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BLOCKCHAINS - Get in the Conversation and Perhaps Conversion..Digital Currency
by Wangari Kabiru 17 May '16

17 May '16

Happy Monday! Pray you are well. Today I have learnt on Blockchains and I am delighted to share of. Learnt from Ashis Gadnis - BANQUAPP.COM and Ric Shreves. Any persons in this community in the field? The last time this discussion was here it was CBK and Bitcoin rundowns and the Ministry. Globally a lot is happening. The discussion is beyond financial services into data management, humanitarian data and refugee transfers services...and more. This community needs to have sharp deliberations on this at this year's IGF. <<< start notes>>> BTC4D @ ICT4D on 16/05/2016 'The blockchain is the new black..' First overlay is the web Second is blockchain - trust layer Challenge old ways, disrupt governance and centralised authority for enforcing transactions What is; A block chain is a distributed ledger via peer-to-peer Chain of digital signatures Protocal for exchanging value over internet without an intermediary A technology that allows people to exchange trust over transactions - Bank of England Critical elements in old times is trust. A block chain is another type of database for recording transactions - one that is copied to all computers Blockchain can be more than digital currency eg Asset tokenisation - transaction metadata used for transactions Structure; Data stored in structures called blocks. Elements; Header, Content - validated list of assets 15M - No. of Bitcoins in circulation 20B - Maximum no.of Bitcoins (2140), algorithm - manage inflation (unlike Ksh, $) $56M - 24hour Turnover of Bitcoins $746 M - Ethirium, 2nd Digital Currency Volatility of Bitcoin 1.24% 2013 + 2014 - 2015 + Other Blockchains; Best known are public; Litecoin, BitShares, Dogecoin, Namecoin. Others are private Types; unpermissioned, permissioned Newer ones; Ethereum, Microsoft BaaS - Blockchain as a Service Blockchain can be as a; Platform - build others on it Software What is happening; R3 working with 40+ banks Visa working on an independent proof of concept Citi has 3 blockchains and own digital currency (Citicoin) SEC, USA Stock Exchange The players you should know? R3 Hyperledger Ethereum - an app platform Microsoft Azure BaaS - flexible Ripple Bitcoin is what is well known <<< end notes>>> Be blessed. Regards/Wangari

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“Old” technology still runs the world
by Mbugua Njihia 16 May '16

16 May '16

The evolution of technology is certain and expected but it is never a under a pick and replace model. What we think are vestiges from our past still continue to play a pivotal role in our lives even as we innovate on what is next ~ http://www.mbuguanjihia.com/business/old-technology-still-runs-world.html ᐧ ᐧ

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Google to Face a Record $3.4 Billion AntiTrust Fine in Europe
by Ahmed Mohamed Maawy 16 May '16

16 May '16

Listers, Would love to hear out on how this will shape the landscape going forward... But this is some amazing development, especially when it relates to a force that dominates the World Wide Web. *Google faces a record anti-trust penalty of about 3 BILLION Euros (US$3.4 Billion) from the European Commission in the coming days, according to reports.* *After 7-years of the investigation, the European Commission filed anti-trust charges against Google last year for violating antitrust laws.The European Union accused the search engine giant that it had abused its dominance in search by unfairly prioritize and displaying its own comparison shopping service at the top of its search results at the expense of rival products.* More reading: http://thehackernews.com/2016/05/google-europe-antitrust.html -- *Ahmed Maawy* Executive Director - SwahiliBox / M-Power (CBO) Ambassador - Open Knowledge Director - Startup Grind Mombasa Software Developer - AJ+ / EveryLayer (KE) +254 714 960 627 Skype: ultimateprogramer swahilibox.co.ke www.okfn.org <http://okfn.org/> startupgrind.com ajplus.net www.everylayer.com

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Fwd: Online Master of Communications Management (eMCM) July 2016 Intake
by DigitalTVAfrica 16 May '16

