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An extract of the adopted resolutions by the ICANN Board in Paris on Thursday 26 June 2008.
by alice wanjira 30 Jun '08

30 Jun '08

An extract of the adopted resolutions by the ICANN Board in Paris on Thursday 26 June 2008. http://www.icann.org/minutes/resolutions-26jun08.htm Approval of Minutes GNSO Recommendations on New gTLDs IDNC / IDN Fast-track GNSO Recommendation on Domain Tasting Approval of Operating Plan and Budget for Fiscal Year 2008-2009 Update on Draft Amendments to the Registrar Accreditation Agreement Approval of PIR Request to Implement DNSSEC in .ORG ICANN Board of Directors' Code of Conduct Ratification of Selection of Consultant to Conduct Independent Review of the Board Appointment of Independent Review Working Groups Update on Independent Reviews of ICANN Structures Board Committee Assignment Revisions Approval of BGC Recommendations on GNSO Improvements Receipt of Report of President's Strategy Committee Consultation Review of Paris Meeting Structure Board Response to Discussions Arising from Paris Meeting ICANN At-Large Summit Proposal Other Business Thanks to Steve Conte Thanks to Sponsors Thanks to Local Hosts, Staff, Scribes, Interpreters, Event Teams, and Others Approval of Minutes Resolved (2008.06.26.__), the minutes of the Board Meeting of 29 May 2008 are approved. <http://www.icann.org/minutes/prelim-report-29may08.htm> GNSO Recommendations on New gTLDs Whereas, the GNSO initiated a policy development process on the introduction of New gTLDs in December 2005. <http://gnso.icann.org/issues/new-gtlds/> Whereas, the GNSO Committee on the Introduction of New gTLDs addressed a range of difficult technical, operational, legal, economic, and policy questions, and facilitated widespread participation and public comment throughout the process. Whereas, the GNSO successfully completed its policy development process on the Introduction of New gTLDs and on 7 September 2007, and achieved a Supermajority vote on its 19 policy recommendations. <http://gnso.icann.org/meetings/minutes-gnso-06sep07.shtml> Whereas, the Board instructed staff to review the GNSO recommendations and determine whether they were capable of implementation. Whereas, staff has engaged international technical, operational and legal expertise to provide counsel on details to support the implementation of the Policy recommendations and as a result, ICANN cross-functional teams have developed implementation details in support of the GNSO's policy recommendations, and have concluded that the recommendations are capable of implementation. Whereas, staff has provided regular updates to the community and the Board on the implementation plan. <http://icann.org/topics/new-gtld-program.htm> Whereas, consultation with the DNS technical community has led to the conclusion that there is not currently any evidence to support establishing a limit to how many TLDs can be inserted in the root based on technical stability concerns. <http://www.icann.org/topics/dns-stability-draft-paper-06feb08.pdf> Whereas, the Board recognizes that the process will need to be resilient to unforeseen circumstances. Whereas, the Board has listened to the concerns about the recommendations that have been raised by the community, and will continue to take into account the advice of ICANN's supporting organizations and advisory committees in the implementation plan. Resolved ( 2008.06.26.__ ), based on both the support of the community for New gTLDs and the advice of staff that the introduction of new gTLDs is capable of implementation, the Board adopts the GNSO policy recommendations for the introduction of new gTLDs <http://gnso.icann.org/issues/new-gtlds/pdp-dec05-fr-parta-08aug07.htm>. Resolved ( 2008.06.26.__ ), the Board directs staff to continue to further develop and complete its detailed implementation plan, continue communication with the community on such work, and provide the Board with a final version of the implementation proposals for the board and community to approve before the new gTLD introduction process is launched. IDNC / IDN Fast-track Whereas, the ICANN Board recognizes that the "IDNC Working Group" developed, after extensive community comment, a final report on feasible methods for timely (fast-track) introduction of a limited number of IDN ccTLDs associated with ISO 3166-1 two-letter codes while an overall, long-term IDN ccTLD policy is under development by the ccNSO. Whereas, the IDNC Working Group has concluded its work and has submitted recommendations for the selection and delegation of "fast-track" IDN ccTLDs and, pursuant to its charter, has taken into account and was guided by consideration of the requirements to: Preserve the security and stability of the DNS; Comply with the IDNA protocols; Take input and advice from the technical community with respect to the implementation of IDNs; and Build on and maintain the current practices for the delegation of ccTLDs, which include the current IANA practices. Whereas, the IDNC Working Group's high-level recommendations require implementation planning. Whereas, ICANN is looking closely at interaction with the final IDN ccTLD PDP process and potential risks, and intends to implement IDN ccTLDs using a procedure that will be resilient to unforeseen circumstances. Whereas, staff will consider the full range of implementation issues related to the introduction of IDN ccTLDs associated with the ISO 3166-1 list, including means of promoting adherence to technical standards and mechanisms to cover the costs associated with IDN ccTLDs. Whereas, the Board intends that the timing of the process for the introduction of IDN ccTLDs should be aligned with the process for the introduction of New gTLDs. Resolved (2008.06.26.__), the Board thanks the members of the IDNC WG for completing their chartered tasks in a timely manner. Resolved (2008.06.26.__), the Board directs staff to: (1) post the IDNC WG final report for public comments; (2) commence work on implementation issues in consultation with relevant stakeholders; and (3) submit a detailed implementation report including a list of any outstanding issues to the Board in advance of the ICANN Cairo meeting in November2008 GNSO Recommendation on Domain Tasting Whereas, ICANN community stakeholders are increasingly concerned about domain tasting, which is the practice of using the add grace period (AGP) to register domain names in bulk in order to test their profitability. Whereas, on 17 April 2008, the GNSO Council approved, by a Supermajority vote, a motion to prohibit any gTLD operator that has implemented an AGP from offering a refund for any domain name deleted during the AGP that exceeds 10% of its net new registrations in that month, or fifty domain names, whichever is greater. <http://gnso.icann.org/meetings/minutes-gnso-17apr08.shtml> Whereas, on 25 April 2008, the GNSO Council forwarded its formal "Report to the ICANN Board - Recommendation for Domain Tasting" <http://gnso.icann.org/issues/domain-tasting/domain-tasting-board-report-gns…>, which outlines the full text of the motion and the full context and procedural history of this proceeding. Whereas, the Board is also considering the Proposed FY 09 Operating Plan and Budget <http://www.icann.org/financials/fiscal-30jun09.htm>, which includes (at the encouragement of the GNSO Council) a proposal similar to the GNSO policy recommendation to expand the applicability of the ICANN transaction fee in order to limit domain tasting. Resolved (2008.06.26.__), the Board adopts the GNSO policy recommendation on domain tasting, and directs staff to implement the policy following appropriate comment and notice periods on the implementation documents. Approval of Operating Plan and Budget for Fiscal Year 2008-2009 Whereas, ICANN approved an update to the Strategic Plan in December 2007. <http://www.icann.org/strategic-plan/> Whereas, the Initial Operating Plan and Budget Framework for fiscal year 2009 was presented at the New Delhi ICANN meeting and was posted in February 2008 for community consultation. <http://www.icann.org/announcements/announcement-2-04feb08.htm> Whereas, community consultations were held to discuss and obtain feedback on the Initial Framework. Whereas, the draft FY09 Operating Plan and Budget was posted for public comment in accordance with the Bylaws on 17 May 2008 based upon the Initial Framework, community consultation, and consultations with the Board Finance Committee. A slightly revised version was posted on 23 May 2008. <http://www.icann.org/financials/fiscal-30jun09.htm> Whereas, ICANN has actively solicited community feedback and consultation with ICANN's constituencies. <http://forum.icann.org/lists/op-budget-fy2009/> Whereas, the ICANN Board Finance Committee has discussed, and guided staff on, the FY09 Operating Plan and Budget at each of its regularly scheduled monthly meetings. Whereas, the final FY09 Operating Plan and Budget was posted on 26 June 2008. <http://www.icann.org/en/financials/proposed-opplan-budget-v3-fy09-25jun08-e…> Whereas, the ICANN Board Finance Committee met in Paris on 22 June 2008 to discuss the FY09 Operating Plan and Budget, and recommended that the Board adopt the FY09 Operating Plan and Budget. Whereas, the President has advised that the FY09 Operating Plan and Budget reflects the work of staff and community to identify the plan of activities, the expected revenue, and resources necessary to be spent in fiscal year ending 30 June 2009. Whereas, continuing consultation on the budget has been conducted at ICANN's meeting in Paris, at constituency meetings, and during the public forum. Resolved (2008.06.26.___), the Board adopts the Fiscal Year 2008-2009 Operating Plan and Budget. <http://www.icann.org/en/financials/proposed-opplan-budget-v3-fy09-25jun08-e…> Update on Draft Amendments to the Registrar Accreditation Agreement (For discussion only.) Approval of PIR Request to Implement DNSSEC in .ORG Whereas, Public Interest Registry has submitted a proposal to implement DNS Security Extensions (DNSSEC) in .ORG. <http://icann.org/registries/rsep/pir-request-03apr08.pdf> Whereas, staff has evaluated the .ORG DNSSEC proposal as a new registry service via the Registry Services Evaluation Policy <http://icann.org/registries/rsep/>, and the proposal included a requested amendment to Section 3.1(c)(i) of the .ORG Registry Agreement <http://icann.org/tlds/agreements/org/proposed-org-amendment-23apr08.pdf> which was posted for public comment along with the PIR proposal. Whereas, the evaluation under the threshold test of the Registry Services Evaluation Policy <http://icann.org/registries/rsep/rsep.html> found a likelihood of security and stability issues associated with the proposed implementation. The RSTEP Review Team considered the proposal and found that there was a risk of a meaningful adverse effect on security and stability, which could be effectively mitigated by policies, decisions and actions to which PIR has expressly committed in its proposal or could be reasonably required to commit. <http://icann.org/registries/rsep/rstep-report-pir-dnssec-04jun08.pdf> Whereas, the Chair of the SSAC has advised that RSTEP's thorough investigation of every issue that has been raised concerning the security and stability effects of DNSSEC deployment concludes that effective measures to deal with all of them can be taken by PIR, and that this conclusion after exhaustive review greatly increases the confidence with which DNSSEC deployment in .ORG can be undertaken. Whereas, PIR intends to implement DNSSEC only after extended testing and consultation. Resolved (2008.06.26.__), that PIR's proposal to implement DNSSEC in .ORG is approved, with the understanding that PIR will continue to cooperate and consult with ICANN on details of the implementation. The President and the General Counsel are authorized to enter the associated amendment to the .ORG Registry Agreement, and to take other actions as appropriate to enable the deployment of DNSSEC in .ORG. ICANN Board of Directors' Code of Conduct Whereas, the members of ICANN's Board of Directors are committed to maintaining a high standard of ethical conduct. Whereas, the Board Governance Committee has developed a Code of Conduct to provide the Board with guiding principles for conducting themselves in an ethical manner. Resolved (2008.06.26.__), the Board directs staff to post the newly proposed ICANN Board of Directors' Code of Conduct for public comment, for consideration by the Board as soon as feasible. [Reference to PDF will be inserted when posted.] Ratification of Selection of Consultant to Conduct Independent Review of the Board Whereas, the Board Governance Committee has recommended that Boston Consulting Group be selected as the consultant to perform the independent review of the ICANN Board. Whereas, the BGC's recommendation to retain BCG was approved by the Executive Committee during its meeting on 12 June 2008. Resolved (2008.06.26.__), the Board ratifies the Executive Committee's approval of the Board Governance Committee's recommendation to select Boston Consulting Group as the consultant to perform the independent review of the ICANN Board. Appointment of Independent Review Working Groups Whereas, the Board Governance Committee has recommended that several working groups should be formed to coordinate pending independent reviews of ICANN structures. Resolved (2008.06.26.__), the Board establishes the following independent review working groups: ICANN Board Independent Review Working Group: Amadeu Abril i Abril, Roberto Gaetano (Chair), Steve Goldstein, Thomas Narten, Rajasekhar Ramaraj, Rita Rodin, and Jean Jacques Subrenat. DNS Root Server System Advisory Committee (RSSAC) Independent Review Working Group: Harald Alvestrand (Chair), Steve Crocker and Bruce Tonkin. Security and Stability Advisory Committee (SSAC) Independent Review Working Group: Robert Blokzijl, Dennis Jennings (Chair), Reinhard Scholl and Suzanne Woolf. Update on Independent Reviews of ICANN Structures (For discussion only.) Board Committee Assignment Revisions Whereas, the Board Governance Committee has recommended that the membership of several Board should be revised, and that all other committees should remain unchanged until the 2008 Annual Meeting. Resolved (2008.06.26.__), the membership of the Audit, Finance, and Reconsideration committees are revised as follows: Audit Committee: Raimundo Beca, Demi Getschko, Dennis Jennings, Njeri Rionge and Rita Rodin (Chair). Finance Committee: Raimundo Beca, Peter Dengate Thrush, Steve Goldstein, Dennis Jennings, Rajasekhar Ramaraj (Chair), and Bruce Tonkin (as observer). Reconsideration Committee: Susan Crawford (Chair), Demi Getschko, Dennis Jennings, Rita Rodin, and Jean-Jacques Subrenat. Approval of BGC Recommendations on GNSO Improvements Whereas, Article IV, Section 4 of ICANN's Bylaws calls for periodic reviews of the performance and operation of ICANN's structures by an entity or entities independent of the organization under review. Whereas, the Board created the "Board Governance Committee GNSO Review Working Group" (Working Group) to consider the independent review of the GNSO and other relevant input, and recommend to the Board Governance Committee a comprehensive proposal to improve the effectiveness of the GNSO, including its policy activities, structure, operations and communications. Whereas, the Working Group engaged in extensive public consultation and discussions, considered all input, and developed a final report < http://www.icann.org/topics/gnso-improvements/gnso-improvements-report-03fe… > containing a comprehensive and exhaustive list of proposed recommendations on GNSO improvements. Whereas, the Board Governance Committee determined that the GNSO Improvements working group had fulfilled its charter and forwarded the final report to the Board for consideration. Whereas, a public comment forum was held open for 60 days to receive, consider and summarize < http://forum.icann.org/lists/gnso-improvements-report-2008/msg00033.html > public comments on the final report. Whereas, the GNSO Council and Staff have worked diligently over the past few months to develop a top-level plan for approaching the implementation of the improvement recommendations, as requested by the Board at its New Delhi meeting. Whereas, ICANN has a continuing need for a strong structure for developing policies that reflect to the extent possible a consensus of all stakeholders in the community including ICANN's contracted parties. Resolved (2008.06.26.__), the Board endorses the recommendations of the Board Governance Committee's GNSO Review Working Group, other than on GNSO Council restructuring, and requests that the GNSO convene a small working group on Council restructuring including one representative from the current NomCom appointees, one member from each constituency and one member from each liaison-appointing advisory committee (if that advisory committee so desires), and that this group should reach consensus and submit a consensus recommendation on Council restructuring by no later than 25 July 2008 for consideration by Receipt of Report of President's Strategy Committee Consultation Whereas, the Chairman of the Board requested that the President's Strategy Committee undertake a process on how to strengthen and complete the ICANN multi-stakeholder model. Whereas, the PSC has developed three papers that outline key areas and possible responses to address them: "Transition Action Plan," "Improving Institutional Confidence in ICANN," and "FAQ." < http://icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-16jun08-en.htm > Whereas, these documents and the proposals contained in them have been discussed at ICANN's meeting in Paris. Whereas, a dedicated webpage has been launched to provide the community with information, including regular updates < http://icann.org/jpa/iic/ >. Resolved (2008.06.26.__), the Board thanks the President's Strategy Committee for its work to date, and instructs ICANN staff to undertake the public consultation recommended in the action plan, and strongly encourages the entire ICANN community to participate in the continuing consultations on the future of ICANN by reviewing and submitting comments to the PSC by 31 July 2008. Selection of Mexico City for March 2009 ICANN Meeting Whereas, ICANN intends to hold its first meeting for calendar year 2009 in the Latin America region; Whereas, the Mexican Internet Association (AMIPCI) has agreed to host the meeting; Resolved (2008.06.26.__), the Board accepts the AMIPCI proposal to host ICANN's 34th global meeting in Mexico City, in March 2009. Review of Paris Meeting Structure (For discussion only.) Board Response to Discussions Arising from Paris Meeting (For discussion only.) ICANN At-Large Summit Proposal Whereas, at the ICANN meeting in New Delhi in February 2008, the Board resolved to direct staff to work with the ALAC to finalise a proposal to fund an ICANN At-Large Summit, for consideration as part of the 2008-2009 operating plan and budget process. < http://www.icann.org/minutes/resolutions-15feb08.htm > Whereas, potential funding for such a summit has been identified in the FY09 budget. < http://www.icann.org/financials/fiscal-30jun09.htm > Whereas, a proposal for the Summit was completed and submitted shortly before the ICANN Meeting in Paris. Resolved (2008.06.26.__), the Board approves the proposal to hold an ICANN At-Large Summit as a one-time special event, and requests that the ALAC work with ICANN Staff to implement the Summit in a manner that achieves efficiency, including considering the Mexico meeting as the venue. Resolved (2008.06.26.__), with the maturation of At-Large and the proposal for the At-Large Summit's objectives set out, the Board expects the ALAC to look to more self-funding for At-Large travel in the fiscal year 2010 plan, consistent with the travel policies of other constituencies. _______________________________________________ AfrICANN mailing list AfrICANN(a)afrinic.net https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo.cgi/africann

