or change your options at >>> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/kiriinya2000%40yahoo.c… >>> >>> >>> >>> >> >> >> -- >> --- >> http://www.bungesms.com >> >> http://www.madeinkenya.org >> >> _______________________________________________ >> kictanet mailing list >> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> >> This message was sent to: bitange(a)jambo.co.ke >> Unsubscribe or change your options at >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/bitange%40jambo.co.ke >> >> ---------------------------------------------- >> This message has been scanned for viruses and >> dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is >> believed to be clean. >> --------------------------------------------- >> "easy access to the world" >> >> > > > > ---------------------------------------------- > This message has been scanned for viruses and > dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is > believed to be clean. > --------------------------------------------- > "easy access to the world" > > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 2 > Date: Fri, 17 Apr 2009 18:37:59 +0300 > From: Gakuru Alex <alexgakuru.lists(a)gmail.com> > Subject: Re: [kictanet] South Africa embraces ICT in polls > To: bitange(a)jambo.co.ke > Cc: kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > Message-ID: > <1981f3fd0904170837r681702c3w684930526a644a02(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 > > On Fri, Apr 17, 2009 at 6:09 PM, <bitange(a)jambo.co.ke> wrote: > >> resistance from staff. ?It is not all that easy as I once thought. ? >> We >> shall not give up though. ?Parliament has to pass the FOI for all the >> digitization to stimulate enterprise. >> > > The Media: > > Please help in exposing more Civil Servants frustrating openness in > government. How does FOI threaten their interests? Why is the > Official Secrets Act their continued corruption cover-up. What > corruption perpetuating networks and cartels exist? Tally which MPs > declare their support for FOI if tabled in parliament today? > > regards, > > Alex > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 3 > Date: Fri, 17 Apr 2009 14:03:40 -0230 > From: Solomon Mburu <solo.mburu(a)gmail.com> > Subject: Re: [kictanet] South Africa embraces ICT in polls > To: Gakuru Alex <alexgakuru.lists(a)gmail.com> > Cc: kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > Message-ID: > <98099ee50904170933j7df14631l7c7ae19e2e185480(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 > > Dakitari, I believe no matter how much pressure and resistance is > coming from some civil servants, they will have to give in, only when > proper mechanisms and laws are put in place. > > On 17/04/2009, Gakuru Alex <alexgakuru.lists(a)gmail.com> wrote: >> On Fri, Apr 17, 2009 at 6:09 PM, <bitange(a)jambo.co.ke> wrote: >> >>> resistance from staff. ?It is not all that easy as I once >>> thought. ?We >>> shall not give up though. ?Parliament has to pass the FOI for all >>> the >>> digitization to stimulate enterprise. >>> >> >> The Media: >> >> Please help in exposing more Civil Servants frustrating openness in >> government. How does FOI threaten their interests? Why is the >> Official Secrets Act their continued corruption cover-up. What >> corruption perpetuating networks and cartels exist? Tally which MPs >> declare their support for FOI if tabled in parliament today? >> >> regards, >> >> Alex >> >> _______________________________________________ >> kictanet mailing list >> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> >> This message was sent to: solo.mburu(a)gmail.com >> Unsubscribe or change your options at >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/solo.mburu%40gmail.com >> > > > -- > Man is a gregarious animal and enjoys agreement as cows will graze all > the same way to the side of a hill! > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 4 > Date: Fri, 17 Apr 2009 19:37:36 +0300 > From: Gakuru Alex <alexgakuru.lists(a)gmail.com> > Subject: Re: [kictanet] South Africa embraces ICT in polls > To: mwangi(a)wamae.com > Cc: kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > Message-ID: > <1981f3fd0904170937m7816ee45m68e54d9a4a252f32(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 > > Wasalaale! Please stop suspecting here's hard truth. Nowadays the > 'real' money is in procurement. > <http://www.ppoa.go.ke/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=47>. You > recall the time all 3,000 were sacked some years back.. > > Since the Public Procurement and Disposal Act, 2005 came into effect. > They changed tact and they put every hurdle in availing information > that would enable open tendering. Most of the costly ads are for PR.. > An example? One of them recently called me asking me to inform a group > of SMEs I was lobbying they get government business, to go collect > tender documents from their procurement department at 6 pm. The > deadline for submission was 9 am the following morning. You get what I > am saying? You don't suppose that person sat on that information 'by > accident' all the while? > > FOI would mean that anyone can go back and demand, for example, all > communication, call logs etc that Civil Servant had prior to the > tender award? Should pattern be established than impling that the law > was broken, then that somebody would find themselves on the other side > of the law. Just one example. > > > On Fri, Apr 17, 2009 at 7:16 PM, <mwangi(a)wamae.com> wrote: >> Alex: >> >> I suspect that civil servants are not anti the FOI per se, but >> afraid that digitization will lead to job cuts and, to be somewhat >> cynical, reduce their ability to exact "rents" from their jobs. >> >> -Mwangi, Jhb >> Sent via my BlackBerry from Vodacom - let your email find you! >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: Gakuru Alex <alexgakuru.lists(a)gmail.com> >> >> Date: Fri, 17 Apr 2009 18:37:59 >> To: <mwangi.wamae(a)gmail.com> >> Cc: <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> >> Subject: Re: [kictanet] South Africa embraces ICT in polls >> >> >> On Fri, Apr 17, 2009 at 6:09 PM, ?<bitange(a)jambo.co.ke> wrote: >> >>> resistance from staff. ?It is not all that easy as I once >>> thought. ?We >>> shall not give up though. ?Parliament has to pass the FOI for all >>> the >>> digitization to stimulate enterprise. >>> >> >> The Media: >> >> Please help in exposing more Civil Servants frustrating openness in >> government. How does FOI ?threaten their interests? Why is the >> Official Secrets Act their continued corruption cover-up. What >> corruption perpetuating networks and cartels exist? Tally which MPs >> declare their support for FOI if tabled in parliament today? >> >> regards, >> >> Alex >> >> _______________________________________________ >> kictanet mailing list >> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> >> This message was sent to: mwangi.wamae(a)gmail.com >> Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/mwangi.wamae%40gmail.c… >> > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 5 > Date: Sat, 18 Apr 2009 02:34:34 +0300 > From: alice <alice(a)apc.org> > Subject: [kictanet] Court jails Pirate Bay founders...Worlds most high > profile file sharing website > To: Kenya ICT Action Network - KICTANet > <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > Message-ID: <49E9120A.7070005(a)apc.org> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed > > Coming to Kenya soon > > ---------------- > Court jails Pirate Bay founders > > Pirate Bay's Peter Sunde, speaking on his website: 'We cannot and > wouldn't pay' > > A court in Sweden has jailed four men behind The Pirate Bay (TPB), the > world's most high-profile file-sharing website, in a landmark case. > > Frederik Neij, Gottfrid Svartholm Warg, Carl Lundstrom and Peter Sunde > were found guilty of breaking copyright law and were sentenced to a > year > in jail. > > They were also ordered to pay $4.5m (?3m) in damages. > > Record companies welcomed the verdict but the men are to appeal and > Sunde said they would refuse to pay the fine. > > Speaking at an online press conference, he described the verdict as > "bizarre". > > "It's serious to actually be found guilty and get jail time. It's > really > serious. And that's a bit weird," Sunde said. > > "It's so bizarre that we were convicted at all and it's even more > bizarre that we were [convicted] as a team. The court said we were > organised. I can't get Gottfrid out of bed in the morning. If you're > going to convict us, convict us of disorganised crime. > > "We can't pay and we wouldn't pay. Even if I had the money I would > rather burn everything I owned, and I wouldn't even give them the > ashes." > > > It is almost certain that The Pirate Bay will keep on sailing, long > after today's court judgement > > > The damages were awarded to a number of entertainment companies, > including Warner Bros, Sony Music Entertainment, EMI, and Columbia > Pictures. > > However, the total awarded fell short of the $17.5m in damages and > interest the firms were seeking. > > Speaking to the BBC, the chairman of industry body the International > Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) John Kennedy said the > verdict sent out a clear message. > > "These guys weren't making a principled stand, they were out to line > their own pockets. There was nothing meritorious about their > behaviour, > it was reprehensible. > > "The Pirate Bay did immense harm and the damages awarded doesn't even > get close to compensation, but we never claimed it did. > > "There has been a perception that piracy is OK and that the music > industry should just have to accept it. This verdict will change > that," > he said. > > The Pirate Bay's first server is now a museum exhibit in Stockholm > > The four men denied the charges throughout the trial, saying that > because they did not actually host any files, they were not doing > anything wrong. > > Speaking on Swedish Radio, assistant judge Klarius explained how the > court reached its findings. > > "The court first tried whether there was any question of breach of > copyright by the file-sharing application and that has been proved, > that > the offence was committed. > > "The court then moved on to look at those who acted as a team to > operate > the Pirate Bay file-sharing service, and the court found that they > knew > that material which was protected by copyright but continued to > operate > the service," he said. > > A lawyer for Carl Lundstrom, Per Samuelson, told journalists he was > shocked by the guilty verdict and the severity of the sentence. > > "That's outrageous, in my point of view. Of course we will appeal," he > was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency. "This is the first word, > not the last. The last word will be ours." > > Political issue > > Rickard Falkvinge, leader of The Pirate Party - which is trying to > reform laws around copyright and patents in the digital age - told the > BBC that the verdict was "a gross injustice". > > "This wasn't a criminal trial, it was a political trial. It is just > gross beyond description that you can jail four people for providing > infrastructure. > > Mark Mulligan from Forrester Research says what was different about > Pirate Bay > > "There is a lot of anger in Sweden right now. File-sharing is an > institution here and while I can't encourage people to break copyright > law, I'm not following it and I don't agree with it. > > "Today's events make file-sharing a hot political issue and we're > going > to take this to the European Parliament." > > The Pirate Bay is the world's most high profile file-sharing website > and > was set up in 2003 by anti-copyright organisation Piratbyran, but for > the last five years it has been run by individuals. > > Millions of files are exchanged using the service every day. > > No copyright content is hosted on The Pirate Bay's web servers; > instead > the site hosts "torrent" links to TV, film and music files held on its > users' computers. > > > > > ------------------------------ > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > > End of kictanet Digest, Vol 23, Issue 25 > **************************************** ##################################################################################### Scanned by MailMarshal - Marshal's comprehensive email content security solution. Download a free evaluation of MailMarshal at www.marshal.com #####################################################################################