16 May '16

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Jonathan P. Mwakijele <jmwakijele(a)afralti.org> Date: Mon, May 16, 2016 at 3:43 PM Subject: Online Master of Communications Management (eMCM) July 2016 Intake To: wainaina(a)wainainamungai.com Dear Wainaina, I trust, you are well. Please be informed that AFRALTI has signed a new agreement with UKTA to offer Online Master of Communications Management (eMCM) with University of Rwanda. More details at http://www.afralti.org/emcm-july-2016/ Please pass this information to people in your network who might be interested with the programme. We are currently recruiting for July 2016 intake. Regards, *[image: cid:[email protected]][image: cid:[email protected]]*[image: Eaco] Jonathan P. Mwakijele, BSc, MCM, MSc Head of Training, Consultancy and Research Unit, Chairperson, EACO HR Committee, Coordinator, ITU CoE activities at AFRALTI, African Advanced Level Telecommunications Institute (AFRALTI), Waiyaki Way, P O Box 58902 00200, Nairobi, Kenya Tel: (Mobile) +254 718 860 897 Email: jmwakijele(a)afralti.org <jmwakijele@@afralti.org> AFRALTI Main Website: www.afralti.org Fiber Optic School Website: http://www.afralti.org/fiber-optic-school-number-758/ eMCM July 2016 Intake Website: http://www.afralti.org/emcm-july-2016/ EACO Website: http://www.eaco.int/ <http://www.afralti.org/fiber-optic-school-number-758/>

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INVITATION TO REFELCT ON WORLD TELECOMMUNICATIONS DAY 17TH MAY 2016
by Fiona Asonga 16 May '16

16 May '16

Dear Industry Players The World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD-2016) comes up on the 17 th May 2016. This year it will focus on the theme: “ICT entrepreneurship for social impact”. ICT entrepreneurs and start-ups and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have a particularly relevant role in ensuring economic growth in a sustainable and inclusive manner. They are involved in the development of innovative ICT-enabled solutions with a unique potential to make a long-lasting impact in global, regional and national economies and as an important source of new jobs, especially for youth, in the current knowledge economy. In the Kenya ICT Masterplan, ICT entrepreneurs have the opportunity to be the key organisation that will facilitate economic growth through business opportunities available under the pillars of ICT as a driver of industry and developing ICT businesses . In regard to the above the Technology Service Providers of Kenya (TESPOK) would like to invite ICT entrepreneurs to a round table discussion on the current theme at the Intercontinental Hotel Nairobi from 8:00am to 10:00am 17th may 2016. Please confirm your participation with details of your name and company/organisation details via email to damaris(a)tespok.co.ke by Monday 16 th May 2016 at 12:00 noon EAT. There are limited slots and we shall acknowledge participation on a first come basis. Your Sincerely

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Fwd: [Internet Policy] Some people have stopped using the Internet the way they used to
by Barrack Otieno 16 May '16

16 May '16

Listers, Could this be the reason why we have many lurkers? Regards ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Richard Hill <rhill(a)hill-a.ch> Date: Sun, 15 May 2016 18:53:58 +0200 Subject: [Internet Policy] Some people have stopped using the Internet the way they used to To: internetpolicy(a)elists.isoc.org I refer to this article: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2016/05/13/new-government- data-shows-a-staggering-number-of-americans-have-stopped-basic-online-activi ties/ It starts with: "Nearly one in two Internet users say privacy and security concerns have now stopped them from doing basic things online - such as posting to social networks, expressing opinions in forums or even buying things from websites, according to a new government survey released Friday." It seems to me that this reinforces ISOC's call for restoring trust in the Internet. Best, Richard _______________________________________________ To manage your ISOC subscriptions or unsubscribe, please log into the ISOC Member Portal: https://portal.isoc.org/ Then choose Interests & Subscriptions from the My Account menu. -- Barrack O. Otieno +254721325277 +254733206359 Skype: barrack.otieno PGP ID: 0x2611D86A

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Re: [kictanet] Is Facebook biased on its newsfeed?
by scmutunga 15 May '16

