- KICTANet - KICTANet

Re: [Kictanet] US RETAINS INTERNET CONTROL-as Kenyan Govt Cracks down on Broadcasting Station
by John Walubengo 17 Nov '05

17 Nov '05

Meanwhile, back home, the .KE govt shut down a local broadcasting station in a move reminiscent to the old days of a former Kenyan regime. The station is assured that they will be back on air AFTER the crucial referendum vote on a proposed National constitution scheduled for early next week... mhhhh...very interesting and contentious development on the local ICT scene. walu. >>> <alice(a)apc.org> 11/17/05 07:06am >>> US RETAINS INTERNET CONTROL 17.11.2005. 10:36:34 Control of the domain name system that governs internet traffic will remain in US hands under an agreement adopted at a United Nations technology summit in Tunisia. Under the eleventh- hour deal the California-based Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (Icann), which answers to the US government, will remain in control of the daily management of the internet. The European Union says the agreement will lead to "further internationalisation of Internet governance, and enhanced intergovernmental cooperation to this end". But despite EU pressure, there is no mechanism forcing United States to share oversight of the domain name system. US Ambassador David Mr Gross, who is the head of the US delegation at the meeting, says the deal essentially endorsed the status quo. "There's nothing new in this document that wasn't already out there before," Ambassador Gross said. Nations such as China and Iran had been pushing for an international body under UN auspices to oversee the net. Widening the web The three-day meeting, convened by more than 170 countries, aims to find ways to use information communication technologies to help improve living standards in some of the world's poorest nations. Opening the event, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan called on the world to do more to narrow the technology gap between rich and poor. But worldwide only 14% of the population is online, compared with 62% in the US. In his address to the meeting, Mr Annan said that "for far too many people, the gains remain out of reach". "There is a tremendous yearning, not for technology per se, but for what technology can make possible," he said, urging delegates to take action. "The hurdles are more of a political than financial nature," he added. "It is possible to lower the costs of connectivity, computers and mobile phones." But money remains a key issue. A voluntary Digital Solidarity Fund intended to help finance technology projects in developing countries has so far only raised $9 million in cash and pledges. "The challenge to the developing world is now to make sure they have the infrastructure, rules, legal processes and the market systems to attract the investment of the technologies that we see on display at the summit," said US Assistant Secretary for Commerce Michael Gallagher. Wind-up Computer At the conference, team of researchers from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) unveiled a wind-up laptop computer that can be bought for as little as $130- a price tag low enough to offer bring the benefits of the Internet to many people living in developing countries. The relatively basic machine uses a 500 MHz processor and is installed with the reliable and free Linux operating system. Other features include wireless Internet connectivity and a small, 1 Gigabyte memory space, still enough to allow users to access the Internet. The most outstanding feature is a crank-handle fitted on one side of the machine that allows its battery to be recharged by manual winding - a precious asset where access to electrical power is scarce. The model, which is scheduled to go into production in 2006, will not be available for sale but will be distributed to schools directly through large government initiatives. A new, non-profit association, One Laptop per Child (OLPC), has been created to co-ordinate the computer's distribution. The aim is to produce some five million units a year, with the first models destined for distribution in Brazil, China, Egypt, South Africa and Thailand. SOURCE: World News Dig Africa site welcomes you to join us at http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/Digafrica Also if you are interested to join a Swahili/English discussion group click http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/kiswahili -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS a.. Visit your group "DigAfrica" on the web. b.. To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: DigAfrica-unsubscribe(a)yahoogroups.com c.. Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet

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Fw: [MemberPubPol] the future of the net
by Alex Gakuru 17 Nov '05

17 Nov '05

Try locating the consumer. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Fred Baker" <fred(a)cisco.com> To: <memberpubpol(a)elists.isoc.org> Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2005 4:12 AM Subject: Re: [MemberPubPol] the future of the net > Points to ponder > > http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/8673 > > _______________________________________________ > Memberpubpol mailing list > Memberpubpol(a)elists.isoc.org > http://elists.isoc.org/mailman/listinfo/memberpubpol > __________________________________ Yahoo! Mail - PC Magazine Editors' Choice 2005 http://mail.yahoo.com

