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Secure ICT 2009 Conference Nairobi, Kenya
by Evans Kahuthu 17 Mar '09

17 Mar '09

FYI, You are invited to attend the 1st annual Information Communication Technology & Network Security (Secure ICT) Conference, September 8 and 9, 2009 at the Laico Regency Hotel in Nairobi Kenya. Secure ICT 2009 is a "must attend" event for those tasked with protecting personal or confidential information in a rapidly changing technological environment. The security of ICT infrastructure is of critical importance as Enhanced high-speed Internet is coming to East and Southern Africa as early as June 2009 by way of a new undersea fiber optic cable linking the continent to India and Europe (Seacom;Eassy;Teams). This conference will bring security experts to provide information technology and communication professionals and managers with the latest information on cyber security threats, trends, tools and strategies for protection of critical information technology and communications assets. The conference will offer two concurrent tracks, Information Security Management and Incident Response and Information Security Technology and Operations. The sessions on these two track have been carefully selected to address the specific needs of ICT managers and technical staff. For more information, please visit our website http://secureict.co.ke Sincerely, Evans Kahuthu

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Fw: Grants for African college students
by John Walubengo 17 Mar '09

17 Mar '09

for the interested universities... walu. --- On Thu, 3/12/09, Juma, Calestous <calestous_juma(a)harvard.edu> wrote: > From: Juma, Calestous <calestous_juma(a)harvard.edu> > Subject: Grants for African college students > To: "'david.dickson(a)scidev.net'" <david.dickson(a)scidev.net> > Date: Thursday, March 12, 2009, 6:17 AM > BOSTON, MA-- One Laptop per Child (OLPC) is beginning a > summer grant program in which up to 100 teams of university > students from around the world will distribute thousands of > XO laptops to children in Africa this summer. > > Partnering with schools and non-governmental organizations > in Africa, undergraduate and graduate students from around > the world will provide educational opportunities that > facilitate self-expression and exploration for children. > > OLPC is providing each team with 100 XO laptops, related > hardware, and up to $10,000 for operating costs. Student > teams will have the opportunity to attend an orientation > workshop in Kigali, Rwanda from June 8-17. > > Afterwards, they will spend nine weeks in an African > nation, working directly with local community partners to > integrate the XO into primary education. > OLPC founder and Chairman Nicholas Negroponte said that the > new program "represents a determined effort by OLPC to > engage university students worldwide in bringing an > education revolution to children living in some of the most > remote places on Earth. > > By empowering students from a multitude of countries and > cultures to act as agents of change, the belief that all > children have a right to quality education -- regardless of > where they happen to live -- will spread across the > globe." > > To date, OLPC has put over 500,000 XO laptops into the > hands of children all across the world. The One Laptop per > Child association developed a low-cost laptop -- the > "XO Laptop" -- to revolutionize how we educate the > world's children. > > OLPC's mission is to provide educational opportunities > for the world's poorest children by providing each child > with a rugged, low-cost, low-power, connected laptop with > content and software designed for collaborative, joyful, > self-empowered learning. > > The OLPCorps program features a high level of local > community involvement, as local schools and NGOs will > sustain the project for years to come. > *** > One Laptop per Child - Africa Grant Program Students have > played a pivotal role in every revolution, except > learning. That will change in 2009. Through One Laptop > per Child, student teams from around the world will each > deploy 100 XO-laptops throughout Africa this summer. If you > are an undergraduate or graduate student with an interest in > education, technology or capacity building, our summer grant > program will provide you with unprecedented hands-on > experience. > > Student Teams will: • travel to one of the 53 African > countries of their choosing for 9-10 weeks • participate > in a 10-day orientation in Kigali, Rwanda at OLPC's > office• receive up to $10,000 per team for operating > costs• deploy 100 XO laptops, including hardware and > support• collaborate with up to 100 other teams as part of > a life-long global network empowering a generation • send > a representative to MIT/OLPC's all-expense paid summit > from October 10-12, 2009. > > OLPCorps Africa Members will be active members of our > innovative 1 to 1 laptop-learning project and hold key roles > as leaders in our grassroots movement. The OLPC summer > grant program, which is a full-time commitments, begins June > 8. Teams will work closely with the One Laptop per Child > team to design and implement XO deployments, join a uniquely > African OLPC network, and lead a growing social movement. > How to apply: For more information on OLPCorps Africa and > specific application requirements, please visit our website: > http://laptop.org/en/participate/get-involved/OLPCorps.shtml. > Proposals must be received by March 27th. Contact OLPCorps > (OLPCorps(a)laptop.org) with any questions or concerns.

