- KICTANet - KICTANet

1995 article on why the Internet won't work!
by Agosta Liko 23 Feb '10

23 Feb '10

http://www.newsweek.com/id/106554 The Internet? Bah! Hype alert: Why cyberspace isn't, and will never be, nirvana By Clifford Stoll | NEWSWEEK >From the magazine issue dated Feb 27, 1995 After two decades online, I'm perplexed. It's not that I haven't had a gas of a good time on the Internet. I've met great people and even caught a hacker or two. But today, I'm uneasy about this most trendy and oversold community. Visionaries see a future of telecommuting workers, interactive libraries and multimedia classrooms. They speak of electronic town meetings and virtual communities. Commerce and business will shift from offices and malls to networks and modems. And the freedom of digital networks will make government more democratic. Baloney. Do our computer pundits lack all common sense? The truth in no online database will replace your daily newspaper, no CD-ROM can take the place of a competent teacher and no computer network will change the way government works. Consider today's online world. The Usenet, a worldwide bulletin board, allows anyone to post messages across the nation. Your word gets out, leapfrogging editors and publishers. Every voice can be heard cheaply and instantly. The result? Every voice is heard. The cacophany more closely resembles citizens band radio, complete with handles, harrasment, and anonymous threats. When most everyone shouts, few listen. How about electronic publishing? Try reading a book on disc. At best, it's an unpleasant chore: the myopic glow of a clunky computer replaces the friendly pages of a book. And you can't tote that laptop to the beach. Yet Nicholas Negroponte, director of the MIT Media Lab, predicts that we'll soon buy books and newspapers straight over the Intenet. Uh, sure. What the Internet hucksters won't tell you is tht the Internet is one big ocean of unedited data, without any pretense of completeness. Lacking editors, reviewers or critics, the Internet has become a wasteland of unfiltered data. You don't know what to ignore and what's worth reading. Logged onto the World Wide Web, I hunt for the date of the Battle of Trafalgar. Hundreds of files show up, and it takes 15 minutes to unravel them--one's a biography written by an eighth grader, the second is a computer game that doesn't work and the third is an image of a London monument. None answers my question, and my search is periodically interrupted by messages like, "Too many connectios, try again later." Won't the Internet be useful in governing? Internet addicts clamor for government reports. But when Andy Spano ran for county executive in Westchester County, N.Y., he put every press release and position paper onto a bulletin board. In that affluent county, with plenty of computer companies, how many voters logged in? Fewer than 30. Not a good omen. Point and click: Then there are those pushing computers into schools. We're told that multimedia will make schoolwork easy and fun. Students will happily learn from animated characters while taught by expertly tailored software.Who needs teachers when you've got computer-aided education? Bah. These expensive toys are difficult to use in classrooms and require extensive teacher training. Sure, kids love videogames--but think of your own experience: can you recall even one educational filmstrip of decades past? I'll bet you remember the two or three great teachers who made a difference in your life. Then there's cyberbusiness. We're promised instant catalog shopping--just point and click for great deals. We'll order airline tickets over the network, make restaurant reservations and negotiate sales contracts. Stores will become obselete. So how come my local mall does more business in an afternoon than the entire Internet handles in a month? Even if there were a trustworthy way to send money over the Internet--which there isn't--the network is missing a most essential ingredient of capitalism: salespeople. What's missing from this electronic wonderland? Human contact. Discount the fawning techno-burble about virtual communities. Computers and networks isolate us from one another. A network chat line is a limp substitute for meeting friends over coffee. No interactive multimedia display comes close to the excitement of a live concert. And who'd prefer cybersex to the real thing? While the Internet beckons brightly, seductively flashing an icon of knowledge-as-power, this nonplace lures us to surrender our time on earth. A poor substitute it is, this virtual reality where frustration is legion and where--in the holy names of Education and Progress--important aspects of human interactions are relentlessly devalued. STOLL is the author of "Silicon Snake Oil--Second Thoughts on the Information Highway," to be published by Doubleday in April.

3 2

Fw: Request for Practical attachment
by Catherine Adeya 23 Feb '10

23 Feb '10

----- Forwarded Message ---- From: Catherine Adeya <elizaslider(a)yahoo.com> To: elizaslider(a)yahoo.com Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Sent: Thu, February 18, 2010 2:33:17 PM Subject: [kictanet] Request for Practical attachment Listers, I owe it to my old university to help with the request attached. Apparently so many students are suffering as they cannot get practical attachment places when so many of us benefited (although 20+ years ago) by being able to apply theory to practice. Kindly anyone who can assist, get in touch with the HOD whose email is below. You can cc me if need be. Best Regards, Nyaki ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Dept. of Information Tech. <hodit(a)mu.ac.ke> Date: Thu, Feb 18, 2010 at 2:08 PM Subject: Practical attachment Dear Catherine, Please find attached, Best regards Dr. David Gichoya Head, Department of Information Technology School of Information Sciences Moi University _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: elizaslider(a)yahoo.com Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/elizaslider%40yahoo.com

1 0

Pesa Pal, Skunkworks Meetup, Today!, from 6pm, Teleposta Towers, 6th Floor
by Phares Kariuki 23 Feb '10

23 Feb '10

PesaPal - Skunkworks Session Hi guys, the team from PesaPal is going to meet skunkworks on Feb 23rd from 6pm. They will cover PesaPal and a. introduce team members to the community b. explain PesaPal's roadmap c. set the stage for feedback from the community. d. educate the community on how to integrate PesaPal for their clients e. build linkages with the skunkworks community for future developments and improvement Speakers Onesmus Kagwanja - PesaPal Chief Technology Officer Will speak about the ecosystem Paul Mungai - PesaPal Chief Software Engineer Will speak about the architecture, design decisions and integration options Benson Njonjo - PesaPal - Head of Open Source Integration Will speak about CMS integration, challenges, vision Mark Mwongela - Managing Director {Verviant} Will speak about how to work with buyers {companies}, how to sell e commerce Agosta Liko - Founder General Vision, Opportunities for techies, how we work together to sambaza this epayment thing Thanks -- With Regards, Phares Kariuki | T: +254 734 810 802 | E: pkariuki(a)gmail.com | Twitter: kaboro | Skype: kariukiphares |

1 0

[Fwd: [At-Large] Apply for ICANN leadership positions (Nominating Committee)]
by alice 22 Feb '10

22 Feb '10

Hi all, So here's a chance for our region to begin to influence ICANN processes. best alice ----------------------------- Hi, The Nominating Committee is accepting applications, the closing date is April 2, 2010. Positions to be filled this year: * Three members of the Board of Directors of ICANN * Two At Large Advisory Committee (ALAC) representatives (one each from the European and North American regions) * One member of the Council of the Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO) * One member of the Council of the Country-Code Names Supporting Organization (ccNSO) Successful applicants will take their seats at the conclusion of the 2010 AGM, (5-10 December, Latin America.) For information on how to apply or to recommend someone, see <http://nomcom.icann.org/> Adam _______________________________________________ At-Large mailing list At-Large(a)atlarge-lists.icann.org http://atlarge-lists.icann.org/mailman/listinfo/at-large_atlarge-lists.ican… At-Large Official Site: http://atlarge.icann.org

1 0

Re: [kictanet] Fw: YAHOO ACCOUNT VERIFICATION ALERT !!!
by michael Ouma 22 Feb '10