15 May '16

James Kagwe via kictanet <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote: >Machinelearningcanbeconsideredsubordinatetoalgorithminthiscontext.Rememberanapplicationmusthavesomeelementsofalgorithmbutnotneccesarilyapplytheprinciplesofmachinelearning.Inmyviewitsthealgorithmatfaulthere.Mythoughts.Rgds,JamesKagweOnMay12,20166:57PM,[email protected]:IagreetherewouldnotbeMachineLearningwithoutAlgorithms.Butletsexaminethenatureofalie.Aliecontainsanelementofdatainit.Algorithmsarecomputationalinnature,soiffedwithlies..thatswheretheproblemis.MypointiswecantreallysquarelyblametheAlgorithm,wehavetoblamethedata(Algorithms+Data=MachineLearning).OnThu,May12,2016at6:50PM,[email protected]:ExactlyAhmed.:-)Sowouldyouagreethatwithoutalgorithmstherewillbenomachinelearning?AliHusseinTel:+254713601113OnMay12,20166:48PM,[email protected]:ImaybewronganywayAli.ButmaybeitsthewayIseethese2disciplines.ButIthinkAlgorithmsaremoreofcomputationsandlogicoperations.MachineLearninggivestheseAlgorithmsthedecisionmakingcapabilitiesandcompriseofasetofalgorithms+historicdatawiththecapabilitytomakepredicitions.OnThu,May12,2016at6:44PM,[email protected]:AhmedIstandeducated.:-)Thankyou.AliHusseinTel:+254713601113OnMay12,20166:42PM,[email protected]:Ali,ThisiswhatImean:Algorithms:aprocessorsetofrulestobefollowedincalculationsorotherproblem-solvingoperations,especiallybyacomputer.MachineLearning:Machinelearningisasubfieldofcomputersciencethatevolvedfromthestudyofpatternrecognitionandcomputationallearningtheoryinartificialintelligence.In1959,ArthurSamueldefinedmachinelearningasaFieldofstudythatgivescomputerstheabilitytolearnwithoutbeingexplicitlyprogrammedOnThu,May12,2016at6:36PM,[email protected]:AhmedMachinelearningdoesnthappeninavacuum...AliHusseinPrincipalHusseinAssociates+2540713601113/0770906375Twitter:@AliHKassimSkype:abu-jomoLinkedIn: <ahref="http://ke

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Is Facebook biased on its newsfeed?
by Nanjira Sambuli 14 May '16

14 May '16

Ali, response to that…of course there’s biased, no such thing as ‘algorithmic neutrality’: http://www.wired.com/2016/05/course-facebook-biased-thats-tech-works-today/ <http://www.wired.com/2016/05/course-facebook-biased-thats-tech-works-today/> > On 12 May 2016, at 16:21, kictanet-request(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke wrote: > > Send kictanet mailing list submissions to > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > https://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. Is Facebook biased on its newsfeed? (Ali Hussein) > 2. Re: Is Facebook biased on its newsfeed? (Ahmed Mohamed Maawy) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Thu, 12 May 2016 16:52:08 +0300 > From: Ali Hussein <ali(a)hussein.me.ke> > To: kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > Subject: [kictanet] Is Facebook biased on its newsfeed? > Message-ID: <94EF7EBE-92E4-43E7-BE18-3865ABC08F9C(a)hussein.me.ke> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" > > Listers > > This mail is coped from the Fortune.com Data Sheet. > > The ?Trending? topics section of Facebook seems such a trivial thing, and in many ways it is. It looks and feels like an afterthought?ironically, it started as an attempt to copy Twitter?and many users probably don?t even notice it?s there. But now, it has triggered a national discussion around bias and the power of social platforms. > > In case you missed the brouhaha, it started with a report from Gizmodo that profileda team of anonymous journalists working at Facebook who curate the news that shows up in the Trending section. A subsequent report quoted one of the journalists as saying the team routinely removed certain right-wing political sites from the section, even when the social network?s data showed they were trending. > > The revelation seemed harmless enough, at first: Journalists hired to edit things were actually editing them! But the comment soon snowballed into a debate over Facebook?s role in news consumption, and whether its sheer size and influence brings with it some level of responsibility. > > Facebook responded to the story by saying that its policy is to remain as neutral as possible editorially, and that it will look into reports of misbehavior. Then it issued a second, even more heartfelt response, after the Senate Commerce Committee sent a letter asking the company to answer some questions around political influence and the Trending section. > > The real issue, of course, isn?t the tiny section of the Facebook home page that follows trending topics. It?s the fact that the kind of editorial selection those journalists engaged in is happening every minute of every day on the main news feed, courtesy of the Facebook ranking algorithm. And that algorithm, since it is programmed by human beings, inevitably contains biases of all kinds. > > The bottom line is that Facebook is more than just a social network where people exchange photos of their pets?it is the largest and most influential media entity the world has ever seen. The sooner Facebook acknowledges that, and becomes part of the discussion around how it can manage its social responsibilities, the better off we will all be. > > > Ali Hussein > Principal > Hussein & Associates > +254 0713 601113 / 0770906375 > > Twitter: @AliHKassim > Skype: abu-jomo > LinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim > > > "Discovery consists in seeing what everyone else has seen and thinking what no one else has thought". ~ Albert Szent-Gy?rgyi > > Sent from my iPad >

