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Microsoft Official Statement
by Lavinniah Muthoni (Human Capital Synergies) 21 Sep '12

21 Sep '12

Please see below Microsoft's official company statement in response to the Open Source Vs Proprietary Software. The open source versus proprietary software debate is no longer relevant. Most customers today operate diverse environments and simply want their technology to work together well, hence the need to focus on interoperability. At Microsoft, we help customers optimize their existing IT infrastructure while also transitioning to new technologies. We help solve their interoperability challenges and find efficient and cost effective solutions for their mixed IT environments. Microsoft's commitment to 'openness' also supports developers and partners. We have built close partnerships with the PHP, Apache, and Linux open source communities. (According to the Linux Foundation<http://www.linuxfoundation.org/news-media/announcements/2012/04/linux-found…>, Microsoft is ranked as a top contributor to Linux.) Customers are at the heart of our approach. We enable customers to deploy and manage solutions in environments that integrate Microsoft and open source technologies. Multiple engineering teams at Microsoft actively participate in open source projects and share the common industry view that software users will continue to see a mixed IT and development environment for years to come Kind Regards, Lavinniah Muthoni | Public Relations & Events Manager | Microsoft East and Southern Africa | Phone +254 20 286 8245 | Mobile +254 735414028 | Fax +254 20 272 2999 | Office 7th Floor, I & M Bank Building, 2nd Ngong Avenue, Capital Hill, P.O. Box 64736, 00620 Nairobi, Kenya |

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Mobile operators now take the call rate battle to the highest power in the land
by Grace Githaiga 21 Sep '12

21 Sep '12

IN SUMMARYTwo weeks ago, officials from Airtel and Essar’s Yu sought the intervention of President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga in the freeze of the Mobile Termination Rate (MTR).It was the second time that the two operators were seeking such intervention, the first was in June last year.The industry regulator, the Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK), also found itself in a dilemma, especially after the Consumer Federation of Kenya (Cofek) issued a warning that it would sue CCK if the regulator implemented a lower MTR before a fresh study is conducted.Both Mr Kibaki and Mr Odinga have indicated that they are keen on the implementation of the MTR after a study has been done, a view held by Safaricom and Telkom’s Kenya Orange in which the government has substantial shares.On June 8, 2011 Mr Odinga received a report from the taskforce on the Mobile Telephone Industry Business in Kenya. Among the key recommendations made by the taskforce were that CCK undertakes a review of the existing MTR glide path in consultation with operators.Six days before Mr Odinga received the taskforce’s report, Mr Kibaki had issued a directive to the CCK board freezing further cuts in the MTR.In appealing to the government, the operators were divided into two opposing camps. Airtel and Yu were pushing for a further reduction in MTR to enable them drive the price war home as a strategy aimed at grabbing more market share. Safaricom and Telkom Kenya were opposed to a reduction in MTR, aware that it could lead to an erosion in their market shares. http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Corporate+News/Mobile+operators+now+take…

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Re: [kictanet] [Skunkworks] SAP and Kenya ICT Board Partner on Skills Develeopment
by Barrack Otieno 20 Sep '12

20 Sep '12

Many thanks Paul for your candid response, indeed we have local cases that we need to make more noise about i am thinking of Mkahawa that was worked on by Bernard Adongo of Nikohapa.com and Open Baraza developed by Dennis Gichangi and co of DeCIS, this guys are doing amazing work on the continent albeit quietly and i know you have been supportive in the background in any case you have been there as an entrepreneur, i just think we should do more to unearth success stories in Loki that is the only way we will develop solutions for our Kiosks and mama mbogas who contribute to 70 % of our economy. I think he government should create an enabling environment and promote this local success stories just as it supported Mpesa, mkesho mkodi and the great innovations that we have seen. On Thu, Sep 20, 2012 at 10:08 PM, Paul Kukubo <pkukubo(a)ict.go.ke> wrote: > Barrack > > The answer is self evident. CIOs are concerned with technology fit against > total cost of ownership. Mny open source systems are more expensive to > deploy that proprietary systems. And many of the vanilla (take it ouf of > the box and deploy) implementations are suited to certain organizations > because they force the said organization to align to best practice. > > Technology options these days are plenty. The issue is purpose strategy > project management, maintenance, scalability, interoperabilty and total > cost of onwnership. These are all very strategic rather than technical > issues. > > Even these open source system need to be written by someone. I have seen > plenty of usage of open source systems . I have not seen much origination > of open source systems whose code was then published back for others to > reuse in Kenya. We need to encourage more of it. And because code is > written again processes, we hope that we don't have a culture of writing > code against processes that are not good themselves otherwise you automate > inefficiency. > > Also, for many open source environment, certification is also required, > red hat etc. and even if there was no code certification, it would be > prudent to seek project management and other process management > certifications as a way of getting a culture of excellence to set in. > > There is room for both approaches. And there are other considerations > beyond code in terms of implementer pedigree. Many customers feel locked to > code that was developed by a few people who have since moved on and > abandoned it. They like the comfort of big company references. > > Our houses tell us a story, even in a country with architects and clear > laws we still have many buildings that make the cut. Imagine the world of > 'invisible software'. > > My thoughts > > Paul Kukubo > > On Thursday, September 20, 2012, Barrack Otieno wrote: > >> Hi Paul, >> >> I look forwad to an answer to my question while i understand the benefits >> of SAP and other ERPs that you and Walu correctly outline and having been >> involved in some local projects in end user training i am still concerned >> with the ultimate objective vis the Vision 2030 strategy that is mentioned >> at the beginning of the press release. I have raised this issue during SAP >> sponsored events but it is always laughed off, at one point i even >> challenged some of their representatives why the development work cannot be >> done locally but i never got any substantive answer should we invest in >> users or developers from a strategic angle as a country ? as it is we have >> too many users which is contributing to the unemployment problem and the >> best the guys can do is to be deployed elsewhere then we start the brain >> drain chorus which is no news to most of us, I would have loved to see the >> ICT board promote local success cases the Alliance Technologies with their >> ERP one and the Open Worlds and many others who are hitherto unknown yet >> they are employing Kenyans and doing amazing stuff for the local community. >> Anyway we need local solutions to local problems and the onus of building >> that community is on us in simple terms. >> >> On Thu, Sep 20, 2012 at 8:32 PM, Paul Kukubo <pkukubo(a)ict.go.ke> wrote: >> >> Areba >> >> This project is about jobs. 100 Kenyans will develop skills that are >> imediately required by the market. >> The installed base of SAP in Kenya is substantial from Nation Media >> Group, to Bidco, to many other large and medium sized business and some >> state corporations. This base is growing. >> >> The ICT Board intends to extend these partnerships to drive high talent >> development. This is the first. There are many areas and many projects that >> don't have the requisite skills and there are even more Kenyans who don't >> have jobs. Many parents will not agree to pay for a child to certify >> further once he is out of college. Indeed many can't afford it. >> >> Skinning this cat of ICT job creation requires many knives. >> >> Regards >> >> Paul KUKUBO >> CEO Kenya ICT Board >> >> >> >> On Thursday, September 20, 2012, Areba Collins [ @BrainiacKE ® ] wrote: >> >> I wonder how this bodes with the recent discussion about the Government >> 's Intention to go Open Source..... >> >> >> >> On Thu, Sep 20, 2012 at 4:26 PM, Paul Kukubo <pkukubo(a)ict.go.ke> wrote: >> >> >> >> Kenyan Government and SAP to expand skill set of local graduates >> >> Training aims at improving youth employability in the country’s robust >> ICT sector and is inline with vision 2030 >> >> >> >> Nairobi 20th September, 2012…The government of Kenya through the Kenya >> ICT Board and SAP has today announced a partnership that will see 100 >> bright but underprivileged studentsundergo training to become certified >> SAP Software engineers. >> >> Dubbed “SAP Skills for Africa”, the Programme commits to deliver >> professional training and certification to Kenyan university graduates. The >> programme will seek to substantially improve the employability of young, >> bright university >> >> Barrack O. Otieno >> +254721325277 >> +254-20-2498789 >> Skype: barrack.otieno >> http://www.otienobarrack.me.ke/ >> >> > > -- > Paul Kukubo > Chief Executive Officer, Kenya ICT Board > PO Box 27150 - 00100 > Nairobi, Kenya > > 12th Floor, Teleposta Towers Koinange Street > > Tel +254 20 2089061, +254 20 2211960 > Fax: +254 20 2211962 > website: www.ict.go.ke > local content project: www.tandaa.co.ke, www.facebook.com/tandaakenya > twitter:@tandaaKENYA > BPO Project: www. doitinkenya.co.ke > Digital Villages Project: www.pasha.co.ke > > > personal contacts > _______________ > > Cell: + 254 717 180001 > > > skype: kukubopaul > googletalk: pkukubo > personal blog: www.paulkukubo.co.ke > personal twitter: @pkukubo > > > ____________________ > Vision: Kenya becomes a top ten global ICT hub > > Mission: To champion and actively enable Kenya to adopt and exploit ICT, > through promotion of partnerships, investments and infrastructure growth > for socio economic enrichment > > _______________________________________________ > Skunkworks mailing list > Skunkworks(a)lists.my.co.ke > ------------ > List info, subscribe/unsubscribe > http://orion.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks > ------------ > > Skunkworks Rules > http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 > ------------ > Other services @ http://my.co.ke > -- Barrack O. Otieno +254721325277 +254-20-2498789 Skype: barrack.otieno http://www.otienobarrack.me.ke/

