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Fwd: Washington Post: Web industry officials balk at domain expansion plan
by waudo siganga 15 Jul '13

15 Jul '13

Could be of interest [1]http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology/web-industry-officials-b alk-at-domain-expansion-plan/2013/07/14/c69dcda4-ea69-11e2-a301-ea5a8116d211_ story.html?utm_source=buffer&utm_campaign=Buffer&utm_content=buffer4db6b&utm_ medium=twitter Web industry officials balk at domain expansion plan By [2]Craig Timberg, Published: July 14 A plan to dramatically expand the [3]number of possible Web addresses — by adding more than 1,000 new domains such as “.buy,” “.casino” and “.gay” — could cause widespread disruption to Internet operations, say some industry officials. Efforts to augment existing domains such as “.com” and “.gov” have been underway for several years and are entering a critical new phase as industry officials meet at an international conference that began Sunday in Durban, South Africa. By summer’s end, the new domains could be going live at a pace of 20 or more each week. The plan has touched off a scramble among investors eager to gain control of the virgin Internet real estate, potentially worth billions of dollars in annual licensing fees. But a vocal group of critics is calling the speed and scale of the expansion reckless, given its possible impact on the Internet’s global infrastructure, which relies on interactions among computer networks owned by companies, universities and individual users. Particularly troubling is the possibility of widespread “name collisions” that could happen when domains used by internal corporate computer systems — such as “.corp” or “.home” — get assigned to the Web more broadly. This could cause systems to fail, blocking access to e-mail or other internal programs, and also could open sensitive information to theft, some experts say. “This could affect a million enterprises,” said Danny McPherson, chief security officer for Verisign, which is based in Reston and manages several of the most popular existing domains. “It could absolutely break things.” McPherson and other security experts say the nonprofit group that oversees the designation of Web addresses, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (usually known by its acronym, [4]ICANN), has not done enough study on the impact of the new domain names and does not have procedures in place to respond quickly if systems malfunction. Among those posing risk could be domains such as “.med” or “.center” that might be critical to the functioning of medical systems or emergency-response networks. Similar concerns have been expressed by the Association of National Advertisers, which represents hundreds of major companies, and the Internet commerce site PayPal, which issued a letter in March saying, “The potential for malicious abuse is extraordinary, [and] the incidental damage will be large even in the absence of malicious intent.” Defenders of the plan have called such fears overblown, arguing that the potential problems have been long understood and will be resolved before new domains are approved. Because the new domains will be released gradually, over the course of months, there will be time to manage problems as they arise, said Jeffrey Moss, chief security officer for ICANN. “It’s not like it’s a runaway train without recourse,” Moss said. “We’re not going to do anything that harms the security or stability of the Internet.” [5]U.S. officials who oversee Web security issues through the Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration expressed confidence in the management of the domain program, issuing a statement saying, “We would expect these issues to be discussed and resolved within the ICANN multistakeholder process.” Whoever wins control of the new domains will be allowed to sell licensing rights for the resulting new Web addresses, typically for annual fees, with a portion going to fund ICANN, which is based in Southern California. Just bidding for a domain costs $185,000. [6]Donuts Inc., an investment group that made the largest number of bids, with 307, said Verisign’s criticism of the process for launching the new domains was a result of self-interest. The company controls the popular “.com” and “.net” domains — giving it a degree of market power that could be diluted if new ones gain widespread acceptance. “ICANN was created in large part to break Verisign’s monopoly over domain names,” Donuts spokesman Mason Cole said in a statement. “Now that the organization is on the verge of achieving that goal, it’s not surprising that Verisign is uncomfortable.” Verisign officials say they support the program for adding new domains but believe the rollout should proceed more cautiously than currently planned. The stakes are high in an era when a large and growing share of the world’s economic activity happens over the Internet. Even traditional brick-and-mortar businesses use online systems to communicate, manage inventories and interact with customers. Many also count on the security of networked computer systems to protect lucrative intellectual property and other valuable strategic information. Moss, the ICANN security chief, acknowledged that some internal corporate systems will malfunction as new domains are created, and he said it would be the responsibility of company officials to resolve these problems. “We want everything to work, and we’re going to try to make everything work, but we can’t control everybody’s networks on the planet,” he said. Moss said the number of domains likely to cause problems is a “really, really small number.” But critics have said it is irresponsible for ICANN to approve new domains before it knows the extent of the problems they would create and has plans in place to fix them. The cost of repairing systems — or the loss of security — would be borne by private companies that in most cases have little to gain from the hundreds of new Internet domains. In addition to expressing such security concerns, corporate leaders have been complaining that the sheer number of new domains will cause a sharp rise in fraud and abuse as criminals buy up Web addresses intended to deceive consumers. Already, many companies are attempting to defend against this by acquiring many different Web addresses that include their corporate names. But that will become far more difficult, they say, with hundreds of new domains, including “.corp,” “.inc” and “.sucks.” “If everything ran perfectly, this would extraordinarily transform the Internet,” said Dan Jaffe, executive vice president of the Association of National Advertisers. “There is every reason to believe that, as of now, there could be serious problems.” References 1. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology/web-industry-officials-ba… 2. http://www.washingtonpost.com/craig-timberg/2011/05/17/AFM2rbAH_page.html 3. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology/donuts-incs-major-play-fo… 4. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology/icann-set-to-release-list… 5. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/28/AR201102280… 6. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/donuts-inc-and-its-domain-duel/2012/…