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US RETAINS INTERNET CONTROL
by alice＠apc.org 17 Nov '05

17 Nov '05

US RETAINS INTERNET CONTROL 17.11.2005. 10:36:34 Control of the domain name system that governs internet traffic will remain in US hands under an agreement adopted at a United Nations technology summit in Tunisia. Under the eleventh- hour deal the California-based Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (Icann), which answers to the US government, will remain in control of the daily management of the internet. The European Union says the agreement will lead to "further internationalisation of Internet governance, and enhanced intergovernmental cooperation to this end". But despite EU pressure, there is no mechanism forcing United States to share oversight of the domain name system. US Ambassador David Mr Gross, who is the head of the US delegation at the meeting, says the deal essentially endorsed the status quo. "There's nothing new in this document that wasn't already out there before," Ambassador Gross said. Nations such as China and Iran had been pushing for an international body under UN auspices to oversee the net. Widening the web The three-day meeting, convened by more than 170 countries, aims to find ways to use information communication technologies to help improve living standards in some of the world's poorest nations. Opening the event, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan called on the world to do more to narrow the technology gap between rich and poor. But worldwide only 14% of the population is online, compared with 62% in the US. In his address to the meeting, Mr Annan said that "for far too many people, the gains remain out of reach". "There is a tremendous yearning, not for technology per se, but for what technology can make possible," he said, urging delegates to take action. "The hurdles are more of a political than financial nature," he added. "It is possible to lower the costs of connectivity, computers and mobile phones." But money remains a key issue. A voluntary Digital Solidarity Fund intended to help finance technology projects in developing countries has so far only raised $9 million in cash and pledges. "The challenge to the developing world is now to make sure they have the infrastructure, rules, legal processes and the market systems to attract the investment of the technologies that we see on display at the summit," said US Assistant Secretary for Commerce Michael Gallagher. Wind-up Computer At the conference, team of researchers from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) unveiled a wind-up laptop computer that can be bought for as little as $130- a price tag low enough to offer bring the benefits of the Internet to many people living in developing countries. The relatively basic machine uses a 500 MHz processor and is installed with the reliable and free Linux operating system. Other features include wireless Internet connectivity and a small, 1 Gigabyte memory space, still enough to allow users to access the Internet. The most outstanding feature is a crank-handle fitted on one side of the machine that allows its battery to be recharged by manual winding - a precious asset where access to electrical power is scarce. The model, which is scheduled to go into production in 2006, will not be available for sale but will be distributed to schools directly through large government initiatives. A new, non-profit association, One Laptop per Child (OLPC), has been created to co-ordinate the computer's distribution. The aim is to produce some five million units a year, with the first models destined for distribution in Brazil, China, Egypt, South Africa and Thailand. SOURCE: World News Dig Africa site welcomes you to join us at http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/Digafrica Also if you are interested to join a Swahili/English discussion group click http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/kiswahili -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS a.. Visit your group "DigAfrica" on the web. b.. To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: DigAfrica-unsubscribe(a)yahoogroups.com c.. Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Media Institute
by Dorcas Muthoni 16 Nov '05

16 Nov '05

FYI, There exists a Media Institute in Kenya (http://www.kenyanews.com/index.html) Regards, Muthoni

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Fw: [Chapter-delegates] Update from WSIS - Monday 14 November
by Alex Gakuru 15 Nov '05