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Is Facebook biased on its newsfeed?
by Ali Hussein 14 May '16

14 May '16

Listers This mail is coped from the Fortune.com Data Sheet. The “Trending” topics section of Facebook seems such a trivial thing, and in many ways it is. It looks and feels like an afterthought—ironically, it started as an attempt to copy Twitter—and many users probably don’t even notice it’s there. But now, it has triggered a national discussion around bias and the power of social platforms. In case you missed the brouhaha, it started with a report from Gizmodo that profileda team of anonymous journalists working at Facebook who curate the news that shows up in the Trending section. A subsequent report quoted one of the journalists as saying the team routinely removed certain right-wing political sites from the section, even when the social network’s data showed they were trending. The revelation seemed harmless enough, at first: Journalists hired to edit things were actually editing them! But the comment soon snowballed into a debate over Facebook’s role in news consumption, and whether its sheer size and influence brings with it some level of responsibility. Facebook responded to the story by saying that its policy is to remain as neutral as possible editorially, and that it will look into reports of misbehavior. Then it issued a second, even more heartfelt response, after the Senate Commerce Committee sent a letter asking the company to answer some questions around political influence and the Trending section. The real issue, of course, isn’t the tiny section of the Facebook home page that follows trending topics. It’s the fact that the kind of editorial selection those journalists engaged in is happening every minute of every day on the main news feed, courtesy of the Facebook ranking algorithm. And that algorithm, since it is programmed by human beings, inevitably contains biases of all kinds. The bottom line is that Facebook is more than just a social network where people exchange photos of their pets—it is the largest and most influential media entity the world has ever seen. The sooner Facebook acknowledges that, and becomes part of the discussion around how it can manage its social responsibilities, the better off we will all be. Ali Hussein Principal Hussein & Associates +254 0713 601113 / 0770906375 Twitter: @AliHKassim Skype: abu-jomo LinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim "Discovery consists in seeing what everyone else has seen and thinking what no one else has thought". ~ Albert Szent-Györgyi Sent from my iPad

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Fwd: [Internet Policy] Now business wants to lead policy making
by Barrack Otieno 13 May '16

13 May '16

Dear Listers, Might be of interest to some of us. Regards ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: parminder <parminder(a)itforchange.net> Date: Wed, 11 May 2016 11:26:22 +0530 Subject: [Internet Policy] Now business wants to lead policy making To: "internetpolicy(a)elists.isoc.org" <internetpolicy(a)elists.isoc.org> A recent announcement by Alibaba's founder Jack Ma exposes what the real intent, and the problem, with business led multistakeholderism is, something a lot of people/ groups have perhaps innocently got into supporting.... He proposes a new business led initiative to frame global e-commerce rules, which would rival the WTO, which can keep making them for offline trade. And he is entirely serious, with Alibaba already working with a number of groups and intending to present the proposal to G 20 later this year.. To me it is a political shocker, but that is where much of multistakholderism ideology is headed. I wrote an op-ed on this issue in The Hindu, which is at http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/columns/a-borderless-economy-that-will-be-c… We must re-assess what does unhinging of the role of legitimate political actors in key public policy areas means. It just transfers power to a few global corporates to runs our societies as a corporatocracy. Many of our discussions here on mulitistakeholderism as a sovereign political form need to be seen in this context. parminder _______________________________________________ To manage your ISOC subscriptions or unsubscribe, please log into the ISOC Member Portal: https://portal.isoc.org/ Then choose Interests & Subscriptions from the My Account menu. -- Barrack O. Otieno +254721325277 +254733206359 Skype: barrack.otieno PGP ID: 0x2611D86A

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