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Laare computing center in Meru
by Riyaz Bachani 27 Aug '07

27 Aug '07

Follow Harry Karanja's 'cathinoned' exploits in Meru - story from his blog. Members of this forum would also be interested in the work Eric has done at Laare, getting support from MIT. (attached is a job posting for a manager/trainer he's looking for) http://laare.csail.mit.edu/ http://startupkenya.blogspot.com/2007/08/internet-charity-and-miraa- day-one.html Back in July my good pal Eric Mibuari (next M.P. of Ntonyiri Constituency and MIT alumni) invited me to help him set up internet access at a computer centre he founded in Laare, Meru. The idea was to use my internet in the village model which I had already deployed in two other places. I jumped at the idea, not only is Eric a fun guy, but I had never been to Meru and I needed a holiday from Forex trading. So together with another of my pals, Dru, we piled into a 4WD and headed off towards Meru. Now, I have never been to Meru so I didn't really know what to expect. I borrowed the 4WD from a friend suspecting I'd be in trouble without it but I was pleasantly surprised to find well paved roads most of the way. There was another reason I borrowed the 4WD, it was because it had enough storage room. The previous week Nakumatt (Kenya's leading retailer) had announced the opening of its Meru branch and I had my eye on a big-screen TV that was going to be on a special half price offer. I was sure of getting it as I would be in Meru on the day right after grand opening. A rapid learning experience my trip was to prove, the first thing I realised was that Meru is a very wealthy town. If the fact that the TVs were all sold out on day one by 11:00 am did not convince me of this fact then it was the brand new Toyota Hilux pick-ups scattered everywhere making up 1 of every 3 cars. I was to learn in due course why this was the favoured vehicle. Eric was already in Meru and asked us to rendezvous with him in Maua - a town 50km north of Meru and near the Meru National Park. We finally got to Meru at about 6pm and I discovered the second thing about Meru; at 1800M above sea level and off the slopes of Mount Kenya, the place is extremely cold. By luck Dru and I had both had packed heavy woolen sweaters, although the cold seemed to seep through those too. While waiting for Eric, who was coming from the centre, we took a tour of Maua. To our surprise we found that half the town's occupants were of Somali origin. Now for a non-Kenyan to understand this you must appreciate that rural areas are usually homogenous in ethnic makeup. We expected at least 90% Meru ethnicity. Somalis however are extremely capable merchants and Maua has a very valuable and tradeable commodity, miraa. So like flies to honey they flocked in their hundreds to the small yet extremely rich town. By the time we got to Maua I had been driving for six hours and over 400km but when we finally met up with Eric he insisted on taking us to see the centre. So after checking in to our hotel we drove on to Laare, about 10km from Maua. The centre is temporarily hosted by the Laare Catholic parish. This stoked the fire of conviction that churches form a good backbone for such community projects; direct access to the community and structural resources. Our trip to the parish was also our first chance to interact with locals of Meru - the priests. Kimeru language is not so much spoken as it is sung, with alternating pitch, tempo, and rhythm. It was fascinating to listen as the priests and Eric weaved kimeru in and out of the English conversation. Our hosts generously served us some hot tea and bananas (incredibly huge bananas) as they found out about our mission to Meru. Eric also showed us the computers and equipment that had been donated by MIT for use in the centre. An impressive number of relatively new PCs, laptops, routers and switches all the way from Boston were stacked up in one corner of the priests' living room waiting for us to set them up the following day. We finally left at around nine o'clock and slowly drove back to Maua. Slowly because it was a pitch black moonless night and the cold mountain air hitting the warmer tarmac caused instant rising mist on the road. Used to Nairobi's fast pace we found ourselves still eager to explore the place at that late hour. However the few places we checked out were lifeless (it was a Tuesday) so we decided to go to the hotel and strategize on the following day. Before retiring though we purchased some of Meru's finest. So while chewing on a few choice stems, we tried out the EDGE internet connectivity from the hotel room using my laptop and my cell phone as a modem. The connection worked quite well and I was even able to open my forex trading platform and put in a few trades. (Isn't technology wonderful - you can buy and sell off Wall Street while in a hotel in Meru right on the slopes of Mount Kenya!) I finally gave in at 1:00 am as even the cathinone in the miraa could not erase six hours of driving. I left a 'cathinoned' Eric sending emails and on the phone with his colleagues in Boston late into the night. Watch this space for Day Two coming soon... _______________________________________________ skunkworks mailing list skunkworks(a)my.co.ke http://ole.kenic.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks Blog http://skunkworks-ke.blogspot.com