22 Feb '10

Hi all: thanks a lot for your advice. i've been sent so many of those messages and in many versions that at some point i almost thought they were genuine and was about to provide the info. anyway, thanks a lot for opening my eyes, i'm now wiser, all because of you all. regards. Michael Ouma Journalist Kenya Tel:+254-725-537823 "Do not go where the path may lead, but go instead where there is no path and leave a trail," - Ralph Waldo Emerson --- On Mon, 2/22/10, Mwangi Wamae <mwangi.wamae(a)gmail.com> wrote: From: Mwangi Wamae <mwangi.wamae(a)gmail.com> Subject: Re: [kictanet] Fw: YAHOO ACCOUNT VERIFICATION ALERT !!! To: "michael Ouma" <benomnta(a)yahoo.com> Date: Monday, February 22, 2010, 4:57 AM Ouma: Never, ever share your password with anyone. Ever. -Mw On Mon, Feb 22, 2010 at 1:35 AM, michael Ouma <benomnta(a)yahoo.com> wrote: Hi listers: are these warnings real and one's required to provide the requested info or i just ignore them? kindly advice. Michael Ouma Journalist Kenya Tel:+254-725-537823 "Do not go where the path may lead, but go instead where there is no path and leave a trail," - Ralph Waldo Emerson --- On Fri, 2/19/10, YAHOO CENTER <vonweise(a)yahoo.com> wrote: From: YAHOO CENTER <vonweise(a)yahoo.com> Subject: YAHOO ACCOUNT VERIFICATION ALERT !!! To: Date: Friday, February 19, 2010, 8:11 AM Dear Valued Member, YAHOO ACCOUNT VERIFICATION ALERT !!! (KMM69467VL055834KM) Yahoo Mail has discovered series of illegal attempts on your Yahoo Account from bad Ip Location and will shut your account as it has been flagged as a spam account. You are the thus immediately required to Secure Your Online Access by Manually Filling The Form Below by clicking on the reply-to button on your page, Filling Correct Information Carefully and Sending to Yahoo Alert Center: Yahoo! ID Card Name:............................. .............................. . Yahoo! ID:............................... ....................... Yahoo! Mail Address:.......................... .......... Password:......................... .............................. . Member Information Gender:........................... .............................. .... Birth-date:........................ .............................. .......... Country:...................... .................................. ............ Warning!!! Account owner that refuses to update his or her account before few hours of receiving this warning will lose his or her account permanently. Yahoo! Customer Care Case number: 8941624 Property: Account Security 2009 Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Inc. All rights reserved. _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: mwangi.wamae(a)gmail.com Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/mwangi.wamae%40gmail.c…

2 1

Fw: YAHOO ACCOUNT VERIFICATION ALERT !!!
by michael Ouma 22 Feb '10

22 Feb '10

Hi listers: are these warnings real and one's required to provide the requested info or i just ignore them? kindly advice. Michael Ouma Journalist Kenya Tel:+254-725-537823 "Do not go where the path may lead, but go instead where there is no path and leave a trail," - Ralph Waldo Emerson --- On Fri, 2/19/10, YAHOO CENTER <vonweise(a)yahoo.com> wrote: From: YAHOO CENTER <vonweise(a)yahoo.com> Subject: YAHOO ACCOUNT VERIFICATION ALERT !!! To: Date: Friday, February 19, 2010, 8:11 AM Dear Valued Member, YAHOO ACCOUNT VERIFICATION ALERT !!! (KMM69467VL055834KM) Yahoo Mail has discovered series of illegal attempts on your Yahoo Account from bad Ip Location and will shut your account as it has been flagged as a spam account. You are the thus immediately required to Secure Your Online Access by Manually Filling The Form Below by clicking on the reply-to button on your page, Filling Correct Information Carefully and Sending to Yahoo Alert Center: Yahoo! ID Card Name:............................. .............................. . Yahoo! ID:............................... ....................... Yahoo! Mail Address:.......................... .......... Password:......................... .............................. . Member Information Gender:........................... .............................. .... Birth-date:........................ .............................. .......... Country:...................... .................................. ............ Warning!!! Account owner that refuses to update his or her account before few hours of receiving this warning will lose his or her account permanently. Yahoo! Customer Care Case number: 8941624 Property: Account Security 2009 Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Inc. All rights reserved.

4 3

Invitation to Public-The Music Business is Big Business
by John Matogo 19 Feb '10

19 Feb '10

Greetings, We invite you to a Public Lecture on the Music Industry in Kenya. The theme of this lecture is “The Music Business is Big Business”. The lecture will be at Strathmore University Auditorium (Madaraka Campus) on Wednesday 24th February 2010, at from 6.00pm to 7.30pm. Guests are encouraged to arrive by 5.30pm This is lecture part of the Lecturer Series the Strathmore Enterprise Development Centre, in collaboration with partners, is organising on the creative industry in Kenya. We welcome you to attend. Kindly share this information with others who would be interested in attending. Regards John Matogo Programme Manager Strathmore Enterprise Development Centre (SEDC) Strathmore University P.O. Box 59857-00200 Nairobi, KENYA Tel: 606155,606268 ext 2280 Email: jmatogo(a)strathmore.edu<mailto:[email protected]> Web: <http://www.strathmore.edu> <http://www.strathmore.edu/sedc> www.strathmore.edu/sedc<http://www.strathmore.edu/sedc> [cid:[email protected]] ________________________________ 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. …………………………………………………………………. Website: www.strathmore.edu

1 0

'ICT: Revolutionary Tools' conference: Now 4TH-5TH MAY
by Catherine Adeya 19 Feb '10

19 Feb '10

For those who may have sent applications for this conference, here is an update. Thanks Nyaki ________________________________ From: esph05(a)staffmail.ed.ac.uk Subject: 'ICT: Revolutionary Tools' conference: Now 4TH-5TH MAY Date: Thu, 18 Feb 2010 16:22:19 +0000 Dear colleagues, The response to the Call for Papers for 'ICT: Africa's Revolutionary Tools for the 21st Century?' has been tremendous and we are anticipating a large audience. For this reason we have had to move the conference location, which has been tricky at this stage with many venues in Edinburgh already booked out. We have secured a new venue, but this has only been possible for a later date. We would therefore like to inform you that the date of the conference has been moved to 4th-5th May. The main details are on the ICT: Africa's Revolutionary Tools for the 21st Century?, with further details to follow in the next couple of days. An updated poster is attached as a .pdf file. Please reply to this address if you are having difficulties in downloading the poster. The same details are also available on the 'ICT: Africa's Revolutionary Tools for the 21st Century?' conference website. To make the most of the extra two weeks we now have, the Call for Papers has been kept open until 25th February. All who have submitted an abstract will be notified shortly after that date. With best wishes from the Conference Secretariat. ________________________________ Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsoft’s powerful SPAM protection. Sign up now.

1 0

ICANN News Alert -- New gTLD Program Makes Available New Documents for Community Discussion
by alice 18 Feb '10