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FW: Advert for the position of Website Editing Specialist
by Edith Adera 30 Jun '08

30 Jun '08

-----Original Message----- From: kmuthembwa(a)worldbank.org [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: 30 June 2008 10:19 Subject: Advert for the position of Website Editing Specialist Please forward to your contacts (See attached file: Advert - Website Editing Specialist - 24th June 2008.doc) Keziah Muthembwa Public Information Officer World Bank, Kenya Office Box 30577 00100 Nairobi Tel: 254 20 3226484 "The past cannot be changed, the future is still in your power." - Hugh White

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World Youth Congress 2008
by Wainaina Mungai 29 Jun '08

29 Jun '08

Dear all, There is an opportunity for a KICTANet member to support youth and promote their work at the World Youth Congress to be held in Quebec, Canada in August. The organisation or individual will support one young person to attend the Congress by funding return airfare to Quebec. Your organisation may then utilise the young person to wear your merchandise (T-shirts, bag etc) as well as organise media coverage of your support. A win-win arragement that helps young Kenyans present their work at the Congress. One of the projects (ToughCookie Project) is featured on the congress website and http://www.madeinkenya.org If you are intersted, contact Made in Kenya Network on wainaina(a)madeinkenya.org by July 4th 2008. Regards, Wainaina -- Made in Kenya Network P. O. Box 72031 - 00200 Nairobi. Kenya Tel: +254-20-3590451 Cel: +254-722-811171 Cel: +254-735-370840 www.madeinkenya.org www.bungesms.com www.pamonet.org

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Kenya embarks on exercise to protect Intellectual Property - will this help our jeune entrepreneurs?
by Brian Longwe 28 Jun '08

28 Jun '08

The penny has finally dropped. After the country's huge loss of revenue due to Japanese patenting of Kenya's traditional 'kiondo' and the near loss of the traditional 'kikoy' patent to a shrewd Kenyan living in the UK, the Kenya Intellectual Property Institute (KIPI) has now embarked on a process to take stock of traditional knowledge and artifacts and determine those that need protection through patent. [Full article at] http://mashilingi.blogspot.com/2008/06/kenya-embarks-on-exercise-to-protect… -- Brian Munyao Longwe e-mail: blongwe(a)gmail.com cell: + 254 722 518 744 blog : http://zinjlog.blogspot.com meta-blog: http://mashilingi.blogspot.com

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linked lists??
by Alex Gakuru 28 Jun '08

28 Jun '08

Recent unusually high traffic apparently originates from elsewhere. I request information whether kictanet was silently married? regards, Alex

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Re: [kictanet] Expensive software systems?
by tyrus＠icsit.jkuat.ac.ke 27 Jun '08