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Re: [kictanet] National e-Government Strategies: Designing for Success - 19 June 2007
by Patrick Mburu 26 Aug '07

26 Aug '07

Harry, thank you for the link to this webcast. Am interested to know how many from this list were able to attend this at the WB video conferene. I participated online and was a great delivery with key issues addressed from participants throughout the globe. I hope that there will be a posting of the questions submitted through the chat as well as the brief summary of it posted in the site: http://go.worldbank.org/KYLN3DZF40 Some key questions that was addressed regarding to e-readiness from the Kenyan participants VC), it would be insighful if we could obtain perhaps further deliberations from this perspective and how these could / would be addressed in terms of infrastructural dev activities that are currently underway.... Anyone care to comment / suggest where these could be addressed? Regards, Patrick On 18/06/07, Harry Hare <harry(a)africanedevelopment.org> wrote: > > > > Dear Colleagues, > > > > > > The World Bank office in Nairobi has kindly availed their facility for those > interested in participating in a videoconference is titled "National > e-Government Strategies: Designing for Success" which is to take place > tomorrow June 19th at 9:00 - 11:30 am EST, which is 4pm here. > > > > This VC is organized in partnership with USAID/USTTI and Development Gateway > Foundation. The event will feature several leading experts from India, > Singapore, U.S., Kenya and World Bank who will engage in a discussion with > country clients. The event description is below and more information is > available at: http://go.worldbank.org/KYLN3DZF40 > > > > A great number of governments have now developed e-Government strategies and > are at various stages of implementation. While a significant amount of > attention has been given in the past to identifying the key components of > e-Government strategies and identifying best practices, little attention has > been given to the processes involved in the design of such strategies. > Recognizing that the process of designing an e-Government strategy is > perhaps as important if not more important than the resulting document, this > event will be an opportunity to learn from three different country > perspectives. The speakers will address the process of designing successful > national e-Government strategies, focusing on the following questions: > > > > Why is it important to have well-designed e-Government Strategies? > > Why might the process be as important as the final document? > > What constitutes successful e-Government strategies? What are the key > ingredients? > > How should governments go about designing e-Government strategies? > > What are the steps and processes that are essential not only to the > elaboration of the strategy, but also to its successful implementation? > > > > The VC room at the Bank can accommodate just a few people, and we have been > given about 15 spaces which shall be allocated on a first come first served > basis. Due to security issues at the Bank's offices, we have to submit the > names of those interested by 1pm tomorrow. So if you are interested in > participating, pls send me an email by 1pm tomorrow 19th June 2007. My > apologies for the short notice and we look forward to your participation! > > > > Best regards, > > > > Harry Hare > > African eDevelopment Resource Centre > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > Please unsubscribe or change your options at > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/patrick.mburu%40gmail.com >

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NSE Weekly Analytics & MediaCorp Clinic
by Bill Kagai 26 Aug '07

26 Aug '07

Dear Sir/Madam, 1. Please find attached the NSE Weekly Analytics. This week our eye is on the proposed Bamburi/East Africa Portland Cement Merger - The real winners. 2.Next Saturday on 1st September 2007, we will be at Nyali Beach Hotel looking at how ICT can help you trade more efficiently at the inaugural MediaCorp Clinic. Main Plenary * * -Dr. Bitange Ndemo – PS, Ministry of Information and Communication who will speak on the role of ICT in harnessing online trading -Mr. Jimnah Mbaru – Chairman, Nairobi Stock Exchange [NSE] who will speak on transforming the market from a paper to a digital market and the future vision of the NSE. -Mr. Bob Karina – Managing Director, Faida Securities who will speak on demystifying the bond market by taking advantage of online resources in Kenya. Discussant Mr. Fred Mweni, Chief Executive, Tsavo Securities. First Plenary -Financing IPOs from a bank's perspective – K-Rep Bank - Moses Banda -Custodial Services from Barclays Securities Services – John Odhiambo / Gideon Chokah -NSE Real Time Data Demonstration – MediaCorp - Edwin Wambugu -Investor Rights and Redress – Kenya Association of Investor Groups – Patrick Kariuki -Brokers, Unit Trusts and Investment Groups Exhibition Confirmed Exhibitors Dyer & Blair Investment Bank, Faida Securities, Discount Securities, Barclays Securities Service, Bob Mathews, K-Rep Bank, Old Mutual, Tsavo Securities and Apex Africa have already confirmed exhibiting their services at the Clinic. -- Bildad Kagai MD - MediaCorp Limited Nairobi Stock Exchange [NSE] - Authorised Information Vendor Suite B2 Tetu Apartments StateHouse Avenue P. O. Box 20311-00200 Tel. 254 20 272 8332 Fax. Rendered Obsolete URL. www.mediacorpafrica.com --