15 Nov '05

FYI, ----- Original Message ----- From: <shears(a)isoc.org> To: <chapter-delegates(a)elists.isoc.org> Sent: Tuesday, November 15, 2005 4:05 PM Subject: [Chapter-delegates] Update from WSIS - Monday 14 November > Dear all, > > Please find below a report on the highlights from yesterday's Internet > Governance sessions in Tunis. > > Best, > > Matthew > > > -------------------------------------------------------------- > > > Sub-committee A on Internet Governance > > The discussion opened with Canada giving a read-out on the points of > consensus that had been agreed the night before. As was expected the > discussion quickly turned to oversight and new models after a number of > statements related to ccTLDs and the role of government. The discussion > turned to ICANN and the role of the GAC in particular, with a number of > delegations suggesting that change was not moving fast or far enough. > Other countries also suggested that new rules were needed for gTLDs, > mentioning the XXX domain name issue. The Chair called the meeting to a > close and suggested that he distribute a new Chair's paper for the section > related to follow-up mechanisms. The paper was introduced in the > afternoon after two presentations by ICANN, one from the President and one > from the Chair of the GAC addressing the proposed evolution of the GAC and > its role in ICANN. > > The Chair's paper (see link below) built on the Canadian group areas of > consensus and also elaborated considerably on the Forum function, moving > directly to a proposal for an Internet Governance Forum. There were a > range of comments from delegations from outright support to immediate > bracketing (not agreed) of significant portions of text. It was at this > juncture that Australia, Canada and the United States indicated their > concern with the role of the UN Secretary General in establishing the > Forum and proposed that ISOC be considered in that capacity. Shortly > thereafter the meeting was adjourned and split into three working groups > to address different parts of the Chair's text. Upon read-out of the > working groups, and specifically the working group reviewing the Forum > text, there appeared to be no consensus for ISOC's role, but this issue is > not yet closed. We understand that comments supportive of ISOC's role in > the Forum (rather than convener) were made by a number of delegations. > Discussions continued but were characterized by significant bracketing of > text. The meeting was adjourned and a new text was to be prepared for the > following morning. It is not yet clear what the outcome of these > discussions will be as much is still in play. > > Additional information: there is a continuous effort to downplay the role > of the existing players with the intent of marginalizing their role going > forward. This position is usually accompanied by the call for some need > for additional (government) oversight. > > http://www.itu.int/wsis/documents/doc_multi.asp?lang=en&id=2125|2247|2246|2… > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > Chapter-delegates mailing list > Chapter-delegates(a)elists.isoc.org > http://elists.isoc.org/mailman/listinfo/chapter-delegates > __________________________________ Start your day with Yahoo! - Make it your home page! http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs

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Re: Fw: BSA in Kenya?
by Wainaina Mungai 15 Nov '05

15 Nov '05

Waudo, I believe one way of limiting software piracy is my making licenced software affordable. Enforcement of expensive software licences has already proved ineffective. --- Wainaina Mungai http://www.madeinkenya.org SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. > -------Original Message------- > From: waudo siganga <emailsignet(a)mailcan.com> > Subject: Re: Fw: BSA in Kenya? > Sent: 15 Nov '05 12:17 > > Microsoft has been active in BSA activity in Kenya. It is very > importatnt that we discourage piracy of software which is very high > particularly in Africa. > > Kind Regards, > Waudo > > > On Mon, 14 Nov 2005 18:21:28 +0300, alice(a)apc.org said: > > Hi All > > > > Anyone with information/knowledge about the Business Software Alliance > > mentioned below. > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: "Tina James" <tina(a)trigrammic.com> > > To: "Alice Wanjira" <alice(a)apc.org> > > Sent: Monday, November 14, 2005 10:42 AM > > Subject: BSA in Kenya? > > > > > > > Hi Alice > > > > > > Do you have any idea of how active the Business Software Alliance (BSA) is > > > in Kenya and East Africa? They are made up of large multinational > > > companies > > > that are starting to prosecute people and particularly governments and > > > large > > > institutions who are using pirated software? I just thought you may have > > > come across them through KICTANET and KEPSA / KIF. > > > > > > Cheers > > > Tina > > > _________________ > > > Tina James > > > > > > > > > Trigrammic > > > P O Box 72267 > > > Lynnwood Ridge > > > 0040 South Africa > > > > > > Tel/Fax: +27 12 346-8264 > > > Mobile: +27 82 460-7915 > > > e-mail: tina(a)trigrammic.com > > > URL: www.trigrammic.com > > > > > > > -- > waudo siganga > emailsignet(a)mailcan.com > > -- > http://www.fastmail.fm - Choose from over 50 domains or use your own > > > --- > Submitted by: Waudo Siganga - (Int. address) <emailsignet(a)mailcan.com> 2005-11-15 04:23:16 EST5 > (Please reply to original submitter for private communication) > --- > You are currently subscribed to kiplist-cl as: [wainaina(a)madeinkenya.org] > To unsubscribe, forward this message to leave-kiplist-cl-123256Q(a)lyris.idrc.ca >