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Court jails Pirate Bay founders...Worlds most high profile file sharing website
by alice 18 Apr '09

18 Apr '09

Coming to Kenya soon ---------------- Court jails Pirate Bay founders Pirate Bay's Peter Sunde, speaking on his website: 'We cannot and wouldn't pay' A court in Sweden has jailed four men behind The Pirate Bay (TPB), the world's most high-profile file-sharing website, in a landmark case. Frederik Neij, Gottfrid Svartholm Warg, Carl Lundstrom and Peter Sunde were found guilty of breaking copyright law and were sentenced to a year in jail. They were also ordered to pay $4.5m (£3m) in damages. Record companies welcomed the verdict but the men are to appeal and Sunde said they would refuse to pay the fine. Speaking at an online press conference, he described the verdict as "bizarre". "It's serious to actually be found guilty and get jail time. It's really serious. And that's a bit weird," Sunde said. "It's so bizarre that we were convicted at all and it's even more bizarre that we were [convicted] as a team. The court said we were organised. I can't get Gottfrid out of bed in the morning. If you're going to convict us, convict us of disorganised crime. "We can't pay and we wouldn't pay. Even if I had the money I would rather burn everything I owned, and I wouldn't even give them the ashes." It is almost certain that The Pirate Bay will keep on sailing, long after today's court judgement The damages were awarded to a number of entertainment companies, including Warner Bros, Sony Music Entertainment, EMI, and Columbia Pictures. However, the total awarded fell short of the $17.5m in damages and interest the firms were seeking. Speaking to the BBC, the chairman of industry body the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) John Kennedy said the verdict sent out a clear message. "These guys weren't making a principled stand, they were out to line their own pockets. There was nothing meritorious about their behaviour, it was reprehensible. "The Pirate Bay did immense harm and the damages awarded doesn't even get close to compensation, but we never claimed it did. "There has been a perception that piracy is OK and that the music industry should just have to accept it. This verdict will change that," he said. The Pirate Bay's first server is now a museum exhibit in Stockholm The four men denied the charges throughout the trial, saying that because they did not actually host any files, they were not doing anything wrong. Speaking on Swedish Radio, assistant judge Klarius explained how the court reached its findings. "The court first tried whether there was any question of breach of copyright by the file-sharing application and that has been proved, that the offence was committed. "The court then moved on to look at those who acted as a team to operate the Pirate Bay file-sharing service, and the court found that they knew that material which was protected by copyright but continued to operate the service," he said. A lawyer for Carl Lundstrom, Per Samuelson, told journalists he was shocked by the guilty verdict and the severity of the sentence. "That's outrageous, in my point of view. Of course we will appeal," he was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency. "This is the first word, not the last. The last word will be ours." Political issue Rickard Falkvinge, leader of The Pirate Party - which is trying to reform laws around copyright and patents in the digital age - told the BBC that the verdict was "a gross injustice". "This wasn't a criminal trial, it was a political trial. It is just gross beyond description that you can jail four people for providing infrastructure. Mark Mulligan from Forrester Research says what was different about Pirate Bay "There is a lot of anger in Sweden right now. File-sharing is an institution here and while I can't encourage people to break copyright law, I'm not following it and I don't agree with it. "Today's events make file-sharing a hot political issue and we're going to take this to the European Parliament." The Pirate Bay is the world's most high profile file-sharing website and was set up in 2003 by anti-copyright organisation Piratbyran, but for the last five years it has been run by individuals. Millions of files are exchanged using the service every day. No copyright content is hosted on The Pirate Bay's web servers; instead the site hosts "torrent" links to TV, film and music files held on its users' computers.