18 Feb '10

ICANN <http://www.icann.org/> News Alert http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-4-15feb10-en.htm ------------------------------------------------------------------------ New gTLD Program Makes Available New Documents for Community Discussion 15 February 2010 ICANN is publishing today several materials related to the New gTLD Program. These materials have been grouped below in categories to facilitate understanding. Highlight: The Board plans to decide whether to conduct an Expressions of Interest (EOI) exercise for new gTLDs at the ICANN Meeting in Nairobi <http://nbo.icann.org/>. The Board and the community will have the opportunity to discuss the Expressions of Interest and Pre-Registrations model, which takes into account the community feedback during the two recent public comment periods. Besides the background information and description of the current proposed model, the Explanatory Memo also presents some discussion points about costs and other implementation aspects. You can download here <http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtlds/discussion-eoi-pre-registration-pr…> [PDF, 1.26 MB] the current Explanatory Memo – Discussion of the Expressions of Interest (EOI)/Pre-Registration Process Model. Below is a list and direct link to the new Public Forum. All open 15 February 2010 and close on 1 April 2010. *Document* *Redline* *Topic* *Direct link to Public Forum* *TRADEMARK & COMMUNITY PROTECTIONS* *Uniform Rapid Suspension (URS) <http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtlds/draft-urs-clean-15feb10-en.pdf> [PDF, 128 KB] * redline <http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtlds/draft-urs-redline-15feb10-en.pdf> [PDF, 181 KB] The URS is one of the proposed mechanisms to address trademark protection concerns – one of the open issues being addressed by staff and community experts. The Uniform Rapid Suspension (URS) Procedure describes an expedited process to provide trademark holders with a rapid take-down in clear cut instances of trademark abuse. The URS procedure is expected to provide trademark holders with a new, cost effective remedy in addition to those available under the UDRP and applicable law. View <http://www.icann.org/en/public-comment/public-comment-201004-en.htm#urs> *TM Clearinghouse <http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtlds/trademark-clearinghouse-proposal-c…>[PDF, 153 KB] * redline <http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtlds/trademark-clearinghouse-proposal-r…> [PDF, 124 KB] The trademark clearinghouse is one of the proposed mechanisms to address trademark protection concerns – one of the open issues being addressed by staff and community experts. The Trademark Clearinghouse Model describes a proposal for a central repository of authenticated trademark information for use by registries to support their sunrise or trademark claims processes. This Model is designed to introduce efficiencies into the pre-launch processes for trademark holders and new gTLD registries. View <http://www.icann.org/en/public-comment/public-comment-201004-en.htm#tmc> *Post Delegation Dispute Resolution Procedure (PPDRP) <http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtlds/draft-trademark-pddrp-clean-15feb1…> [PDF, 65 KB] * redline <http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtlds/draft-trademark-pddrp-redline-15fe…> [PDF, 105 KB] The Trademark PPDRP is one of the proposed mechanisms to address trademark protection concerns – one of the open issues being addressed by staff and community experts. This post delegation procedure should only afford trademark holders the right to proceed against registry operators who have acted in bad faith, with the intent to profit from the systemic registration of infringing domain names (or systemic cybersquatting) or who have otherwise set out to use the gTLD for an improper purpose. View <http://www.icann.org/en/public-comment/public-comment-201004-en.htm#ppdrp> *Registry Restrictions Dispute Resolution Procedure (RRDRP) <http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtlds/draft-rrdrp-clean-15feb10-en.pdf> [PDF, 61 KB] * redline <http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtlds/draft-rrdrp-redline-15feb10-en.pdf> [PDF, 69 KB] The RRDRP is one of the proposed mechanisms to address post delegation concerns. The purpose of the RRDRP is to handle complaints from a harmed organization or individual alleging that a community-based restricted gTLD registry operator was not meeting its obligations to police the registration and use of domains within the restrictions stated in the terms of the gTLD registry agreement. View <http://www.icann.org/en/public-comment/public-comment-201004-en.htm#rrdrp> *IDN ISSUES* *IDN 3 Character <http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtlds/idn-3-char-requirement-15feb10-en.…> [PDF, 148 KB]* This document is a follow-up to the independent Implementation Working team’s recommendation on IDN string requirements. The previous requirement for at least three characters in all gTLD strings was considered problematic for some languages, and the team released a recommendation to relax the requirement in some cases. An excerpt of guidebook text is included to help inform the discussion. View <http://www.icann.org/en/public-comment/public-comment-201004-en.htm#3-char> *IDN Variants <http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtlds/idn-variants-15feb10-en.pdf> [PDF, 160 KB]* An independent Implementation Working team has proposed an approach to IDN variant management at the top level. Language communities that use variant characters are affected by the management and implementation of variants in new TLDs . An excerpt of guidebook text is included to help inform the discussion. View <http://www.icann.org/en/public-comment/public-comment-201004-en.htm#variants> *REGISTRY OPERATIONS & AGREEMENT* *Bench Marking of Registry Operations <http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtlds/benchmarking-report-15feb10-en.pdf>[PDF, 648 KB]* An exercise to gather industry data on registry operations was undertaken as part of the ongoing implementation of the evaluation criteria and procedures for the New gTLD Program. This took the form of a study including analysis of public industry information and data collected through a survey of existing registry operators. View <http://www.icann.org/en/public-comment/public-comment-201004-en.htm#benchma…> *Process for gTLD Registry Agreement Amendment <http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtlds/registry-agreement-amendment-proce…> [PDF, 129 KB] * An update on discussions concerning the process for future amendments to the registry agreements for new gTLDs. The paper outlines and seeks comment on several possible amendment process models, including a model recently proposed by the GNSO's Registry Stakeholder Group. View <http://www.icann.org/en/public-comment/public-comment-201004-en.htm#agreeme…> *Public Comment Summaries and Analyses * After each public comment forum closes, a summary and analysis in response to the general public is usually published. Below is a list of summary analysis regarding New gTLD Program related public forums recently closed. *Document* *Related Public Forum* *Summary & Analysis of Draft Applicant Guidebook, Version 3 <http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtlds/summary-analysis-agv3-15feb10-en.p…> [PDF, 1.13 MB] * http://www.icann.org/en/public-comment/public-comment-200911.html#agbv3 *Summary & Analysis of GNSO Public Comments on Uniform Rapid Suspension (URS) and Clearinghouse <http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtlds/summary-analysis-special-trademark…> [PDF, 332 KB] * http://www.icann.org/en/public-comment/public-comment-201001.htm#sti *Summary of Proposed Rights Protection Mechanims <http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtlds/summary-analysis-clearinghouse-urs…>[PDF, 204K] * http://www.icann.org/en/public-comment/public-comment-200911.html#prpm-new-… *Summary & Analysis of Expressions of Interest and Pre-Registrations <http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtlds/summary-analysis-eoi-15feb10-en.pdf> [PDF, 844 KB] * This summary combines the two Public Fora: 11 Dec 2009 to Jan 11 2009 <http://www.icann.org/en/public-comment/public-comment-200912.htm#eoi-new-gt…> and 17 of Dec 2009 to 26 January 2010 <http://www.icann.org/en/public-comment/public-comment-201001.htm#draft-eoi>. It is important to note that there were comments received past the deadline might not be part of the summary analysis, even if they were posted on the Forum. *Summary & Analysis of Final Report on Three-Character Requirement and Variant Management <http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtlds/summary-analysis-3-character-and-v…> [PDF, 116 KB] * http://www.icann.org/en/public-comment/public-comment-201001.htm#3cv-final-… *Other Open Issues* _Malicious Conduct_ As a component of activities that ICANN has initiated to reduce malicious conduct activities in new gTLDs, ICANN has created an initiative called the *High Security Zone Top Level Domain ("HSTLD")* Advisory Group. This group brings together community representatives to evaluate the viability of a voluntary program, supporting control standards and incentives that could potentially be adopted to provide an enhanced level of trust and security over the baseline registration-authority controls. A concept paper was published as a component of the new gTLD Draft Applicant Guidebook version 3 and can be referenced on the following link: http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtlds/high-security-zone-verification-04… [PDF, 214 KB] The HSLTD Advisory Group continues to work on the concept of a voluntary HSTLD program. Relevant next steps include a review and approval working draft material and work on controls necessary to support the HSTLD purpose, goals and principles. Also part of addressing malicious conduct concerns is the creation of another advisory group addressing *Zone File Access*. The group was formed to study and discuss (benefits and methods) to effectively and efficiently enhance access to zone file information (anticipating an environment with many gTLDs). Details of this groups work can be found here: http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtlds/zone-file-access-en.htm. Updated documentation on the malicious conduct work will be available prior to the Nairobi Meeting. _Market/Economic Analysis_ Additional economic analysis is being undertaken. ICANN has contracted to retain the services with Greg Rosston of Stanford University and Michael Katz of University of California Berkeley, both in the United States. The work will be done in a three-phase project plan with the initial reports expected to be released in mid March and the second early June. During the first phase, the economists will survey published studies and resources that describe the potential impacts of new gTLD introduction; examine theoretical arguments about benefits and costs of increased gTLDs; consider and propose empirical studies to identify areas where additional work can serve to assess costs and benefits. A verbal report on results will be presented during the ICANN Nairobi Meeting <http://nbo.icann.org/>. _Vertical Integration (aka Registry/Registrar Separation)_ Based on debates on the subject held at the ICANN meetings in Seoul, discussion during the consultation with certain community representatives held on 7 January 2010 in Washington D.C., and ongoing study, ICANN will propose for community comment a new registry-registrar separation model for inclusion in the next draft of the gTLD agreement. Additionally, theBoard and community members will be discussing the issue in Nairobi. _Root Scaling_ Staff anticipates a report from SSAC and RSSAC soon. Also, four demand scenarios for application volumes have been modeled: below expected, expected, above expected and significantly above expected. For each demand scenario, there's an assumption that only a fraction of the applications will lead to delegations, and that the processing time for the successful applications will be spread out. If there are more than, say, 500 applications, the processing will be batched further spreading out the delegation rates. These models will be published before the Nairobi meeting. *Upcoming Critical Program Meetings* During the ICANN Meeting in Nairobi <http://nbo.icann.org/>, staff will hold several New gTLD sessions, including: * Program update and a panel discussion regarding the Expressions of Interest and Pre-Registrations proposed process; * Trademark Protection; * High Security Top-Level Domains (HSTLD) & Zone File Access Advisory Group Meetings; * New gTLD introduction session for new comers. * *The Draft Applicant Guidebook, Version 4 is expected to be published prior to the ICANN Brussels Meeting (20-25 June 2010). *Related Resources:* * New gTLD Program: http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtld-program.htm * Additional information about the HSTLD program, the HSTLD AG and recordings of the HSTLD AG meetings can be accessed at the following link: http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtlds/hstld-program-en.htm * Draft Applicant Guidebook, Version 3 <http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtlds/draft-rfp-clean-04oct09-en.pdf> [PDF, 1.5 MB] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ *Sign up for ICANN's Monthly Magazine <http://www.icann.org/magazine/>* This message was sent from ICANN News Alert to janis.karklins(a)mfa.gov.lv. It was sent from: ICANN, 4676 Admiralty Way, Suite 330 , Marina del Rey, CA 90292-6601. You can modify/update your subscription via the link below. Email Marketing by <http://www.icontact.com/a.pl/144186> iContact - Try It Free! <http://www.icontact.com/a.pl/144186> Manage your subscription <http://app.icontact.com/icp/mmail-mprofile.pl?r=9828367&l=6333&s=2OHS&m=290…> _______________________________________________ gac mailing list gac(a)gac.icann.org https://mm.icann.org/mailman/listinfo/gac