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Regulator allows telcos to join fund after 3-year tussle
by Grace Githaiga 12 Jul '13

12 Jul '13

IN SUMMARYCommunications Commission of Kenya (CCK) said it had expanded the membership of the Universal Service Advisory Council (USAC) to nine from six to include representatives of the telcos, broadcasters and postal operators.The move ends a three-year standoff that had stalled the fund, which was to receive 0.5 per cent of revenues from firms regulated by the CCK like Nation Media, Safaricom and Postal Corporation of Kenya. http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Corporate-News/Regulator-allows-telcos-t…

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Laptops4Schools
by robert yawe 12 Jul '13

12 Jul '13

Hi, As many of you are aware yesterday KICTANET held a forum at Strathmore to come up with a position paper on the Class 1 Laptop project that will be rolling out in January 2014. We had a number of very enlightening position papers but most important was a presentation by the Ministry of Education on the project. Your core team will be compiling the final report which will be presented on behalf of KICTANET to the relevant government and parliamentary groups on the 19th of July 2013. Regards Robert Yawe KAY System Technologies Ltd Phoenix House, 6th Floor P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200 Kenya Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696

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KIC (Amendement) Bill - Communications during emergency
by Edith Adera 11 Jul '13

11 Jul '13

Listers, I managed to catch the tail end of the stakeholder deliberations today, and wonder if I'm the only one uncomfortable with this section below in the Kenya Information and Communication Bill? Am I unduly concerned or others feel the same? Worth debating? Concerned Edith =============== 102B. (1) Upon the declaration of a state of emergency under Article 58 of the Constitution, the Authority may give a direction to any communications service provider that their entitlement to provide communication services has either been: (a) suspended, either generally or in relation to specific services, networks or facilities ; or (b) restricted or modified with respect to the provisions given in the direction. (2) The restriction or modification under subsection (1) (b) of this section may include- (a) provisions for the taking, removal, addition, construction, control or the usage for purposes of mitigating public emergencies or disasters of, all or any such communication system, equipment or services under this Act; and (b) provisions for the stopping, delaying and censoring of messages and broadcasts and the carrying out of any other purposes which the Authority thinks necessary to facilitate the direction given. (3) A direction under this section shall apply only for the duration of the state of emergency

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As the Snowden privacy debate rages...We must find some humor in it..
by Ali Hussein 11 Jul '13

