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Re: [kictanet] Can Software Engineering Principles resolve Political Stalemate?
by John Walubengo 14 Apr '08

14 Apr '08

Amazing similarity b/w Computer Software and Political Deadlocks.... I was struck by the similarities between what is transpiring in our political arena and what happens in software engineering (in particular Operating System Software design) Wikepedia defines a deadlock as <<...a situation wherein two or more competing actions are waiting for the other to finish, and thus neither ever does. It is often seen in a paradox like 'the chicken or the egg'>>. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deadlocks. The same wikipedia page goes on to say that in Operating Systems, a deadlock occurs only when all of the following four conditions prevail: 1. Mutual Exclusion condition: a resource is either assigned to one process or it is available 2. Hold and Wait condition: processes already holding resources may request new resources 3. No Pre-emption condition: only a process holding a resource may release it 4. Circular Wait condition: two or more processes form a circular chain where each process waits for a resource that the next process in the chain holds. This transposes perfectly onto our political deadlock as described below (I just replaced the items 'Resource' with Ministry and 'Process' with Politician to understand prevailing conditions within the political context). So rephrasing the above:- Political deadlocks will occur when all of the following four conditions prevail: 1. Mutual Exclusion:-a Ministry can only be occupied by one Politician. The occupant automatically excludes the others. 2. Hold and Wait: -a Politician/Party holding some ministries may want to request for more. 3. No Preemption:-only the Politician holding the ministry can release it. (No external force can pre-empt or release that ministry). 4. Circular Wait: Politician-1 may release a Ministry 'A' - BUT only after recieving a Ministry 'B' from the other Politician-2. Unfortunately Politician-2 cannot realease Ministry 'B' because (s)he is awaiting for Politician-1 to release his Ministry 'A' first. So how do computers or Operating systems deal or resolve deadlocks? Three approaches have existed since 1960s and are described on the same wikipedia page. Basically they include: Option1: Deadlock Prevention, Option 2: Deadlock Avoidance and Option 3: Deadlock Detection. In more simplistic terms, Deadlock Prevention simply aims at ensuring that one or more of the above four conditions for deadlocks DO NOT hold. E.g most Operating Systems would therefore be pre-emptive (thus addressing condition 3) by retaining and exercising the right to terminate the offending processes (Politicians?). Operating Systems are careful not to allow one process to hoard resources at the expense of the other Processes. In the Deadlock Avoidance approach, Operating Systems try to make sure that they do not enter into a state that can lead to deadlocks. Basically, the competing processes are expected to declare in advance their maximum request levels for resources. Thereafter the Operating System polices their subsequent request granting or denying them accordingly. (All cards must be on the table in advance?) Finally, in Deadlock Detection, the Operating System may opt for the lazier but more expensive option- institute mechanisms that inform it that a deadlock has occured e.g. when the computer freezes (or the country?). Thereafter, it would need a manual reboot. Switch off and restart the machine, losing all your data (life?) in the process. I just hope we are not headed for Option 3. walu. --- Michuki Mwangi <michuki(a)swiftkenya.com> wrote: > > > Willem de Groot wrote: > > > > * Remove some of the URLs in the footer > > * Run the mailinglist on another server to see whether > my.co.ke IPs > > are somehow blacklisted/penalized > > > > > > The my.co.ke mx IP is clean and not blacklisted unless > someone wants to > verify that with other spots. > > Am monitoring the emails still and so far i dont seem to > any landing > into the spam folder since the very first one. > > I have no problem with my normal mail and using a mail > client which has > flags to read spamassassain spam counts and flag as spam. > No problems > with that so far. Considering that it goes through > spamassassin and a > barracuda box :) > > Regards, > > Michuki > _______________________________________________ > skunkworks mailing list > skunkworks(a)my.co.ke > http://ole.kenic.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks > Blog http://skunkworks-ke.blogspot.com > Beta Blog http://blog.my.co.ke > __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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ACHIEVERS NOMINATE NOW
by Dorcas Muthoni 14 Apr '08