27 Jun '08

I think pkariuki has a point. The fact that even here in a University of Technology, students are encouraged to come up with creative solutions to problems affecting our current markets. However, the discouraging bit is that we tend to see recurring projects and very marginalized creativity. Certain societies and technology clubs do try to get innovative by going out there and identifying where they can offer solutions. Another weakness I find in our institutes of higher learning is the fact that research in IT is seriously lacking. If you are keen to observe, research is usually based on agriculture thus shutting out IT which we all know will propel this nation to achieving the vision 2030. My humble opinion is to venture into research and to ask stake-holders to come and tap into the brains here in campus. Having research carried out in campuses in as far as technology is concerned will even ensure the use of under-utilized resources and am referring to computers during after hours, idle bandwidth which will ultimately be paid for as if it were used, etc etc. Some bit of encouragement from the private sector that is coming up is the holding of competitions and exhibitions like the IEEE competitions which actually bring out the hidden potential in the students. This however, is also abit tricky because we have had cases of such stakeholders taking advantage of this thus benefiting themselves and short changing the students. I firmly believe in as far as developing add-on software to work with enterprise softwares like SAP or Oracle, this can be done locally and if the fear expressed here is the confidence in not having these developers going under with out a trace, then why not do it in university level where you have the full backing of its administration. Tyrus Muya Kamau. Systems Administrator, eLearning Jomo Kenyatta University of Agri & Techology Kenya, Cell Phone: +254-721292936. Mail:[email protected] [DISCLAIMER] This message may contain confidential information and must not be copied, disclosed or used by anybody other than the intended recipient. If you have received this message in error, please notify us by e-mail (noreply(a)jkuat.ac.ke) and then delete the e-mail and any copies of it. E-mail may be susceptible to data corruption, interception and unauthorised amendment, and no liability is accepted for any such corruption, interception or amendment, or the consequences thereof. No liability or responsibility is accepted for viruses - it is your responsibility to scan

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Fw: RE: Expensive software systems?
by Shem Ochuodho 27 Jun '08

27 Jun '08

FYI --- On Thu, 6/26/08, HW <hwachira(a)itakenya.com> wrote: From: HW <hwachira(a)itakenya.com> Subject: RE: [kictanet] Expensive software systems? To: "HW" <hwachira(a)itakenya.com> Date: Thursday, June 26, 2008, 5:43 PM Shem & co Thanks for your kind mention. I saw today someone announcing as “new” features we implemented through our Virtual-M ERP through which we deployed solutions for PricewaterhouseCoopers ERP in 1998! Perhaps our problem is PR – we do not promote our own, even when we do world class quality work. To bring you up to date we (Information Technology Associates Ltd) are currently involved in the design of two hopefully revolutionary products which we will be announcing shortly. Our client, in both cases the system is a PPP between government and stakeholders who need a national system with multi-platform interfaces (SMS, Internet, desktop, email, voice calls) and in which dB replication (to remote loc) will depend on very little bandwidth (GPRS). In both cases, hardware/chip design is involved, and the users of the system will be many (up to 1.5 million) and distributed countrywide. Yes, I am aware (and working on) the software/hardware integration aspects as you have described in ref to Nigeria . The challenge in the past has been that the Chinese or Malaysian manufactures do require numbers (min 10,000 units) for example to mass produce eg a microchip with your software integrated. It is only now for the first time that I have secured a large enough project requiring mass production in advance…. So I trust that we will in due course demonstrate that Africa can also offer software/hardware solutions competitively. Regards Haron Wachira Information Technology Associates Ltd 7th Floor, Eden Square (AIG House), Chiromo Road , Westlands P. O. Box 10510 Nairobi 00100 Landline: 254-20-3673691 Cell: +254-723-691835 Fax: 254-20-3673231 size=2 width="100%" align=center tabindex=-1> From: Shem Ochuodho [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, June 25, 2008 9:55 PM To: kiriinya2000(a)yahoo.com; KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions Cc: New Vision List; Haron Wachira; Antoine BIGIRIMANA-Yahoo Subject: Re: [kictanet] Expensive software systems? Wesley, Actually given the right parameters, even ERP-like software can be locally developed. The two closest examples of ERP-like systems I have come across that were 'locally' developed were: a system by Haron Wachira (he formerly of Diamond Systems - the 1st Kenyan firm to assemble computers) which I remember being used by a major Tea company through its network, among others, and Rwanda 's SmartGov. There is a very thin line between these systems and conventional ERPs. Btw, before I even thought that 'hardware' manufacture/assembly is a pipe-dream for us - until I came across the 'fabless trend' that Nigeria is already pushing. It is truly cutting-edge technology - and 'knowledge work'. For those who might not know, in such a scenario, a country/firm that does not have the technology to 'manufacture' chips/VLSI can still design systems, and then send designs to places like Malaysia for production/manufacture of the chips. The 'intelligence' or brain-work (and hence the money) is not in the manufacture, but in the design, particularly for products whose value is in the uniqueness/complexity, not numbers. In effect, if the environment is right, it is doable. Shem --- On Wed, 6/25/08, wesley kiriinya <kiriinya2000(a)yahoo.com> wrote: From: wesley kiriinya <kiriinya2000(a)yahoo.com> Subject: Re: [kictanet] Expensive software systems? To: "Shem Ochuodho" <shemochuodho(a)yahoo.com> Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Date: Wednesday, June 25, 2008, 12:55 PM The kind of software I'm refering to is not on the rank of SAP and Oracle. These are software built to use SAP, Oracle or other larger scale software. So let me break it down: 1. Level 1 Software: Operating systems, SAP, Oracle, MS SQL, ...: I don't propose that these can be done locally. 2. Level 2 Software: Software that integrates with the above. Usually shipped as libraries. It's sort of middle level software: This requires good skill and can be done locally on some scale. Infact it should be encouraged that it be done locally. 3. Level 3 Software: What the client actually interacts with. They can also be software utilities. They interact with the Level 2 Software: Can be done locally. This is probably the work outsourced to countries with cheapest labour that can do the work. --- On Wed, 6/25/08, Leonard Mware <mleonardo(a)yahoo.com> wrote: From: Leonard Mware <mleonardo(a)yahoo.com> Subject: Re: [kictanet] Expensive software systems? To: kiriinya2000(a)yahoo.com Cc: "New Vision List" <newvisionkenya(a)yahoogroups.com>, "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Date: Wednesday, June 25, 2008, 4:40 PM I have two questions: 1. Do we have locally done large scale ERPs in the market that compares with SAP, Navision, BAAN, Oracle Financials? 2. How well tested are they? For such a large and mission critical system testing skills and the cost of testing is critical on final cost. Leonard Shem Ochuodho <shemochuodho(a)yahoo.com> wrote: Wesley & Washington, Very legitimate points raised. Allow me to share a real life experience. While at KPC, we came across two very interesting scenarios. When developing the Corporate ICT Strategy, we shopped around and gathered that possibly only 2 other 'Class A' parastatals and a handful of large private corporations had developed their ICT strategies. In a number of cases for multi-nationals, their strategies had largely been developed from parent organizations overseas. For the 2 local firms (and 1 large MNC), they had spent about KShs 300m to develop their strategies. In the case of KPC, it was done by locals (Kenyans), and it cost in total just under KShs 15m (10m to 'experts' + overheads + taxes). Yet for those who may be in the know, at the time (2004/05), the KPC ICT Strategy was like an ad-hoc standard (the way the Rwandan ICT Masterplan is to some!). Not only did a number of other strategic parastatals go the same route/or borrow an idea or two from it; at the time, some sections of COMESA and NEPAD were considering it for a 'regional template'. Am not belabouring on this to show how excellent it was, but to give comfort that it was as good - if not better - than those which were developed at 20x its cost - and by locals. At inception, we had a dilemma because we would not have found any local experts with experience in this sector - since KPC was/is perhaps the only refined petroleum pipeline company in the region - so to find 'local experts' who had developed similar strategies was almost out of question. However, Management & Board recognized that there were discrete skills which could be put together to get something close to the desired whole/ideal: there were people who had developed strategies for large corporations (public and/or private), oil companies (the distributors), energy companies (e.g. SCADA is a backbone to all large-scale energy 'transporters', including KPC and KP&LC), etc. So, we went out looking for what at the time were considered to be some of the best within Govt, industry (private sector), academia, and civil society (in this case not the NGO Council, but professional associations), etc. In all, we ended up with a team of 15, some of them subscribers on this list. And they did a fantastic job. Scenario 2: just as the team was winding down, the SCADA system broke down. This wasn't the first time for the system to go done; it had done so a few times before. From info available, whenever this had happened before, we had to turn to a major international firm in this sector domiciled in Canada . Firstly, they would take at least two weeks to arrive to work on the problem. Secondly, every time they came the Corporation would pay KShs 10m minimum, minus overheads (air-fare, hotel accommodation, etc). In this instance, when the ICT-Strategy team was asked if they could work on it, 3 among them came forward to do so. Within 4 days, yes 4 days, the system was up and running, and it cost the Corporation only KShs 700k (inclusive of overheads)! Apart from the money and time saving, we had enabled ¡technology transfer/acquisition¢, and if need be, in future, there was local expertise that would be called upon. In a nutshell, I wouldn't be surprised if we spent 20x more on ICT products and services than is really necessary - especially for the ultra-large projects. ICT development and promotion is not only attractive in the wealth, jobs, efficiency and productivity it creates, but also in the expenses/costs it saves. Would be interesting to know how much as a country we spend to 'import technology' versus what we would need to spend on developing skills that would help us avoid importing some (of course not all) those technologies. Best rgrds, Shem --- On Wed, 6/25/08, Odhiambo Washington <odhiambo(a)gmail.com> wrote: From: Odhiambo Washington <odhiambo(a)gmail.com> Subject: Re: [kictanet] Expensive software systems? To: "Shem Ochuodho" <shemochuodho(a)yahoo.com> Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Date: Wednesday, June 25, 2008, 4:20 AMOn Wed, Jun 25, 2008 at 9:56 AM, wesley kiriinya <kiriinya2000(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > Ladies and Gentlemen, > > How come most of the software systems Kenya gvnmt and related bodies > purchase always cost 100s of millions if not a few billions? > Like this one for KPA: > http://www.bdafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8383&Item… > > This is not meant to hit anyone hard. I'm trying to see whether there is a > better solution. > > So far this year I've heard of 3 systems: > 1. KRA > 2. Immigration > 3. KPA. > > This KPA system costs a total of 450M, but the software bit is 200M. From > the software features described I feel they could have got better value for > their money. > > May be these systems really cost that much. May be there is someone in the > list who can shed more light on these systems. > > BTW: To make this even more interesting various developers in the list can > suggest a software solution component for each problem these systems solve, > estimated development time and estimated cost. That way it's not just > talking the talk but walking the walk. > > I'll take a shot: > Case 1: > From the newspaper article, one of the port guys is quoted as saying: > "One unique thing about the system is its capacity to capture data in real > time. The moment a vehicle rolls out of a vessel, its data is captured. This > makes it easier for us to track such cargo and containers as well," said > Osero. > > My take: > Analysis: The machines which are costing 250M (It's 250M machines + 200M > software = 450M entire system) have sensors that measure different > qualities/properties of the item in the machine e.g. weight. These machines > have an API to link them to a computer system. Using the API get the > measured quantity and display/store in database etc. This isn't really the > hardest thing to do as the manufactures of the 250M machines should provide > documentation and support to the software developers. > > Estimated work force and time: 3 developers, 3-4 months. > > Cost: 200K * 3 developers * 4 months = 2.4M. + 20% (any other expenses) = > 2.88M. > > Case 2: > Another feature is keeping track/audit trails/ historical data. > > My take: > Analysis: This is basically from: > 1. Collection of good requirements from the port. > 2. Designing the right architecture that fits the requirements. > 3. Creating the right designs from the architecture. > 4. Pass the designs to the programmers for implementation. > > 1-3 are Key and this is where the bulk of the money will go. > > Estimated work force and time: 3 system requirements/analysis collectors, 4 > months. The actual time depends on how well KPA know the problems they are > facing, and how well they can describe them. > 3 system/software architects, > 3 months. > 4 system/software designers, 5 > months. > > Cost: (Requirements) 100K * 3 * 4 = 1.2M+20% = 1.44M > (Architecture) 350K * 3 * 3 = 3.15M+20% = 3.78M > (Design) 250K * 4 * 5 = 5M+20% = 6M. > > So far the total is 14.1 M. And these are some of the most important roles. > Even with 15 programmers @ 100K for 12 months (+20%) = 21.6M for a current > toral of 35.7M. > > OK I'll stop there. I'm not writting a report. Feel free to correct me. I > could be very wrong. Hello Kiriinya, This is a very interesting analysis and I'm compelled to agree with you as regards the cost factors. However, the implementation process doesn't seem to be that straight, and might not be for some time. Hey, I am not being the govt spokesman on these matters but nothing is so secret about it. I do believe that tenders were invited for such implementations but I don't know the details. I am only assuming it's the norm. If any studies were carried out regarding the system requirements, then only the IT Directors within those organizations can tell. Perhaps it's time such information is made public via some govt publication (those organizations are parastatals). I am not familiar with govt procurement procedures but the last time I read anything about it, it was a whole lot of a mess so you don't expect to see any level of transparency in that. Those are some of the things the coalition govt is supposed to be addressing, IIRC. But even if you expressed interest in undertake such a project, I wonder how much the organizations would be willing to let you in on their operations. So the first question is: Did they give the organization that won the tender the access into their operations in order to understand their needs? I don't think so. Perhaps they just "borrowed" from an organization that had done it for someone else and customized! In such a case, no one cares to do the calculations as you have done. They simply get a quote, "negotiate" and buy. I believe this explains why the costs are as high as they are. -- Best regards, Odhiambo WASHINGTON, Nairobi ,KE +254733744121/+254722743223 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ "Oh My God! They killed init! You Bastards!" --from a /. post _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: shemochuodho(a)yahoo.com Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/shemochuodho%40yahoo.c… _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: mleonardo(a)yahoo.com Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/mleonardo%40yahoo.com _______________________________________________ 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… _______________________________________________kictanet mailing [email protected]://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: shemochuodho(a)yahoo.comUnsubscribe or change your options athttp://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/shemochuodho%40yahoo…