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WHOIS privacy reform reaches dead end
by Alex Gakuru 25 Aug '07

25 Aug '07

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20070824-whois-privacy-reform-reaches-… Reforms to the WHOIS database in order to address growing privacy concerns have once again come to a halt, leaving a seven-year-old debate to continue on how much personal information should be displayed to the public. The WHOIS Working Group published its Final Outcomes report (PDF) this week, which detailed nearly three months' worth of talks, negotiations, and disagreements among 70 users, service providers, and law enforcement officials. The group was pulled in two directions: one by those who want increased privacy protections for individuals registering domains and another by those who want easier and quicker access to WHOIS contact information in order to keep an eye on bad apples. Report: http://gnso.icann.org/drafts/icann-whois-wg-report-final-1-9.pdf ------------------- [WWWhatsup NYC, http://pinstand.com,http://punkcast.com http://isoc-ny.org] ------------------- ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better Globetrotter. Get better travel answers from someone who knows. Yahoo! Answers - Check it out. http://answers.yahoo.com/dir/?link=list&sid=396545469

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Fwd: [Skunkworks] MEETING - PloneGOV - 28 Aug 2007
by Riyaz Bachani 25 Aug '07

25 Aug '07

this might be useful for members on this forum too. Begin forwarded message: > To: skunkworks <skunkworks(a)my.co.ke> > > > Nicholas Bossut will be speaking about http://www.plonegov.org > > Wananchi Online, 1st Floor Loita Hse > > 6pm, 28 Aug 2007 > > We will probably do dinner after for those wanting more discussions > > > > > > ----- > from Ashok: > > Hello All: > > One of the main creators of PloneGOV project (http:// > www.plonegov.org) [1] is > visiting nairobi during this week, and is interested in meeting > organizations, interested > parties, open source folks.... : > > <quote> > Moreover, I'm truly interested to explore opportunities for PloneGov > project. PloneGov could be a way for african municipalities to fight > the digital divide in saving money. Open source websites as City of > Seneffe website (www.seneffe.be) could be easily copy-paste and help > national administrations in charge of local governments to develop a > presence of public authorities on Internet. Different applications > are independant and interconnectable. In facts, we deployed tools > that aren't useful in Africa but municipalities can choose 'à la > carte' what they need. > </quote> > > Interested parties may drop me an email offline .... > > thanks > > Ashok > > [1] PloneGOV : > ""55 European, African, North and South American Public > organizations participate > in the PloneGov project. In doing so, they aim to gain > independence from large > IT services providers by developing, essentially by themselves and > in a > cooperative manner, applications and websites for their own use as > well as for > their citizens'. > > PloneGov is open and aims to reach more organizations. Initiated by > small towns > in close collaboration with the Plone / Zope Communities, the > project reaches now > cities, regions and 10 parliaments. This collaboration effort > already spans over 3 > continents and 15 countries."" > > > _______________________________________________ > skunkworks mailing list > skunkworks(a)my.co.ke > http://ole.kenic.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks > Blog http://skunkworks-ke.blogspot.com

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Teen 'unlocks' iPhone from AT&T network
by Jose' 25 Aug '07

25 Aug '07

I found this really facinating on the new iphone just released in the USA. The 17 year old guru got it "unlocked" from the AT&T network.Now we await on the blackberry :-) http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070825/ap_on_hi_te/iphone_unlocked;_ylt=Al511V… Best Regards, Jose' Njuki-Imwe Ngunjiri || +254 722 336754 || ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better Globetrotter. Get better travel answers from someone who knows. Yahoo! Answers - Check it out. http://answers.yahoo.com/dir/?link=list&sid=396545469

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training on Information Security Management Systems
by Rebecca Wanjiku 25 Aug '07