14 Apr '08

*[image: http://www.forgeahead.co.za/Achievers/images/top.jpg]* NOMINATE NOW Do you know of someone who has done tremendous work in ICT's but has not received their just recognition ? This is the opportunity to reward those individuals and organisations who have achieved in the information and communications technology sector. All Africans across the continent are invited to nominate those individuals and organisations whom they believe are worthy of recognition for their ICT achievements. ------------------------------ To nominate visit www.forgeahead.co.za/achievers/noms_form.asp *OR * Contact Shirley Jacobs * * shirley(a)forgeahead.co.za 011 603 1645 ------------------------------ [image: http://www.forgeahead.co.za/Achievers/images/todays.gif] [image: http://www.forgeahead.co.za/Achievers/images/0logos_08.jpg] [image: http://www.forgeahead.co.za/Achievers/images/todays_bottom.gif] [image: http://www.forgeahead.co.za/Achievers/images/Bottom_new.jpg] *Please pass on this email to your colleagues and clients across Africa.*

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M- money services – The rise and rise of Africa’ s “killer-app” for 2008
by alice 11 Apr '08

11 Apr '08

M- money services – The rise and rise of Africa’ s “killer-app” for 2008 In the first four months of operation, from March to June 2007, M-Pesa, the mobile phone enabled payment system set up by Safaricom in Kenya, gained 150,000 customers. By December 2007, just before conflict erupted over the elections in December 2007, it had achieved 1 million customers who had made US$7 million in transactions. By January 2008, it had gained 1.6 million customers. This is the breakthrough moment for mobile-enabled cash transaction services, writes Russell Southwood. Strangely, the tragic circumstances of post-election violence in Kenya seemed to encourage the use of the service as ATMs ran out of cash and travelling across town to a bank became a riskier proposition. But as Kenya returns to normality, it will be the payments made in more normal times - things like wages to casual staff - that will begin to weigh in the balance. But Vodafone’s plans to roll-out M-Pesa in neighbouring Tanzania were pipped at the post this week by Zantel. Vodafone’s service is already also available in Afghanistan under the slightly amended name of M-Peisa. To be launched next week, Zantel’s money transfer service is to be called Z-Cash. Orascom’s Naguib Sawiris – never a man slow to spot an opportunity – this week announced that his company would offer Internet banking services to its 70 million customers: "It's not something that I'm starting from scratch. I have the subscribers. They were just doing e-mail, [text message] and voice. Now I'm going to tell them you can use this for banking." Perhaps less original and life-changing than M-Pesa but nevertheless a shift in how money transactions get done. This week sees the publication of “M-Money – Finances, Banking and Payments through Mobile Phones” , a 100+ page report which has some of the first detailed market research into the attitudes of potential African customers and how they handle both national and international remittances. The report includes: • Case studies of the pioneering services: The report provides full case studies of four fully operational M-money services: Globe Telecom’s G-Cash and Smart Communications’ Smart Money, both in the Philippines; Wizzit in South Africa; and M-Pesa in Kenya. In addition, there are many smaller mini-case studies of services that have been launched in Africa and elsewhere in the world. • User research findings: The report provides national sample surveys for three major markets – Ghana, Kenya and South Africa – which provide remarkably consistent findings in key areas. A key element of the research looks at how national and international remittances are made and how many people receive them. There is also additional research from a range of other African countries that help pin down the likely potential of M-money services. • User experience and customer business model interface: The report looks in detail at: how M-money services of different kinds can be delivered; different approaches to delivery (partners vs go-it-alone); different technologies that might underpin its development (for example, near field communications); and the business models and market segments. • How regulatory issues can be tackled: When banking meets the mobile world, two different sets of regulatory environments collide. The report provides a detailed section on how banking and financial requirements can be met and the implications for both the operator and consumer of these kinds of transactions. Balancing Act’s M-Money – Finances, Banking and Payments through Mobile Phones, is over 100 pages long and has 7 charts, 16 tables of statistical data, 2 graphic maps and 12 illustrations. If you’ve not worked out how to do M-Money services this year, you may be the one who’s missing out next year. For details, go to: http://www.balancingact-africa.com/publications.html <http://lists.balancingact-africa.com/t/1115/235533/2/0/> For an extract that contains a detailed table of contents with a full list of the charts, tables and maps, send an e-mail to: editorial(a)balancingact-africa.com <mailto:[email protected]> The report is priced as follows: Full price (Africa) – /GBP290/US$580; Full price (Rest of the World) – GBP350/US$700; Reduced price for universities and NGOs – GBP250/US$500. Click below to order:/ http://www.balancingact-africa.com/profiles/order/order_form.php <http://lists.balancingact-africa.com/t/1115/235533/226/0/>

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Swedish start-up TerraNet claims peer-to-peer mobile will increase phone penetration in developing countries
by alice 11 Apr '08