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Selling Software?
by John Walubengo 15 Nov '05

15 Nov '05

Wainaina, I wouldn't even try to make licensed software (any) cheaper. The idea of 'selling' software is in itself questionable. I would prefer to imagine that software (programs or instructions given to computers) is like a (food) recipe. One does NOT sell recipees, infact recipees are shared by neighbours freely around the world. What one should instead sell is the skill and time used to convert the recipe into an end product (food). User's and professionals should therefore have full access to instructions (software, recipe), and using their talent and skills, they can cost and sell their time spend in customising software solutions that suits the local environment. Such 'customised' solutions should still be open and available to the next user/professional who may wish to further customise a subsequent solution from the preceding solution (while charging for the time spend in doing so). But hey, it is a big debate and would (should) feature in the deliberations at Tunis. walu. >>> "Wainaina Mungai" <wainaina(a)madeinkenya.org> 11/15/05 12:26pm >>> Waudo, I believe one way of limiting software piracy is my making licenced software affordable. Enforcement of expensive software licences has already proved ineffective. --- Wainaina Mungai http://www.madeinkenya.org SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. > -------Original Message------- > From: waudo siganga <emailsignet(a)mailcan.com> > Subject: Re: Fw: BSA in Kenya? > Sent: 15 Nov '05 12:17 > > Microsoft has been active in BSA activity in Kenya. It is very > importatnt that we discourage piracy of software which is very high > particularly in Africa. > > Kind Regards, > Waudo > > > On Mon, 14 Nov 2005 18:21:28 +0300, alice(a)apc.org said: > > Hi All > > > > Anyone with information/knowledge about the Business Software Alliance > > mentioned below. > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: "Tina James" <tina(a)trigrammic.com> > > To: "Alice Wanjira" <alice(a)apc.org> > > Sent: Monday, November 14, 2005 10:42 AM > > Subject: BSA in Kenya? > > > > > > > Hi Alice > > > > > > Do you have any idea of how active the Business Software Alliance (BSA) is > > > in Kenya and East Africa? They are made up of large multinational > > > companies > > > that are starting to prosecute people and particularly governments and > > > large > > > institutions who are using pirated software? I just thought you may have > > > come across them through KICTANET and KEPSA / KIF. > > > > > > Cheers > > > Tina > > > _________________ > > > Tina James > > > > > > > > > Trigrammic > > > P O Box 72267 > > > Lynnwood Ridge > > > 0040 South Africa > > > > > > Tel/Fax: +27 12 346-8264 > > > Mobile: +27 82 460-7915 > > > e-mail: tina(a)trigrammic.com > > > URL: www.trigrammic.com > > > > > > > -- > waudo siganga > emailsignet(a)mailcan.com > > -- > http://www.fastmail.fm - Choose from over 50 domains or use your own > > > --- > Submitted by: Waudo Siganga - (Int. address) <emailsignet(a)mailcan.com> 2005-11-15 04:23:16 EST5 > (Please reply to original submitter for private communication) > --- > You are currently subscribed to kiplist-cl as: [wainaina(a)madeinkenya.org] > To unsubscribe, forward this message to leave-kiplist-cl-123256Q(a)lyris.idrc.ca > _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet