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Upgrade your current Apple Gadget to iOS 6
by Albert Mucunguzi 20 Sep '12

20 Sep '12

Here is a link to direct download links to the latest version of iOS. This version is compartible with iPhone (3GS, 4 or 4S), iPod touch (4G, 5G) or iPad (iPad 2 or New iPad). Enjoy. http://bit.ly/PK5TKf Message body -- Albert Mucunguzi Company URL:pctechmagazine.comPersonal Web:www.almuc.meBlog:almuc.me/blogTwitter:@albertmucFacebook:facebook.com/almucMessenger:albertmuc@hotmail.com

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Fellowship application for the ICANN meeting in Beijing
by alice＠apc.org 20 Sep '12

20 Sep '12

Dear all, The fellowship application round is now open for the ICANN meeting in Beijing in April 2013. (see the link:<http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-19sep12-en.htm>www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-19sep12-en.htm best alice

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Global Internet firm to set up hub in E. Africa
by awatila＠yahoo.co.uk 20 Sep '12

20 Sep '12

A European Internet infrastructure provider is planning to set up a network hub in East Africa in a move that may increase browsing speeds while lowering costs. http://www.nation.co.ke/business/news/Internet+firm+to+set+up+hub/-/1006/15… Alex Watila ICT Manager Kenya School of Law Langata-South Road, Karen alternative email address: awatila(a)yahoo.co.uk CDMA : +254(020)2103200 skype: awatila To call us free, sms to 4991: School of Law Telkom Wireless +254(020) 2699581,2699582, 2699583, 2699584, 2699585, 2699586 Tel +254 20 8890 044/94, 8891 399, 8891 200 Fax +254 20 8891 722 “You can visit KSL on the internet at www.ksl.ac.ke”

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Global Internet firm to set up hub in E. Africa
by Davis Onsakia 20 Sep '12

20 Sep '12

Dear all, ...A European Internet infrastructure provider is planning to set up a network hub in East Africa in a move that may increase browsing speeds while lowering costs............ More information on the link: http://www.nation.co.ke/business/news/Internet+firm+to+set+up+hub/-/1006/15… Best Regards, Davis M Onsakia "One doesn't discover new lands without consenting to lose sight of the shore for a very long time."

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Fwd: Come join me at Webinar: "Digital Literacy and Resources for African Educators & Community Leaders" on "This is my story..."
by Ali Hussein 20 Sep '12

20 Sep '12

Listers Apologies for cross-posting. This may be of interest:- Ali Hussein +254 773/713 601113 Sent from my iPhone® Begin forwarded message: > From: Richard C Close <events(a)i-am-the-story.ning.com> > Date: September 20, 2012 5:08:36 AM GMT+03:00 > To: "ali(a)hussein.me.ke" <ali(a)hussein.me.ke> > Subject: Come join me at Webinar: "Digital Literacy and Resources for African Educators & Community Leaders" on "This is my story..." > Reply-To: do-not-reply(a)i-am-the-story.ning.com > > > "This is my story..." > Home of "I am Africa.This is my story..." > > Richard C Close > Richard C Close has invited you to the event 'Webinar: "Digital Literacy and Resources for African Educators & Community Leaders"' on "This is my story..."! > > Dear Linkedin Colleague, > This an invite to watch our Community Development Digital Literacy webinar workshop for teachers in Uganda. Please pass it on to staff. No fee to attend. > Richard > > Time: October 6, 2012 from 3:30pm to 5:30pm > Location: Link: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/972046466 > Organized By: Richard C Close CEO Chrysalis Campaign, Inc. > > Event Description: > Internet Methods and Resources for African Educators & Community Leaders > This webinar will provide educators and leaders with classroom methods, resources and simple techniques about how to find and use global educational resources. We will illustrate how Internet resources have transformed African youth and the role African teachers have in their communities. We will also show how we can move from educating people for jobs into a new engaged generation that “creates” jobs. > Oct 6, 2012 3:30 PM (Kampala, Uganda) Duration: 1 hour > Space is limited. > Reserve your Webinar Seat Now at: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/972046466 > Requirements: No technical background is needed, we will explain how Internet “resources” and “collaboration” provides global advice and resources to transform Uganda. > You will learn how to: > > Find lessons with free content. > Make simple charts showing how to use web content in a lesson. > Help run community Project Based Learning to teach the community at the same time. > Find lesson content with only a few dollars a month, such as a cyber library with 10,000 educational web sites as textbooks. > Help youth to move from “education for jobs” into learning how into “training of to create new jobs.” > Train youth in using digital storytelling that can educate a community about how to change their town into a more productive and ethical place. > Find education experts and improve your teaching skills. > > What you will receive: > > Access to the “I am the story...” social community with: personal web pages with blogs, showcase for videos and pictures, the ability to make groups and a YouTube channel with stories. > Access to Certification program for Digital Storytelling centers and individuals. > Build your own Internet groups with blogs. > Certificates for completed stories. > Downloadable training materials. > Recorded link to the webinar. > > Speaker Bio: Richard Close, CEO-Servant, Chrysalis Campaign NGO that develops poverty learning centers, "I am Africa. This is my story..." portal with UNESCO and developer of the Global Learning Framework. Richard is an international speaker, developer of the Global Learning Framework and consultant to the learning industry for 20 years. > Training materials in "I am the story..." social network web site: http://i-am-the-story.ning.com > > Co-Presenter Uganda Team: > > Pastor Hassan Mubiru Disciples Christian Fellowship Mityana, Uganda-East Africa eMail : openheartnpv(a)gmail.com Website: http://dcfuganda.org/ > > > Event Sponsor www.BASCOM.com > > > See more details and RSVP on "This is my story...": > http://i-am-the-story.ning.com/events/event/show?id=6356984%3AEvent%3A24923… > About "This is my story..." > The African youth YouTube story telling campaign by Chrysalis Campaign, Inc and UNESCO PPN sponsored > 358 members > 301 photos > 50 videos > 65 discussions > 62 blog posts > > To control which emails you receive on "This is my story...", click here

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Fraud & Rusk Management + Mobile Banking & Cyber Security
by Matunda Nyanchama 20 Sep '12

20 Sep '12

For those who can make it to Dar, TZ in November. Click here. Or see attachment. Kkindly cascade. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Matunda Nyanchama, PhD, CISSP; mnyanchama(a)aganoconsulting.com Agano Consulting Inc.; www.aganoconsulting.com; Twitter: nmatunda; Skype: okiambe ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be prepared for ICT security failures & know how to respond when they happen! Call: +1-888-587-1150 or info(a)aganoconsulting.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "The best revenge is massive success" - Frank Sinatra----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This e-mail, including attachments, may be privileged and may contain confidential or proprietary information intended only for the addressee(s). Any other distribution, copying, use, or disclosure is unauthorized and strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply e-mail and permanently delete the message, including any attachments, without making a copy. Thank you.