11 Apr '08

Swedish start-up TerraNet claims peer-to-peer mobile will increase phone penetration in developing countries Swedish start-up TerraNet has revealed further detail of its ‘peer-to-peer’ mobile phone technology that it claims could play a big role in increasing phone penetration in developing countries. According to TerraNet CEO and founder, Anders Carlius the company is working on what he calls ‘ad hoc’ networking Terranet’s peer-to-peer technology turns each handset into a switching node, passing on calls from other handsets within a 1 kilometre range. Each handset can simultaneously transit 7 calls and each call can make 7 hops before the switching delay starts to make conversation difficult. This peer-to-peer hopping communications has been done before in military applications, although expensively, and in the Tetra emergency communications system, but this is the first time anyone has tackled the mass market in this way. But isn’t the seven kilometre limit a real drawback? “It only seems so because we, us rich people in the west, are all used to zooming around the country or around the world. The other 4 billion don’t travel more than a few kilometres in a typical working day”. And most of the people they know spend all their time within the those few kilometers too.” Carlius is concerned to overcome the barrier to phone use from illiteracy. “I remember talking to a Pakistani telco who told me there was no way he could ever get beyond 40% penetration,” said Carlius. “‘Never? I asked.’ No,’ he said, ‘because 60% of our population is illiterate and innumerate and they therefore can’t use a phone.’ And he was right,” says Carlius. “If you think about it you can’t use a phone if you can’t read or manipulate numbers.” So Carlius’s next rethink was around the three button phone concept. An ad hoc networking phone might use people’s pictures instead of their names and numbers, he says. But perhaps the most important, and most re-thought, part of the model is Carlius’s ideas around distribution. Instead of a telecom network, TerraNet (or whoever had licensed the technology) would build a network of agents to push the phones, collect the monies and, most important, load up the appropriate photos for the illiterate customers. The technology still has to journey into final product. Journalists were shown a large circuit board working prototype but TerraNet says it has advance orders and expects to be manufacturing in bulk soonish. (Source: TelecomTV)

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Positive energy and the KCSE
by bitange＠jambo.co.ke 11 Apr '08

11 Apr '08

Dear All, As we discussed the the KCSE error, Eric Aligula sent the quotations below and I think they capture the spirit in which we should approach such problems. Often we spend more time to criticise yet this forum has some of the best minds in ICT. "All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing." Edmund Burke "Far better to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory, nor defeat." Theodore Roosevelt In the past we have spent our collective negative energy to kill projects that could have uplifted this country out of poverty. For example, the Nyayo car. Although there was evidence of corruption it is common knowledge that cost of any protype is usually high. Our learned good men and women did not come out to explain the behaviour of variable and fixed costs. The Malaysians if you read about their Proton were experiencing the same. What saved their project was the benevolent dictatorship of their leadership. Today the Proton is as good a car as any and Kenyans are importing it. You learn the history of motor industry, Kenyan technicians were taken to India, Zechoslovakia and South Africa to teach them on motor assembly. There are many projects that have come and gone because the good men that Edmund Burke is referring to are doing nothining. Indeed even those in public offices wanting to do good for the country fear taking any risk because there is no legal insurance. Therefore, the public had a responsibility to develop a common culture whose focus is to build rather than condem and destroy. Regards Ndemo. ---------------------------------------------- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is believed to be clean. --------------------------------------------- "easy access to the world"

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Invitation to all Local Software Developers
by nancy bosire 11 Apr '08

11 Apr '08

*Dear ALL,* * * *Invitation to all Local Software Developers*** This is to invite you to a consultative meeting on Friday the 18th April 2008 at Centurion Systems Ltd, from 2.15pm to 4. 00 pm. The venue is New Rehema House, 2nd floor Centurion Systems Rhapta Road (Westlands). The objective of the meeting is to promote the local software development industry with all relevant government agencies. Issues for discussion include: - Identify hurdles that cripple local software development - The need for a Committee of KIF to address software development industry issues, and if need exists, terms of reference. Invite and circulate this email to other software developers so that we can have different points of view, contributions and suggestions to be able to start the journey towards advocating for the local software development industry. Please confirm attendance ahead of time, as we have limited accommodation. This is an initiative of Kevit Desai and Marcel Werner. -- Sincerely yours, Nancy Bosire Secretariat Manager Kenya ICT Federation Tel: 020 4440102 Mobile: 0721907995 secretariat(a)kif.or.ke, info(a)kif.or.ke http://www.kif.or.ke "When you learn to love what you strive for, then it ceases to be an effort" Napoleon Hill "Whatever your mind expects and demands, it will find a way to produce it." Mahatma Gandhi First they ignore you, Then they laugh at you, Then they fight you, AND THEN YOU WIN!!!