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Re: [kictanet] South Africa embraces ICT in polls
by Gakuru Alex 17 Apr '09

17 Apr '09

Wasalaale! Please stop suspecting here's hard truth. Nowadays the 'real' money is in procurement. <http://www.ppoa.go.ke/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=47>. You recall the time all 3,000 were sacked some years back.. Since the Public Procurement and Disposal Act, 2005 came into effect. They changed tact and they put every hurdle in availing information that would enable open tendering. Most of the costly ads are for PR.. An example? One of them recently called me asking me to inform a group of SMEs I was lobbying they get government business, to go collect tender documents from their procurement department at 6 pm. The deadline for submission was 9 am the following morning. You get what I am saying? You don't suppose that person sat on that information 'by accident' all the while? FOI would mean that anyone can go back and demand, for example, all communication, call logs etc that Civil Servant had prior to the tender award? Should pattern be established than impling that the law was broken, then that somebody would find themselves on the other side of the law. Just one example. On Fri, Apr 17, 2009 at 7:16 PM, <mwangi(a)wamae.com> wrote: > Alex: > > I suspect that civil servants are not anti the FOI per se, but afraid that digitization will lead to job cuts and, to be somewhat cynical, reduce their ability to exact "rents" from their jobs. > > -Mwangi, Jhb > Sent via my BlackBerry from Vodacom - let your email find you! > > -----Original Message----- > From: Gakuru Alex <alexgakuru.lists(a)gmail.com> > > Date: Fri, 17 Apr 2009 18:37:59 > To: <mwangi.wamae(a)gmail.com> > Cc: <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > Subject: Re: [kictanet] South Africa embraces ICT in polls > > > On Fri, Apr 17, 2009 at 6:09 PM, <bitange(a)jambo.co.ke> wrote: > >> resistance from staff. It is not all that easy as I once thought. We >> shall not give up though. Parliament has to pass the FOI for all the >> digitization to stimulate enterprise. >> > > The Media: > > Please help in exposing more Civil Servants frustrating openness in > government. How does FOI threaten their interests? Why is the > Official Secrets Act their continued corruption cover-up. What > corruption perpetuating networks and cartels exist? Tally which MPs > declare their support for FOI if tabled in parliament today? > > regards, > > Alex > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: mwangi.wamae(a)gmail.com > Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/mwangi.wamae%40gmail.c… >

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Re: [kictanet] South Africa embraces ICT in polls
by wesley kiriinya 17 Apr '09

17 Apr '09

Well our census is up in a few months. Let's see if technology will be used to verify the truth of the collected data. I believe in a system where everything works like it's supposed to, data from deaths, births, immigration (and whatever affects population size) can be used to update the population statistics, and a census only conducted in areas where there seems to be an abnormal population size change (small-scale census). Technology can go a long way into making this a reality. I believe the cost of maintaining the technology and doing small-scale census would be cheaper than doing an entire census every decade. O_O --- On Thu, 4/16/09, John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> wrote: From: John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> Subject: [kictanet] South Africa embraces ICT in polls To: kiriinya2000(a)yahoo.com Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Date: Thursday, April 16, 2009, 11:04 AM Not sure if our next "Kivuitu" wants to hear things like below ;-) walu. ~~~~~~ By CHARLES OMOND IPosted Thursday, April 16 2009 at 10:41 In Summary As the rest of the continent dithers, use of information communication technology in South Africa's political processes has enabled thousands of its citizens overseas to vote, a whole week ahead of their home-based compatriots. JOHANNESBURG, Thursday As the rest of Africa dithers, South Africa has moved fast to embrace information communication technology as part of its political processes. And as a result of the revolutionary move, thousands of eligible voters have already cast their ballots away from home and a whole week ahead of their home-based compatriots. Rest of the story... http://www.nation.co.ke/News/africa/-/1066/560768/-/13ph0aiz/-/index.html walu. _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: kiriinya2000(a)yahoo.com Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/kiriinya2000%40yahoo.c…

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Kenya IGF Review Forum
by Solomon Mburu 16 Apr '09

16 Apr '09

Dear All, These are photos which I took during the Kenya Internet Governance Review Forum held at the Jacaranda Hotel on 15th April 2009. Thank you KENIC for the invitation. Regards, Solomon Mburu DSC06874.JPG DSC06875.JPG DSC06876.JPG DSC06877.JPG DSC06878.JPG DSC06879.JPG DSC06880.JPG DSC06881.JPG DSC06882.JPG DSC06884.JPG DSC06885.JPG

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Blended Learning course on e-Content Development
by Gakiria 16 Apr '09

16 Apr '09

Dear All, I would like to respond to the comments posted on this list on e-Content development by forwarding information on a blended learning course that we have been offering since 2007. there are still a few slots rermaining for those who might be interested. Regards Andrew ******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** Dear Partners in eLearning: On behalf of InWEnt, Germany, Kenya eLearning Centre (KeLC), The Namibian Open Learning Network Trust (NOLNet eLC), and the University of Western Cape invites all interested partners in COMESA member countries to nominate participants for the eLearning in Practice blended learning course (e-LiP 3), to be launched in April 2009 in Nairobi, Kenya. This is the first ina series of blended learning courses planned for this year. The eLiP Course is an on demand course targeting participants seeking specialization in a particular area of e-Learning, either as an: • e-Learning Manager, • Instructional Designer, • e-Learning Course Producer or • e-Learning Facilitator and tutor. The eLiP course comprises of 4 online modules as below: • Management in Practice (MiP), • Instructional Design in Practice (IDiP), • Content Development in Practice (CDiP) and • Tutoring in Practice (TiP), Using the blended learning approach, each module runs for 3 weeks online, with two face-to-face workshops. Workshop 1, which is the start-up to the course, is two (2) days in duration and workshop 2, after completion of the online phase, is five (5) days in duration. After an eLiP Course there will be further online support for graduating participants in the afore-mentioned areas of specialization and as eLiP Alumni. Note that there are very limited places, and a strict adherence to the nomination criteria will be observed. Course Fee: There is a course fee of 600.00 Euro for participation in an eLiP Course. The mode for payment is as specified in the application form. All course fees must be paid before the workshop commences. All related costs will be covered by the sponsors, such as venue, accommodation, meals and local transfers. Daily allowances will NOT be paid and participants will be expected to cover their own private expenses This eLiP Course will be launched in a face to face workshop on 23-24 April 2009, in Nairobi, Kenya. Deadline for applications is 18th April 2009. Please read more on the course requirements for participation and a more detailed description in the attached document called eLiP Information. Should you have any questions or concerns regarding the call for participation, please do not hesitate to drop me line. Andrew Gakiria gakiria(a)kelc.org -- Gakiria Andrew Coordinator Kenya eLearning Centre Nairobi, KENYA

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South Africa embraces ICT in polls
by John Walubengo 16 Apr '09

16 Apr '09

Not sure if our next "Kivuitu" wants to hear things like below ;-) walu. ~~~~~~ By CHARLES OMOND IPosted Thursday, April 16 2009 at 10:41 In Summary As the rest of the continent dithers, use of information communication technology in South Africa's political processes has enabled thousands of its citizens overseas to vote, a whole week ahead of their home-based compatriots. JOHANNESBURG, Thursday As the rest of Africa dithers, South Africa has moved fast to embrace information communication technology as part of its political processes. And as a result of the revolutionary move, thousands of eligible voters have already cast their ballots away from home and a whole week ahead of their home-based compatriots. Rest of the story... http://www.nation.co.ke/News/africa/-/1066/560768/-/13ph0aiz/-/index.html walu.