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Fw: Urgent - BRIDGE needs 3 Research and Communications Assistants
by alice＠apc.org 14 Nov '05

14 Nov '05

Research and Communications Assistant (Ref: 100 and 101) Two posts, Three month fixed term contracts, Full Time (35 hours per week) BRIDGE seeks two skilled researchers and abstracters to join the BRIDGE team for three months. S/he will need a broad knowledge of gender and development theory, policy and practice and have excellent writing skills in order to produce summaries of information sources in a high quality, concise and readable style. One of the positions will be working primarily on the BRIDGE-hosted Siyanda (www.siyanda.org) gender resource (Ref: 100) and the other position will be working on a collaborative project between BRIDGE/Siyanda and the ELDIS (www.eldis.org) Gender Resource Guide (Ref: 101). Please note that the above posts do not meet the UK Home Office requirement for work permit criteria, therefore, we will be unable to recruit applicants who do not have the right to live and work in the UK. Closing date: Wednesday 16 November 2005 (11:00). Interview date: w/c 28 November. Start date: As soon as possible. Salary: £20,044 per annum, notional. Research and Communications Assistant (Ref: 102) One year fixed term contract, Full Time (35 hours per week) BRIDGE (www.bridge.ids.ac.uk) the gender and development research and information team at IDS is seeking a skilled gender and development researcher, trained to postgraduate level, to join the team. The candidate will need a broad knowledge of gender and development theory, policy and practice. The role primarily involves: research and writing support to team members; writing of accessible summaries that draw out key lessons for policy-makers and practitioners; supporting the implementation of the BRIDGE monitoring and evaluation strategy; and networking, information dissemination and publicity-related tasks. The candidate will need to be a team player and have strong analytical and versatile writing skills. As an experienced and creative researcher, they should be familiar with gender information sources. Language (French, Spanish, Arabic or Chinese), monitoring and evaluation and web-authoring skills would be an advantage. Closing date: Wednesday 16 November (11:00). Interview date: w/c 28 November. Start date: As soon as possible. Salary: £20,044-£22,289 per annum, notional, dependent on experience. OFFICIAL APPLICATION FORMS ONLY For further information and to download an application form please log on to www.ids.ac.uk/ids/news/recruit/index.html Alternatively, to receive a hard copy, please either: Call into the HR department, Room 104, Institute of Development Studies; Email Human Resources, hr(a)ids.ac.uk; or call our confidential answerphone 01273 678682 [Int +44 1273] Please ensure that you quote the appropriate reference number. We strongly encourage applications from all sections of the community regardless of race, sex, disability, HIV/AIDS, sexuality and age. Paola Brambilla Communications Assistant/Consultant BRIDGE Institute of Development Studies University of Sussex Brighton, BN1 9RE email: P.Brambilla(a)ids.ac.uk <mailto:P.Brambilla@ids.ac.uk> Visit our websites! http://www.bridge.ids.ac.uk/ <http://www.bridge.ids.ac.uk/> to download our Bridge reports http://www.siyanda.org/ <http://www.siyanda.org/> for a great range of gender focused development material --- You are currently subscribed to inbrief as: alice(a)apc.org To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-inbrief-217378D(a)lyris.ids.ac.uk

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Fw: BSA in Kenya?
by alice＠apc.org 14 Nov '05

14 Nov '05

Hi All Anyone with information/knowledge about the Business Software Alliance mentioned below. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Tina James" <tina(a)trigrammic.com> To: "Alice Wanjira" <alice(a)apc.org> Sent: Monday, November 14, 2005 10:42 AM Subject: BSA in Kenya? > Hi Alice > > Do you have any idea of how active the Business Software Alliance (BSA) is > in Kenya and East Africa? They are made up of large multinational > companies > that are starting to prosecute people and particularly governments and > large > institutions who are using pirated software? I just thought you may have > come across them through KICTANET and KEPSA / KIF. > > Cheers > Tina > _________________ > Tina James > > > Trigrammic > P O Box 72267 > Lynnwood Ridge > 0040 South Africa > > Tel/Fax: +27 12 346-8264 > Mobile: +27 82 460-7915 > e-mail: tina(a)trigrammic.com > URL: www.trigrammic.com > >