1 0

Request for Practical attachment
by Catherine Adeya 18 Feb '10

18 Feb '10

Listers, I owe it to my old university to help with the request attached. Apparently so many students are suffering as they cannot get practical attachment places when so many of us benefited (although 20+ years ago) by being able to apply theory to practice. Kindly anyone who can assist, get in touch with the HOD whose email is below. You can cc me if need be. Best Regards, Nyaki ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Dept. of Information Tech. <hodit(a)mu.ac.ke> Date: Thu, Feb 18, 2010 at 2:08 PM Subject: Practical attachment Dear Catherine, Please find attached, Best regards Dr. David Gichoya Head, Department of Information Technology School of Information Sciences Moi University

1 0

Mpesa does good again
by Harry Hare 18 Feb '10

18 Feb '10

Good People, Safaricom¹s M-PESA is in the news again, this time a global recognition from GSMA at the Mobile World Congress which ends today. GoK was also awarded for its facilitation role in the spread of broadband in the country. I think congratulations are in order for Dr Ndemo and his team and MJ and the Safcom team. http://www.cio.co.ke/index.php/view-all-main-stories/603-m-pesa-scoops-an-aw ard-for-the-best-mobile-money-service-globally-.html http://www.cio.co.ke/index.php/view-all-analysis-items/602-kenya-honoured-le ts-learn-to-celebrate-our-successes.html Kindest regards Harry African eDevelopment Resource Centre eDevelopment House : : 604 Limuru Road Old Muthaiga : : P O Box 49475 00100 Nairobi : : Kenya T +254 20 3741646/7 : : C +254 725 650044 Training : : Research: :Consultancy: : Publishing

4 3

Next Generation Connectivity
by Eric M.K Osiakwan 17 Feb '10

17 Feb '10

Dear All, On July 14, 2009, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced that the Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University would conduct an independent expert review of existing literature and studies about broadband deployment and usage throughout the world and that this project would help inform the FCC's efforts in developing the National Broadband Plan. The Berkman Center's Final Report was submitted to the FCC on February 16, 2010 and available @ http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/pubrelease/broadband/ Eric here NB: Sorry for crossposting Eric M.K Osiakwan Director Internet Research www.internetresearch.com.gh emko(a)internetresearch.com.gh 42 Ring Road Central, Accra-North Tel: +233.21.258800 ext 7031 Fax: +233.21.258811 Cell: +233.24.4386792

1 0

TR: Looking for entrepreneurs - apply before March 10 - Cartier Women's Initiative Awards]
by alice 17 Feb '10

17 Feb '10

Hi All, I am sure we have a number of women entrepreneurs who can make this award. best alice -------------------------------------------------------- For more information: <http://www.cartierwomensinitiative.com/> > >CARTIER SEEKS EXCEPTIONAL ENTREPRENEURS >Deadline: March 10, 2010 > >Recognising entrepreneurs as having "the >audacity to create, innovate and imagine the >future," the Cartier Women's Initiative Awards >aim to support female entrepreneurs who have >just set up their own companies. Launched in >2006 in partnership with the Women's Forum, >McKinsey & Co. and the INSEAD business school, >Cartier's programme involves an international >business-plan competition for female >entrepreneurs who lead creative, sustainable and >socially responsible companies. > >The awards are presented every year to five >laureates, one from each continent. Applicants, >who can be from any country, are invited to >apply online by presenting their business >project in its initial phase (company must not >have been created more than three years ago). > >The prize includes personalised coaching, a >$20,000 grant and an invitation to the annual >Women's Forum Meeting in Deauville (France). >Applications will be accepted until 10 March 2010. > >For more information, including eligibility criteria, please visit: >www.cartierwomensinitiative.com or contact freja.day(a)cartier.com > > > >Freja Day >Project leader Cartier Women's Initiative Awards >33 rue Boissy d'Anglas 75008 Paris, France Tel >+33 1 58 18 10 28 / Fax +33 1 58 18 10 01 ><http://www.cartierwomensinitiative.com>www.cartierwomensinitiative.com > > > > > >

1 0

[Fwd: RE: [Fwd: [Fwd: Fwd: [ccnso-members] FW: [ccTLDcommunity] FW: Nairobi Update - 12 Feb. 2010]]]
by alice 16 Feb '10

16 Feb '10

Another view on the ICANN meeting from Namibia. Namibia had also placed a bid for the same meeting that Kenya won. See below. best alice > > Dear Doug, > > thank you (or rather not) for the security information posted at > > http://nbo.icann.org/meetings/security-information-11feb10-en.htm > http://nbo.icann.org/meetings/security-information-12feb10-en.htm > > and emailed. > > Now I have my own opinion about the choice of Nairobi as the venue of > the African ICANN meeting, but this is very much influenced by the > fact that we submitted a bid to have this very meeting in Windhoek. > > > But, I am really getting upset about the lack of professionalism with > which this is (mis)handled. But I feel it my duty to inject some sense > of reality into the topic and support my African brothers, and not > just because out of solidarity. > > Uncorroborated, untested, unevaluated and uninterpreted rumors like > the one giving raise to this thread should not be published until they > have been corroborated, tested, evaluated and interpreted unless there > is a credible threat requiring urgent changes in plans (which is > clearly not the case here). > > This can be done in almost all cases within 24 hours as has been done > in this case. > > > I have taken the trouble to look up the travel pages for Kenya of the > Department of State, the French and German Foreign Ministries and the > Foreign Office. Neither one has listed any recent changes in their > travel advisories. > > Not even the State Department has listed this particular issue on > their web site, which tells me something how credible they think it > is. > > In other words since the decision to hold the meeting there was taken > nothing really has changed. Which has been the point I have made on the > conference call already. > > I strongly urge to continue concentrating on your laudable efforts to > make a success out of the situation we are finding ourselves in. > > greetings, el > -- > Dr. Eberhard W. Lisse \ / Senior Member, Omadhina (cc) > accounts(a)omadhina.co.NA / * | Telephone: +264 81 124 6733 (cell) > PO Box 98256 \ /Please do NOT send e-mail to el(a)lisse.NA > Windhoek Namibia ;____/ if it is in ANY way DNS/Omadhina related > > > ------ End of Forwarded Message > > > __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus > signature database 4866 (20100214) __________ > > The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. > > http://www.eset.com > > > __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus > signature database 4866 (20100214) __________ > > The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. > > http://www.eset.com > > -- > This message has been scanned for viruses and > dangerous content by *KeNIC MailScanner* <http://www.kenic.or.ke/>, > and is > believed to be clean. > > Kenya Network Information Centre (KeNIC). -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by * KeNIC MailScanner* <http://www.kenic.or.ke/>, and is believed to be clean. Kenya Network Information Centre (KeNIC).