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[Fwd: [i-network] Introducing the Uganda ICT Consumer Protection Association]
by alice 17 Mar '09

17 Mar '09

*Introducing the **Uganda ICT Consumer Protection Association (UICPA)* Following a series of discussions on various mailing lists and especially on the I-Network ICT Mailing list for the past 2 to 3 years in regard to ICT services and products in Uganda, a few individuals decided to explore the idea of bringing together grieving ICT consumers. These individuals have now set up the Uganda ICT Consumer Protection Association. The association recognises the existing institutions and channels of dealing with consumer concerns and will work collaboratively with these institutions with the aim of improving ICT services and goods for the consumers. >From Internet services to voice services and all the way to hardware products, the situation is running out of control, and the few bodies mandated to protect consumers like the Uganda Communications Commission and the Uganda National Bureau of Standards seem to be overwhelmed by their wide mandates, limited budgets and inadequate human resources. The association is membership based and membership is open to all ICT consumers and stakeholders. The association aims at achieving the following: 1. Providing a collective platform / voice through which ICT consumers concerns can be addressed, for example billing complaints 2. Addressing poor quality of voice and data services 3. Addressing ICT goods and services pricing irregularities that result in loss of money by consumers 4. Evaluating performance of the universal service fund under the Uganda Communication Commission (UCC). 5. Addressing the high failure rate of hardware, for example promotional mobile phones As a start, the association has been duly registered and letters of introduction were sent out in February 2009 to various stakeholders informing them of the set up of the new association including Uganda Communications Commission, Ministry of ICT, Uganda National Bureau of Standards and Uganda Consumer Protection Association. *How will these aims be achieved?* The association will provide complementary activities and services to the already existing channels and institutions for addressing the above 5 issues. This will be done through 3 main approaches: 1. *Awareness creation:* The association shall carry out awareness creation and sensitisation activities within ICT consumers. This shall be aimed at making them more aware of their rights as ICT consumers, provide them with information on the channels and institutions that provide solutions and redress for complaints raised and above all work with service and goods providers to ensure that information regarding customer care, access, availability and reach are easily available and known by ICT consumers. 1. *Advocacy:* The association shall carry out advocacy for better, revised and new consumer laws as well as the upholding and consideration of ICT consumers in Uganda. The advocacy shall be based on the consumers’ experience and emergent issues that shall arise as the association carries out its aims. The advocacy activities shall also seek to get better terms from goods and service providers in the country to allow ICT consumers and providers enjoy mutual benefits. 1. *Collective Voice:* The association shall register and take note of issues, complaints and compliments from ICT consumers regarding ICT goods and services in the country. The association shall seek redress for ICT consumers on a collective basis where issues with service and goods providers have been reported to providers, relevant government authorities and yet no action has been taken. The association shall use its strength in numbers to seek for a solution for these issues. The association shall provide a forum to ICT consumers to discuss and share information on issues affecting ICT consumers in the country. The association shall use this forum and the knowledge generated at the forum to carry out advocacy and awareness activities as part of the development of the ICT sector in Uganda. For more information on the association and how it can help you please contact the association Plot 53 Kira Road Kamwokya Bukoto Email: report(a)ictconsumer.or.ug Web: _www.ictconsumer.or.ug <http://www.ictconsumer.or.ug/>_ -- Wire Lunghabo James Linux Solutions Blog: http://www.computerworld.co.ug/blogs/wire-james => Share One Computer among 10 users working simultaneously <= => Reduce computer electricity bills by 60% <= => Lower your expenses on computer servicing by 50% <= => Significantly Reduce IT support costs <= **** Contact Linux Solutions today for the ideal solution **** "For Exceptional Services, Innovative and High quality Products" Office: +256-312-278767 Cell: +256-712-726609 Visit web site <http://d2.dgroups.org/iicd/i-network> Click here <mailto:leave.i-network@dgroups.org> to unsubscribe The email is intended only for the recipients. The owners of the Dgroups cannot be held responsible for the contents of the email message.