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SharePoint Saturday Nairobi - Sept 15, 2012
by S.M. Muraya 19 Sep '12

19 Sep '12

Quite impressed, many topics shared yesterday at SharePoint Saturday, Cape Town.... http://www.sharepointsaturday.org/capetown/Pages/meetings.aspx ... are being shared in Nairobi this coming Saturday, September 15, 2012. http://sharepointsaturday.org/nairobi/Pages/meetings.aspx This even though South Africa is way ahead of us in deploying "transparency" technologies. http://www.capetown.gov.za/EN/ENVIRONMENTALRESOURCEMANAGEMENT/PROJECTS/Page… http://www.tourism.gov.za/AboutNDT/Branches1/Administration/News/Pages/page… http://www.durban.gov.za/Online_Tools/Pages/default.aspx http://www.topsharepoint.com/durban-2010-fifa-world-cup

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Microsoft: New PCs preinstalled with malware found in China
by Gideon 19 Sep '12

19 Sep '12

Listers, How many people are actually using legitimate software and how have you identified your vendors ?, "*Brand-new laptop and desktop computers sold in China contain preinstalled malicious software, which has infected millions of computers around the world, according to an investigation by Microsoft<http://www.microsoft.com>revealed recently *." However, there is an interesting method used by organizations to deal with malicious traffic called "SinkHoling" Microsoft is using DNS (Domain Name System) software from Nominum that will allow legitimate traffic to subdomains of 3322.org but halt traffic to the 70,000 hosted websites that are harmful, a process known as "sinkholing." Further Read here; http://cw.com.hk/news/microsoft-new-pcs-preinstalled-malware-found-china?pa… Gideon Rop.

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Orange TKL - Request for assistance
by Odhiambo Washington 18 Sep '12

18 Sep '12

Hello listers, Does someone here know someone who knows someone at Orange TKL who can help me out? I am waiting for connectivity to some remote place in the wilderness of Nanyuki for 1 month now. The cause? Access Kenya Projects Team is waiting for clearance from to access an Orange Kenya mast in Nanyuki - which is where my radios need to be mounted. My understanding is that Access Kenya is leasing mast space from Orange Kenya's facility in Nanyuki town. However, waiting for 1 month to get approval to access the mast doesn't sound quite right, but that is what I am told it is. Seriously, I believe the sharing of the mast is a commercial venture between the two providers. There must be a way to shorten the bureaucratic tape at Orange Kenya. I am waiting for service and I so hope someone knows someone, honestly. -- Best regards, Odhiambo WASHINGTON, Nairobi,KE +254733744121/+254722743223 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ I can't hear you -- I'm using the scrambler.

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The State Of Internet Access In Our Schools & Kenya’s Global Ranking In A Hyper-Connected World
by Ali Hussein 18 Sep '12

18 Sep '12

Listers Last week I visited a school run by an NGO called New Dawn Kenya www.newdawnkenya.com. The school is in an informal settlement in the affluent Runda residential area. The appetite for education and knowledge among the students was a thing of beauty to see. These are extremely disadvantaged young people with an insatiable thirst for knowledge. What struck home for me was that the majority of them had never accessed information on the Internet. This issue is an emotional one for me. As a hyper-connected Kenyan I have always taken for granted access to the Internet for the last few years. Over the last few years Internet usage and penetration levels have increased phenomenally. Read on: http://alyhussein.com/2012/09/the-state-of-internet-access-in-our-schools-k… Ali Hussein +254 773/713 601113 Sent from my iPad

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African Development Bank supports DEMO Africa 2012
by Brian Munyao Longwe 18 Sep '12

18 Sep '12

Apologies for cross-posting Excited about this! http://www.demo-africa.com/news/african-development-bank-supports-demo-afri… [image: logo] *Brian Munyao Longwe* | Mobile: 254715964281 http://mashilingi.blogspot.com <http://www.facebook.com/brianmunyao> Facebook<http://www.facebook.com/brianmunyao> <http://www.twitter.com/blongwe> Twitter <http://www.twitter.com/blongwe> <http://ke.linkedin.com/pub/brian-munyao-longwe/0/32/254> LinkedIn<http://ke.linkedin.com/pub/brian-munyao-longwe/0/32/254> Contact me: [image: Skype] blongwe Want a signature like mine? <http://r1.wisestamp.com/r/landing?promo=16&dest=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wisestamp.…> Click here.<http://r1.wisestamp.com/r/landing?promo=16&dest=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wisestamp.…>

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Top brains to entice global investors
by Grace Githaiga 18 Sep '12

18 Sep '12

IN SUMMARYDemo Africa director Harry Hare said the event, the first to be held in Africa, presents a good chance for local innovators to move their businesses to the next level.Over the last five years, innovators at DEMO US have received about Sh297 billion in business capital.Microsoft, which is sponsoring the event together with Nokia and other multinationals, said that the partnership is one of the best activities they have done because it will help accelerate success of entrepreneurs and start-ups in Africa. http://www.nation.co.ke/business/news/Top+brains+to+entice+global+investors…

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$1M African News Innovation Challenge Narrowed to 40 Finalists
by Phares Kariuki 18 Sep '12