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Re: [kictanet] Voiceless 'Knowledge Workers'
by Shem Ochuodho 27 Jun '08

27 Jun '08

Victor,   I wouldn't have responded to this, save for the record. I am not sure which Rwandan 5-star hotel you are talking about (as they are not many), but whatever the case, you and I seem to be talking about 2 different Rwanda's. And btw, 300km of fiber for Rwanda is not the same thing as 300km for Kenya, not that Kenya's laid and functional national fiber is significantly much higher!   Even with the fact that it would be unfair to compare Rwanda's ICT status with Kenya's (given the countries' histories, sizes, populations, and economies), one cannot deny the fact that Rwanda is a miracle story, largely due to leadership and vision. And it is not only limited to ICT: look at governance, gender, security (Kigali is one of the safest of the 40+ African cities am familiar with), cleanliness/environment, good roads, etc. This is not to say Rwanda does not have its flip side; of course it does, e.g. democracy and private sector are still nascent, limited human resource base, etc.   Back to ICT: neither you nor I would be the best judge on whether Rwanda or Kenya is doing better in ICT. But last year's UNCTAD's Global ICT Diffusion Index put Rwanda at per with (if not ahead of) Kenya. If we are talking implementation, sample this:-   1. Rwanda was the 1st Sub-Saharan Africa's country to link its two largest cities by fiber 2. Rwanda's Cabinet sessions are e-ready (a good number of ministers prepare their own power point presentations) 3. Rwanda is the only country I know of where within 24 hrs of a Cabinet meeting, decisions are available on the web (Official Govt website - talk of transparency!) 4. Rwanda's e-Parliament is being used by NEPAD as a model for Africa - Internet-ready/WiFi/WiBro at every point of 'Parliament's' precinct (both Senate and Chamber of Deputies) 5. Rwanda was the first African country where e-Schools was simultaneously launched in all the 6 urban-rural schools with live webcast 6. Nearly 80% Govt offices in Kigali have fiber-to-office 7. About 10 local/district headquarter sites already have functional video-conferencing facilities connected to Kigali 8. Rwanda was first Sub-Saharan Africa to establish an ICT/TechnoPark (already with over a dozen active clients/innovators/companies) 9. Rwanda is the only African country I know of whose IFMIS (Treasury/Ministry of Finance System) is anchored on a locally developed software, by a Rwandan company (talk of supporting local private sector) 10. Telemedicine Network: several major hospitals are already connected 11. With Rwanda's Karisimbi 'Earth Satellite Station' linked to a Transponder in Stockholm, in October 2006 Rwanda was able to negotiate with Intelsat bandwidth rates down from US$ 4,500 per Mbps a month (which is what everybody pays - some countries pay as high as $6,000) to $1,300. COMESA/ADB have now adopted the facility for use for regional air-traffic control and surveillance. 12. On the e-legislation front, Rwanda was one of the first Africa's countries to evolve an IPR Law, and its e-Transactions Law (like ours) is under consideration.    .... I could go on and on with the list. If these don't constitute 'achievements', then I don't know what does. Btw, several African countries I know of are borrowing one leaf or the other from the Rwandan 'humble' experience (including its plans).   But then again, is it fair for Kenya to compare with Rwanda? Shouldn't we have done much better than we have? I recall a saying that 'one thing's their mother is the best cook in the world until you taste another woman's dish'. Of course am not saying we have done nothing/little; my contention is that there are strategic things we could and should do to make an even greater leap.   Best rgrds, Shem --- On Thu, 6/12/08, Victor Maloi <victormaloi3(a)gmail.com> wrote: From: Victor Maloi <victormaloi3(a)gmail.com> Subject: Re: [kictanet] Voiceless 'Knowledge Workers' To: shemochuodho(a)yahoo.com Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Date: Thursday, June 12, 2008, 1:26 PM Dear Shem, I am in utter shock that you want to involve stakeholders from day 0ne.  Havent you ever heard the African saying - "too many cooks spoilt the broath".  Do you want Kenya to go the Rwanda way.  For those who do not know, Rwanda ICT programme cannot be compared to any in East Africa.  It is simply way back.  What they have succeeded with the help of Shem, is to talk about ICTs.  The NICIs.  There is nothing on the ground.  The speeds of internet in any five star hotel are far below what you get in our three star hotels here.  They have laid only 300 Kms of fibre but they have plans all over.   Although I have often criticised our policy mskers here, they have mostly been action oriented with a mix of stakeholder participation.  For example, we all know or have the summary Master Plan that I hear is being expanded.  Had we waited to finish the plan before we start the infrastructure projects, ICTs would still be discussed among the techies.  If you listened to the Budget proposals today, you will know that the ICT programme in Kenya means sereous.  Please Dr. Ndemo do not listen to Shem because he may contaminate you with the Rwandese rhetoric.     Victor.   On 12/06/2008, Shem Ochuodho <shemochuodho(a)yahoo.com> wrote: Joseph,   Apologies for a late acknowledgement of your mail.   Well put. I guess the greatest desire for people like Nyong'o, Juma, etc, is to see those dear things they espouse done - not necessarily by them, but done nonetheless. Let's hope that some of the actions being floated in these spaces will some day (sooner or later) see the light of day.   Best rgrds, Shem

4 8

Re: [kictanet] Marketing Kenya as a BPO Destination (within and without the country)
by Marilyn Kamuru 26 Jun '08

26 Jun '08

Could we please stop equating the BPO sector with Call Centers. Every time a discussion on the BPO sector starts it is inevitably reduced to a discussion on call centers. This is one of the biggest problems domestic outsourcing companies face since the BPO discussion seems to be only about call centers (for those of you at the CEO Breakfast earlier this year you will recall it was one of the main issues CEOs identified . They said the message they received was essentially BPO=Call Centers). There are numerous BPOs in the country that offer back office processing services from imaging and data storage to mail sorting and delivery (perhaps the stock brokers would have been advised to use them to prevent the Safaricom refund fiasco), and when we fail to highlight the diversity of the industry we lose valuable opportunities for marketing and visibility for these companies and the industry as a whole. Business Process Outsourcing is much larger that call centers and if we on this list cannot seem to make that distinction that is a major problem. May I also suggest that the ICT Board has more work to do on promoting domestic as well as international BPO work. Without a viable domestic market, we will not be able to nuture and grow local companies. Before the international business comes it would be helpful if local companies had local business to help sustain them, provide refernces as well as cushion them against the longer sales cycle for international contracts. Government can help by leading the way as it looks at implementing the eGovernment initiative as well as in providing incentives for local business to outsource. Marilyn Many thanks and best regards, Marilyn M. Kamuru eManage Africa Ltd. P.O. Box 18136 00500 Nairobi, Kenya Tel: (254) 20828 383; 20 34550 Cell : (254) 725 525 972, 736 225 384 www.emanageafrica.com