25 Aug '07

in case of interest Course: Information Security Management Systems-ISO 27001:2005 Lead Auditor Course Date: 27th-31st August 2007 (5-days 8am-5pm) Venue:Safaripark Hotel Certification: International Registrar of Certified Auditor (IRCA) Certificate Facilitator: Gerald Kelly ( From Ireland) ( He has hands on expereience in auditing and implementing ISMS so its not theory based) Cost: 69,500 + VAT TARGET GROUP Senior Managers IT Professionals IS Managers Systems Administrators Database Administrators IT Consultants Owner Managers Accountants Quality & Safety Managers Auditors AIMS OF THE COURSE Explain the purpose of Information Security Management Systems(ISMS) Explain the process Involved in establishing,Implementing,Operating,Monitoring,Reviewing,and Improving the ISMS including their significance to auditors. Explain the purpose,content and Inter-relationship between ISO 27001:2005,ISO 17799:2005,and ISO/IEC 13335 To gather evidence through observation,Interview and Sampling of documents and records. Conduct audit follow up to verify the effectiveness of corrective actions. To explain the legislative frame work relevant to ISMS including the inter-relationship with corporate governance. To conduct process based audits in accordance to ISO 27001:2005,ISO 19001:2002,EA7-03,and ISO 17021:2006 Understand the responsibility and competencies of an Auditor Write objective and verifiable audit findings and summary report. BENEFITS OF THE COURSE Accelerate your professional skills and find out what is new in IS auditing and related fields Develop ability to improve audit performance Internationally Accredited Certificate Kindly review and we hope you are going to send participants from your organization. We can also schedule a meeting so that we can discuss the course further and I give you more material. -- Joseph McDonald Ignite Consulting Limited EDEN SQUARE 7th Floor, Chiromo Road, Westlands P. O. Box 15568 00100 GPO Nairobi, Kenya Tel: 254-20-3673250-9 Fax: 254-20-3673231 Email: joseph.mcdonald(a)igniteconsulting.co.ke URL: www.igniteconsulting.co.ke Professional & Life Skills Coaching, Quality Management Systems, Health Safety, Food Safety & Environment Management Systems, Lead Auditor Courses that are Internationally Accredited by IRCA, Training on Conformity and Compliance based on International Standards (ISO), Business Management, Organizational Development, Capacity Building and Strategy Facilitation and Development. IT Solutions:- eDocuments Management, Data Management, Disaster Preparedness and Hosting and Management Services for all your IT needs. Services delivered to you by Ignite Technologies, an Ignite Consulting Division focusing on Systems Integration. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ --------------------------------- Sick sense of humor? Visit Yahoo! TV's Comedy with an Edge to see what's on, when.

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Nokia battery recall
by Jose' 25 Aug '07

25 Aug '07

Is your Nokia phone model Nokia 1100, Nokia 1100c, Nokia 1101, Nokia 1108, Nokia 1110, Nokia 1112, Nokia 1255, Nokia 1315, Nokia 1600, Nokia 2112, Nokia 2118, Nokia 2255, Nokia 2272, Nokia 2275, Nokia 2300, Nokia 2300c, Nokia 2310, Nokia 2355, Nokia 2600, Nokia 2610, Nokia 2610b, Nokia 2626, Nokia 3100, Nokia 3105, Nokia 3120, Nokia 3125, Nokia 6030, Nokia 6085, Nokia 6086, Nokia 6108, Nokia 6175i, Nokia 6178i, Nokia 6230, Nokia 6230i, Nokia 6270, Nokia 6600, Nokia 6620, Nokia 6630, Nokia 6631, Nokia 6670, Nokia 6680, Nokia 6681, Nokia 6682, Nokia 6820, Nokia 6822, Nokia 7610, Nokia N70, Nokia N71, Nokia N72, Nokia N91, Nokia E50? then log on to this link and read it for further instructions. http://batteryreplacement.nokia.com/batteryreplacement/en/ There after,please call 0911 NOKIA. You'll get it replaced. Best Regards, Jose' Njuki-Imwe Ngunjiri || +254 722 336754 || ____________________________________________________________________________________ Sick sense of humor? Visit Yahoo! TV's Comedy with an Edge to see what's on, when. http://tv.yahoo.com/collections/222

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KICTANet cocktail at 6.30 pm today
by Rebecca Wanjiku 24 Aug '07

24 Aug '07

just to let you know that the cocktail is today at 6.30 pm at jacaranda, Palm room, hope to see you there, regards becky Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ --------------------------------- Luggage? GPS? Comic books? Check out fitting gifts for grads at Yahoo! Search.

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cocktail at Jacranda
by Rebecca Wanjiku 23 Aug '07

23 Aug '07

the cocktail is at jacaranda, 6.30 to 8pm friday august 24th Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ --------------------------------- Yahoo! oneSearch: Finally, mobile search that gives answers, not web links.

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