18 Sep '12

* We have roughly 6 Kenyan teams... 40 Finalists Emerge in $1 Million African News Innovation Challenge Forty (40) pioneering digital journalism projects have been shortlisted as finalists in the inaugural $1 million African News Innovation Challenge (ANIC). The initiative is the largest fund for digital journalism experimentation in Africa, and is designed to spur solutions to the business, distribution and workplace challenges that face the media industry. In all, 513 applicants were carefully screened by a technical review panel that evaluated which projects have the best potential for strengthening and transforming African news media. Projects were also assessed for their potential to be replicated by media elsewhere in Africa, or to be scaled up across the continent, to create wide and sustained impact. “We are thrilled with the broad range of innovation and ideas among the finalists,” says ANIC manager, Justin Arenstein<http://www.icfj.org/about/profiles/justin-arenstein>. Arenstein is a Knight International Journalism Fellow<http://www.icfj.org/our-work/knight>, who leads the initiative as part of a wider digital innovation program with Africa’s largest association of media owners and operators, the African Media Initiative <http://www.africanmediainitiative.org/> (AMI). “The teams with the strongest links to newsrooms and technology partners had an advantage, as did those that could already point to some proofs-of-concept.” Short-listed finalists include proposals to improve data-driven investigative journalism and the security of journalists or their sources, as well as improve audience engagement, mobile news distribution, data visualization, new revenue models and workflow systems. “The finalists are also all projects that haven’t lost sight of the core focus for the initiative: quality journalism,” says Arenstein. “There is a danger in any innovation program that we get blinded by gadgets and hype. The technical review panel therefore focused on projects that demonstrated a keen commitment to journalism itself.” Finalists will attend a TechCamp in Zanzibar, in partnership with the Tech@State program. ,There they will have the opportunity to refine and defend their proposals in consultation with some of the world’s leading media technology strategists, including experts from the U.K. Guardian’s data team, Mozilla’s OpenNews initiative, Google, previous Knight News Challenge winners, and the World Association of Newspapers. A separate jury of international media strategists, technology innovators, and funding experts will evaluate the revised project plans and will select an estimated 20 winners. They will be announced at the continent’s largest annual gathering of media executives, the African Media Leaders Forum (AMLF), in Dakar, Senegal, on November 10. Winners will receive cash grants ranging from $12,500 to $100,000, as well as additional technology and business development support. They will also have access to a dedicated AMI CivicTech code lab, for technical advice, start-up support and one-on-one mentoring from the world’s top media experts. ANIC’s founding partners include Omidyar Network <http://www.omidyar.com/>, Google <http://www.google.com/>, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation<http://www.gatesfoundation.org/>, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation<http://www.knightfoundation.org/>, the U.S. State Department <http://www.state.gov/>, the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) <http://www.kas.de/wf/en/> and the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) <http://www.wan-ifra.org/>. Applicants were encouraged to enter their submissions in the “open” public category, so that they could receive public comments and reviews. The technical review panel and the international jury give preference to applications in this category. A “closed” category was provided for projects with proprietary trade or technology secrets. We put an asterisk next to the closed entries. The finalists, in alphabetical order, are: 1.) actNOW<http://africannewschallenge.tumblr.com/post/26919239666/actnow-an-app-to-al…> A proposed mobile application that empowers audiences to act on investigative reportage, by petitioning government or corporations, in response to televised, radio, or print exposes. 2.) AdBooker * A streamlined workflow management system for generating quotations, managing artwork production, and placing advertising in print media, while also serving as a staff / personnel management tool. 3.) AfricaCheck<http://africannewschallenge.tumblr.com/post/26823095918/africacheck-non-par…> A proposed pan-African, non-partisan and crowdsourced fact-checking website that systematically verifies claims made in media reports. 4.) AfriCartoons<http://africannewschallenge.tumblr.com/post/26931343616/africartoons-com-cr…> A proposed pan-African syndication portal for editorial / news cartoons and news infographics, as well as other editorial illustrations. 5.) africanDRONE<http://africannewschallenge.tumblr.com/post/26930491381/africandrone-journa…> A proposed network of three journalistic ‘eye in the sky’ drone teams at TV stations in east, west, and southern Africa. 6.) AfricanSpending<http://africannewschallenge.tumblr.com/post/26778973618/africanspending-imp…> An African data portal, supported by an intensive fellowship programme, that improves watchdog journalism by “mapping the money” through aggregation, analysis and visualisation of government budgets from across the continent. 7.) BudgIT<http://africannewschallenge.tumblr.com/post/26930410682/budgit-news-in-inte…> An infographic service that produces financial literacy materials for newsrooms using both static and interactive graphical explanations of State budgets and other public finances. 8.) BloggingGhana<http://africannewschallenge.tumblr.com/post/26929459444/the-local-content-m…> A centralised aggregator and syndication market for Ghanaian blogs, to showcase the best local writers / content producers for republication in legacy media. 9.) Code4Ghana<http://africannewschallenge.tumblr.com/post/26931191253/code4ghana> A fellowship programme to strengthen media’s watchdog powers by embedding coders into public interest newsrooms to kickstart data-driven journalism, by harnessing newly available open government data and by sensitising Ghana’s tech tech community to media’s needs. 10.) Citizen Desk<http://africannewschallenge.tumblr.com/post/26909089944/citizen-desk> A validation toolkit, to help news organisations run mobile-optimised platforms for aggregating, verifying, publishing and rewarding citizen journalism. 11.) Circle <http://africannewschallenge.tumblr.com/post/26903556215/circle> Circle provides newsrooms with a toolkit for creating citizen / audience organised ‘circles’ of advocacy groups or stakeholders around news events or issues. 12.) CorruptionNET<http://africannewschallenge.tumblr.com/post/26823985235/corruptionnet-crowd…> A ‘5w&H’-driven journalistic template system for crowdsourced / citizen-based corruption reporting projects, in partnership with Africa’s largest social mobile network (MXit), to help newsrooms solicit verifiable and actionable information, while still protecting the identity of the source. 13.) Churnalism for Africa<http://africannewschallenge.tumblr.com/post/26903673395/version-of-churnali…> Extend the UK-based churnalism.com to work with African news sources, press releases and Wikipedia to help combat plagiarism and ‘churning’ of press releases in African media. 14.) ConvergeCMS<http://africannewschallenge.tumblr.com/post/26822904522/convergecms-a-cross…> An open source and data-optimised, cross-platform workflow management and publishing system to help streamline and professionalise African newsrooms. 15.) CheckDesk<http://africannewschallenge.tumblr.com/post/26896085998/checkdesk-a-digital…> An ‘open news’ diary, content editing and fact-checking platform to allow audiences into the newsrooms, to help shape media content through collaborative co-creation of news. 16.) DataDesk<http://africannewschallenge.tumblr.com/post/26825106095/datadesk-a-helpdesk…> A ScraperWiki outpost and helpdesk in Cape Town’s HacksHackers chapter to provide free data mining and coding assistance to investigative, data, and other digital journalism pioneers. 17.) DataWrapper<http://africannewschallenge.tumblr.com/post/26827482702/datawrapper-free-op…> A partnership with African newsrooms to implement the new open source DataWrapper visualization tool, to help newsrooms publish interactive infographics as quickly as possible with minimal technical skills. 18.) End-to-End <http://africannewschallenge.tumblr.com/post/26926831406/end-to-end-traceabi…> An investigative demonstration of “supply chain” mapping and social network analysis, into the cocoa industry, using the SourceMap platform to help show newsrooms how to present complex investigative stories in an interactive yet simple way. 19.) FlashCast * A platform using smart, location-aware LED displays to transmit local news, with audience ‘conversation’ responses around current events, to passengers in public transit / taxis. 20.) Green Hornet<http://africannewschallenge.tumblr.com/post/26910449994/green-hornet-tools-…> A user-friendly plug-and-play toolkit for African journalists to protect whistleblowers, and sources in collaboration with the Tor Project and Al Jazeera. 