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Re: [kictanet] kictanet Digest, Vol 11, Issue 17
by godera＠skyweb.co.ke 11 Apr '08

11 Apr '08

Dear Citizens, I am simply perplexed at how an "outdated computer programming language" can be blamed for such a fiasco. With all due respect, SOMEONE is responsible for ensuring that no "outdated programs" are used, assuming that the report is really true.There is absolutely no room for such complacency, not when you are talking about the future of these children. We surely cannot simply blame a machine that requires instruction then say the machine let the country down. We are talking about the credibility of the Kenyan education system here! We have for years read such bizzare stories happening in other "banana" republics and it appears we spent so much time laughing we forgot to look at ourselves and continued living in "past glory". Such things were unheard of in Kenya then. These days we are simply a laughing stock of the so called "banana" republics! Can someone stand up and take responsibility please! Gilda Odera Quoting kictanet-request(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke: > Send kictanet mailing list submissions to > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > kictanet-request(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > > You can reach the person managing the list at > kictanet-owner(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of kictanet digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Re: KCSE results fiasco explained? (bitange(a)jambo.co.ke) > 2. KCSE (bitange(a)jambo.co.ke) > 3. Re: KCSE results fiasco explained? (Frank Ojiambo) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:53:29 +0300 (EAT) > From: bitange(a)jambo.co.ke > Subject: Re: [kictanet] KCSE results fiasco explained? > To: "David Aduda" <daduda(a)nation.co.ke> > Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > Message-ID: <50958.213.42.2.22.1207828409.squirrel(a)mail.jambo.co.ke> > Content-Type: text/plain;charset=iso-8859-1 > > Dear Aduda, > You are dealing with multiple errors here. The first error was created by > a computer programmer. The second error was created by either the > reporter or the messenger who tried to correct error number one. Errors > of omission are common when fundermentals are not observed. We need to > examine the software since Hardware (the computer) does nothing unless > instructed to do so. > > Regards > > > Ndemo. > > > > > > Colleagues, > > > > I would be excited to get someone who can explain how the so-called > > computer error just happened this year and how a body (KNEC) entrusted > > with the noble task of setting, administering, marking and grading marks > > for our children could not detect the problem upfront. Is computer > > becoming the latter day punching bag for grave human mistakes? And does > > the computer generate its own data or fit's ed by human beings? > > > > If there is nay error here, blame my computer? > > > > Aduda > > > >> ---------- > >> From: kictanet-bounces+daduda=nation.co.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke on > >> behalf of Leonard Mware > >> Sent: Wednesday, April 9, 2008 1:29 PM > >> To: David Aduda > >> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions > >> Subject: Re: [kictanet] KCSE results fiasco explained? > >> > >> <<File: ATT5157354.txt>> > >> 'Outdated' as in fashion or not just not able to crunch figures due to > >> 'uzee"? > >> > >> > >> > >> ----- Original Message ---- > >> From: John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> > >> To: mleonardo(a)yahoo.com > >> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > >> Sent: Wednesday, April 9, 2008 10:11:36 AM > >> Subject: [kictanet] KCSE results fiasco explained? > >> > >> >>>Daily Nation, 9th April. > >> A programming error is to blame for last year?s KCSE > >> results fiasco in which the error led to the adjustment of > >> mean grades for some students. > >> > >> Education Minister Sam Ongeri said when he released a > >> report on last year?s Form Four examinations fiasco > >> yesterday. The report blamed outdated computer programming > >> language for the error which led to the adjustment of mean > >> grades for nearly 40,000 candidates. It arose from the use > >> of an outdated version of a programming language at Kenya > >> National Examinations Council. > >> >>>rest of story @ > >> > http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp? category_id=1&newsid=120791 > >> > >> I found it quite difficult to understand how an 'outdated' > >> programming language that has been working well over the > >> years suddenly begins to lose memory (its mind?) due to the > >> 'ageing' process...ama are we experiencing Y2K bug ver 2 > >> remixed here? > >> > >> ...and now that the report is public, could Barnabas (ICT > >> Mnger, Education) shed some more technical light on what > >> could have transpired? Or maybe Prof. Kashorda who sat on > >> the Investigation committee? Because technically I still > >> dont get it... > >> > >> walu. > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > ________________________________________________________________________________ ____ > >> You rock. That's why Blockbuster's offering you one month of