11 Jul '13

Listers Once in a while we must laugh.. Enjoy *Ali Hussein* *CEO, 3mice interactive media ltd* *Partner, Telemedia Africa Ltd * Tel: +254713601113 Twitter: @AliHKassim Skype: abu-jomo LinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim<http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim> Blog: www.alyhussein.com <https://plus.google.com/_/notifications/emlink?emr=08835256869445742222&emi…> <https://plus.google.com/_/notifications/emlink?emr=08835256869445742222&emi…>

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Looking for teaching aids dvds for lower primary school
by Barrack Otieno 10 Jul '13

10 Jul '13

Anyone with an idea where in can buy Maths English and vocational skills. Does cyberschools stock this? Needed urgently

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FYI - KPA PRESS RELEASE ON LAPTOP STANDARD ONE CHILD PROGRAMME
by Matunda Nyanchama 09 Jul '13

09 Jul '13

FYI -------------------------- July 8th, 2013 PRESS RELEASE ON LAPTOP STANDARD ONE CHILD PROGRAMME RE: ONE LAPTOP PER-STANDARD ONE CHILD PROGRAMME We in the publishing industry in Kenya recognise our central role as key players in the production of educational materials – such as digital content, text books and other related teaching aids – for use in all schools in the delivery and implementation of the requisite school curriculum. We further recognise and appreciate the role of the Ministry of Education – and its specialised arms like the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) – in policy formulation and provision of the supportive legislation framework aimed at enhancing Public-Private partnership in the administration and service of the education sector. Kenya Publishers Association (KPA), is a reliable partner in education. More importantly, we are always prepared to make the necessary sacrifices and investment enhancements in terms of finance, time, personnel and technology in order to assist the government deliver on its mandate in the education sector. This, we have done many times even at the shortest of time. In this regard, KPA suggest for the successful implementation of the Government’s one laptop per-child project from January 2014 in all Kenyan public schools a number of recommendations with the mutual aim of ensuring successful implementation of the project and surmounting the challenges experienced in other countries that have attempted to implement a similar programme: 1. TEACHERTRAINING For the laptop project to be successful there will be need for teacher training on how to use the devices. Publishers are ready and willing to use our pool of industry expertise to collaborate with the MoE to offer the requisite teacher training – as they have done over the years by conducting teachers’ seminars and workshop on effective ways of using the Instructional Materials we publish in curriculum implementation. 2. WHAT GADGET WOULD BE APPROPRIATE FOR THE PROGRAMME? The gadget that the MoE purchases has to take into consideration various factors such as: a) Effectiveness to user; b) Ease of local availability c) Price affordability d) Training availability e) Simplicity of software update f) Convenience of infrastructural factors like power g) Ragged enough for the level of student using it (durability) h) Affordability of software being used i) Internet-enabled? j) CD Rom-compatibility k) Flash disc applicability, etc All these factors and more need to be considered. KPA suggests that the MoE carefully considers the basic two factors below: · Policy: MOE policy should guide on the gadget to be used. · Procurement:Purchasing and sustainability of the programme. Publishers’ content would greatly determine what gadget the MoE would purchase. 3. PILOTING The MoE needs to sufficiently prepare and pretest with a pilot project and if a pilot test has been done KPA would appreciate to see the outcome to find ways that it can serve the MoE laptop project better. KPA is ready to be part of the testing and piloting if none has been done in the spirit of public-private partnership. 4. PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS The most vibrant education systems that deliver results have one common element: a strong public-private sector alliance that allows the private sector to invest in education services and products (including text books, reference materials, digital and educational solutions in general) and leaves the government to play the facilitative role of policy formulation and crafting of the enabling legislative framework. The government should not waste time and resources in areas where the private sector can make the greatest contribution. For the laptop programme to be effective it has to be wholly inclusive and relevant personnel in both Ministries of Education and ICT should be ready to be engaged and share information with publishers and other stakeholders; for the best way forward. Publishers contribute about 98% of all curriculum support materials that are used in our education institutions today. As we speak, KPA members have sufficient digital curriculum support materials, adequate for the roll out of the lap top project. However, we believe that the government would have been better advised to roll out a more structured and all inclusive ICT platform in primary and secondary schools, probably at the same or cheaper cost. Never the less, we are ready to support the MOE in provision of relevant, vetted digital content. 5. KICD ROLE IN PUBLISHING: There has been several mentions of KICD providing digital content. We have held several meetings with the KICD director who has assured us that KICD has no interest or will to publish digital content for the laptop project. We have also been assured by the Cabinet Secretary Prof. Kaimenyi that digital content will be provided by the publishers. KPA recommends that the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) should limit its operations to its mandate of Curriculum Design; Curriculum Review; Publication of Curriculum Materials like the syllabi; Vetting and Approval of Instructional Materials to be used in schools. The function of the KICD as a provider of ancillary information must be clearly delinked from mainstream publishing of curriculum support materials, may they be print or digital. 6. CAPITATIONS: KPA recommends to the MoE a review of the current text book capitation so that the digital content for the lap top programme is not absorbed in the text book capitation. KPA recommends a different capitation for the digital content. Emphasis though should be laid on the fact that the digital content will act as supplementary material for the text books; and not an outright replacement of the text books. We also recommend speedy creation of ICT infrastructure within the country to enable effective implementation of this project. Publishers look forward to working with all stakeholders to achieve our mutual goal of producing ICT savvy citizens who will operationalize vision 2030 and drive this country to its destination of middle-level industrialization by the year 2030. Finally we are asking for a speedy solution to the current stalemate between TSC and KNUT. The effects of this strike on the ground are grave. The public school students may not be able to finish the curriculum as set, which will translate to widening the gap and the in equality between private schools and public schools performance in national examinations. We hope that this issue will be amicably resolved in the shortest of time. Yours Sincerely LAWRENCE NJAGI CHAIRMAN KENYA PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Matunda Nyanchama, PhD, CISSP; mnyanchama(a)aganoconsulting.com Agano Consulting Inc.; www.aganoconsulting.com; Twitter: nmatunda; Skype: okiambe ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Manage your ICT risks! We are the experts you need! The trusted partners you deserve! Call: +1-888-587-1150 (Canada) +254-20-267-0743 (Kenya) or info(a)aganoconsulting.com In Kenya - Licensed by Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "The best revenge is massive success" - Frank Sinatra----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This e-mail, including attachments, may be privileged and may contain confidential or proprietary information intended only for the addressee(s). Any other distribution, copying, use, or disclosure is unauthorized and strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply e-mail and permanently delete the message, including any attachments, without making a copy. Thank you.