1 0

Informatin Security: Protecting the Global Enterprise
by Evans Kahuthu 16 Feb '10

16 Feb '10

Listers, The use of information technology has become paramount in today’s business. It has become an important asset and a vital management tool for any business success. Business information is power hence its security is a must for a competitive advantage. Are your information systems and resources secure? The increased use of Internet by organisations has enhanced threats of attack on information systems and resources. Hacking, cyber crimes, virus attacks and spam have become common occurrence and are on the rise in today’s business arena especially with the arrival of the fibre optic cable. It is with the above in mind that The Kenya Institute of Management and Teqlink Solutions LTD have organised a workshop on Information Security covering principles, threats, challenges and solutions. The workshop will be held on the 23-24the Februaryr, 2010 at the Sarova Panafric Hotel, Nairobi- Kenya. We hereby attach a brief description of the workshop programme covering definition of the workshop, objectives, course content, target group and registration form. Evans

1 0

The EASSy has landed! Landing partner Telkom's ring around Africa
by Victor Gathara 15 Feb '10

15 Feb '10

Seems there is some movement in (not so) EASSy... The EASSy has landed! Landing partner Telkom's ring around Africa The East African Submarine Cable System (EASSy) - one of the nine undersea telecommunications cables that will connect various parts of Sub-Saharan Africa to the rest of the world by 2011 - will land at Mtunzini, on the northern KwaZulu-Natal coastline, tomorrow. Telkom is the South African landing partner for EASSy. In all, there are nine EASSy landing stations in Sudan, Djibouti, Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Comoros, Madagascar, Mozambique and South Africa, with shore-end landings already having occurred in Mozambique and Sudan. "EASSy is one of the elements of Telkom's cable investment strategy and is a key step towards the process of establishing a Telkom fibre ring capability around Africa," said Alphonzo Samuels, Telkom's Managing Executive for Wholesale Services. He added: "EASSy further increases the robustness of Telkom's international bandwidth offerings and portfolio. Together with other undersea cables and/or land based fibre routes, EASSy creates redundant fibre access prospects into East Africa." EASSy is a 10 000 km undersea cable system currently being constructed along the east African coastline. Its 1.4 Tbps system design capacity, coupled with its two fibre-pair configuration, equips EASSy with the highest capacity of all undersea cable systems along the east coast of Africa. Interconnection with various other undersea international cable systems will enable traffic on EASSy to seamlessly connect to Europe, North and South America, the Middle East and Asia, thereby enhancing the east coast of Africa's connectivity into the global telecommunications network. "EASSy is routed from South Africa to Sudan, linking the coastal countries of East Africa. An extensive backhaul system linking landlocked countries to the coastal countries has been developed and is at various stages of completion," stated Samuels, adding that EASSy is scheduled to be ready for commercial service from August this year. Samuels explained that submarine cables held many benefits such as superior transmission quality, considerably lesser delays compared to satellite, high transmission capacity, access to the global optical fibre network, lower unit costs (compared to satellite), no electromagnetic interference and higher resistance against adverse weather conditions. "However, activities such as fishing and anchoring, ocean drilling, fish bites and earthquakes constituted some of the commonly known submarine cable hazards," cautioned Samuels. Various initiatives were nevertheless undertaken to protect submarine cables. These included conducting ocean bed surveys to select the safest undersea routes; burying cable in sand where possible, especially at the shallow end; avoiding heavy shipping lanes when approaching landing points; selecting safe beaches, bearing in mind that later beach erosion could expose cables; designing the shortest land cable route for maximum security; and, manufacturing cables to exceed the 25 year design life of the cable system. "Redundancy, protection and - where necessary - restoration are also key considerations," said Samuels. He explained: "Redundancy means that we have duplicated equipment at the cable stations, duplicated power converters, generators, etc. Therefore, if a single piece of equipment should fail, we have another piece of equipment standing by to take its place." Protection ensures that a fully duplicated amount of capacity is available to re-route traffic on the same cable in the event of an internal failure impacting only one path or fibre. Protection therefore implies that for everything that is duplicated, automated switching takes place. Samuels added that restoration required traffic to be routed onto other cable systems via completely different traffic paths and even different routes. "This usually happens when a complete failure of a cable system occurs, usually via an external influence such as a ship's anchor breaking a cable, to the extent that 'in-system' protection on the same system is not possible." He also explained that customers have a choice between the regular international private lease circuits that includes restoration for their bandwidth or a product that excludes restoration, which would be termed non-restorable bandwidth or traffic. "It must be emphasised, though, that in the event of submarine cable service interruptions, every attempt is always made to expedite customer services," emphasised Samuels. Although EASSy will not be commercially active by the time this year's 2010 FIFA World Cup(tm) kicks off in June, Samuels stated that "Telkom's undersea capacity has been significantly upgraded". "For example, by end-October last year, SAT-3 and SAFE were upgraded to at least three times their former capacity." He added that SAT3 provided the shortest route to Europe while SAFE was the shortest link to Asia. From an undersea capacity perspective, therefore, "it's all systems go for the World Cup," emphasised Samuels. As it's investment in EASSy highlighted, Samuels said that Telkom had a robust strategy with regard to undersea cable investments. The Company's cable investments included COLUMBUS3, SEA-ME-WE3 (South East Asia-Middle East-Western Europe), SAT3/WASC/SAFE (South Atlantic Telecommunications / West Africa Submarine Cable /South Africa Far East), EASSy, EIG (Europe India Gateway) and WACS (West Africa Cable System). "Our investments are geared by the participation of other operators and we firmly believe that investment sharing translates to better unit costs and improved customer prices," he added. "Ultimately, we believe that EASSy will also go a long way towards increasing Africa's bandwidth capacity, affordability and create increased diversity and fibre redundancy between SA and Europe as well as within East Africa" concluded Samuels. Issued by: Group Communication and Brand <http://www.telkom.co.za/pls/portal/docs/page/contents/archive/legalnoti ce/TelkomEMailLegalNotice.pdf> DFID, the Department for International Development: leading the UK Government's fight against world poverty. Find out more at http://www.dfid.gov.uk. ______________________________________________________________________ This e-mail has been scanned for all viruses by Peapod. The service is powered by MessageLabs. For more information on a proactive anti-virus service working around the clock, around the globe, visit: http://www.peapod.co.uk/cleanmail

1 0

III International Meeting on ICT for Development Cooperation
by Inge Vervloesem 15 Feb '10

15 Feb '10

Hi, is anybody going to the following? Seems very interesting .... III International Meeting on ICT for Development Cooperation - New models of Cooperation in ICT for Human Development: Innovation from the South LABoral Centro de Arte y Creación Industrial - (Gijón - Spain) 1st – 2nd March 2010 Check it out on http://encuentro2010.fundacionctic.org/en Regards, Inge

1 0

[Kictanet] Attachment for Elizabeth Muthoni
by Chairman itSMF Kenya 14 Feb '10

14 Feb '10

Dear all, Elizabeth Muthoni is a young lady known to me who is pursuing a JKUAT BSc in Information Technology. She is currently looking for Industrial attachment. Her documents are hereby attached. Please let me know if you are able to help. Regards, Nick Wambugu Chairman - itSMF Kenya www.itsmfea.co.ke "Training, Implementation and Maintenance of Benchmarks in IT Governance"