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KEN Irema Cia Wendo: Gikuyu Movie on Africa Magic+ (DSTV)
by Mwangi Wamae 15 Apr '09

15 Apr '09

I was surfing channels and I came across a Gikuyu movie on DSTV. This is the first Gikuyu movie I have ever seen! It is a well produced movie and, well, it *spoke* to me. It is astounding that in 40-something years I have never seen a full production movie in my vernacular. The power of language is amazing, I commend the *Kenya Film Commission* and all those who made it possible. I was so captivated that I strongly advocate more movies in local languages -- I watch French, Italian and German movies with subtities, I am sure that I would have no problem with sub-titled movies in Dholuo, Maragoli or Kisii. -Mw, Cape Town

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Ugandan Students Invent Car
by Brian Munyao Longwe 14 Apr '09

14 Apr '09

http://blog.wired.com/cars/2009/04/move-over-tata.html Talk about innovation. I like this.... and the fact that the University is both encouraging as well as supporting the initiative... Regards, Brian

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Fwd: IGF 2008 Highlights - Reminder
by mwende njiraini 14 Apr '09

14 Apr '09

Dear all Below are Highlights of the IGF held in Hyderabad sent to the mailing list last year. regards Mwende ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: mwende njiraini <mwende.njiraini(a)gmail.com> Date: Dec 10, 2008 11:49 AM Subject: Re: IGF 2008 Highlights - Day 2 To: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> *Day 2: 4th December 2008* * * *Theme: Promoting Cybersecurity and Trust * * * *0930-1100 Panel discussions: Dimensions of Cybersecurity and Cybercrime* The internet was not originally designed with security features however with increased use of the internet security considerations arise. It is important to recognize regional, local and cultural issues that may affect cyber security and develop a relationship of trust in order to develop a framework that determines - what happens in a crisis, how to engage in law enforcement. This is important as security issues need to be addressed before there is a crisis and should be done at all levels. *Computer Emergency Response Team* * * The use of the Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) at a regional and national level based on the framework developed by the Carnegie Mellon University (www.cert.org) as follows: 1. *Organisational * At an organisational level there should be a person responsible for security – the response to security threats need to be formalized – that is organizational incident response should be formalized. 1. *National* Formation of national CERT is necessary but not sufficient. Channels for relaying of information, mitigating threats need to be organised and tested on a regular basis. The national CERT should work with regional CERT as well as have links with law enforcement organisations. There is need for development of a strategy as well as testing of the system. Any incidents should be reviewed. The goals of CERT should include: - early detection, - short response time, - reduction of impact, - recognition of liability issues, - analysis techniques – which are forensically safe, need to be developed in advance not when time is of the essence - Alignment of with partners ITU-D study group 1 Q 22/1 is studying issues on: *Securing information and communication networks: best practices for developing a culture of Cybersecurity* The security should be implemented without damaging the nature of the internet, and protecting vulnerable groups *Introduction of cybercrime and terrorism* Traditional crime has moved online for example harassment and money laundering however there are new forms of crime in the virtual world including: - phishing, virus/malware, etc - Critical infrastructure threats – banking, transport, banking, energy, government and national security - Terrorist use of the internet to publish ideologies, raise funds, recruit new members The challenges in combating cybercrime and terrorism: - The crime scene and who is in charge with dealing with the threat. - Relevance of geographic distance - Investigative cost and the need to carry out real time investigations - Legal framework - Procedural legal problems - Complex search and seizure laws - Responsibility and data - It complex due to numerous operators involved *Questions and discussions* - Global issue – which needs coordinated effort and cooperation - in order to avoid the development of cyber havens. - Action, feedback and reaction necessary in order to update prevention mechanisms with regard to recent incidents - A relationship of trust important between the CERT and ISPs –ISPs need to provide data – this should a bottom up process - Organisations work in an eco-system –sharing of information – collecting statistics before, during and after an incident - Access (usage and querying) to the data base at the CERT should be controlled – because of privacy issues - A mutual Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) and formal structures should be created through a formal bottom-up process. - Network based crime raise issues associated with creating an appropriate balance between the needs of those investigating and prosecuting and rights and interests. - Need for coordination is a challenge to governments because of the lack of expertise – therefore have to rely on academia and private sector - The CERT should be an independent group of experts that should be fully empowered - Appropriate safeguards to protect the functioning of the organisation necessary as they give confidence and ensure business continuity during investigation - New institutional models based on hybrid frameworks – for example Sri-Lanka CERT was set up in June 2006 and involves government as well as skilled incident handlers (http://www.slcert.gov.lk/) - Need for increased cooperation as cyber crime is multi-jurisdiction issue – harmonization of enforcement processes and legislation approach such as that of the council of Europe. * * *Indian CERT* - The internet is used for numerous activities leading to an increase cyber attacks consequently there is a need for training on best practices and implementation. - India's legislation includes computer related offences and is currently being amended to be in line with the European cyber convention. - National CERT operates in partnership with Asia and pacific CERTs - The Indian CERT is a government lead industry initiative – that aims at creating awareness and compliance to best practices - Training of law enforcement officers on analysis of computer related crime a challenge and undertaken through PPP. - A secure national cyberspace – requires collaboration, research in technologies through a bottom-up process. - Areas of conflicting interest need to be addressed as cybercrime is a global phenomenal – these areas include conflict with individual rights, unnecessary censorship and society issues - Establishment of global alliances essential to ensure stability of internet - Sharing to data about cyber attacks is a challenge - Establishment of a CERT takes time – needs to include participation of private sector partners The ITU has identified five pillars with regard to internet security which include: 1. Legal issues 2. Technical procedural issues, Organisational structures including CERTs 3. Capacity building 4. International cooperation There is need for proactive approach to provide an early warning system for example that used in the event of natural disasters as well as need for organisation and cooperation between all stakeholders. With regard to initiating internet security measures – start with an issue where there is a common understanding for example child protection which was the basis of the launch of the child line protection. *Capacity building* *Issues* - Lack of capacity in of ISPs - Inter-south cooperation required as challenges and infrastructure similar - Retention of skilled human resources a challenge - Use of network operator groups for capacity building - Need to utilize the existing educational framework by integration of cybersecurity into curriculum – this creates sustainability in capacity building - Training should be relevant to the environment – appropriate use of technology, cost, concentrate on getting the maximum benefit – innovation in order to derive the maximum value will be based on training received - Need for collaboration platform – so as to continue sharing information - Need to focus on reality on the ground *Kind of training* - technical training - policy issues – IPv4/6 *Technical challenges* - operators need to be profitable – environment liberalized – however still certain monopolized areas – international connectivity – imbalanced competition – therefore profitability issue- cant invest in new technologies – limited investment in training *My comment*: Urgent need create of culture