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IGF liveblog session
by Rebecca Wanjiku 17 Mar '09

17 Mar '09

If you would like to follow the live sessions from Mauritius, please visit beckyit.blogspot.com Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/

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Two major blunders on KTN's "the presenter"
by Maina Samson 16 Mar '09

16 Mar '09

Just observed some two blunders with KTN's concluded "the Presenter" show. Who else did? 1. Calling a commercial break while on stage already holding the envelop containing the name of the winner. That, to me, is supposed to be the most transparent stage and even if its good to create some suspense, create it with Cameras on the envelop. Otherwise it will become very hard to convince the genera viwers other than those in the Lyco regency that nothing happened to the envelop during that break. Nevertheless, Fahreed Khimani is a great MC, so are Melly and the Yu CEO. 2. Taking a commercial break as indicated in (1) above to advertise "Orange- together we can do more" just when the Yu CEO is busy on stage trying to capture the crowds with his good MC talent. If I were doing the programming, zain, Safcom or Ornage would not have featured anywhere. For all goodness sake, Yu were the sponsors!!!!!! Regards, Samson Major

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media bias consequences,,, a good example
by Gakuru Alex 15 Mar '09

15 Mar '09

[Throughout KCA discussions most, including our learned friends, were erroneously made to believe the media that this was just but terrible, no-good, plain "anti-media law." Now (save for into the third month) it's good continue emerging. The author's embarrassment and belated admission of the positives leaves one wondering what the ordinary (wo)man on the street thinks of the law? Does it make a classic "media misinformation" research case? I had hoped that un-biased content obligations by this law were highlighted. This gives information consumers the opportunity to make their most informed and independent view of all media features --AlexG] ---- March 15, 2009 Nairobi-Kenya In Kenya’s recent legislative history, fewer pieces of legislation have enjoyed as much bad press as the Kenya Communications (Amendment) Bill (now Act) 2008 (The KCAA). Admittedly, when a colleague in the industry recently asked me to articulate the positive aspects of the Act, I was embarrassingly surprised that I did not already have something I could e-mail him right away. A lot of the material that was out there seemed to harp on one perceived shortcoming in the Act or the other. In order to atone for my somewhat unbalanced analysis of the Act (but without recanting my previous opinions about its shortcomings), I took the time to prepare this feature-length commercial about its positive virtues.... <http://michaelmurungi.blogspot.com/2009/03/ten-reasons-to-spare-positive-th…>

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Conficker/Downadup Evolves To Defend Itself]
by alice 14 Mar '09

14 Mar '09

Conficker/Downadup Evolves To Defend Itself Worm develops ability to disable antimalware tools, switch domains more frequently By Tim Wilson, DarkReading <http://www.darkreading.com/> March 12, 2009 URL:http://www.darkreading.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=215900041 The enigmatic Conficker worm has evolved, adopting new capabilities that make it more difficult than ever to find and eradicate, security researchers say. In a blog published late last week <https://forums2.symantec.com/t5/Malicious-Code/W32-Downadup-C-Digs-in-Deepe…>, researchers at Symantec said they found "a completely new variant" of Conficker, sometimes called Downadup, that is being pushed out to machines previously infected with earlier versions of the worm. The new variant, which Symantec calls W32.Downadup.C, appears to have defensive capabilities that weren't present in earlier versions. While it spreads in the same manner, "Conficker.C" can disable some of the tools used to detect and eradicate it, including antivirus and other antimalware detection tools. W32.Downadup C also can switch domains at a much greater rate, Symantec said. "The Downadup authors have now moved from a 250-a-day domain-generation algorithm to a new 50,000-a-day domain generation algorithm," the researchers reported. "The new domain generation algorithm also uses one of a possible 116 domain suffixes." A report from CA about Conficker.C <http://www.ca.com/us/securityadvisor/virusinfo/virus.aspx?id=77976> confirms Symantec's findings, although the CA researchers said the jump from 500 to 50,000 domains will not occur until April 1. The ability to quickly switch domains will make it difficult for Internet security organizations, such as ICANN and OpenDNS, to block the domains used by the worm, industry experts note. The new variant emerges just as some vendors have come out with tools they say will eradicate the worm. Enigma Software today issued a new, free tool <http://www.enigmasoftware.com/> that it says will remove Conficker.A and Conficker.B from infected machines. A spokesman says the company has begun work on the new variant. And BitDefender also is offering a free tool <http://www.bdtools.net/> it says will remove all variants of the worm. Perhaps the most disconcerting aspect of the worm is that although it has reportedly infected hundreds of thousands of machines, it does not, as yet, seem to have a purpose. Although it has been contacting domains and spreading itself through various means, security experts say it has yet to be given a task -- such as distributing spam or launching a DDoS attack -- and researchers are still uncertain as to what it might be used for. And some experts say there may be other exploits that behave like Conficker/Downadup. "BitDefender Labs has been seeing an increase in worms, like Downadup, that have a built-in mathematical algorithm, generating strings based on the current date," says Vlad Valceanu, BitDefender's senior malware analyst. "The worms then produce a fixed number of domain names on a daily basis and check them for updates. This makes it easy for malware writers and cybercriminals to upgrade a worm or give it a new payload, as they only have to register one of the domains and then upload the files." /Have a comment on this story? Please click "Discuss" below. If you'd like to contact/ Dark Reading's /editors directly, send us a message <mailto:editors@darkreading.com>/ Copyright © 2007 CMP Media LLC <http://www.cmpnet.com/> _______________________________________________ AfrICANN mailing list AfrICANN(a)afrinic.net https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo.cgi/africann