6 7

[Fwd: ICANN Nairobi; relocation, relocation?]
by alice 14 Feb '10

14 Feb '10

http://crookedtimber.org/2010/02/12/14645/ ICANN Nairobi; relocation, relocation? by Maria on February 12, 2010 Although I no longer work for ICANN, I’d planned on attending its meeting in Nairobi <http://nbo.icann.org/> next month to meet old friends and drum up some work for my new consulting business. The Nairobi meeting is scheduled to run from 7-12 March. The biggest issue on the table is a crucial stage in the addition of new top level domains; the vote by the Board on how to handle expressions of interest. But in the last 24 hours, ICANN’s COO, Doug Brent, has published a security warning <http://nbo.icann.org/meetings/security-information-11feb10-en.htm> that may result in the meeting being cancelled. If this happens, it will be a real blow for the Kenyan Internet community. A previously planned meeting in Nairobi was cancelled because of security concerns prompted by election violence a couple of years ago. I thought this was the wrong call at the time, as election violence tends to die down and our meeting wasn’t till several months later. But I didn’t question and don’t envy the people who have to make that decision. An ICANN meeting brings about 1200 people from around the world to a country chosen from host applications about a year in advance. It’s a mix between a trade show and a party conference, with endless parallel sessions, soap-boxing, hallway deal-making and late night drinking. Probably two thirds One third (thanks, Kieren <http://public.icann.org/meeting-participation-data>) of the participants are regulars, and there’s always a ‘back to school’ feeling on the first day as you greet people you’ve not seen in months with an enthusiasm that wears off in about a nanosecond. The dominance of the regulars causes ongoing criticism that the whole travelling circus doesn’t work to get more and different people to take part, and should halt its global peregrinations and stay put in L.A., Frankfurt or Singapore. It’s expensive to take part in person, but however much resources are put into it, the number of remote participants is always disappointing. The in-person meetings have an uneasy mix of lobbyists, volunteers (many of whom are self-styled volunteers and in fact make their living from ICANN activities), beleagured staff members, G-men, NGO types, ccTLD reps, techies, salesmen, and confused-looking locals. Like it or loathe it, the travelling ICANN meeting is a big deal for the local hosts and the Internet community of the country and region it’s in. It’s their moment to come together as a group and strut their stuff on the global stage. The latest security warning about Nairobi concerns a known threat, the possibility of a terrorist attack by Al-Shabaab, a Somalia based Islamist insurgency group. The group has said it will attack if Kenya supports the Somali Transitional Federal Government. The UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office put out a warning <http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/…> in December 2009 that terrorist attacks throughout Kenya remain a high risk, but that only non-essential travel to near the Somali border is to be avoided. Like London, New York or Washington DC, Nairobi functions admirably despite a constant threat of terrorism. However, the US State Department has just issued a specific warning about possible suicide attacks on the Kenyatta Conference Centre where the meeting will be held. It says the individuals planning on carrying out attacks have been living in Somali communities within Kenya since early February. Although the Board just voted a couple of weeks ago to go ahead with the Nairobi meeting despite the more general security concerns, the latest warning has re-opened this tough question. Ultimately, ICANN’s CEO and Chairman must weigh up the risk of bringing over a thousand people to a potential terrorist target. Their decision isn’t simple as that sounds. Chances are, no attacks will happen and the meeting will be a success. But I suspect the maxim ‘if we cancel it, the terrorists have already won’ has a lot more rhetorical than practical weight if you’re the person on whose conscience the safety of hundreds of people will sit. The Nairobi meeting is hugely important to the people directly involved, in a way I’m finding hard to articulate. As well as the official programme, endless meetings and interactions will take place that are very important to the African and indeed the global Internet community. The solidarity and awareness of what it takes to keep the Internet going in different parts of the world grows from talking and sitting side by side for hours in endless technical workshops and council meetings. It can’t be got any other way. Or put it another way, if the meeting gets moved to ICANN’s home base in Los Angeles, lots of people who would have come won’t be able to. Not least because of visa problems. If ICANN Nairobi has to be cancelled, the loss in the Internet community’s regional momentum and global amity will be great. Over the years, I’ve heard a lot of carping – from mostly American community members, I have to admit – about ICANN going to high-crime places like Sao Paolo, Delhi or Mexico City. In my experience, the non-Americans in the Internet community are markedly sanguine about visiting visiting poor and potentially dangerous places. When we cancelled Nairobi last time round, the Kenyans had to more or less button their anger and disappointment to stay in the game. But it’s infuriating to be told by people you work with that they can’t possibly risk themselves in a city you live in year round. However, there is a qualitative difference between visiting a city with a lot of crime against property and one where you may be a live target. As a nonprofit with a public interest mission and a healthy contingency fund, relocating the meeting will hurt ICANN, but not mortally. I’m sure as I write that the meetings team is triggering its contingency plans to hold the meeting elsewhere if needed. It can be done. I just hope it doesn’t have to be, and that more information about the security threat means fore-warned is fore-armed. Already, a couple of companies have pulled their people regardless. That’s their choice. But if the meeting goes ahead, I for one will be going to Nairobi. -------------------------------- > Harry, all; > > This seems to be the latest update: > > > On Fri, Feb 12, 2010 at 5:47 AM, <no-reply(a)icann.org> wrote: > >> Updated Security Information as of 11 February 2010 >> Date: >> Thursday, 11 February 2010 >> >> Dear ICANN Community, >> >> Within the last 24 hours, we received an unclassified report from the United States’ Department of State related to the Kenyatta International Conference Center, the venue for our upcoming meeting (attached below). >> >> The types of threats outlined in that communication are difficult to assess. ICANN is now reaching out to different parties in Kenya and elsewhere to see if it is possible to better assess the situation, and of course will share any further information with you. >> >> Sammy Buruchara, Chairman of the ICANN 2010 Local Steering Committee in Nairobi has already provided the following information: >> >> “In relation with the Security threat by Al Shabaab to US Embassy and KICC, I wish to on behalf of ICANN 2010 Local Organizing committee and on behalf of the relevant Kenya Government Security Agencies state the following: >> >> The Kenya Government is aware of the Security Threat by Al Shabaab on KICC and on the United States Embassy in Nairobi. Our security organs that include National Security Intelligence Service (NSIS) and Kenya Anti-Terrorism Police have been alerted and will make appropriate security responses to deal with this threat. Through their network of security agents, they have made contingency plans to thwart any possible terrorist plot that will target Nairobi City, including KICC and all the Hotels in which delegates will be hosted, and the US Embassy. >> >> I wish to assure ICANN Community that the Kenya Government is committed to ensure your safety during the ICANN event and will take necessary security measures to guarantee the safety of all participants during the Conference.” >> >> In the most transparent manner possible, ICANN will continue to share information as it becomes available. Just like you, we’re processing this information, and seeing how and if we need to update procedures and plans for the upcoming meeting. >> >> Sincerely, >> ICANN >> >> Information from U.S. State Department >> >> “As of early February 2010, individuals affiliated with al-Shabaab al-Islamiya were planning suicide bombing attacks on the US Embassy and Kenyan International Conference Center in Nairobi, Kenya. The individuals were targeting the KICC because it was deemed the largest and oldest building associated with the Kenyan government. The US Embassy was targeted for its support of the Kenyan government. As of early February, the individuals planning to carry out the attacks were living in Somali communities in Kenya. We have no additional information regarding the possible individuals involved in the plot, timing, or method of the attack. >> >> This is all the information we have at this time, and we will continue to keep you updated if there are any potential updates.” >> >> >> >> > > > >

2 1

AfTLD Africa ccTLD Event in Nairobi - Registration closes on Monday 15 February]
by alice 14 Feb '10