Blockbuster > >> Total Access, No Cost. > >> http://tc.deals.yahoo.com/tc/blockbuster/text5.com > >> > >> _______________________________________________ > >> kictanet mailing list > >> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > >> > >> This message was sent to: mleonardo(a)yahoo.com > >> Unsubscribe or change your options at > >> > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/mleonardo%40yahoo.com > >> > >> > >> _____ > >> > >> You rock. That's why Blockbuster's offering you one month of Blockbuster > >> Total Access, No Cost. > >> > > > > 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://www.nationmedia.com/wap to read news on your mobile phone.? > > > > ---------------------------------------------- > > This message has been scanned for viruses and > > dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is > > believed to be clean. > > --------------------------------------------- > > "easy access to the world" > > > > _______________________________________________ > > kictanet mailing list > > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > > > This message was sent to: bitange(a)jambo.co.ke > > Unsubscribe or change your options at > > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/bitange%40jambo.co.ke > > > > > > ---------------------------------------------- > This message has been scanned for viruses and > dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is > believed to be clean. > --------------------------------------------- > "easy access to the world" > > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 2 > Date: Thu, 10 Apr 2008 16:34:11 +0300 (EAT) > From: bitange(a)jambo.co.ke > Subject: [kictanet] KCSE > To: kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > Cc: 'Catherine Ngahu' <cngahu(a)sboresearch.com>, KICTAnet ICT Policy > Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke>, vkyalo(a)ict.go.ke > Message-ID: <16784.213.42.2.22.1207834451.squirrel(a)mail.jambo.co.ke> > Content-Type: text/plain;charset=iso-8859-1 > > Dear All, > My earlier e-mail to Aduda has elisted direct questions as to how the > programing error could have occured. Usually errors such as the one > explained by the Minister occur during Data Mining. > > Researchers generally define data mining (sometimes called data or > knowledge discovery) as the process of analyzing data from different > perspectives and summarizing it into useful information - information that > can be used to increase revenue, cuts costs, or both. Data mining software > is one of a number of analytical tools for analyzing data. It allows users > to analyze data from many different dimensions or angles, categorize it, > and summarize the relationships identified. Technically, data mining is > the process of finding correlations or patterns among dozens of fields in > large relational databases like KCSE. > > Data does not automatically become information unless it is mined properly. > > > Ndemo > > > > > ---------------------------------------------- > This message has been scanned for viruses and > dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is > believed to be clean. > --------------------------------------------- > "easy access to the world" > > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 3 > Date: Thu, 10 Apr 2008 17:22:21 +0300 > From: "Frank Ojiambo" <wanyama(a)nation.co.ke> > Subject: Re: [kictanet] KCSE results fiasco explained? > To: <bitange(a)jambo.co.ke> > Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > Message-ID: > <61CFDAF4B595904B9156E157C2D9D44C0A395006(a)NATIONMAIL.nation.co.ke> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" > > > Bitange, > > > Perhaps the likes of our Minister for Education, the KNEC Secretary and > others that choose to call a spade by any other name should submit to your > wise counsel. > > And it's not just the software that needs examination. The KNEC Secretary > and his officers should be placed under a microscope considering plethora > problems that have perennially afflicted national examinations. > > The abnormally high levels tolerance/impotence among Kenyans is perhaps to > blame. > > It's for this reason that ECK Chairman Samuel Kivuitu and his team of zombies > are, bizzaringly still in office. > > What of the top political leaders currently playing a dangerous chess game, > with the 35 million Kenyans relegated to mere pawns? > > It's an insult that Prof Ongeri, Mr Wasanga and his team of goofers at KNEC > are still in office. > > I long for the day when lynch mobs shall pay courtesy calls on such people > and do what they do best. > > > Frank > > > > > > > ---------- > > From: kictanet-bounces+wanyama=nation.co.