of cybersecurity (end-users, at organisation level and nationally) and establishment of national, regional CERTs. *14:30 - 16:00 Workshop 76 Neutrality Debate Important for You? (Network Neutrality Debate: The Implications for Development) * * * *Technical issues* All networks need to be managed High broadband connectivity principles ( http://www.tiaonline.org/gov_affairs/issues/internet_services_applications/… ) - transparency - ability to attach any device - right to access any legal content - right to download any legal content *Economic issues* Net neutrality has significant micro and macro implications. Broadband investment influenced by the broad economic environment because of the massive investment required - Regulation is viewed more beneficial in view of the current economic crisis - More users create value to the platform - Optimal pricing structure – a possibility - may not want to charge content providers to contribute to access - Mandatory net neutrality/unbundling expected to depress investment in broadband plus may have a significant negative effect on investment NGN. - Centre for European Policy Studies – research titled: "I own the pipes, you call the tune: The net neutrality debate and its (ir) relevance for Europe" available at http://shop.ceps.eu/BookDetail.php?item_id=1755 – argues that the internet is not neutral – pro-neutrality rules/changes being proposed should be evaluated - The analogy of the roads and vehicles was used to describe net neutrality – the roads represent the pipes while the cars represent the packets/traffic – which are not regulated and may be of any shape or size. However there is regulation with regard to speed. - issue of convergence – important for users - internet to drive innovation and economic growth - activism issues are important to understand the issues - slowing down the traffic and packets on internet has a consequence of slowing down the development internet *Issues from a user perspective* - no consensus on the issues exists - Users do not necessarily want free/unlimited control – however what they want is: what they access should not be controlled - They do not want to be forced to buy their store brands or services of preferred service providers of the broadband connectivity provider. - There is no value in packaging/bundling of services – rather it is designed to sell services at a high price - Users question whether a free market would help as suppliers are out to make money – there is an economic motivation to invest – which means there is no one to look out for consumers - Need for establish anti trust/anti monopoly regulations - ISPs must be made to know that users are not willing to give up their rights thus should develop internet usage plans that are favourable to the users - suppliers must listen to consumers - Users have the power to demand what we want if only they demanded it - The investment on the internet should be allowed in all areas – core and edges without fragmenting it - networks should be built using open interfaces - end to end principle protection is significant - Users want the internet to encourage innovation - Use of restaurant analogy where the chairs, tables and food are outsourced - Users should have the ability to have access to the content they want as long as it is connected to open interfaces - Users have concern on the future of the internet; content equality and its ability to deliver content in different ways thus encouraging local innovation *My comment:* significance of net neutrality with reference to developing countries was not addressed – taking into consideration that the motivation for investment in broadband connectivity is socio-economic development thus deployment of both local and international for example submarine cable is being done by governments rather than the private sector. On 12/8/08, mwende njiraini <mwende.njiraini(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > *5th December 2008* > *930-1100 Panel Discussion Transition from IPv4 to IPv6* > Based on several studies it is projected that IPv4 addresses will be > globally exhausted by 2011 however address space will still be available at > a local level. Seamless take up of IPv6 is expected with the exhaustion of > IPv4 and there is on going discussion – to define policy to facilitate > smooth transition for operators and ensure that new comers have minimum IPv6 > address space allocation to start up business. > > The following issues were discussed from different perspectives: > > *Issues from operators' perspective*: > - Deployment of IPv6 enabled equipment in the core networks should be done > increment – however uptake is low because there is no extra revenue > generated with the implementation of IPv6 i.e. the lack of commercial > drivers. However this is expected to change with the as customer numbers > grow. > > - Need for upgrade – therefore operators from developed countries stand at > an advantage as they have the resources and are nearly exhausted their local > allocations. > > - Getting operational experience is a challenge – there is need to invest > in operational tools to run IPv6 in terms of software configuration > utilities management and trouble shooting > > - Participation in standardization – where users have equipment that > supports only IPv4 – how do they access services that are available only on > IPv6-based networks? The IETF is working on the transition mechanisms > however the co-existence of both protocols is expected for a long time > > - Operators are pushing for IPv6 support in customer premise equipment > (CPE) as well as software that supports the new protocol version. However it > is expected that legacy applications will be available in the foreseeable > future > > *Issues from a vendor perspective* > - Transition has been going on for some time in the vendor world. The > transition has been a long process for vendors and operators – in terms of > getting the technology and standards ready > > - As IP is the core of the internet – transition to ipv6 – is significant > particularly with the increase of IPv6 enabled devices connected to the > internet specifically mobile phones > > - need to understand technology and therefore need for operational and > implementation experience > > - managing customer demand/expectations for IPv6 enabled services and > devices > > - cost of staff training > > - there are mistakes that will be made – therefore need for mutual support > in the implementation of v6 > > *Social and economic perspectives*- > - Transition should be cooperative endeavour with social and economic and > policy considerations > > - Gradual implementation and interoperability between IPv4 and v6 expected > so as to preserve the investment already made > > - There is a general understanding that IPv6 will compliment and supplement > the existing IPv4 as well as provide improved routing, multicasting, > efficient infrastructure. The following questions however arise: > > o The advantages that IPv6 offer are good reasons to invest in the new IP > version. > o Would transition be transparent and would backward compatibility required > > - Users want the stability of the internet to be maintained and hope that > IPv6 will offer opportunities for addition to personality features on the > internet – this is what makes the business case > > - In the India case there are a large number of service providers – and > there is only a 1/8 usage – therefore demand is low – the need to enhance > cultural diversity however provides opportunities to create demand through > local content development including E-government programme and Info-tainment > > - It is important to break the myth that IPv6 is a new internet - It is not > a new internet rather continuation of the internet > > - The main benefit is the address space addition- which may allow for > efficiency > > - There is no need to establish a deadline or regulate the implementation > of IPv6 – as it will be market driven. Additionally users should have rights > to use IPv4 and IETF is working on coexistence > > *Policy perspective* > - With the impending exhaustion of IPv4 – further implementation will be > problematic – as not all players will support transition therefore it is > important to examine measures – for continued use of IPv4 and possible > migration of users to private IPv4 address space > > - creation of action plan to be implemented by 2010 – for example offering > of incentives such as tax exemption and capacity building > > - examination of existing programmes and mechanisms > > - establishment of taskforce of IPv4 exhaustion > > - the messages of ISPs is that they must carry IPv6 > > - IPv4 scarcity and demand for more security are the 2 major challenges > driving the uptake of IPv6 > > - Institution of market transfer or reclamation mechanisms of IPv4 > resources not required by local internet registries to the regional internet > registries when transition to IPv6 is