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Grants for African college students
by John Walubengo 13 Mar '09

13 Mar '09

Apologies for cross-posting...but here's an opportunity for University/college students... walu. > From: Juma, Calestous <calestous_juma(a)harvard.edu> > Subject: Grants for African college students > To: "'david.dickson(a)scidev.net'" <david.dickson(a)scidev.net> > Date: Thursday, March 12, 2009, 6:17 AM > BOSTON, MA-- One Laptop per Child (OLPC) is beginning a > summer grant program in which up to 100 teams of university > students from around the world will distribute thousands of > XO laptops to children in Africa this summer. > > Partnering with schools and non-governmental organizations > in Africa, undergraduate and graduate students from around > the world will provide educational opportunities that > facilitate self-expression and exploration for children. > > OLPC is providing each team with 100 XO laptops, related > hardware, and up to $10,000 for operating costs. Student > teams will have the opportunity to attend an orientation > workshop in Kigali, Rwanda from June 8-17. > > Afterwards, they will spend nine weeks in an African > nation, working directly with local community partners to > integrate the XO into primary education. > OLPC founder and Chairman Nicholas Negroponte said that the > new program "represents a determined effort by OLPC to > engage university students worldwide in bringing an > education revolution to children living in some of the most > remote places on Earth. > > By empowering students from a multitude of countries and > cultures to act as agents of change, the belief that all > children have a right to quality education -- regardless of > where they happen to live -- will spread across the > globe." > > To date, OLPC has put over 500,000 XO laptops into the > hands of children all across the world. The One Laptop per > Child association developed a low-cost laptop -- the > "XO Laptop" -- to revolutionize how we educate the > world's children. > > OLPC's mission is to provide educational opportunities > for the world's poorest children by providing each child > with a rugged, low-cost, low-power, connected laptop with > content and software designed for collaborative, joyful, > self-empowered learning. > > The OLPCorps program features a high level of local > community involvement, as local schools and NGOs will > sustain the project for years to come. > *** > One Laptop per Child - Africa Grant Program Students have > played a pivotal role in every revolution, except > learning. That will change in 2009. Through One Laptop > per Child, student teams from around the world will each > deploy 100 XO-laptops throughout Africa this summer. If you > are an undergraduate or graduate student with an interest in > education, technology or capacity building, our summer grant > program will provide you with unprecedented hands-on > experience. > > Student Teams will: • travel to one of the 53 African > countries of their choosing for 9-10 weeks • participate > in a 10-day orientation in Kigali, Rwanda at OLPC's > office• receive up to $10,000 per team for operating > costs• deploy 100 XO laptops, including hardware and > support• collaborate with up to 100 other teams as part of > a life-long global network empowering a generation • send > a representative to MIT/OLPC's all-expense paid summit > from October 10-12, 2009. > > OLPCorps Africa Members will be active members of our > innovative 1 to 1 laptop-learning project and hold key roles > as leaders in our grassroots movement. The OLPC summer > grant program, which is a full-time commitments, begins June > 8. Teams will work closely with the One Laptop per Child > team to design and implement XO deployments, join a uniquely > African OLPC network, and lead a growing social movement. > How to apply: For more information on OLPCorps Africa and > specific application requirements, please visit our website: > http://laptop.org/en/participate/get-involved/OLPCorps.shtml. > Proposals must be received by March 27th. Contact OLPCorps > (OLPCorps(a)laptop.org) with any questions or concerns.