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke on behalf > of bitange(a)jambo.co.ke > > Sent: Thursday, April 10, 2008 2:53 PM > > To: Frank Ojiambo > > Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions > > Subject: Re: [kictanet] KCSE results fiasco explained? > > > > Dear Aduda, > > You are dealing with multiple errors here. The first error was created by > > a computer programmer. The second error was created by either the > > reporter or the messenger who tried to correct error number one. Errors > > of omission are common when fundermentals are not observed. We need to > > examine the software since Hardware (the computer) does nothing unless > > instructed to do so. > > > > Regards > > > > > > Ndemo. > > > > > > > > > > > Colleagues, > > > > > > I would be excited to get someone who can explain how the so-called > > > computer error just happened this year and how a body (KNEC) entrusted > > > with the noble task of setting, administering, marking and grading marks > > > for our children could not detect the problem upfront. Is computer > > > becoming the latter day punching bag for grave human mistakes? And does > > > the computer generate its own data or fit's ed by human beings? > > > > > > If there is nay error here, blame my computer? > > > > > > Aduda > > > > > >> ---------- > > >> From: kictanet-bounces+daduda=nation.co.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke on > > >> behalf of Leonard Mware > > >> Sent: Wednesday, April 9, 2008 1:29 PM > > >> To: David Aduda > > >> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions > > >> Subject: Re: [kictanet] KCSE results fiasco explained? > > >> > > >> <<File: ATT5157354.txt>> > > >> 'Outdated' as in fashion or not just not able to crunch figures due to > > >> 'uzee"? > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> ----- Original Message ---- > > >> From: John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> > > >> To: mleonardo(a)yahoo.com > > >> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > > >> Sent: Wednesday, April 9, 2008 10:11:36 AM > > >> Subject: [kictanet] KCSE results fiasco explained? > > >> > > >> >>>Daily Nation, 9th April. > > >> A programming error is to blame for last year?s KCSE > > >> results fiasco in which the error led to the adjustment of > > >> mean grades for some students. > > >> > > >> Education Minister Sam Ongeri said when he released a > > >> report on last year?s Form Four examinations fiasco > > >> yesterday. The report blamed outdated computer programming > > >> language for the error which led to the adjustment of mean > > >> grades for nearly 40,000 candidates. It arose from the use > > >> of an outdated version of a programming language at Kenya > > >> National Examinations Council. > > >> >>>rest of story @ > > >> > http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp? category_id=1&newsid=120791 > > >> > > >> I found it quite difficult to understand how an 'outdated' > > >> programming language that has been working well over the > > >> years suddenly begins to lose memory (its mind?) due to the > > >> 'ageing' process...ama are we experiencing Y2K bug ver 2 > > >> remixed here? > > >> > > >> ...and now that the report is public, could Barnabas (ICT > > >> Mnger, Education) shed some more technical light on what > > >> could have transpired? Or maybe Prof. Kashorda who sat on > > >> the Investigation committee? Because technically I still > > >> dont get it... > > >> > > >> walu. > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > ________________________________________________________________________________ ____ > > >> You rock. That's why Blockbuster's offering you one month of > Blockbuster > > >> Total Access, No Cost. > > >> http://tc.deals.yahoo.com/tc/blockbuster/text5.com > > >> > > >> _______________________________________________ > > >> kictanet mailing list > > >> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > > >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > >> > > >> This message was sent to: mleonardo(a)yahoo.com > > >> Unsubscribe or change your options at > > >> > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/mleonardo%40yahoo.com > > >> > > >> > > >> _____ > > >> > > >> You rock. That's why Blockbuster's offering you one month of > Blockbuster > > >> Total Access, No Cost. > > >> > > > > > > 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://www.nationmedia.com/wap to read news on your mobile phone.> '> > > > > > > ---------------------------------------------- > > > This message has been scanned for viruses and > > > dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is > > > believed to be clean. > > > --------------------------------------------- > > > "easy access to the world" > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > kictanet mailing list > > > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > > > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > > > > > This message was sent to: bitange(a)jambo.co.ke > > > Unsubscribe or change your options at > > > > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/bitange%40jambo.co.ke > > > > > > > > > > > ---------------------------------------------- > > This message has been scanned for viruses and > > dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is > > believed to be clean. > > --------------------------------------------- > > "easy access to the world" > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > kictanet mailing list > > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > > > This message was sent to: wanyama(a)nation.co.ke > > Unsubscribe or change your options at > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/wanyama%40nation.co.ke > > > > > > 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://www.nationmedia.com/wap to read news on your mobile phone.? >