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Fwd: Network operators will make USD 6.9 billion from undelivered text messages in 2013
by Ali Hussein 09 Jul '13

09 Jul '13

> Ever wondered whether you actually sent that SMS? Or someone is just being rude and not responding to your messages? > > According to new research Telcos worldwide probably pocket $6.9b in undelivered SMSs. > > Read on:- > > http://www.telecomsmarketresearch.com/blog/?p=631 > > Ali Hussein > CEO | 3mice interactive media Ltd > Principal | Telemedia Africa Ltd > > +254 713 601113/ 0770 906375 > > "The future belongs to him who knows how to wait." - Russian Proverb > > Sent from my iPad

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News letter: DotConnectAfrica TedBits,The Kenya Issue
by Gideon 09 Jul '13

09 Jul '13

News letter: DotConnectAfrica TedBits, The Kenya Issue<http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs123/1102516344150/archive/111229038909…>. Link: http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs123/1102516344150/archive/111229038909… Best Wishes, Gideon Rop DotConnectAfrica

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Why government ICT projects fail
by Grace Githaiga 08 Jul '13

08 Jul '13

Research shows that globally, up to three quarters (75 per cent ) of ICT projects end up in failure. Indeed the bigger the project the more spectacular is the failure.Kenya has had its share of this failure and it is prudent to investigate the typical reasons behind failing ICT projects.Corruption – not surprising – is the leading cause of ICT project failure in Kenya.http://www.nation.co.ke/blogs/Why-government-ICT-projects-fail/-/634/1908576/-/view/asBlogPost/-/qebc6rz/-/index.html

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