21.) ImpimpiTagz * A cross-platform citizen reporter app that allows citizens to report the abuse of public facilities or trust by government officials and elected politicians. 22.) INVSTG8.NET Microcollaboration for journalists<http://africannewschallenge.tumblr.com/post/26923910504/invstg8-net-microco…> A community-driven platform to enable journalists to surmount structural barriers to news-gathering, through micro-collaboration, by linking them to data and information via social tools/technologies. 23.) LandQuest<http://africannewschallenge.tumblr.com/post/26898893922/landquest> A toolkit of interoperable resources for data extraction / data scraping to help newsrooms find, collect and then structure information into datasets for journalistic analysis, with the prototype pilot project creating an online, open, and location-driven database of Kenyan land ownership. 24.) ListeningPost<http://africannewschallenge.tumblr.com/post/26903287121/listeningpost-actio…> Africa’s proposed first social-media driven newsroom that produces actionable intel from citizen reporters, by establishing a Storyful listening post and a ScoopShot-type citizen reporter app calibrated for poorer communities. 25.) MicroScope<http://africannewschallenge.tumblr.com/post/26922506818/digital-platform-fo…> A transnational platform for team-based collaboration by data-driven investigative journalists from a coalition of legacy media to track toxic and fake medicines being dumped and sold in African countries, through information sharing, data wrangling, and shared reporting. 26.) moJO - keeping media honest by monitoring online journalism<http://africannewschallenge.tumblr.com/post/26898415019/mojo-keeping-media-…> A plug-and-play toolkit of analytical software tools for African journalism observatories to keep the media honest and help improve media professionalism. 27.) Mekooa: feel the pulse of your local community from miles away<http://africannewschallenge.tumblr.com/post/26625094138/mekooa-feel-the-pul…> A platform for creating personalised news from subscribers’ home regions, for migrant workers or Africans in the diaspora, keeping them informed about important events and issues back home. 28.) Mapping Africa’s Wealth * An investigative toolkit for media in African countries with little open data, showing media how to mine offshore data troves for locally relevant information, as well as tools for transforming offline information into actionable digital data, using a transnational investigation into Africa’s extractive industries by a network of newsrooms and technology partners as the proof-of-concept showcase. 29.) mWallet<http://africannewschallenge.tumblr.com/post/26551792398/using-mbanking-and-…> An integrated IVR and mWallet system to provide community radio stations with new revenue streams from social listings, announcements, and audio ‘classified’ advertising. 30.) Newsbooks Africa<http://africannewschallenge.tumblr.com/post/26896009530/newsbooks-africa> A streamlined workflow management platform to help journalists and media organisations write, collaborate, publish and sell print and digital books based on reportage. The system will be piloted at a number of African media partners. 31.) newsAPI<http://africannewschallenge.tumblr.com/post/26841620976/newsapi-a-developer…> An API (Application Programming Interface) that will give 3rd party developers licensed access to editorial and other content at Uganda’s largest media house to help create new ways to share and monetize news. 32.) openAFRICA<http://africannewschallenge.tumblr.com/post/26922477022/openafrica-a-semant…> A digital document and knowledge management toolkit for African freedom-of-information organisations and investigative journalists, using a pan-African semantic document repository, to improve insight into and analysis of public knowledge. 33.) ODADI - liberating public data to strengthen African watchdog media<http://africannewschallenge.tumblr.com/post/26903258532/code4democracy-libe…> An incubator for watchdog journalism in South Africa that embeds data wranglers and coders into newsrooms, with support from an external development team, for improving evidence-based reportage and investigative journalism. 34.) OurHealth<http://africannewschallenge.tumblr.com/post/26220694015/ourhealth-mobile-mo…> A mobile-optimised citizen reporting tool for soliciting reports at specific venues, with the prototype project deployed at hospitals and clinics in 52 districts in South Africa for patients, nurses / doctors, and news correspondents to report on service standards and related issues. 35.) Oxpeckers<http://africannewschallenge.tumblr.com/post/26825112012/oxpeckers-rooting-o…> A “newsroom stack” of interoperable social network analysis, source document management, and other digital analysis and data management tools for investigative newsrooms, with the prototype toolkit piloted in an environmental “CSI team” at Africa’s leading investigative newspaper. 36.) StarLive<http://africannewschallenge.tumblr.com/post/26686049870/starlive-giving-cit…> A real-time web and mobile channel for ordinary citizens to participate and ask questions, via connected reporters, at press conferences and public meetings. 37.) Sauti ya Mtaa: Geo-located Citizen News<http://africannewschallenge.tumblr.com/post/26909075939/sauti-ya-mtaa-geo-l…> A location-driven publication platform that uses geo-fencing for hyperlocal news, commentary, video and data, to allow communities to share news. 38.) TruthGauge - Keeping ‘em Honest!<http://africannewschallenge.tumblr.com/post/26896836277/truthguage-org-keep…> A platform for the media to rate the accuracy of claims made by politicians, so as to keep the electorate well-informed and the politicians honest. 39.) Wikipedia Mobile <http://africannewschallenge.tumblr.com/post/26220072540/wikipedia-mobile-in…> A campaign to boost, by hundreds of millions, the number of Africans reading Wikipedia in 37 African languages on mobile devices. 40.) QuestionBox<http://africannewschallenge.tumblr.com/post/26917994719/community-empowerme…> A public booth and audio notice board system for deep rural villages, with mobiles in them, to allow citizen activists and community radio to inform communities about social projects and collect and broadcast feedback. CONTACTS: Contact: Justin Arenstein, ANIC Fund Manager Telephone: +27.82.374.0812, justinarenstein(a)gmail.com Contact: Sonja Matanovic, ICFJ Communications Director Telephone: +1.202.349.7624, smatanovic(a)icfj.org Contact: Roukaya Kasenally, AMI Communications Director Telephone: +254.20.269.4000, rkasenally(a)africanmediainitiative.org THE PARTNERS: About ICFJ The International Center for Journalists is a non-profit organization that advances quality journalism worldwide. Its programmes include the Knight International Journalism Fellowships, and combine the best professional standards with the latest digital innovations. ICFJ believes that independent, vigorous media are crucial in improving the human condition. About AMI The African Media Initiative is the continent’s largest umbrella association of African media owners, senior executives and other industry stakeholders. AMI’s mandate is to serve as a catalyst for strengthening African media by building the tools, knowledge resources and technical capacity for African media to play an effective public interest role in their societies. This mandate includes assisting with the development of professional standards, financial sustainability, technological adaptability and civic engagement. About Google Inc. Google’s innovative search technologies connect millions of people around the world with information every day. Founded in 1998 by Stanford Ph.D. students Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Google today is a top Web property in all major global markets. Google's mission in Africa is to make the Internet an integral part of every day life in Africa, by increasing its relevance and usefulness, eliminating access barriers for potential users, and developing products that are meaningful for countries in the region. Google is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices throughout the Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia. For more information, visit http://www.google.com/africa, see our Africa Blog, http://google-africa.blogspot.com/ or follow us on Twitter twitter.com/googleafrica About Omidyar Network Omidyar Network is a philanthropic investment firm dedicated to harnessing the power of markets to create opportunity for people to improve their lives. Established in 2004 by eBay founder Pierre Omidyar and his wife Pam, the organization invests in and helps scale innovative organizations to catalyze economic and social change. To date, Omidyar Network has committed more than $500 million to for-profit companies and non-profit organizations that foster economic advancement and encourage individual participation across multiple investment areas, including financial inclusion, entrepreneurship, property rights, consumer Internet, mobile and government transparency. To learn more, visit www.omidyar.com. *-- Phares Kariuki | *Digital Projects* | *African Media Initiative *|*T*: +254 734 810 802 | * E*: pkariuki(a)africanmediainitiative.org | *Skype*: kariukiphares | *W*: http://www.africanmediainitiative.org/ |