14 Feb '10

Hi all For all those intending to participate and contribute to the AfTLD meeting/conference in March. best alice -------- Original Message -------- Dear Colleagues Registration for the AfTLD Africa ccTLD Event in Nairobi in March 2010 closes on Monday, 15 February 2010. If you plan to attend and have not yet registered, please register at: http://www.aftld.org/ke2010 Kind Regards, ------------------ Eric Akumiah AfTLD Administrative Manager, [T/F] : +233-21767466 [M] : +233-243380612, +233-203774281 [E]: eric(a)aftld.org [W]: http://www.aftld.org Skype: ericaftldsec -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by KeNIC MailScanner, and is believed to be clean. Kenya Network Information Center (KENIC) _______________________________________________

1 0

Why ICANN Nairobi may be a blessing in disguise
by alice 14 Feb '10

14 Feb '10

Kieren McCarthy [dotcom] <http://kierenmccarthy.com> Why ICANN Nairobi may be a blessing in disguise February 12, 2010 · <http://kierenmccarthy.com/category/internet-governance/> There is a questionmark over ICANN’s upcoming meeting in Nairobi, Kenya /again/. This time it has more bite than the usual xenophobia: the COO has published <http://nbo.icann.org/meetings/security-information-11feb10-en.htm> a US Department of State report that lists the conference centre itself as a specific threat from a Somalian insurgency group, Al-Shabaab <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harakat_al-Shabaab_Mujahideen>. In response, a number of Internet companies have already announced they are pulling their people. The Kenya conference was cancelled last year following election violence, and the meeting this year has been under a constant review – with the Board finally deciding the bite the bullet at a meeting <http://www.icann.org/en/minutes/minutes-22jan10-en.htm> on 22 January (my heart, incidentally, goes out to my former colleagues in the meetings team who have a near-impossible job of preparing for over 1,000 attendees at short notice). Now there is fresh discussion about whether to go ahead with the meeting – due to start on 7 March. Maria Farrell has written an interesting post <http://crookedtimber.org/2010/02/12/14645/> giving some background (although, I feel the need to point out that the attendees at ICANN meetings are: one third regulars; one third occasional; one third entirely new – my analysis online here <http://public.icann.org/meeting-participation-data>). So I thought I’d write a post pointing out how this bad news can be turned around to be positive for the organization. *If the meeting goes ahead…* It is a terrific opportunity for ICANN to really work on remote participation since large numbers of ICANNers will not be physically attending. This fact has not been missed (thank god) by the Board’s Public Participation Committee <http://www.icann.org/en/committees/participation/>, which has been pushing for participation guides at its past <http://www.icann.org/en/minutes/minutes-ppc-27jan10-en.htm> two <http://www.icann.org/en/minutes/minutes-ppc-13jan10-en.htm> meetings. I am delighted to see this approach, especially since it was a main recommendation <http://kierenmccarthy.com/2009/12/01/public-participation-my-icann-leaving-…> of mine in my leaving report <http://kierenmccarthy.com/2009/12/01/public-participation-my-icann-leaving-…> as general manager of public participation. Most of the tools for effective remote participation are already in place. What is missing are the cultural and procedural guidelines to make the most of them. With lots of people unlikely to attend, this is an ideal opportunity for ICANN to step up a notch and start making remote participation a functional reality. *If the meeting is cancelled…* Then I sincerely hope that the Board decides to simply cancel the event and reinvest the $2 million it costs to run an ICANN meeting (or as much as it can recoup) into events that focus people’s attention on the issues that need to be tackled. There are only really two things of importance that the Nairobi meeting is going to cover: the Expressions of Interest model for new Internet extensions (whether people have to pre-apply for their gTLD); and the registry/registrar separation issue (the rules surrounding the split between those who sell domains and those who run the Internet registry itself). The Board is going to make the decision regarding the Expressions of Interest. And it has lots of comment <http://forum.icann.org/lists/draft-eoi-model/> from the community following a very active public comment period. I’d like to see the Board meet physically somewhere else (Los Angeles?) for a week and really tackle the issue and do what it needs to do – make a decision. The community has had its say, having another meeting on the issue is only chewing up valuable time. And wrt registry/registrar separation – well, it seems that there is work being done on that by the Board, as made clear in the latest Board minutes (item k) <http://www.icann.org/en/minutes/minutes-04feb10-en.htm#k>. So why not have the staff focus on producing the work the Board has asked for, and then have the Board spend a week discussing and reviewing the issue, coming out with firm recommendations for review – rather than engage in another largely pointless and time-consuming community discussion that is scheduled for Nairobi. The other HUGE advantage to cancelling the whole meeting would be to overcome the status-quo fears of some in the community about moving from three to two international public meetings a year. Over the past four years, first Susan Crawford (ex-Board member and former advisor to President Obama), then Paul Levins (ex-VP of Corporate Affairs and the man who negotiated an end to the Joint Project Agreement), and then the Board Public Participation Committee as well as the Head of Meetings have all argued that ICANN should reduce the number of large international meetings the organization runs each year. Having studied this issue closely myself, I have absolutely no doubt that reducing the number of international public meetings would benefit both ICANN and the community. All it requires is the community to get over its fear of change. And cancelling the whole meeting will cause minds to focus, and provide some funds to think about what meetings do need to happen to move the organization’s work forward. So, possibly, hopefully, this Nairobi problem will end up a blessing in disguise.