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Re: [kictanet] KCSE results fiasco explained?
by Frank Ojiambo 10 Apr '08

10 Apr '08

Bitange, Perhaps the likes of our Minister for Education, the KNEC Secretary and others that choose to call a spade by any other name should submit to your wise counsel. And it's not just the software that needs examination. The KNEC Secretary and his officers should be placed under a microscope considering plethora problems that have perennially afflicted national examinations. The abnormally high levels tolerance/impotence among Kenyans is perhaps to blame. It's for this reason that ECK Chairman Samuel Kivuitu and his team of zombies are, bizzaringly still in office. What of the top political leaders currently playing a dangerous chess game, with the 35 million Kenyans relegated to mere pawns? It's an insult that Prof Ongeri, Mr Wasanga and his team of goofers at KNEC are still in office. I long for the day when lynch mobs shall pay courtesy calls on such people and do what they do best. Frank > ---------- > From: kictanet-bounces+wanyama=nation.co.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke on behalf of bitange(a)jambo.co.ke > Sent: Thursday, April 10, 2008 2:53 PM > To: Frank Ojiambo > Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions > Subject: Re: [kictanet] KCSE results fiasco explained? > > Dear Aduda, > You are dealing with multiple errors here. The first error was created by > a computer programmer. The second error was created by either the > reporter or the messenger who tried to correct error number one. Errors > of omission are common when fundermentals are not observed. We need to > examine the software since Hardware (the computer) does nothing unless > instructed to do so. > > Regards > > > Ndemo. > > > > > > Colleagues, > > > > I would be excited to get someone who can explain how the so-called > > computer error just happened this year and how a body (KNEC) entrusted > > with the noble task of setting, administering, marking and grading marks > > for our children could not detect the problem upfront. Is computer > > becoming the latter day punching bag for grave human mistakes? And does > > the computer generate its own data or fit's ed by human beings? > > > > If there is nay error here, blame my computer? > > > > Aduda > > > >> ---------- > >> From: kictanet-bounces+daduda=nation.co.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke on > >> behalf of Leonard Mware > >> Sent: Wednesday, April 9, 2008 1:29 PM > >> To: David Aduda > >> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions > >> Subject: Re: [kictanet] KCSE results fiasco explained? > >> > >> <<File: ATT5157354.txt>> > >> 'Outdated' as in fashion or not just not able to crunch figures due to > >> 'uzee"? > >> > >> > >> > >> ----- Original Message ---- > >> From: John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> > >> To: mleonardo(a)yahoo.com > >> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > >> Sent: Wednesday, April 9, 2008 10:11:36 AM > >> Subject: [kictanet] KCSE results fiasco explained? > >> > >> >>>Daily Nation, 9th April. > >> A programming error is to blame for last year?s KCSE > >> results fiasco in which the error led to the adjustment of > >> mean grades for some students. > >> > >> Education Minister Sam Ongeri said when he released a > >> report on last year?s Form Four examinations fiasco > >> yesterday. The report blamed outdated computer programming > >> language for the error which led to the adjustment of mean > >> grades for nearly 40,000 candidates. It arose from the use > >> of an outdated version of a programming language at Kenya > >> National Examinations Council. > >> >>>rest of story @ > >> http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=1&ne… > >> > >> I found it quite difficult to understand how an 'outdated' > >> programming language that has been working well over the > >> years suddenly begins to lose memory (its mind?) due to the > >> 'ageing' process...ama are we experiencing Y2K bug ver 2 > >> remixed here? > >> > >> ...and now that the report is public, could Barnabas (ICT > >> Mnger, Education) shed some more technical light on what > >> could have transpired? Or maybe Prof. Kashorda who sat on > >> the Investigation committee? Because technically I still > >> dont get it... > >> > >> walu. > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> ____________________________________________________________________________________ > >> You rock. That's why Blockbuster's offering you one month of Blockbuster > >> Total Access, No Cost. > >> http://tc.deals.yahoo.com/tc/blockbuster/text5.com > >> > >> _______________________________________________ > >> kictanet mailing list > >> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > >> > >> This message was sent to: mleonardo(a)yahoo.com > >> Unsubscribe or change your options at > >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/mleonardo%40yahoo.com > >> > >> > >> _____ > >> > >> You rock. That's why Blockbuster's offering you one month of Blockbuster > >> Total Access, No Cost. > >> > > > > 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://www.nationmedia.com/wap to read news on your mobile phone.> '> > > > > ---------------------------------------------- > > This message has been scanned for viruses and > > dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is > > believed to be clean. > > --------------------------------------------- > > "easy access to the world" > > > > _______________________________________________ > > kictanet mailing list > > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > > > This message was sent to: bitange(a)jambo.co.ke > > Unsubscribe or change your options at > > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/bitange%40jambo.co.ke > > > > > > ---------------------------------------------- > This message has been scanned for viruses and > dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is > believed to be clean. > --------------------------------------------- > "easy access to the world" > > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: wanyama(a)nation.co.ke > Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/wanyama%40nation.co.ke > > 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://www.nationmedia.com/wap to read news on your mobile phone.