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The State Of Internet Access In Our Schools & Kenya? Global Ranking In A Hyper-Connected World
by Gideon 18 Sep '12

18 Sep '12

Ali +1 On bringing about this : Indeed "*What is sad about this phenomenally encouraging story is that it seems that this growth hasn’t penetrated to the less advantaged population in Kenya. It is a state of affairs that cannot be allowed to continue for much longer if we are to achieve our vision of becoming a middle class economy country by 2030 according to Vision 2030*." I believe that we have many resources and a portion of the huge bandwidth that Kenya enjoys now ought to be offloaded to such projects that open a new conduit of information to the thirsty minds otherwise Vision 2030 will arrive too soon and we wouldn't have bridged such gaps. Gideon Rop. On Tue, Sep 18, 2012 at 6:02 AM, <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. Re: Top brains to entice global investors (Brian Munyao Longwe) > 2. The State Of Internet Access In Our Schools & Kenya?s Global > Ranking In A Hyper-Connected World (Ali Hussein) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Mon, 17 Sep 2012 20:43:08 +0300 > From: Brian Munyao Longwe <blongwe(a)gmail.com> > To: Agosta Liko <agostal(a)gmail.com> > Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > Subject: Re: [kictanet] Top brains to entice global investors > Message-ID: > < > CAHSdPfaAfz4N_uMJHoEMR80wYkZc62QCSWMuos9gau-zUEyM6Q(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="windows-1252" > > Hi Agosta, > > Francis, Liko and Ali > > DEMO is a launch pad for new technologies and startups, its not a > competition. The only competitive aspect of DEMO is to get to the DEMO > Stage. In the last four months we have engaged with innovators from > across the continent with the objective of taking their innovation from > just that to real > business, that is sustainable and that will take them to the next level. > Different innovators need/require different inputs to take them to the next > level, some need capitalization others are looking for go to market > opportunities, publicity while other are just looking for strategic > partnerships. So it not correct to assume that very > startup is looking for investment in money terms. > > What DEMO provides is the push for a product launch. For a startup to > launch at DEMO > you must have a new, innovative product that solves a real problem. This > partly answers Francis' question. DEMO does not look at innovation for > innovation's sake, there has > to be a real problem that innovation is solving and a business model to > boot. > > Ability to scale is also a big consideration given that investors will be > putting money > and expect a return on their investment. On investors, our work on this > space has shown us that there is mis-match of > expectations. Local developers and innovators are looking for investors > from Silicon Valley, while investors in Sillicon > Valley have no visibility of the local investment opportunity. To this we > have been engaging local investors through the > DEMO Africa Roundtable Workshops and the interest can only be described as > amazing. This is a group that has in the > past been ignored yet they have the capacity to invest and take most of the > startups to the next level, but only if the engagement makes sense to them. > > Who are the investors? We are engaging different players ? both local and > international. At the Nairobi Investor Meeting which we had investors who > are managing funds in excess of $11m and have invested in companies like > Cellulant, Software Technologies and Kencall; in Nigeria end of > this week we have a plethora of investors who are very active in the tech > space and ditto for South Africa at the Demo Investors roundtable which > happens there in a couple of weeks. > > We are engaging all these investors aswell as those who are stilltied up > with legacy investments (property) so that we can give the startups with > the highest potential of > success that extra push to succeed. > > Hope you will be there to see Afric's best! > > cell: +254715964281 > On Sep 17, 2012 4:24 PM, "Agosta Liko" <agostal(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > > Spoke to Harry about this > > > > who are the investors ? > > > > which are their investments ? > > > > Thanks > > > > On Mon, Sep 17, 2012 at 3:45 PM, Ali Hussein <ali(a)hussein.me.ke> wrote: > > > >> +1 Francis. > >> > >> Infact my understanding is that Demo Africa is just that. This isn't > >> about judging for competition's sake. The 'judges' are investors and > >> companies looking for new products and services that already have > traction > >> or have a huge potential for traction. > >> > >> The last few years have been good for awareness and we have gained a > >> reputation as an innovation hub. However the pipeline now needs to move > >> towards actualizing these ideas into viable, bankable business models. > >> > >> Demo Africa seeks to fill part of the gap. > >> > >> Harry/Brian, hope I haven't put my foot in my mouth... > >> > >> Ali Hussein > >> > >> On Mon, Sep 17, 2012 at 1:51 PM, Francis Hook <francis.hook(a)gmail.com > >wrote: > >> > >>> I am keen to know to what extent innovators will leverage OSS as they > >>> make their pitches. > >>> > >>> I hope we will not see technology for technology's sake kind of > >>> innovations. We've seen some very sexy ideas develop over the years > >>> but they do not really solve real problems or are very hard to > >>> monetise. > >>> > >>> It would also be nice if we could hear of experiences of local > >>> developers/innovators in terms of getting funding for their start ups, > >>> how their ideas get an audience (and what reactions they get) etc. I > >>> gather there is a degree of wariness when it comes to showcasing ideas > >>> and the fear that players with big pockets will take it and run with > >>> it (because they can afford to) or shoot it down because it could > >>> disrupt existing business models (e.g. cross network shared mobile > >>> money platforms...). > >>> > >>> We've also heard that techies are just that - and have bright ideas > >>> but are not good sales people or any good in biz devt. To what > >>> extent does DEMO address this issue? > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> On 17 September 2012 00:47, Grace Githaiga <ggithaiga(a)hotmail.com> > >>> wrote: > >>> > IN SUMMARY > >>> > > >>> > Demo Africa director Harry Hare said the event, the first to be held > in > >>> > Africa, presents a good chance for local innovators to move their > >>> businesses > >>> > to the next level. > >>> > Over the last five years, innovators at DEMO US have received about > >>> Sh297 > >>> > billion in business capital. > >>> > Microsoft, which is sponsoring the event together with Nokia and > other > >>> > multinationals, said that the partnership is one of the best > >>> activities they > >>> > have done because it will help accelerate success of entrepreneurs > and > >>> > start-ups in Africa. > >>> > > >>> > http://www.nation.co.ke/business/news/Top+brains+to+entice+global+investors… > >>> > > >>> > > >>> > _______________________________________________ > >>> > kictanet mailing list > >>> > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > >>> > https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > >>> > > >>> > Unsubscribe or change your options at > >>> > > >>> > https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/francis.hook%40gmail.… > >>> > > >>> > The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder > >>> platform for > >>> > people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and > >>> > regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the > ICT > >>> > sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and > >>> development. > >>> > > >>> > KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable > behaviors > >>> > online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and > >>> bandwidth, > >>> > share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect > privacy, > >>> do > >>> > not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications. > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> -- > >>> Francis Hook > >>> +254 733 504561 > >>> > >>> _______________________________________________ > >>> kictanet mailing list > >>> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > >>> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > >>> > >>> Unsubscribe or change your options at > >>> > https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/info%40alyhussein.com > >>> > >>> > >>> The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform > >>> for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and > >>> regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT > >>> sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and > development. > >>> > >>> KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors > >>> online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and > bandwidth, > >>> share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, > do > >>> not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications. > >>> > >> > >> > >> > >> -- > >> > >> *Ali Hussein* > >> > >> > >> > >> Twitter: @AliHKassim > >> > >> Skype: abu-jomo > >> > >> > >> _______________________________________________ > >> kictanet mailing list > >> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > >> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > >> > >> Unsubscribe or change your options at > >> > https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/agostal%40gmail.com > >> > >> The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform > >> for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and > >> regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT > >> sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and > development. > >> > >> KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors > >> online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and > bandwidth, > >> share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, > do > >> not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications. > >> > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > kictanet mailing list > > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > > https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > > > Unsubscribe or change your options at > > > https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/blongwe%40gmail.com > > > > The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform > > for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and > > regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT > > sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and > development. > > > > KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors > > online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and > bandwidth, > > share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do > > not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications. > > >

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Re: [kictanet] [ISOC_KE] The State Of Internet Access In Our Schools & Kenya’s Global Ranking In A Hyper-Connected World
by Barrack Otieno 18 Sep '12