1 0

Re: [kictanet] Vandalism menace
by Mwangi Wamae 13 Feb '10

13 Feb '10

I can think of four reasons why cable vandalism would occur: 1. Malicious – cable theft: The thief benefits primarily from reselling the metal (is fibre ever resold/). 2. Malicious – corporate sabotage: The thief’s organization will benefit from the service woes of a competitor. 3. Benign – construction work: Someone digging a foundation, trench or similar inadvertently severs a cable. 4. Benign – accident: An unforeseeable event occurs that damages the cable. I don’t have data about the breakdown of the incidences into these four categories. I believe we need to collect real data first before prescribing a solution. However here are my thoughts about how we should address each of these if the incidence warrants it. 1. Cable theft: This is petty thievery; we already have enough statutes in our books to address the perpetrators. The recent ban on the export of scrap metal may have helped – the decline in copper prices may have helped more but prices have been recovering. 2. Corporate sabotage: We need a level competitive playing field and if there is corporate sanctioned sabotage against competitors then the perpetrating company should have some real sanctions including imprisonment for guilty executives and possibly even the loss of their licenses. Telkom in recent press reports seems to be strongly alluding that this is what is going on. 3. Construction work: In Connecticut, (and many other parts of the US), it is the law to call a hotline 48-hours before digging. A joint effort by all the utilities & municipalities in the state (water, electricity, telecoms, sewerage, gas etc) is responsible for coming out to your site and marking where the underground utilities are buried. (There is a call centre to field the calls!) Failure to do so has real consequences on the contractor if there is damage to utilities. 4. Accidents: Nothing we can do here. I am shaking my head in disbelief at the suggestion that any of these (that does not result in death or injury) may even be construed to be a capital crime. Are we really going to hang people for severing a strand of glass fibre? On Tue, Feb 9, 2010 at 10:01 AM, Kai Wulff <kai.wulff(a)kdn.co.ke> wrote: > It is not only punishment.. Fiber police .. Well how many people do you > want to deploy all over the country? > > > > > > What is lacking is understanding and respect > > > > When it comes to vandals .. If it was their child needing medical > assistance and the call does not go through because of a cable cut …. > > > > Contractors (Road, Water and other industries ..) they regard fiber not as > an important infrastructure .. So why bother to avoid damage .. > > > > Property owners ….. Cutting the fiber and then complaining about the > Internet being down .. > > > > > > Building owners asking for rent for fiber to be terminated … Are they > getting paid rent by KPLC, TKL, Water … > > > > > > Education should solve the problem …. > > > > > > Last category: Saboteurs .. TREASON > > > > *Von:* kictanet-bounces+kai.wulff=kdn.co.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke [mailto: > kictanet-bounces+kai.wulff <kictanet-bounces%2Bkai.wulff>=kdn.co.ke > @lists.kictanet.or.ke] *Im Auftrag von *Kevin > *Gesendet:* Tuesday, February 09, 2010 17:50 > *An:* kai.wulff(a)kdn.co.ke > > *Cc:* KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions > *Betreff:* Re: [kictanet] Vandalism menace > > > > Jevans, > > > > I totally agree with you. I think to answer Dr. Ndemo's question, why not > classify the fiber optic infrastructure as "Critical National Communication > Infrastructure" and make vandalism a capital offence without the option of a > fine. in the same vein, IP network providers should work together to defend > the infrastructure as one entity and jointly safeguard the multi-billion > shilling investment instead of fighting media wars for individual benefit. > > > > A joint national anti-vandalism education campaign would be a good start. > Not all fiber vandals in the rural and urban areas understand the risk of > their actions, especially since they don't see how the fiber crossing their > village is benefiting them directly. For all they know, it only serves the > rich people living in the towns where the fiber is heading. Villagers need > to own the fiber. How? > > > > 1. By fiber companies ensuring that there are digital centres in the > villages where the fiber is passing for villagers to see its benefits (just > like power cables;cut power cables in village= no power=darkness,no TV=no > development). > > > > 2. Establishing a fiber police unit! > > > > > > Any other suggestions good people?? > > > > > On Tue, Feb 9, 2010 at 5:20 PM, Jevans Nyabiage <jnyabiage(a)nation.co.ke> > wrote: > > Should this not be made a capital offence? Which of these competitors > cannot afford just Sh1 million? > > The Kenya Communications (Amendment) Act says any person found guilty of > cable vandalism is liable to five-year jail term or a fine of Sh1 million. > > > -----Original Message----- > From: kictanet-bounces+jnyabiage=nation.co.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke[mailto: > kictanet-bounces+jnyabiage <kictanet-bounces%2Bjnyabiage>=nation.co.ke@ > lists.kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf Of bitange(a)jambo.co.ke > Sent: Tuesday, February 09, 2010 5:11 PM > To: Jevans Nyabiage > Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions > > Subject: Re: [kictanet] Vandalism menace > > Henry, > If today you had the power that the Government has, what is the something > you would do to these thieves? > > Ndemo. > > Sent from my BlackBerry(r) > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Henry Okatch <hokatch(a)gmail.com> > Date: Tue, 9 Feb 2010 16:16:38 > To: <bitange(a)jambo.co.ke> > Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions<kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > Subject: Re: [kictanet] Vandalism menace > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: bitange(a)jambo.co.ke > Unsubscribe or change your options at > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/bitange%40jambo.co.ke > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: jnyabiage(a)nation.co.ke > Unsubscribe or change your options at > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/jnyabiage%40nation.co.… > > DISCLAIMER: The information contained in or accompanying this e-mail is > intended for the use of the stated recipient only. It may contain > confidential, proprietary or legally privileged information. No > confidentiality or privilege is waived or lost by any mistransmission. If > you receive this message in error, please immediately delete it and all > copies of it from your system, destroy any hard copies of it and notify the > sender. You must not, directly or indirectly, use, disclose, distribute, > print, or copy any part of this message if you are not the intended > recipient. > > Any views or opinions presented herein are solely those of the author and > do not necessarily represent those of the Nation Media Group. > > ‘To get all breaking news alerts send the word BREAK to 6667 or visit > http://mobile.nation.co.ke to read news on your mobile phone.’ > > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: wanjalak(a)gmail.com > Unsubscribe or change your options at > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/wanjalak%40gmail.com > > > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: mwangi.wamae(a)gmail.com > Unsubscribe or change your options at > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/mwangi.wamae%40gmail.c… > >

2 1

Google Plans To Deliver 1Gb/sec Fiber-Optic Broadband Network To More Than 50, 000 Homes
by Eric M.K Osiakwan 12 Feb '10

12 Feb '10

http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2010/02/think-big-with-gig-our-experimental.… Have a good weekend, Folks. Eric here Eric M.K Osiakwan Director Internet Research www.internetresearch.com.gh emko(a)internetresearch.com.gh 42 Ring Road Central, Accra-North Tel: +233.21.258800 ext 7031 Fax: +233.21.258811 Cell: +233.24.4386792

1 0

an interesting article by Eric Schmidt
by Agosta Liko 12 Feb '10

12 Feb '10

*Erasing our innovation deficit* By Eric Schmidt Tuesday, February 9, 2010; 10:14 AM We can see it reflected in our search trends at Google: Too many people are out of work, and the fear of unemployment is changing the behavior of millions more. In the fall, searches related to back-to-school shopping and holiday travel bookings peaked weeks later than usual, as families put off spending as long as possible. At the same time, queries for payday loans have gone up a third in the past two years. To spur job creation and alleviate the fear of unemployment, the United States will need to tackle what Commerce Secretary Gary Locke has called our "innovation deficit<http://www.commerce.gov/NewsRoom/SecretarySpeeches/PROD01_008778>." We have been world leaders in innovation for generations. It has driven our economy, employment growth and our rising prosperity. But much of the cutting-edge research and development in key areas such as renewable energy now takes place outside the United States. There's a real chance that the "green Silicon Valley" will take root in Germany or China. We can't afford to let that happen. Addressing the innovation deficit requires rethinking our innovation model. We can no longer rely on the top-down approach of the 20th century, when big investments in the military and NASA spun off to the wider economy. Now that the Internet has put abundant information and powerful tools in everyone's hands, innovation is often driven from the bottom up. The ideas that power our next generation of growth are just as likely to originate in a coffee shop as in the laboratory of a big corporation. More than ever, innovation is disruptive and messy. It can't be controlled or predicted. The only way to ensure it can flourish is to create the best possible environment -- and then get out of the way. It's a question of learning to live with a mess. First, start-ups and smaller businesses must be able to compete on equal terms with their larger rivals. They don't need favors, just a level playing field. Congress should ensure that every bill it passes promotes competition over protecting the interests of incumbents. Second, encouraging risk-taking means tolerating failure -- provided we learn from it. If we want to be a leader in new industries such as green energy, we have to accept that some of our investments won't pan out. Show me a program with a 100 percent success rate, and I'll show you one with 0 percent innovation. Third, we need to invest more in our knowledge base. The decision by Congress to double science funding last year was a big step in the right direction. Now we need to extend the R&D tax credit so businesses can confidently invest in their future. Fourth, information must become even more open and accessible. Government-funded research should be made public through "a Wikipedia of ideas," so entrepreneurs can harness ideas commercially. High-speed Internet access must be much more widely available. Broadband is a major driver of new jobs and businesses, yet we rank only 15th in the world for access. More government support for broadband remains critical. Finally, we need to hang on to talented people. The best and brightest from around the world come to study at U.S. universities. After graduation, they are forced to leave because they can't get visas. It's ridiculous to export such talent to our competition. We have everything else we need to climb out of the current morass. Right now, somewhere in the United States, someone is working at a kitchen table, in a dorm room or a garage, developing an idea that could not only create a new industry but could also just possibly change the world. If we provide the right environment, she'll do the rest. *The writer is **chairman and chief executive of Google<http://www.google.com/corporate/execs.html#eric> **.*

1 0

Information for IGF Webcast and Remote participation
by waudo siganga 12 Feb '10

12 Feb '10

Dear Colleagues - those following the IGF process will be interested in the webcast link for today's open consultations: [1]http://media.lscube.org/live Starts 12.00 noon EAT. The [2]VLC player is the recommended media player to view the webcast and is available free of charge. The Remote Participation Working Group (RPWG) in cooperation with the IGF Secretariat is also making available a moderated chat function for online interaction; the link is [3]http://www.igfremote.info/RP/ and the twitter hashtag that will be used is [4]#IGF10. Questions may also be sent via email to: [5]sharmstocktaking(a)intgovforum.org Today's agenda can be found at [6]www.intgovforum.org Kind Regards, Waudo References 1. http://media.lscube.org/live 2. http://www.videolan.org/vlc/ 3. http://www.igfremote.info/RP/ 4. http://twitter.com/#search?q=%23IGF10 5. mailto:[email protected] 6. http://www.intgovforum.org/ "Those who say it cannot be done should not interrupt the ones doing it." -old proverb

15 20