10 11

Expensive software systems?
by wesley kiriinya 26 Jun '08

26 Jun '08

Ladies and Gentlemen, How come most of the software systems Kenya gvnmt and related bodies purchase always cost 100s of millions if not a few billions? Like this one for KPA: http://www.bdafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8383&Item… This is not meant to hit anyone hard. I'm trying to see whether there is a better solution. So far this year I've heard of 3 systems: 1. KRA 2. Immigration 3. KPA. This KPA system costs a total of 450M, but the software bit is 200M. From the software features described I feel they could have got better value for their money. May be these systems really cost that much. May be there is someone in the list who can shed more light on these systems. BTW: To make this even more interesting various developers in the list can suggest a software solution component for each problem these systems solve, estimated development time and estimated cost. That way it's not just talking the talk but walking the walk. I'll take a shot: Case 1: >From the newspaper article, one of the port guys is quoted as saying: “One unique thing about the system is its capacity to capture data in real time. The moment a vehicle rolls out of a vessel, its data is captured. This makes it easier for us to track such cargo and containers as well," said Osero. My take: Analysis: The machines which are costing 250M (It's 250M machines + 200M software = 450M entire system) have sensors that measure different qualities/properties of the item in the machine e.g. weight. These machines have an API to link them to a computer system. Using the API get the measured quantity and display/store in database etc. This isn't really the hardest thing to do as the manufactures of the 250M machines should provide documentation and support to the software developers. Estimated work force and time: 3 developers, 3-4 months. Cost: 200K * 3 developers * 4 months = 2.4M. + 20% (any other expenses) = 2.88M. Case 2: Another feature is keeping track/audit trails/ historical data. My take: Analysis: This is basically from: 1. Collection of good requirements from the port. 2. Designing the right architecture that fits the requirements. 3. Creating the right designs from the architecture. 4. Pass the designs to the programmers for implementation. 1-3 are Key and this is where the bulk of the money will go. Estimated work force and time: 3 system requirements/analysis collectors, 4 months. The actual time depends on how well KPA know the problems they are facing, and how well they can describe them. 3 system/software architects, 3 months. 4 system/software designers, 5 months. Cost: (Requirements) 100K * 3 * 4 = 1.2M+20% = 1.44M (Architecture) 350K * 3 * 3 = 3.15M+20% = 3.78M (Design) 250K * 4 * 5 = 5M+20% = 6M. So far the total is 14.1 M. And these are some of the most important roles. Even with 15 programmers @ 100K for 12 months (+20%) = 21.6M for a current toral of 35.7M. OK I'll stop there. I'm not writting a report. Feel free to correct me. I could be very wrong.

9 12

Job Opening
by Odhiambo Washington 25 Jun '08

25 Jun '08

FWD>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Date: Wed, 25 Jun 2008 14:56:40 +0300 [06:56:40 AM CDT] From: Hannah Slavik <hslavik(a)diplomacy.edu> To: alumni(a)diplomacy.edu Reply-To: hslavik(a)diplomacy.edu Subject: [alumni] part-time job opening {01} Part-time Job Opening – Editor / Web Writer Diplo is seeking an experienced, part-time editor / web writer willing to work flexible hours from home, wherever he or she is located. The editor / web writer will edit a variety of texts ranging from personal e-mails through project proposals to online course materials, correcting grammar and re-writing texts to improve clarity, proposing structural improvements, and pointing out problems with argumentation, if needed. The editor / web writing will also write short articles for the DiploFoundation website, and review and re-write existing web texts to improve communication with the public. For job details, information on requirements and how to apply, please see www.diplomacy.edu/display.asp?Topic=Job-Editor. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<FWD -- Best regards, Odhiambo WASHINGTON, Nairobi,KE +254733744121/+254722743223 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ "Oh My God! They killed init! You Bastards!" --from a /. post

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The Soul Beat Issue 109: Mobile Phones for Social Change in Africa
by alice wanjira 25 Jun '08

25 Jun '08

>From the SOUL BEAT AFRICA partnership - Soul City and The >Communication Initiative ...African choices...critical voices...crossing borders...African stories... === According to the African Telecommunication/ICT Indicators 2008 (see http://www.comminit.com/redirect.cgi?cimo=1&r=http://www.itu.int/ITU- D /ict/publications/africa/2008/index.html ), the number of mobile subscribers in Africa has increased dramatically over the last few years. In 2007 the African continent added over 60 million new mobile subscribers and mobile phones represented 90 percent of all telephone subscribers. This issue of The Soul Beat shares a selection of programme experiences, strategic thinking documents, and materials related to the use of mobile telephones for social change in Africa. If you would like your organisation's communication work or research and resource documents to be featured on the Soul Beat Africa website and in The Soul Beat newsletters, please contact soulbeat(a)comminit.com To subscribe to The Soul Beat, go to http://www.comminit.com/en/user/register/38 or send an email to soulbeat(a)comminit.com with a subject of "subscribe". === Please note: We'd like to encourage all those who have not yet registered to register on the Soul Beat Africa website, even if you are already a subscriber to The Soul Beat. There are features that are only available to those who register; for example, there are polls and questions that are only available to registered users, and in order to tailor the information to you and your needs, registration will be required. In addition, we'd like to make sure that our files are updated so that we are aware of your specific interests and needs. To register, please see http://www.comminit.com/en/user/register/38 (note: if you are already registered and signed in, this link will NOT work for you. It is only for those people who are not yet registered). === PROGRAMME EXPERIENCES http://www.comminit.com/en/africa/experiences.html 1. MyQuestion and MyAnswer - Nigeria Learning about Living, a project that aims to use information and communication technologies (ICTs) to educate young people on issues around adolescent reproductive health, is running two information and advice services for young people in Nigeria called MyQuestion and MyAnswer. The project, launched in November 2007 by the charity OneWorld UK, in collaboration with other key Nigerian health non-governmental organisations (NGOs), allows young people to request information on reproductive health and HIV/AIDS through short messaging system (SMS), by going online, or by phoning a hotline. It also involves a competition which requires that young people answer a set question related to HIV/AIDS each month in order to win airtime. http://www.comminit.com/en/node/269380/38 Contact Finola Robinson finola.robinson(a)oneworld.net OR Learning about Living info(a)learningaboutliving.org 2. Groots Kenya Mobile Phone Mentoring Strategy - Kenya This project focuses on the protection of land rights of women and orphans, many of whom are affected by HIV/AIDS. In order to achieve their objectives, the organisation is making use of mobile phones to advocate for and address women's and orphan's rights to own and inherit property. The project works across 4 regions in Kenya: Kakamega in western province, Kendubay in Nyanza province, and Limuru and Gatundu in Central province of Kenya. Mobile phones are being used by women and community watchdog groups to report cases of land-grabbing in these regions, and to facilitate interaction and knowledge-sharing between chiefs in the different regions. http://www.comminit.com/en/node/269010/38 Contact Everlyne Nairesiae grootsk(a)grootskenya.org 3. SMS to Treat TB - South Africa A doctor in Cape Town, South Africa is using SMS technology to remind patients to take their medication for the treatment of tuberculosis (TB). This initiative is premised on the observation that TB patients often do not take their medication simply because they forget. Names of TB patients are entered onto a database. Every half hour a computer server reads the database and sends personalised messages to the patients, reminding them to take their medication. The idea is to use technology to address a real need effectively, but in a simple, affordable, and flexible way. http://www.comminit.com/en/node/125925/38 Contact Dr. David Green david(a)on-cue.co.za 4. Village Phone Rwanda (Tel'imbere) - Rwanda Launched in 2006, Village Phone Rwanda was created as a joint venture between Grameen Foundation and MTN Rwanda. The Village Phone business is called Tel'imbere, loosely translated as "telephone forward" in Kinyarwanda, Rwanda's main language. It is designed to extend the benefits of affordable telecommunications access in a sustainable, profitable, and empowering way by offering villages opportunities to access telecommunications through a sustainable business model. http://www.comminit.com/en/node/270294/38 Contact Grameen Foundation villagephone(a)grameenfoundation.org 5. Xam Marsé - Senegal Launched by Manobi in 2001, Xam Marsé provides market information about various products to Senegalese farmers, traders, hoteliers, and others via internet and free, daily telephone SMS messages. Meaning "know your market" in Wolof, Xam Marsé provides SMSs with real-time information on the prices and availability of fruit, vegetables, meat and poultry, on any of Senegal's markets. Manobi introduced the service to increase access of producers to information that would allow them to make better decisions about sales and purchases. http://www.comminit.com/en/node/266053/38 Contact Daniel Annerose daniel.annerose(a)manobi.net 6. Mobile Dictionary (MobiDic) - South Africa This is a project developed to enable South African dictionary users to access dictionary content via their cellular phones. The project works by sending a word for which the user needs an explanation to a premium-rated short code number. They will instantly receive a definition in return via SMS. Most definitions will be contained in one SMS. On occasion, a definition will be longer than one SMS and in those cases two return SMS messages will be sent without any additional costs to the user. http://www.comminit.com/en/node/128965/38 Contact Danie Swart swartdp(a)sabc.co.za 7. Using Cellular Technology to Monitor Rights Violations and Improve Child Protection in Eastern DRC - Democratic Republic of Congo In April 2005, Ajedi-Ka and the Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict (CAC) began work on a pilot project using cellular phones and internet technology to facilitate existing Village Committees for Child Protection (VCCP) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to monitor and report on child rights violations. The programme aimed to empower local organisations and community members to use the technology in the context of armed conflict, and make monitoring and reporting more efficient. Cellular phones were used to relay information on child rights violations from the VCCPs to Ajedi-Ka staff. Ajedi-Ka shared detailed information about each of the fully verified cases with Watchlist headquarters in New York. http://www.comminit.com/en/node/135290/38 Contact Bukeni Beck info(a)ajedika.org OR bukeni(a)ajedika.org 8. Freedom HIV/AIDS Game - India, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Uganda This gaming initiative uses mobile telephones to engage people in entertaining, awareness-raising activities regarding HIV/AIDS. Designed to appeal to different gaming mind-sets as well as the psychology of mobile phone users, the games were crafted in such a way that both the casual player and the game enthusiast might be drawn to play. Sports is a central strategy for engaging players, especially youth, and the first game, "AIDS Penalty Shoot-out" is based on soccer. http://www.comminit.com/en/node/133100/38 Contact Bhanu Sahni zmq(a)vsnl.com === Rising Voices, the outreach arm of Global Voices, in collaboration with the Open Society Institute Public Health Program's Health Media Initiative, is now accepting project proposals for the third round of micro grant funding of up to US$5,000 for new media outreach projects focused especially on public health issues involving marginalised populations. For more information visit the Rising Voices website http://www.comminit.com/redirect.cgi?cimo=1&r=http://rising.globalvoic esonline.org/about/ === STRATEGIC THINKING http://www.comminit.com/en/africa/strategicthinking.html 9. Mobile Activism or Mobile Hype? by Firoze Manji This paper, published in the Gender and Media Diversity Journal, argues that while technology offers many opportunities, the push to bridging the digital divide and harnessing the power of ICT often neglects people as the resource that is most central to development. The author proposes that while technology may provide tools that people can use, it should not be over-rated as the solution to every problem. Based on 2 experiences using mobile phones in Africa to address women's rights and social development, the key lesson learned is that mobile phones are only useful as one part of a strategy in which people must remain at the forefront. http://www.comminit.com/en/node/270107/38 10. The Un-wired Continent: Africa's Mobile Success Story by Vanessa Gray This paper explores trends in mobile telephone use on the African continent. According to the author, there is a persisting need to provide access to those who have been excluded - mainly, rural dwellers and lower-income citizens. Research suggests that low-income households are prepared to spend relatively large amounts of their revenue on telecommunications because it helps them save money in other areas. The article also includes examples of the use of the mobile phones and cites an example where farmers in Uganda have used them to find out about the latest crop prices. http://www.comminit.com/en/node/265616/38 11. Livelihood Changes Enabled by Mobile Phones: The Case of Tanzanian Fishermen by Jonas Myhr and Lars Nordström "Mobile phones have had a tremendous diffusion rate in Africa in recent years. This has brought access to telecommunication to new user groups, among them Tanzanian fishermen. But how does mobile phone use affect the way fishermen live their lives, how they pursue economic activities and how they protect themselves from vulnerability to risk?" This research shows that mobile phone use empowers fishermen, both through increased bargaining power and increased control over external events. Mobile phones give increased knowledge about market opportunities and the possibility to work more efficiently. Furthermore, mobile phones give fishermen the possibility to take measures to decrease the risks they are exposed to, such as emergencies out at sea.. http://www.comminit.com/en/node/269625/38 12. Scaling a Changing Curve: Traditional Media Development and the New Media The Center for International Media Assistance (CIMA) at the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) commissioned this study to examine the use of information and communication technology (ICT) in independent media development and to shed light on the state of current practice with respect to media development and new technologies. This document analyses the use of new media, including blogs, social networking sites, cell phone messaging, and other relatively new technology applications in communication for development. It contextualises new media in the rapidly changing global information industry, and offers recommendations on how independent media-development programmes can take advantage of, and keep abreast of, these new global trends. http://www.comminit.com/en/node/268329/38 13. Enterprise Across the Digital Divide: Information Systems and Rural Microenterprise in Botswana by Richard Duncombe and Richard Heeks This paper explores the role of information and information-handling technologies in rural microenterprises (MSEs). Through a case study of rural MSEs in Botswana's economically poorest areas in 1999, the researchers identify social networks as the primary information system among poor rural entrepreneurs. The vast majority of MSEs surveyed could not afford individual access to ICT. Those who used phones reported a reduction in their operational costs (e.g. by substituting travels), increased income, or reduced uncertainty of transactions with suppliers and customers. http://www.comminit.com/en/node/220054/38 MATERIALS http://www.comminit.com/en/africa/materials.html 14. MobileActive Strategy Guide #1: Using Mobile Phones in Elections and Voter Registration Campaigns by Michael Stein This series of Strategy Guides is designed to equip organisations around the world with the know-how to deploy effective mobile campaigns for a variety of types of activism and advocacy. Guide #1 covers the use of mobile phones in elections, both as voter registration and monitoring tools. They can also be used to educate citizens on candidates and their stances on issues and for fund raising in support of candidates. According to the guide, "with 3 billion phones in circulation around the world, in many countries mobile phones are the easiest and least expensive way to communicate and are far more pervasive than the internet". http://www.comminit.com/en/node/267971/38 15. MobileActive Strategy Guide #2: Using Mobile Phones in Advocacy Campaigns by Michael Stein This guide, the second in the series of 3, offers strategies, case studies, lessons learned, and a how-to section for advocacy organisations considering using mobile phones to advance their causes. It is intended to encourage the adoption of mobile phones by non-profits to build their constituent lists, influence political causes, and raise money. http://www.comminit.com/en/node/267969/38 16. Going the Last Mile: What's Stopping a Wireless Revolution? by Panos This is the fourth in a series of short briefing documents for journalists on different aspects of ICTs and the 'information society'. It is offered by Panos as a service to non-specialists, and in particular to journalists wishing to cover information society issues following the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) in November 2005. http://www.comminit.com/en/node/188878/38 EVENT http://www.comminit.com/en/africa/events.html 17. ICTs for Civil Society Conference: Unlocking the Potential of Mobile Technology for Social Impact (Oct 13-15 2008) Johannesburg, South Africa SANGONeT, a South African based organisation that aims to support the effective use of ICTS among Southern African civil society organisations, will focus their fourth annual "ICTs for Civil Society" conference and exhibition on the theme "Unlocking the Potential of Mobile Technology for Social Impact". The 3-day conference aims to convene approximately 250 civil society, development, and technology practitioners interested in the use and application of mobile technology in support of social impact. http://www.comminit.com/en/node/269907/38 === To view related previous issues of The Soul Beat newsletter see: The Soul Beat 103 - Telecentres March 12 2008 http://www.comminit.com/en/node/268000/38 The Soul Beat 84 - Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) for Education May 9 2007 http://www.comminit.com/en/node/264063/38 To view archived editions of The Soul Beat Newsletter see http://www.comminit.com/en/africa/soul-beat-archives.html ==== We would love to hear from you: Please send us your comments by going to http://www.comminit.com/en/africa/comments.html or email soulbeat(a)comminit.com For more comments on the Soul Beat Africa website see http://www.comminit.com/en/africa/comments_aboutus.html Please send material for The Soul Beat to soulbeat(a)comminit.com To subscribe, see http://www.comminit.com/en/africa/soul-beat-subscribe.html To unsubscribe, reply to this message with "unsubscribe" as the subject.