18 Sep '12

Thanks Ouya and Ali, sounds very exciting i am sure Martin and colleagues will be getting in touch with you it is a great public course at the end of the day we have to ensure that the Internet is for everyone, indeed we can do something as Ali proposes. On Tue, Sep 18, 2012 at 9:49 AM, Ouya Obunga <ouya.bill(a)gmail.com> wrote: > Dear Barrack, Hussein, > > I'm currently undertaking a similar consultancy carried out by USAID through > ACE (Accelerating 21st Century Education) and TEPD (Teacher Education and > Professional Development) whereby teachers were trained on use computers and > internet such that when they teach, they just use laptops with no papers. > Additionally, these schools were given laptops that have all subjects > content in softcopy from KIE (the software is called Tafakari) plus internet > connection that teachers and students can research on and learn the most > updated content. > > The project is in pilot stage in Garissa, Mombasa and Nyeri. I can be > resourceful in the event that you want to carry out a baseline survey on the > same due to my interactions with these schools. In fact, one of the key > pillars of establishing computer system in schools was access to affordable > internet connection since the use of Modems is proving to be very expensive > for most of the schools. > > Best regards, > > Ouya Obunga > 0720 438 527 > > On Tue, Sep 18, 2012 at 9:21 AM, Barrack Otieno <otieno.barrack(a)gmail.com> > wrote: >> >> Hi Ali, >> >> It is good you raise this issue, the same arose during our monthly >> Internet Society Chapter meeting last weekend and the Chapter decided >> to conduct a baseline survey whose findings we shall share with the >> community in due course, you raise very salient issues that members >> pointed out. >> >> Best Regards >> >> On Tue, Sep 18, 2012 at 5:55 AM, Ali Hussein <ali(a)hussein.me.ke> wrote: >> > Listers >> > >> > Last week I visited a school run by an NGO called New Dawn Kenya >> > www.newdawnkenya.com. The school is in an informal settlement in the >> > affluent Runda residential area. The appetite for education and >> > knowledge >> > among the students was a thing of beauty to see. These are extremely >> > disadvantaged young people with an insatiable thirst for knowledge. >> > >> > What struck home for me was that the majority of them had never accessed >> > information on the Internet. This issue is an emotional one for me. As a >> > hyper-connected Kenyan I have always taken for granted access to the >> > Internet for the last few years. Over the last few years Internet usage >> > and >> > penetration levels have increased phenomenally. >> > >> > Read on: >> > >> > >> > http://alyhussein.com/2012/09/the-state-of-internet-access-in-our-schools-k… >> > >> > >> > Ali Hussein >> > >> > +254 773/713 601113 >> > >> > Sent from my iPad >> > >> > _______________________________________________ >> > kictanet mailing list >> > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >> > https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> > >> > Unsubscribe or change your options at >> > >> > https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/otieno.barrack%40gmai… >> > >> > The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform >> > for >> > people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and >> > regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT >> > sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and >> > development. >> > >> > KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors >> > online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and >> > bandwidth, >> > share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, >> > do >> > not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications. >> >> >> >> -- >> Barrack O. Otieno >> +254721325277 >> +254-20-2498789 >> Skype: barrack.otieno >> http://www.otienobarrack.me.ke/ >> _______________________________________________ >> isoc mailing list >> isoc(a)orion.my.co.ke >> http://orion.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/isoc > > > > > -- > Ouya Obunga > Lead Software Architect > Skooli Labs East Africa > 2nd Floor, Mageso Chambers, > Moi Avenue, Nairobi > +254 (20) 3572650, 0720 438 527 > ouya(a)skooli.co.ke > -- Barrack O. Otieno +254721325277 +254-20-2498789 Skype: barrack.otieno http://www.otienobarrack.me.ke/

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Re: [kictanet] [Skunkworks] Standard Digital News : State warned on ditching copyrighted software
by Evans Ikua 17 Sep '12

17 Sep '12

Conrad, this debate will not end any time soon and you can be sure its important. I am sure you would know how much money Microsoft alone mints in Kenya. With the threat of loss of market share, we do expect them to continue feeding us with half truths about what is important. I know what is important for me, and I also speak for the person who does not understand the issues, nor care about what software is running their solutions. Because I know something that they dont. You dont want us to believe that proprietary software has better value than open source, do you? What value? I have no doubt that all platforms must co-exist, at least to a certain extent. But it would be better to face the facts as they are as opposed to peddling cheap lies about security and vulnerabilities. I for one always have a problem with the Government using my tax money to buy closed source software, while at the same time spending the meagre forex resources that we have to fatten the wallets of developers in Redmond and Germany. The bargain here is that we are left with proprietary formats that tie us to companies that are not guaranteed to last the next 20 years, leave a lone 100 years. Did you know that Americans can't sell anything to (or visit) Cuba because of sanctions? What hapens if Mitt Romney (God Forbid) wakes up one morning and decides he does not like Kenya, and therefore we can't do business with the US? Or are we stuck with "good behaviour" so that we don't land in bad books with anyone, so that we can guarantee to run our economy with other people's technology? Where is the freedom there? The freedom that we refer to is not price, but the freedom to control how our software works, without having to depend on a handful of companies that control the source code, and if and when we can get bug fixes, so long as we behave ourselves. For individuals, its a matter of personal choice. But for our government, its a matter of freedom, foreign exchange, and developing local capacities. So its good that our government is finally getting the message, though unfortunately there is going to be some losers. Evans Ikua On Sun, Sep 16, 2012 at 11:32 PM, Rad! <conradakunga(a)gmail.com> wrote: > These debates of open/closed source are pointless and juvenile, especially > coming from veterans in the industry. > > Mwananchi does nor know nor care how things run, provided they a) Work and > b) solve his problems. > > Can we at least get to that point before having these spurious arguments. > Our police stations use counter books for records. Marriage registries use > typewriters and box files. The city council and lands ministries are > festooned with box files and papers. > > And we are here on ivory towers arguing over open vs closed source leaving > fundamentals unaddressed! > > Pragmatic people have no need to resort to extremism. Just as there is > room on roads for Mercedes S Class and Toyota Vitz I'm pretty sure there is > room for Open and Closed Source software. > > As for the issue of cost - I encourage folks to look at it from an > economics perspective. Cost and value are very different things. > > On Sunday, September 16, 2012, Mark Mwangi wrote: > >> All I see is opportunity. Am not anti Microsoft or any closed source >> software company. Painting open source software as insecure, unsupportable >> and almost unhygienic is not being realistic in my opinion. >> >> The reason there aren't many linux folk is because there is no demand for >> them. If the govt decided that everything on their systems (or at >> least most) would be foss then thats where the talent will gravitate. It >> starts with a stance though. >> >> On Sun, Sep 16, 2012 at 10:29 PM, Agosta Liko <agostal(a)gmail.com> wrote: >> >> issue is Open Source is free but very few people know linux or mysql as >> well as the closed guys who know aix and oracel very well. >> >> IT does not matter, all that matters is how well one can support whatever >> they are deploying .... >> >> >> >> On Sun, Sep 16, 2012 at 10:21 PM, Odhiambo Washington <odhiambo(a)gmail.com >> > wrote: >> >> Given that Kenya is not the first country to make such a move, I see no >> reason for M$ to spell doom, really. >> >> Kenya can learn and borrow from those countries. I am sure M$ knows that >> there are countries already fully on FOSS. >> >> >> >> On Sun, Sep 16, 2012 at 9:15 PM, Mark Mwangi <mwangy(a)gmail.com> wrote: >> >> Isnt it interesting that it is only closed source software vendors >> spelling doom and gloom? >> >> >> On Sun, Sep 16, 2012 at 7:34 PM, <awatila(a)yahoo.co.uk> wrote: >> >> >> Last week, the Government issued a warning that in the next three >> years it will move its IT operations to Free and Open Source Software >> (FOSS), a move that will reduce cost by more than half in IT expenses. >> >> http://www.standardmedia.co.**ke/?articleID=2000066158&** >> story_title=State-warned-on-**ditching-copyrighted-software<http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/?articleID=2000066158&story_title=State-warn…> >> ______________________________**_________________ >> Skunkworks mailing list >> Skunkworks(a)lists.my.co.ke >> ------------ >> List info, subscribe/unsubscribe >> http://orion.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/**mailman/listinfo/skunkworks<http://orion.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks> >> ------------ >> >> Skunkworks Rules >> http://my.co.ke/phpbb/**viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94<http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94> >> ------------ >> Other services @ http://my.co.ke >> >> >> >> >> -- >> Regards, >> >> Mark Mwangi >> >> markmwangi.me.ke >> >> >> >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Skunkworks mailing list >> Skunkworks(a)lists.my.co.ke >> ------------ >> List info, subscribe/unsubscribe >> http://orion.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks >> ------------ >> >> Skunkworks Rules >> http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 >> ------------ >> Other services @ http://my.co.ke >> >> >> >> >> -- >> Best regards, >> Odhiambo WASHINGTON, >> Nairobi,KE >> +254733744121/+254722743223 >> _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ >> I can't hear you -- I'm using the scrambler. >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Skunkworks mailing list >> Skunkworks(a)lists.my.co.ke >> ------------ >> List info, subscribe/unsubscribe >> http://orion.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks >> ------------ >> >> > _______________________________________________ > Skunkworks mailing list > Skunkworks(a)lists.my.co.ke > ------------ > List info, subscribe/unsubscribe > http://orion.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks > ------------ > > Skunkworks Rules > http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 > ------------ > Other services @ http://my.co.ke > -- *---------------------------------------------------- Kind Regards, Evans Ikua,* lanetconsulting.com, lpi-eastafrica.org, ict-innovation.fossfa.net, Skype: @ikuae Cell: +254-722-955831