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Fw: [Chapter-delegates] Update from WSIS PrepCom in Tunis
by Alex Gakuru 14 Nov '05

14 Nov '05

----- Original Message ----- From: <shears(a)isoc.org> To: <chapter-delegates(a)elists.isoc.org> Sent: Monday, November 14, 2005 1:57 PM Subject: [Chapter-delegates] Update from WSIS PrepCom in Tunis > > Dear all, > > Please find below a report on the highlights from yesterday's sessions in > Tunis. > > Should you have questions, comments, don't hesitate. Also please share > any insights, intelligence. > > And if you are at WSIS, don't forget to come by the Internet Pavilion. > > Best, > > Matthew > > -------------------------------------------------------------- > > > PrepCom 3 Resumed in Tunis, 13 November 2005. > > Sub-Committee A on Internet Governance > > After brief opening comments, the session moved straight into > Sub-Committee A, picking up where the discussion had left off in Geneva. > Opening statements from the CCBI and the Chinese delegation left no doubt > in the minds of others present that the diversity of views had not > lessened since Geneva. As was to be expected, a number of countries > talked about, inter alia, a role for the UN, either with regarding the > Forum or oversight mechanisms, the need for recognition of the legitimate > concerns of governments regarding ccTLDs, while others called for > safeguarding the security and stability of the Internet. > > After an hour of general statements the Chair took the temperature of the > room by summarizing the debate at that point. He noted that the group > worked on a basis of consensus and that they only had some 13 hours of > negotiating time left. He noted the polarized range of views and used > this to focus on the common ground, seeking to move forward in that area. > A number of delegations agreed with this approach going forward and the > Chair asked Canada and a smaller group of countries to work up a list of > consensus areas. During the Canadian-led discussion there was general > agreement on the need for some sort of a Forum function, among others, BUT > this was qualified by recognition that the agreement was subject to > further discussion and reaching agreement on its mandate. > > Sub-Committee B on the Political Chapeau, Financial Mechanisms and > Implementation and Follow-up (thanks to Sebastian Ricciardi from the ISOC > Argentinean chapter for his report). > > While not as contentious perhaps as the discussion on Internet governance, > and with text closer to finalization, discussion in Subcommittee B > revolved around a cluster of sensitive issues: human rights, freedom of > expression and sovereignty. Recognizing the diversity of views on these > issues, Iran and Norway were asked to enter into informal consultations > and come up with a language for read-out the following day. > > Discussion of other complicated and wide-ranging issues such as the gender > divide, corporate responsibility of transnational corporations and > assistance to children followed, although in the latter case it was not > possible to address them in any specificity. Another area of controversy > related to technology transfer with suggestions that "preferential terms" > should be used in international documents - the United States, among > others, said that most technology transfer is done by the private sector > and that they should determine the terms under which such transfers should > be undertaken. > > As to implementation of WSIS follow-up, two schools of thought became > apparent regarding detailing the stakeholders who would undertake such > follow-up. The group that proposes a full listing of involved parties and > their respective roles - largely UN/ITU and other intergovernmental > organizations - one the one hand, and the group that wishes to be less > prescriptive and more flexible as to how does what on the other. Concerns > related to multi-stakeholder participation were also raised in this > context, with a focus on not prejudging who might implement that > follow-up. > > Finally, there was agreement for the need for a World Information Society > Day, date to be decided. > > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > Chapter-delegates mailing list > Chapter-delegates(a)elists.isoc.org > http://elists.isoc.org/mailman/listinfo/chapter-delegates > __________________________________ Yahoo! Mail - PC Magazine Editors' Choice 2005 http://mail.yahoo.com

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