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Re: [kictanet] [Skunkworks] Expensive software systems?
by Phares Kariuki 25 Jun '08

25 Jun '08

> > What makes them cost so much is the assurance that they are tested, have > reference sites and simply they will work. That 10 years down the line KPA > can still get support/enhancements from the Company. > > Dealing with individual developers is tricky. They can switch jobs/go to > US/become sacred cows ... :-) A big company/organization feels safe dealing > with an equally big organization that can't fold/disappear/change strategy > overnight. > I tend to agree. Most Kenyan software outfits are briefcase companies. I'm sure many on the list have been called to migrate or resuscitate a system where the developer 'quit' working for his company, leaving it in limbo or got a better offer. Basic documentation is a foreign concept. EABL paid 1 Billion for SAP, however, I don't see SAP going down any time soon... Same applies, support is the most important thing, as it ensures business continuity. > > On Wed, Jun 25, 2008 at 11:03 AM, aki <aki275(a)googlemail.com> wrote: > >> Wesley, you are absolutely correct on developing local solutions. Local >> developers can do an equally or even better design, implementation and >> sustain long term support of the systems. Outsourcing of technology, >> software and solutions will lead to loss of jobs, revenue, oppurtunity >> and growth for kenyans in the ICT sector. >> >> The ICT software development community is a strong selling point for >> Kenya. Would it be possible for ICT policy makers to integrate the >> development community in its visions, plans and strategies ? This would be >> a great start and would lay the foundations of understanding and >> promoting local potential to even the sponsors/loaners/financiers of such >> projects >> >> With Rgds. >> >> Aki. >> >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> skunkworks mailing list >> skunkworks(a)my.co.ke >> http://ole.kenic.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks >> Blog http://skunkworks-ke.blogspot.com >> Beta Blog http://blog.my.co.ke >> > > > > -- > With Regards, > Phares Kaboro Kariuki, > > "Democracy is a device that ensures we shall be governed no better than we > deserve". > George Bernard Shaw -- With Regards, Phares Kaboro Kariuki, "Democracy is a device that ensures we shall be governed no better than we deserve". George Bernard Shaw

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REMINDER: LIVE WEBCAST from WORLD BANK: Global Dialog Workshop on Public Private Partnerships in e-Government Projects (June 25, 4:00pm)
by Harry Hare 25 Jun '08

25 Jun '08

Dear Colleagues, For those who will not make it to the World Bank offices for the session today and still want to participate, you can join us through a live webcast on http://www.worldbank.org/edevelopment/live Attached is the programme for your use. The slides can also be downloaded from http://go.worldbank.org/R8MULFAQQ0 Kindest Regards Harry African eDevelopment Resource Centre eDevelopment House 604 Limuru Road, Old Muthaiga PO Box 49475 00100 Nairobi, Kenya Cel +254 725 650044 Land +254 20 3741646/7 <http://www.africanedevelopment.org> www.africanedevelopment.org June/July 2008 Training Opportunities VSAT Feild Eng. 18-20 June Supply Chain Management 24-27 June Fibre Optic Technician 1-4 July Knowledge Management 8-11July Space is limited Book Now! P Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail

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Job vacancies Computer Aid Nairobi
by alice wanjira 24 Jun '08

24 Jun '08

Job vacancies Computer Aid Nairobi *Assistant Director: Africa Programme (based in Nairobi)* The Assistant Director of the Africa Programme will be the senior member of staff heading Computer Aid's growing team of ICT4D professionals in Africa. To receive a job description and application form send a blank email to assist(a)computeraid.org *Projects Manager: (based in Nairobi)* The Projects Manager will manage the full project cycle of a range of Computer Aid ICT4D projects from project design and fundraising through implementation to monitoring and evaluation. To receive a job description and application form send a blank email to projects(a)computeraid.org The deadline for the receipt of application forms is 5pm on Thurday July 10th. ======================================= APC Forum is a meeting place for the APC community - people and institutions who are or have been involved in collaboration with APC, and share the APC vision - a world in which all people have easy, equal and affordable access to the creative potential of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to improve their lives and create more democratic and egalitarian societies. _______________________________________________ apc.forum mailing list apc.forum(a)lists.apc.org http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/apc.forum

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NEPAD e-Africa Commission aka e-Payment Gateway
by Lucy Kimani 24 Jun '08