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KENIC IS SLEEPING Kenic.or.ke Down for over 16 hours and Counting!
by Wycliffe 17 Sep '12

17 Sep '12

Kenic.or.ke (the .ke registry system ) which is supposed to have 100% availability has been DOWN for over 16 hours -from approx. 5 pm (14th September 2012) upto Now (15th September 2012 at 0900hours ) and counting. No word yet from Kenic team ( The NEW CEO, Change manager ,,,,,Nobody) to registrars and hence to customers. As far as I know, NO domain registered / renewed for this period and counting. Can we have an update on when this site will be up??? Anybody from Kenic board here!!!!!!!!! Note: If the site is available, you can check the registration / renewal statistics from here: https://registry.kenic.or.ke/statistics.jsp Disappointed Wycliffe

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New Book and New Report on Internet Public Policy Dialogue Available for Download
by Ben Akoh 17 Sep '12

17 Sep '12

Hi All, I did promise a while back to circulate links to a book under development. I had mentioned the important lesson learned from kictanet - on online policy dialogue. I recall suggesting that "lurkers" value and benefit from participation on the list. And that there are interesting ways in which a framework can be used to evaluate (and design) long term sustainable ICT projects in Africa, broadly and perhaps, Kenya more specifically. The links below point to a) toolkit on facilitating public policy dialogue; and b) to a country report in which some of the tools in the toolkit was used to analyze a specific country situation. Thanks for opening up your network to lurkers and learners. Hope you enjoy the publications. Best, Ben New Book: Akoh,B., Egede-Nissen, B., & Creech, H. (2012). Toolkit on Internet Public Policy Dialogue: Tools for the Practitioner. IISD. Available at: http://www.iisd.org/publications/pub.aspx?pno=1619. Download for free. This Toolkit can be used by new or emerging public policy groups seeking to understand and support public policy dialogue with stakeholders. It is based on two central activities: the gathering of evidence to support policy recommendations, and the securing of consent among the stakeholders to be affected by policy change. ---- New Report: Akoh, B. (2012). Supporting Multistakeholder Internet Public Policy Dialogue in a Least Developed Country: The Togo Experience. IISD:Canada. Available at: http://www.iisd.org/publications/pub.aspx?pno=1683. This case study for Togo, a least developed country, illustrates how multistakeholder dialogue can identify priorities and challenges for the development and deployment of the Internet in support of the country's economic, social and environmental needs. Information and communication technology (ICT) growth in Africa has been steady in the past five years, with impacts on the economic and social landscape. Grassroots involvement and local level policy consultations should be considered an intrinsic part of the process of developing national priorities and objectives for ICTs and the Internet.

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'Poverty barons' who make a fortune from taxpayer-funded aid budget
by Agosta Liko 17 Sep '12

17 Sep '12

The Department for International Development (DFID) paid almost £500million last year to consultants, mostly British, many of whom earn six, even seven-figure incomes, courtesy of the taxpayer. DFID also funds dozens of foreign consultancy firms. It is paying £6million to the University of Cape Town to investigate mental health issues in southern Africa and millions of pounds to US-based organisations, including the Clinton Foundation, the International Food Policy Research Institute and Family Health Inter-national. It is paying a Washington-based group, Search for Common Ground, £3.9million to “support the electoral cycle in Sierra Leone”. Consultancy firms in India and Uganda are also receiving large sums. read on http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/9545584/Poverty-barons-who-make-a-…

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Konza Techno Park Launch?
by Edith Adera 17 Sep '12

17 Sep '12

Listers, Just wondering if anyone knows what ever happened to the planned launch and ground breaking for Konza Techno park? Is it still on? or a pipe dream? Would be good to know as we strive to achieve vision 2030, let us accompany the mega road construction we see around with some landmark ICT mega projects, we should not be left behind as an industry. Bwana Ndemo/Mugo, could you please shed some light? expected date of launch? I hope before the end of the year? Edith

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Standard Digital News : State warned on ditching copyrighted software
by awatila＠yahoo.co.uk 17 Sep '12

17 Sep '12

Last week, the Government issued a warning that in the next three years it will move its IT operations to Free and Open Source Software (FOSS), a move that will reduce cost by more than half in IT expenses. http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/?articleID=2000066158&story_title=State-warn… Alex Watila ICT Manager Kenya School of Law Langata-South Road, Karen P.O. Box 30369 00100 Nairobi skype: awatila Telkom Wireless +254(020) 2699581,2699582, 2699583, 2699584, 2699585, 2699586 Tel +254 20 8890 044/94, 8891 399, 8891 200 Fax +254 20 8891 722 “You can visit KSL on the internet at www.ksl.ac.ke”

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New Twist in Carjacking - with ICT this criminal could be behind bars
by Edwin Onchari 16 Sep '12

16 Sep '12

Listers, I thought I should share this to highlight the urgency of entrenching and investing in ICT in our law enforcement agencies. It would have been so easy to dust for prints and run against a criminal database/register of persons..wonder how many have fallen victim Edwin Please sample this, and watch out: This is very scary and could happen to any of us. Seems like every nice thing people do for one another can be perverted. A new twist on kidnapping from a very smart survivor: About a week ago there was a woman standing by the Sarit Centre entrance in Westlands, this woman had finished shopping, went out to her car and discovered that she had a flat tyre. She got the jack out of the trunk and began to change the flat tyre. A nice man dressed in a business suit and carrying a briefcase walked up to her and said, "I noticed you're changing a flat tyre. Would you like me to take care of it for you?" The woman was grateful for his offer and accepted his help. They chatted amiably while the man changed the tyre, and then put the flat tyre and the jack in the boot, shut it and dusted his hands off. The woman thanked him profusely, and as she was about to get in her car, the man told her that he left his car around at The Mall, and asked if she would mind giving him a lift to his car. She was a little surprised and she asked him why his car was at The Mall. He said that he left his car because of a traffic Jam, and now he was running late. The woman hated to tell him "no" because he had just rescued her from having to change her flat tire all by herself, but she felt uneasy. (Trust that gut feeling!) Then she remembered seeing the man put his briefcase in her boot before shutting it and before he asked her for a ride to his car. She told him that she'd be happy to drive him around to his car, but she just remembered one last thing she needed to buy. (Smart woman!!) She said she would only be a few minutes; he could sit down in her car and wait for her; she would be as quick as she could be. She hurried into the mall, and told a security guard! what had happened, the guard came out to her car with her, but the man had left. They opened the trunk, took out his locked briefcase and took it down to the police station. The police opened it (ostensibly to look for ID so they could return it to the man). What they found was rope, duct tape, and knives. When the police checked her "flat" tire, there was nothing wrong with it; the air had simply been let out. It was obvious what the man's intention was, and obvious that he had carefully thought it out in advance. The woman was blessed to have escaped harm. How much worse it would have been if she had children with her and had them wait in the car while the man fixed the tire, or if she had a baby strapped into a car seat? Or if she'd gone against her judgment and given him a lift? I'd like you to forward this to all those you know that may need to be reminded that the world we live in has a lot of deviants in it. It may save a life. Better to be safe than sorry. A candle is not dimmed by lighting another candle. If you love your mothers, wives, sisters, daughters, etc., you may want to pass it on to them, as well. Mr. Leonard Maina Mugambi +254 720 248 873

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