implemented. However this would be a > challenge as RIRs have no contractual authority this may create a grey > market. This challenge may be overcome through a loose membership > association that allows others to use others resources > > - Institution of secure routing objects including PKI to authenticate users > raises governance/control issues – RIRs have centralized control which may > make it efficient and better able to address security issues this makes an > RIR an central governance institution. Membership of security/government > associations in the RIR would result in infiltration of technical, policy > agendas that may make the transition to IPv6 complicated > > - However it is argued that RIRs should remain neutral and trans-national > institutions which: > o maintain a homogenous technical group > o maintain a bottom-up approach in policy making > o guarantee the stability of the internet and business continuity of > members > > - main challenges in the deployment of IPv6 include: > o lack of public education, information and skill > o limited network policy decisions to make deployment happen > o lack of incentive to deploy ipv6 > > *1100-1230 Workshop 59:Building a global capacity building curriculum > framework and premier* > > - Integration of IG capacity building in existing ICT and public policy > courses was advocated. > > - The training may be offered either online, offline or through short term > executive courses. > > - Collaboration between different stakeholders who have different needs is > imperative in order create an understanding of the issues arising from > increased used of the internet particularly those that transcend the > geographical, and cultural borders. > > - internet security awareness programme set up in India > > - Presentations on the Diplo IG capacity building programme ( > www.diplomacy.edu/ig) – including a demonstration of the online platform. > > - The Diplo approach includes the training course (foundation and > advanced), policy research, policy immersion and community interaction. > > - The impact associated with the IG capacity building programme have been > varied and impressive including the establishment of IG governance masters > programme in Srilanka and the use of telecentres to disseminate IG related > information. > > - Diplo has successfully offered the training to professional worldwide for > the last 4 years leading to the establishment of national, regional and > global community > > *1400-1530 Workshop 29: Building confidence and security in the use and > security in the use of ICTs for African countries > > *Main challenges in Africa > - lack of infrastructure > - lack of services > > Therefore opportunity to learn from mistakes in developing countries and > establish of computer emergency response team currently there is only one > active CERT in Africa in Tunisia, South Africa is in the process of setting > up a CERT with the deadline of 2010 before the FIFA world cup. While > countries such as Morocco, Kenya and Ivory Coast are thinking about set in > up CERTs. > > The approach in dealing with Cybersecurity in developing countries > > Success of Cybersecurity is based on 3pillars > > 1. *Technology pillar* – ICT/security tools –including: > o PCs / networks, physical security tools, data tools (storage media and > cryptography), availability of infrastructure and application (redundant > servers and PKI) > > 2. *Methodology pillar* – policy, procedures and regulations on three > levels: > o managerial level (security policy, management procedures and capacity > building, audit) Legislative level (law and regulation) > o operational level (acces control rules, implementation plans, monitoring, > watch, incidence handling) > o continuity of services level ( business continuity plan, crisis > management, drill exercises) > - actors in this pillar include the government, security professionals and > users > > 3. *Social behaviour pillar* – creating a culture of cyber security > o cultivate culture of cyber security through continuous action of raising > awareness using diverse media/channels > o the target audience includes managers, decision makers, security, > children, parents, teachers > > > *Case study: CERT-TCC - Tunisia* > > *The functions of the CERT include*: > > - Watch- collect information from different sources eg CISCO, HP. > Microsoft, network of CERTs, community of hackers > - Training > - Coordination > - Response > - Incidence handling > - Incident analysis > - Awareness > - Warning alert > > *Key issues*: > > • Information, warning and alert – carried out to in collaboration with > ISPs, managers decision makers, internet community through mailing list, > call centre, media > > • Oriented campaign – utilizing prospectus, posters, email, radio, > cartoons, video, attack simulation and guides > > • Incident handling - training in new tools > > • Coordination important in the effective functioning of the CERT – > incident coordination procedures and information including regional CERTs, > other CERTs within the country (for example Brazil has more than one CERT), > ISPs and operators, vendors and integrators, and national authorities. > > Need for the formation of CERTs in Africa however the challenges of lack of > "know how" in IT security need to be overcome through: > - capacity building > - encouragement of the development of national solutions based on open > source components > - improved R&D capabilities and making it more responsive to urgent needs > - encouraging academic research in the important topics of security > (cryptography, methodologies…) > > *The following questions and comments were raised*: > > - the need for social engineering through the creation of a culture of > cyber security to be addressed specifically because of the increased > requirements by government to obligate to provide subscriber identification > information > > - how can African countries start up a cert- through collaboration for > example with existing CERTs > > - in establishing a culture of cybersecurity – consideration should be > given to the fact that there are different social cultures in different > countries however there is consensus on issues such as child pornography, > identity theft > > - how can a regional approach be developed where there are differences in > level of ICT infrastructure and use of infrastructure in the delivery of > services, what tools can be used to encourage decision makers to be involved > in the issues of cyber security? > > o It was recognised that funding and expertise was required for example > AFDB, World Bank and Islamic Bank while ITU have regional workshops on cyber > security > > o As African countries build on infrastructure and services – there is an > opportunity to learn from those that have already developed CERTs. > > - How does the CERT monitor traffic: with the collaboration of ISP and > operators as well as supporting legislation > > - Regulators need to advice the government to use ICT in development – this > is a manifestation of government commitment > > - The role of policy making was emphasized – as it provides government > commitment to using ICT for social economic development and governance and > consequently support for cyber security initiatives – including the > formulation of legislation. > > - There should not use a piece meal approach to cyber security to prevent > ineffectiveness for example Mauritius has electronic transaction act but PKI > not yet established > > > > On 12/5/08, mwende njiraini <mwende.njiraini(a)gmail.com> wrote: >> >> Following our recent online discussions on Internet governance issues in >> Kenya, the Kenya IGF and East African IGF; you may wish to follow the >> discussion currently ongoing at the global IGF 2008 in Hyderabad India at >> http://www.intgovforum.org. >> >> Below are highlights from workshops I attended on Day 1 December 3rd): >> *0930-1100 hrs Workshop 43: Legal aspects of governance critical >> internet Policy issues of public relevance* >> *1st presentation* >> The issues on that have legal implications include: >> • internet security intellectual property rights, infringement, privacy >> and protection mechanisms >> • IP domain name protection, conflicts arising out of data and content >> ownership privacy therefore increasing role of P2P in growth of internet 2 >> • Consumer status and rights in relation to e-commerce cross border and >> domestic online trade >> • Telecom issue viz backbone deployment and interconnection costs >> • Freedom of expression – the extent of censorship and control on online >> content >> >> There is need for capacity building to create meaningful participation of >> individual and SMEs as well as increasing connectivity through building IXPs >> and local content development >> >> The question was raised as to whether there a need of alternative >> institutional mechanism. >> The salient features of the MOU between ICANN and the department