24 Jun '08

We dont seem to learn!!! Why should each country for example Kenya not have its own e-payment gateway? Every time you involve third parties in transactions, you up the prices its basic economics 101 which makes one wonder "that the cost of deploying this e-payment gateway is about US$100 million and is estimated to be more economical than if each country were to design and implement its own gateway." Why is it so hard to get our act together, and amend the necessary laws so that e-transactions are legally recognized, and then let the private sector build the e-payment gateways!! In any case did anybody bother to shop around to find out how much an e-payment gateway actually costs, or was the above accepted as the gospel truth without facts? NEPAD e-Africa Commission project progress is hailed The NEPAD e-Africa Commission Steering Committee held its 9th meeting on 11 June 2008 in Pretoria, South Africa and hailed progress made by the organisation on projects approved by the committee such as UHURUNET submarine cable, UMOJANET terrestrial cable, the Kigali Protocol, the NEPAD e-Schools Initiative and the NEPAD e-2010 Project. The meeting was attended by representatives from Botswana, Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal and South Africa. Notable among them were Kenya High Commissioner to South Africa Tom Amolo; Muhammad Zannah, Minister (Political), Nigeria High Commission in South Africa; and Mamadou M. Seck, Director of NEPAD in Senegal. The meeting particularly took note of the NEPAD e-Schools Initiative stakeholders conference organised by the e-Africa Commission in Johannesburg, South Africa in April 2008 and the on-going activities with the various countries and agencies to develop this project. Progress on NEPAD e-2010 project The NEPAD e-2010 Project was approved by the 7th Steering Committee meeting in 2007 and since then progress has been made on development of the website portal, the software for the booking system, and the NEPAD Africa e-Payment Gateway. The Kenya Government, through its Tourist Trust, with which the NEPAD e-Africa Commission has been working closely on this project, provided funds and seconded a person to help with the establishment of the e-payment gateway in Kenya. NEPAD Africa e-Payment Gateway The NEPAD Africa e-Payment Gateway is an e-tourism project intended to benefit the African continent by reducing the costs of doing tourism business. The project will enable African citizens and small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) of African countries to receive direct payments from anywhere in the world in a more cost effective and efficient way similar to that used in developed economies. The objective is to bring revenue directly into Africa using an African owned and operated infrastructure that will directly impact the GDP of African economies. Dr. Henry Chasia, the NEPAD e-Africa Commission Executive Deputy Chairperson, says that while engaging in this project the commission will seek to enhance policy and regulatory reforms to facilitate and accelerate electronic commerce. Lyndall Shope-Mafole, Director-General in the South African Department of Communications, and one of the executive committee members, emphasised the importance of the project to the South African Government in its efforts to ensure that all African countries participate in and benefit from the FIFA World Cup 2010 which is being hosted by South Africa. Says Ahmed Kassam, the project manager: “The project is intended to provide African businesses, citizens as well as governments with efficient and affordable access to electronic commerce platforms; and provide each country with the ability to increase tourism and SME sector revenues without incurring the high costs charged by existing third party platforms residing outside of Africa. “The project could secure e-tourism transactions by creating an escrow account that would hold the payment until the customer was satisfied.” The project is a joint partnership between African and international investors initially targeting the tourism sector but broad in scope to cater for the SMEs in other non-tourism sectors that do not have the resources to market and conduct electronic commerce through the internet. It is intended that African entities will hold the majority of shares in the venture. The NEPAD e-Africa Commission has already signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Commonwealth Business Council (CBC) to support the design, development and roll-out of the gateway. The cost of deploying this payment gateway is about US$100 million and is estimated to be more economical than if each country were to design and implement its own gateway. The executive committee also resolved to convene an e-Africa Commission meeting in August, 2008. The commission consists of Ministers responsible for ICT, AU Commissioners for Infrastructure and Energy, and Human Resources, Science and Technology, the CEO of the NEPAD Secretariat and the Executive Deputy Chairperson of the NEPAD e-Africa Commission. It will be chaired by the Minister in charge of ICT in the country chairing the NEPAD Heads of State and Government Implementation Committee (HSGIC). For more information, contact: Samuel Mikenga Communications Manager NEPAD e-Africa Commission Email: SMikenga(a)eafricacommission.org Email: SamuelM(a)nepad.org Email: s.mikenga(a)paris.com Tel: +27 12 841 4523 (office) Cell: +27 725 296 769 Fax: +27 12 841 4094 Website: www.eafricacommission.org

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Re: [kictanet] KICTAnet Discussions -who takes the action?
by John Walubengo 24 Jun '08

24 Jun '08

Hey Waudo in Paris, You raise some interesting questions - which i had answered before but since the list has grown a lot in recent times, i can repeat. Your key question is whether the ideas, discussions and/or opinion shared in this space have any impact and more specifically if action is taken arising from the same. KICTAnet is a non-binding ICT Policy discussion platform for Academia, Media, Telcos, ICT Practitioners, Regulators, Government, etc. In other words, members are at liberty to float ideas, recommendations, promises, complaints without the risk of being crucified for it (only requirement being diplomacy ofcourse). Some may then argue, that the platform becomes a waste of time but the truth of the matter is that the non-binding nature presents opportunities to challenge status-quo and explore new thinking and opportunities in a non-formal (read constrained) environment. The ideas arising often stimulate self-declared action from members- some of which we never get to know about since by then the objective of 'sharing' would have been met. Nevertheless, I can tell you for sure that most of the recent activities within the ICT domain have been picked or sounded off the list. You may come across an article in the media that sprung off from the list - the user/beneficiary was a member within the Media category. Or you may find that a decision of a Telco or Regulator has been delayed/accelerated/modified after picking intelligence off the list, or a new training course or curricula created/modified arising from ideas from the list- the beneficiary ofcourse being Academia. More than that, I think it is just a great networking opportunity where new contacts are created leading to new opportunities that KICTAnet will never get to know about. That's the way I found KICTAnet when I registered 3years ago, and that's how I have been seeing it. walu, in Rongai, Kajiado ;-). --- On Tue, 6/24/08, waudo siganga <emailsignet(a)mailcan.com> wrote: > From: waudo siganga <emailsignet(a)mailcan.com> > Subject: Re: [kictanet] Budget & ICT > To: "John Walubengo" <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> > Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > Date: Tuesday, June 24, 2008, 2:03 PM > Hello Walu - When will you have the report of your last > discussion on > PPP? And will that be used somewhere and by who? My > experience with > discussions (and this is from a number of lists) is that > some people > with possible good ideas may not be motivated to > contrribute if they > feel their views have no chance of changing anything or > making any > difference. > > Waudo > > > > > On Tue, 24 Jun 2008 01:55:32 -0700 (PDT), "John > Walubengo" > <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> said: > > hi Bill, > > > > i owe u and others this belated reply. we have in > store quite a number of > > suggested discussions planned as per the last > communication - eCommerce > > (or now ICT?) Bill, Internet Governance, Kenyan ICT > indicators, etc. > > > > the truth of the matter is that we need more > moderators so that we can > > share out this load. Any interested/prospective > e-moderator is asked to > > email me their expression of interest (forward to > jwalu(a)yahoo.com and NOT > > the list i.e dont jst hit reply since that will > broadcas/spam your > > interest). > > > > walu. > > > > > > --- On Fri, 6/13/08, Bill Kagai > <billkagai(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > > > > From: Bill Kagai <billkagai(a)gmail.com> > > > Subject: [kictanet] Budget & ICT > > > To: jwalu(a)yahoo.com > > > Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" > <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > > > Date: Friday, June 13, 2008, 10:35 AM > > > Walu, > > > Why don't you start a debate on the budget > and ICT; > > > vs. Education > > > vs Business > > > vs Roads/Constructions...basically ICT in all > sectors of > > > the economy. > > > > > > Any new opportunities??? at least to help us set > benchmarks > > > for 2008/9 we > > > can use to measure if we succeeded or not... > > > > > > -- > > > Bildad Kagai > > > MD - MediaCorp Limited > > > Nairobi Stock Exchange Authorised Information > Vendor > > > Suite B2, Tetu Apartments, State House Avenue > > > P. O. Box 20311 - 00200 > > > Nairobi, Kenya > > > Tel. 254 20 272 8332 > > > Fax. Rendered Obsolete > > > S - 1°17'13.8" > > > E - 36°48'22.7" > > > www.mediacorp.co.ke > > > > ---_______________________________________________ > > > kictanet mailing list > > > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > > > > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > > > > > This message was sent to: jwalu(a)yahoo.com > > > Unsubscribe or change your options at > > > > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/jwalu%40yahoo.com > > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > kictanet mailing list > > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > > > This message was sent to: emailsignet(a)mailcan.com > > Unsubscribe or change your options at > > > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/emailsignet%40mailcan.… > People make a plan work, a plan alone seldom makes people > work (Confucius).

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Budget & ICT
by Bill Kagai 24 Jun '08

24 Jun '08

Walu, Why don't you start a debate on the budget and ICT; vs. Education vs Business vs Roads/Constructions...basically ICT in all sectors of the economy. Any new opportunities??? at least to help us set benchmarks for 2008/9 we can use to measure if we succeeded or not... -- Bildad Kagai MD - MediaCorp Limited Nairobi Stock Exchange Authorised Information Vendor Suite B2, Tetu Apartments, State House Avenue P. O. Box 20311 - 00200 Nairobi, Kenya Tel. 254 20 272 8332 Fax. Rendered Obsolete S - 1°17'13.8" E - 36°48'22.7" www.mediacorp.co.ke ---

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Kenya BPO Society Launches Standards and Ethics Guidelines
by Rebecca Wanjiku 24 Jun '08

24 Jun '08

http://www.cio.com/article/407415/Kenya_BPO_Society_Launches_Standards_and_… Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/

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Nairobi BarCamp a resounding success
by Brian Longwe 23 Jun '08

23 Jun '08

It happened last Saturday at the Jacaranda. I arrived late (7pm) and so missed all the good stuff, but was able to catch up with some of the organisers and a few of the bloggers and techies who had stayed behind. Reading up on the updates on the skunkworks blog - http://skunkworks-ke.blogspot.com/2008/06/digesting-barcamp-nairobi-2008-ju… we have some huge potential and creativity in our midst. Of particular interest to me is the suggestion/proposal to bring a similar grouping together and gather views that will form the basis for a position paper targetting government. It would be even better if we can get some of Kenya's budding Venture Capital / Private Equity community in on the action so that they can begin to learn and understand more about the ICT/tech space.... -- Brian Munyao Longwe e-mail: blongwe(a)gmail.com cell: + 254 722 518 744 blog : http://zinjlog.blogspot.com meta-blog: http://mashilingi.blogspot.com

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Strathmore University ICT Conference 2008 call for papers
by John Matogo 23 Jun '08

23 Jun '08

Dear colleagues and friends, For your information in case you had not seen it, do take note of the call for papers at this link: http://www.strathmore.edu/ictconference/2008/index.html Pass this on to others who may be interested. Regards, John Matogo Strathmore University Nairobi, KENYA ________________________________ Strathmore University provides all-round education in an atmosphere of freedom and responsibility. This email and any files transmitted with it are intended solely for use by the recipient(s) to whom it is addressed and may contain confidential information. If you have received this email in error please notify the sender immediately and permanently delete this email and/or any files attached to it from your computer. Please note that any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Strathmore University. The University accepts no liability whatsoever for any loss or damages incurred, or suffered, resulting, or arising, from the use of this email and/or its attachments. The University warrants neither the integrity of the e-mail nor its freedom from errors, viruses, interception or any other form of interference.