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Re: [kictanet] KCSE results fiasco explained?
by David Aduda 10 Apr '08

10 Apr '08

Colleagues, I would be excited to get someone who can explain how the so-called computer error just happened this year and how a body (KNEC) entrusted with the noble task of setting, administering, marking and grading marks for our children could not detect the problem upfront. Is computer becoming the latter day punching bag for grave human mistakes? And does the computer generate its own data or fit's ed by human beings? If there is nay error here, blame my computer? Aduda > ---------- > From: kictanet-bounces+daduda=nation.co.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke on behalf of Leonard Mware > Sent: Wednesday, April 9, 2008 1:29 PM > To: David Aduda > Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions > Subject: Re: [kictanet] KCSE results fiasco explained? > > <<File: ATT5157354.txt>> > 'Outdated' as in fashion or not just not able to crunch figures due to 'uzee"? > > > > ----- Original Message ---- > From: John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> > To: mleonardo(a)yahoo.com > Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > Sent: Wednesday, April 9, 2008 10:11:36 AM > Subject: [kictanet] KCSE results fiasco explained? > > >>>Daily Nation, 9th April. > A programming error is to blame for last year?s KCSE > results fiasco in which the error led to the adjustment of > mean grades for some students. > > Education Minister Sam Ongeri said when he released a > report on last year?s Form Four examinations fiasco > yesterday. The report blamed outdated computer programming > language for the error which led to the adjustment of mean > grades for nearly 40,000 candidates. It arose from the use > of an outdated version of a programming language at Kenya > National Examinations Council. > >>>rest of story @ > http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=1&ne… > > I found it quite difficult to understand how an 'outdated' > programming language that has been working well over the > years suddenly begins to lose memory (its mind?) due to the > 'ageing' process...ama are we experiencing Y2K bug ver 2 > remixed here? > > ...and now that the report is public, could Barnabas (ICT > Mnger, Education) shed some more technical light on what > could have transpired? Or maybe Prof. Kashorda who sat on > the Investigation committee? Because technically I still > dont get it... > > walu. > > > > > ____________________________________________________________________________________ > You rock. That's why Blockbuster's offering you one month of Blockbuster Total Access, No Cost. > http://tc.deals.yahoo.com/tc/blockbuster/text5.com > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: mleonardo(a)yahoo.com > Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/mleonardo%40yahoo.com > > > _____ > > You rock. That's why Blockbuster's offering you one month of Blockbuster Total Access, No Cost. > 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://www.nationmedia.com/wap to read news on your mobile phone.

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FW: ANSA-Africa: FInal conference participation call
by Eric Aligula 10 Apr '08

10 Apr '08

Any interested parties? Papers on ICTs and Social Accountability - Kenyan Perspective would be interesting. Forward as appropriate. Kind regards Eric Aligula Magolo Senior Policy Analyst Infrastructure and Economic Services Division Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis P.O. Box 56445, 00200 Nairobi, Kenya Telephone: +254-20-2719933/4 Fax: +254-20-2719951 E-mail: jairah(a)kippra.or.ke <mailto:[email protected]> URL: www.kippra.org <http://www.kippra.org/> Proudly Kenyan "In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility..........I welcome it." John F. Kennedy "All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing." Edmund Burke "Far better to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory, nor defeat." Theodore Roosevelt "Ex Africa semper aliquid novi" From: rhumphries(a)hsrc.ac.za [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, April 07, 2008 4:07 PM Subject: ANSA-Africa: FInal conference participation call Dear Colleagues You should have received earlier notifications of ANSA-Africa's forthcoming stakeholder conference - to be held in Addis Ababa on the 19th and 20th of May 2008. Our website's home page contains the conference announcement. More details will be posted later this week. With the conference just over one month away, this e-mail is a final call for both abstracts and intention to participate as a delegate. We have some places left for sponsored delegates. Persons wishing to be considered for these places must fill in the delegate application form and submit it to Mrs Ingrid du Toit at the ANSA-Africa secretariat (Ingrid.dutoit(a)mweb.co.za) The form is attached for ease of access. Many thanks indeed. richard h Richard Humphries Affiliated Network for Social Accountability (Africa) www.ansa-africa.net Human Sciences Research Council Pretoria www.hsrc.ac.za

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