of >> commerce (DoC) include: >> - The affirmation of the role of private sector leadership >> - The role of DoC in ensuring transparency and accountability and >> effective GAC participation >> - Ensure accountability and publish by-laws and strategic and operational >> plans >> - Agreement can be terminated in 120 days >> >> The MOU has been criticized because of the following reasons: >> - US governmental control on root server administration >> - Inconsistent with WSIS principle where no single government should have >> a pre-eminent role >> - Domain name allocation policies need better development >> - IPv4 address allocation have been imbalanced need to ensure IPv6 address >> allocation does not suffer the same effects -This assertion was however >> refuted as IP addresses allocation based on need. The need for prudent >> management and keeping barriers low for the transition to IPv6 was >> emphasised. >> >> To overcome this WGIG proposed 4 models: >> - Global policy council >> - Intenational internet council with leading government role to fulfil the >> ICANN/IANA functions >> - GAC to be strengthened with enhanced coordination function >> - Replace US govt role by general internet council or with world ICANN (in >> lieu of GAC) >> >> The common features of these models were the overwhelming government lead >> and the presupposition of the possibility of international treaties. During >> the discussion the viability of these models was questioned given that speed >> is of essence in the management of internet resources. It normally takes a >> long time to negotiate international agreements; including treaties instead >> a set of principles should be endorsed. >> >> The speaker recommended on the management of critical internet >> infrastructure should take into consideration the following >> • Treatment of technical resources of the internet and global economic, >> social and legal aspects arising out the internet should be at par >> • The development and implementation of polices and standards and >> solutions to various internet issues should be done in a coordinated manner >> for example telecommunication standard development is done in a hierarchical >> and predictable way. >> • New structure would be a supreme authority over internet >> >> In conclusion the speaker asked: Does the internet as we know it need to >> be altered radically? Should the status quo be maintained? Should a Red >> Cross model of recognition by international community states be given to an >> international entity like ITU, INTELSAT. However fundamental change is not >> necessary as failure has not been identified. >> >> *My comment*: this presentation was descriptive and despite the fact that >> an alternative model was proposed the principles, mechanisms that would need >> to be put in place in order to make it work were not discussed >> >> *2nd presentation* >> The next speaker spoke about the ccTLDs in latin Amercia which are broadly >> organised into two main groups: non-governmental and governmental >> organisations. A contribution from the floor however clarified that the >> Brazilian ccTLD is a multi-stakeholder – coordinated by government – but on >> a day by day basis operates as a non-governmental organisation. The Indian >> ccTLD is managed by government and private sector – sovereign interest taken >> care of through government representation. >> >> The rules and regulations under which the institutions that manage the >> ccTLDs are managed determinate legal framework under which they operate. >> Consequently ccTLDs are regulated under national law while ICANN regulates >> gTLDs – The possibility of self regulation is based on the assumption that >> private sector would act in the public interest. >> >> In the discussions some felt that there was need for increased attention >> of government in the management of ccTLDs – as it was critical >> infrastructure while on the other hand other felt that there was the risk of >> excessive regulation with increased involvement of government. >> >> *1130 -1200 hrs Workshop 36: Strategies to prevent and fight child >> pornography in developing countries* >> Child pornography in Brazil has grown out of the popularity of social >> networking. However the main challenge has been issues related to >> jurisdiction as content is resident in ISP based in the USA and >> trans-national ISPs like Yahoo, Microsoft and Google which have branches in >> strategic markets and have tailored the services for these markets in terms >> of language and content. >> >> Brazil was therefore unable to deal with serious offences related to >> content – specifically child pornography - committed by Brazilians using >> Brazilian IP addresses. The government has been able to sign an agreement >> with Google to fight child pornography on Google's orkut social network. >> >> The following are consideration taken in drawing up the agreement >> 1. Which criteria should be used to define the ability of a particular >> country to legislate over and sanction conducts committed on the internet? >> - Where the data is located? >> - International law principles (territoriality or nationality) shall be >> used to define the sovereignty of a state regarding – cyber space – which is >> a network of networks >> - Define some reasonable standard – for example managed by Brazilians and >> is local content and local language >> - Access points in Brazil, harmful conduct felt in the country – taken >> obligation under international law to take offence – country of origin >> approach would force thousands of users to unfamiliar rules and travel – >> offence under human rights therefore apply local legislation >> >> 2. It is legitimate to enforce the conduct of local office –as it >> impracticable to send legal request to the US. >> >> >> New tools have been implement that have reduced number of images uploaded >> and increase in number of reported cases- subject to investigation. It was >> inspiring to listen to parliamentarian talk about the need to have >> legislators engaged in the process as they ultimately pass the laws. I >> appreciated the fact that in there is great cooperation between the >> parliament, government, police, civil society and private sector. >> >> The main challenges are: >> • Lack of awareness and participation by parliamentarians who are critical >> in the formulation of legislation >> • how to obligate ISPs to provide information without infringing on >> freedom of expression and privacy, >> • what criteria should be used to deal with these offences >> • the creation of awareness of ISPs in developing countries of the need >> for judicial cooperation as well as social initiatives to deal with cyber >> crime. >> • Insufficient infrastructure to deal with this issue – law enforcement >> does not have the human resources and technology >> • Material produced to fight child pornography are not evaluated – they >> should be inline with the demand >> >> *My comment*: I would have like to know if initiatives have reduced >> offences, what is the success rate registered in prosecution, ability of the >> law enforcement and judicial system to deal with offences. There was no >> mention of where initiatives had been launched to fight child pornography on >> the financial front. >> >> >> *1530-1700 Workshop 45: Opening to diversity and competition of the DNS >> system* >> >> >> >> There were 3 presentations in this session: >> >> >> - *1st presentation* - alternate DNS system used in library systems >> >> >> - *2nd presentation* - implementation of security in the Handle system >> >> >> - *3rd presentation –* discussed the Net4D >> >> >> >> Net4D- provides the technical solution to the political concern on the >> control of root servers. Net4D networks enable the following: >> >> • Empower the second generation of the web: the semantic web. >> >> • Multi-stakeholder governance of DNS >> >> • Net4D classes should be open and interoperable >> >> DNS 1.0 – was a monopoly of ICANN web 1.0 html with USA parentage and >> English only while DNS 2.0 is open allowing for competition including inter >> alia: >> >> • Net4D semantic web >> >> • Open coherent approach to linguistic diversity >> >> • Allow technological innovation with value added services >> >> >> >> Concern was however raised on the: >> >> • Investment/implementation cost required to implementation of different >> DNS systems depending on the BIND implemented and root servers enabled >> >> • relinquishing of the political control of root servers >> >> • Value to end users >> >> • Awareness and understanding of the issues by different stakeholders >> necessary – delivered in a way that they can understand >> >> >> >> *My comment*: the session was technical – I hope the techies on the >> mailing list can help us understand the governance issues associated with >> the introduction of DNS competition and the impact on developing countries >> :)! >> >> >> >> Kind regards >> >> mwende >> > >