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Policy Issue Briefs: Key activities the ICANN community will be working on during the Paris meeting
by alice wanjira 22 Jun '08

22 Jun '08

Posted on ICANN's website at <http://www.icann.org/policy/briefs/> are /Policy Issue Briefs/ <http://www.icann.org/policy/briefs/> about some of the key activities the ICANN community is working on in Paris and beyond: Domain Name Monetization <http://www.icann.org/policy/briefs/domain-name-monetization-jun08.pdf> Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs) <http://www.icann.org/policy/briefs/internationalized-domain-names-jun08.pdf> New gTLDs <http://www.icann.org/policy/briefs/new-gtlds-jun08.pdf> WHOIS <http://www.icann.org/policy/briefs/whois-jun08.pdf> /Policy Issue Briefs/ <http://www.icann.org/policy/briefs/> are basic introductions to important areas of Internet policy development that are being addressed by the ICANN community's bottom-up, consensus based, policymaking structure. They are designed and written by ICANN Policy Staff to accommodate newcomers to ICANN, as well as ICANN issue veterans who may desire basic information on an unfamiliar issue. Translated versions of all /Issue Briefs/ will be available soon online. We would appreciate your suggestions of additional topics for future /Policy Issue Briefs <http://www.icann.org/policy/briefs/> -- /please send them to /policy-staff(a)icann.org <mailto:[email protected]>. /Comments on the substance of these /Issue Briefs/ is also welcome and should be sent to the same email address. We encourage people to go beyond these brief introductions (if they are not involved in these issues) and learn more about the work of the ICANN community. To facilitate this, links to information on current Policy development activities are provided in the left side-bar of this webpage <http://www.icann.org/policy/briefs/>, and we have included in each /Issue Brief/ URLs to additional information. We also invite you to receive regular updates on ICANN policy development activities via e-mail by subscribing to the monthly / //Policy Updates <http://www.icann.org/topics/policy/>/ (previous /Updates/ <http://www.icann.org/topics/policy/> can be found at <http://www.icann.org/topics/policy/>). To subscribe, simply visit the ICANN Subscription page <http://www.icann.org/newsletter/> at <http://icann.org/newsletter/>, enter your e-mail address, and then click on /ICANN Policy Update/. Thank you for your interest and participation in ICANN policy development. Regards, Denise Michel ICANN VP, Policy policy-staff(a)icann.org <mailto:[email protected]>

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Re: [kictanet] kictanet Digest, Vol 13, Issue 37
by Gilda Odera 20 Jun '08

20 Jun '08

Hi, Did I miss an email giving details of where to access the Master Plan or has it not been availed? Kind regards, Gilda Odera Managing Director Skyweb Technologies Ltd Tel: 254-20-2711446/2711760 Fax: 254-20-2713934 URL:www.skyweb.co.ke ----- Original Message ----- From: <kictanet-request(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> To: "Gilda Odera" <godera(a)skyweb.co.ke> Sent: Friday, June 20, 2008 12:00 PM Subject: kictanet Digest, Vol 13, Issue 37 > 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: Kenya's new registry system (wesley kiriinya) > 2. Re: ICT Master Plan debate (pwere(a)cascadegl.com) > 3. Policy Issue Briefs: Key activities the ICANN community will > be working on during the Paris meeting (alice wanjira) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Thu, 19 Jun 2008 07:26:46 -0700 (PDT) > From: wesley kiriinya <kiriinya2000(a)yahoo.com> > Subject: Re: [kictanet] Kenya's new registry system > To: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > Message-ID: <575580.74948.qm(a)web34701.mail.mud.yahoo.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" > > Security was 1 of the items I talked about. There is a thin line between > security being used as a wrong excuse not to implement a system and where > it's a real concern. > > Anyway if all appropriate measures have been taken then it's OK. As I > said, I appreciate that effort by the Gvmnt. > > --- On Thu, 6/19/08, Brian Longwe <blongwe(a)gmail.com> wrote: > From: Brian Longwe <blongwe(a)gmail.com> > Subject: Re: [kictanet] Kenya's new registry system > To: kiriinya2000(a)yahoo.com > Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > Date: Thursday, June 19, 2008, 11:48 AM > > I would like to balance this discussion by pointing out a historical > fact..... > > Due to "security" concerns our country was held back from a liberalised > telecoms industry for years. > > There were a lot of misplaced fears which originated from blanket > generalisations of new technology and a fear of loss of control by the > powers that be. > > > When I set up KIXP at the end of 2000, it was shut down within two weeks > because Telkom Kenya insinuated that it presented a national security > risk. It took us one whole year to educate, enlighten and lobby almost > every component of the Executive in order to get KIXP re-opened. > > > Today it is considered a 'national resource' and KRA even wants to have it > gazetted so that it can receive 24-hour physical security since it plays > such an integral part of Kenya's economy. > > I am not saying that we should blind ourselves to the consideration of > security concerns, just that it is very easy to further delays innovation > and development with hyped up discussions about security (or more > appropriately insecurity). > > > best, > > Brian > > -- > Brian Munyao Longwe > e-mail: blongwe(a)gmail.com > cell: + 254 722 518 744 > blog : zinjlog.blogspot.com > > > On Wed, Jun 11, 2008 at 11:40 PM, Judy Okite <judyokite(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > Gentlemen, > > all your arguments are in place.....unfortunately we do not have a cyber > crime law in place nor a data privacy law...(subject to be > corrected)....so before we go very far.....we need to make Kenyans > understand.... > > > > 1. What is personal/private data?....very few understand that and why it > may need to be protected... > > 2. what are the implications of the data,that this, system will hold, in > the hands of a third party?...from here...we can ask for a document for > public scrutiny.....what security measures...are in place...etc > > > > > Kind Regards, > > > On Wed, Jun 11, 2008 at 1:06 PM, <tyrus(a)icsit.jkuat.ac.ke> wrote: > > > Wesley, > > I totally agree with you on this point. > > > > Its one thing to set up a system where you will have citizens access their > > details and its another entirely different thing to ensure its security is > > not compromised. Even as these guys come up with this revolutionary > > system, am sure they have security in mind and even more importantly have > > taken the necessary steps to ensuring that its not compromised. What I > > always have qualms with as you are well aware of in skunkworks, is the > > reluctance by the developers or system operators to provide room for > > Independent Penetration Testing. Granted this is not a panacea for > > hack-proofing the system but will make the system devoid of common > > vulnerabilities like what we saw in the ipo website. > > > > In America, identity theft has occurred even on their secure servers alike > > but if you look at the frequency, its relatively low since tests are > > carried out on the system very often and when loop holes are discovered > > relevant authorities are informed. > > > > > > Its a very novel idea the Government is pursuing but even as we speak > > there are notable Govt bodies whose IT infrastructure's security is very > > sketchy. If there was a dedicated body in the ICT Board to dedicatedly > > look into security issues regarding IT growth and implementation, I guess > > there would be standards set even when putting a very basic implementation > > like a web-site. > > > > Regards, > > > > "fyodor" > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > kictanet mailing list > > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > > > This message was sent to: judyokite(a)gmail.com > > Unsubscribe or change your options at > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/judyokite%40gmail.com > > > > > > > -- > > 'Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. > ' > Martin Luther King, Jr. > > _______________________________________________ > > kictanet mailing list > > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > > > This message was sent to: blongwe(a)gmail.com > > Unsubscribe or change your options at > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/blongwe%40gmail.com > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > 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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ICT Master Plan debate
by Wainaina Mungai 20 Jun '08

20 Jun '08

>From submissions so far; 1. There is a draft Master plan with a summary in circulation. 2. There is a general feeling that ICT projects are being implemented in a disjointed manner. 3. The Ministry of Info&Comm. under Dr. Ndemo's leadership, has made commendable progress in the ICT arena. 4. Alot of work remains to be done, including the finalisation of a comprehensive Master Plan through a consultative process and honest positions by all stakeholders. 5. The failure of Parliament to pass ICT-related Bills should be a concern for all stakeholders (esp. the Media who had complaints about the cross-ownership clause) and not an opportunity to shoot the messenger. 6. We have come a long way from the days of fighting (with policymakers/govt) for an National ICT Policy and must now shift gears to a complemetary approach. That is the respectful way to go about this debate as alluded to by Lucy. 7. Now, could the Ministry/PS kindly circulate electronic versions of draft documents for a more informed discussion on this list? That should put some flesh on this skeleton we have so far overworked. Good day, Wainaina -- Made in Kenya Network P. O. Box 72031 - 00200 Nairobi. Kenya Tel: +254-20-3590451 Cel: +254-722-811171 Cel: +254-735-370840 www.madeinkenya.org www.bungesms.com www.pamonet.org

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Re: [kictanet] Kenya's new registry system
by tyrus＠icsit.jkuat.ac.ke 19 Jun '08

19 Jun '08

Wesley, I totally agree with you on this point. Its one thing to set up a system where you will have citizens access their details and its another entirely different thing to ensure its security is not compromised. Even as these guys come up with this revolutionary system, am sure they have security in mind and even more importantly have taken the necessary steps to ensuring that its not compromised. What I always have qualms with as you are well aware of in skunkworks, is the reluctance by the developers or system operators to provide room for Independent Penetration Testing. Granted this is not a panacea for hack-proofing the system but will make the system devoid of common vulnerabilities like what we saw in the ipo website. In America, identity theft has occurred even on their secure servers alike but if you look at the frequency, its relatively low since tests are carried out on the system very often and when loop holes are discovered relevant authorities are informed. Its a very novel idea the Government is pursuing but even as we speak there are notable Govt bodies whose IT infrastructure's security is very sketchy. If there was a dedicated body in the ICT Board to dedicatedly look into security issues regarding IT growth and implementation, I guess there would be standards set even when putting a very basic implementation like a web-site. Regards, "fyodor"

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