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Kenya IGF Review Forum
by vincent＠kenic.or.ke 14 Apr '09

14 Apr '09

<reminder> Dear Colleagues, The Kenya Network Information Centre (KENIC), in conjunction with the Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet), invites to a half-day face-to-face public forum to review the 2008 East Africa Internet Governance Forum (EAIGF) and to set the agenda for the 2009 Kenya Internet Governance Forum (Kenya IGF) and EAIGF. The forum will be held at the Jacaranda hotel on Wednesday the 15th of April 2009 starting 09:00am and will be graced by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr. Bitange Ndemo. The agenda will include: Keynote Address by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr. Bitange Ndemo IGF Background Review of the 2008 EAIGF Setting the Agenda for the 2009 Kenya IGF and EAIGF Way Forward Kindly confirm attendance via rsvp(a)kenic.or.ke, RE: Kenya IGF Review Forum, to facilitate logistical arrangements. Kind Regards, ----------- Vincent Ngundi Administrative Manager KENIC - The Kenya Network Information Centre http://www.kenic.or.ke vincent(a)kenic.or.ke [T] +254 20 4450057/8 [C] +254 20 2398036 [M] +254 733 790073 [F] +254 20 4450087 dot KE for Every Name in Kenya! -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.

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Open Standards for Government Transformation: Enabling Transparency, Security and Interoperability
by Andrew Karanja 14 Apr '09

14 Apr '09

Dear Colleagues, African eDevelopment Resource Centre together with OASIS, the International Open Standards Consortium, the World Bank's Global Information and Communication Technologies Department/e-Development Thematic Group and World Bank Institute invite you to attend a Global Dialogue workshop on Open Standards for Government Transformation: Enabling Transparency, Security and Interoperability on April 17, 2009, 2.15 pm at the Kenya Global Development Learning Centre. This one-day workshop offers a unique opportunity for professionals in public administrations and the private sector to share experiences in using open standards for transforming government. Issues surrounding public financial management, e-procurement, cloud computing, electronic identification, security, and interoperability frameworks will be discussed. This workshop will help practitioners in Washington DC and 8 other cities (as well as online participants) to better understand the different choices they have in order to make better policy, strategy and technology decisions when designing and implementing ICT components of their projects, which will maximize development impact and sustainability of these investments. Open standards allow different systems, platforms, and devices to communicate, and are at the very core of the new ?open? architectures. Open standards provide choice and interoperability between systems. The Internet, based largely on the framework of the TCP/IP and HTML standards, is a strong example of open standards-driven innovation. Leading governments have begun to emphasize open standards as part of their policy frameworks on ICTs. For example the UK has recently come out with a Government Action Plan on "Open Source, Open Standards and Re-Use". Developing countries need to incorporate open-standards while leveraging ICT for development. Open standards and interoperability are important for rolling out convenient 'one-stop' services for citizens and businesses. They are also important for avoiding waste in public expenditure and unnecessary duplication of investments. These issues are particularly relevant in the context of the current economic crisis. For ensuring interoperability across government, it is necessary to focus on organizational structures that help exchange of data and information (organizational interoperability), evolving a common language for understanding various functions of government (semantic interoperability) and dealing with technical aspects to ensure that different systems can talk to each other (technical interoperability). Distinguished speakers from all over the world will examine the relevance and promise of open standards to developing and transition countries in their pursuit of good governance and better service delivery. Onsite attendees will be joined via interactive video links with officials from client countries, including Russia, Moldova, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Sri Lanka and many others will join via live webcast. The following questions will be discussed among others: + What should be the institutional structures for ensuring compliance to open standards and interoperability across government? + What mechanisms should be put in place to ensure that interoperability standards/frameworks are kept current in the context of rapid changes in technology? + What arrangements should be put in place for connecting developing and transition countries with international standards bodies and leading public administrations in an era of cross-border interoperability? This workshop is part of the broader Government Transformation Initiative (GTI), a collaboration of World Bank with the private sector and other stakeholders. The initiative focuses on building capacity of government leaders to pursue ICT-enabled public sector transformation. The GTI will develop and promote viable business models and best practices through peer-to-peer knowledge sharing and training events. A project development facility to support selected Governments in setting up the enabling environment and initiating concrete related projects is also contemplated. Attendance is free, but registration is required. If interested in attending please send your request to <mailto:[email protected]> wangechi(a)africanedevelopment.org Kindest regards Andrew Karanja African eDevelopment Resource Centre eDevelopment House : : 604 Limuru Road Old Muthaiga : : P O Box 49475 00100 Nairobi : : Kenya T +254 20 3741646/7 : : C +254 725 650044 Training : : Research: :Consultancy: : Publishing

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A Step Towards Meaningful Participation- EA-IGF
by alice 13 Apr '09

13 Apr '09

http://www.glocom.ac.jp/e/publications/ A Step Towards Meaningful Participation April 10, 2009 A Step Towards Meaningful Participation By Adam Peake, GLOCOM Executive Research Fellow. Now in the fourth year of its initial five-year mandate, the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) is established as an important arena for international multi-stakeholder dialogue about policy issues affecting the Internet's management, development and deployment. However, an area where it has failed to perform as well as hoped has been attracting the interest and participation of stakeholders from developing countries. With limited knowledge of the issues and discussions, developing countries have too often been under-represented in the global arenas where Internet policies are developed, and also unable to contribute fully to the dialogue at the IGF. Enabling the meaningful participation of developing country partners in the formation of global Internet policy has long been identified as an important priority in achieving an equitable and accessible Information Society. Many of the rules and norms of global information society are being created in forums and processes discussing policies related to the Internet and ICTs, and it is important that all should have the opportunity to shape and influence the direction of these discussions. With this challenge in mind, in 2008 a regional IGF process in East Africa brought together participants from Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya to identify, explore and build consensus around common policy priorities. Each country began with an online discussion to identify the Internet policy issues most important to them, followed by a face-to-face national IGF meeting. These multi-stakeholder national processes then fed into the East African Internet Governance Forum (EA-IGF) held over three days in Nairobi, Kenya. The outcomes of the regional forum were then presented and discussed at the 2008 IGF meeting in Hyderabad. I was fortunate to be able to help with the organization of the 2008 EA-IGF, and hope to continue to work with colleagues from what will be five countries –Burundi asked to join the process– on the EA-IGF initiative this year. Contributing to this process is a continuation of work GLOCOM began when we participated in the G8 Digital Opportunity Task Force (DOT Force) where our focus was on recommendations to ensure universal participation in international policy and technical issues raised by ICT and the Internet. We knew at the time that participation had to mean more than simply attending meetings and being in the room where Internet and ICT issues were being discussed; developing country stakeholders had to be able to identify issues important to them, bring those issues to international processes and have the results contribute to local strategies and policies. However, in the seven years since DOT Force made its recommendations, little progress had been made in achieving the goal of "meaningful" participation. Developing countries are still too often under-represented and unable to contribute fully and effectively in the formation of Internet and ICT policies, even in the IGF. National and regional initiatives around the IGF themes and process provide an opportunity to build a local foundation from which to contribute and participate. The multi-stakeholder model developed in East Africa of online discussions, followed by national meetings, culminating in a regional process provides a framework for sharing knowledge, experience and expertise, whether local, national, regional or global. Goals of the 2008 EA-IGF process: * Raise awareness of Internet Governance among policy makers and stakeholders in the East African Region * Establish which Internet Governance issues are relevant to the countries of the region * Build consensus and national and regional positions around relevant Internet Governance issues * Share the outcomes of the regional forum with IGF Hyderabad 2008 And priority areas identified by the 2008 national and regional processes: * Connectivity and infrastructure development * Access including issues of local content development * Representation, inclusiveness and participation through fostering collaboration of all national and regional stakeholders * Capacity building to promote skills growth and general awareness * Policies for the development of local content * Development of legislative frameworks for information society * Cyber-security and setting up national and regional Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT)/Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT) * Critical Internet resources, the transition to IPv6, ccTLDs, new gTLDs and IDNs. These priority issues were shared with global partners in discussions at the 2008 IGF in Hyderabad, and are now the subject of ongoing discussions at the national level as the five East Africa countries (Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Burundi and Uganda) identify needs, assess progress and develop common positions on an ongoing basis, and continue the regional EA-IGF process in 2009. While the global IGF was established as a non-binding forum and finds it difficult to directly influence policy, the processes in East Africa have no such restrictions. We are beginning to see outcomes relating to the harmonization of ICT policy in the region and more specific results such as progress being made with policy relating to country code top-level domains of Rwanda and Uganda. The first online discussions for the 2009 process are being planned now and once started will continue throughout the year. National face-to-face IGF meetings will be organized and held by the end of July 2009, the regional EA-IGF will be held before the end of September 2009. A recommendation from the 2008 EA-IGF was to develop a capacity building initiative around the issues highlighted by process. A curriculum is being developed based mainly on local East Africa expertise and themes identified by the national and regional processes. The course will target policy-makers and policy-influencers from government, the non-profit sector/NGOs, academia and the private sector, with objectives of: * Providing a deeper understanding of global internet governance issues, institutions and processes * Developing regional perception of Internet governance topics * Enhance use of the Internet in socio-economic development The EA-IGF is being considered as the model for other clusters of national and regional meetings being planned in Africa this year. It is my hope that these national and regional IGFs will help to realize many of the capacity building and development goals of the IGF discussions, as well as creating a sustainable foundation that supports developing nation participation and contributions to Internet policy processes that are shaping the emerging information society.

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