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WhereCamp Africa
by alice 13 Mar '09

13 Mar '09

Dear all This is an interesting event for organizations looking to better use mapping tools for their work. (http://www.wherecampafrica.org/) Great for technical staff to attend - it could be a great networking/inspiration event for them. ------------------------------------ All the best, Janet -- Program Manager Information Program Open Society Institute Oktober 6. ut. 12 H-1051 Budapest Hungary +36 1 327 3182 http://www.soros.org/ip/ jhaven(a)osieurope.org

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ICANN To IP Experts: Come Back With A Solution For Internet Trademark Protection]
by alice 13 Mar '09

13 Mar '09

12 March 2009 ICANN To IP Experts: Come Back With A Solution For Internet Trademark Protection By Monika Ermert <http://www.ip-watch.org/weblog/author/monika/> for /Intellectual Property Watch/ @ 1:00 pm http://www.ip-watch.org/weblog/2009/03/12/icann-to-ip-experts-come-back-wit… Trademark issues are emerging with the upcoming introduction of new generic top-level domains on the internet, and the board members of the body introducing the names has passed the ball back to intellectual property experts to find answers. The Intellectual Property Constituency of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN, the internet technical coordinating body) has been asked to work out a viable solution “no later than 24 May 2009.” Trademark issues have been defined as one of four overarching issues still to be solved before ICANN can finalise the application procedure for the next hundreds or thousands of top-level domains from .eco to .music. In its resolution on Friday in Mexico City, the ICANN board decided to request that the ICANN Generic Name Supporting Organization (GNSO) Intellectual Property Constituency - in consultation with ICANN staff - convene an “implementation recommendation team” comprised of an “internationally diverse group of persons with knowledge, expertise, and experience in the fields of trademark, consumer protection, or competition law, and the interplay of trademarks and the domain name system.” The team is to “develop and propose solutions to the overarching issue of trademark protection in connection with the introduction of new gTLDs.” “We have reached out to the IP community saying, ‘You come back to us with some proposal how this should be solved,’” said ICANN Board Chairman Peter Dengate Thrush. An IP lawyer by profession, Dengate Thrush said he was confident that a proposal would be brought back to ICANN because of the “track record” of the IP experts. “We have gone through this already once in 1998/99,” he said. The debates 10 years ago resulted in the formation of the Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy <http://www.icann.org/en/udrp/udrp.htm> (UDRP), built into the system to fight domain grabbing. Many domain-name disputes under the UDRP are brought to the World Intellectual Property Organization, which is expected to release its annual report on internet disputes next week. The danger of name-grabbing at the first stage and the concern that trademark owners will be pressured to protect their brands in hundreds of new TLDs led to a flurry of critical comments during the comment period last year for the first version of the Applicant’s Guidebook to the new domains. Even the US government called into question the need for new gTLDs asking for studies on the issue of market demand and market impact. ICANN recently published “preliminary” versions of studies prepared by Dennis Carlton, economics professor at the University of Chicago and highest-ranking economist in the Antitrust Division of the US Justice Department between 2006 and 2008. The draft texts came under heavy critique from participants at the ICANN meeting in Mexico. After ICANN’s decision on the implementation recommendation team there are some concerns with regard to the composition of group by outside observers. Board member Dennis Jennings of Ireland said he was glad that the resolution taken included internationality as a principle for the group. The discussion about IP issues seemed to have been “driven by big business and West, or North American intellectual property interests,” he said, adding that “other dimensions that need to be taken into account.” Wendy Seltzer, non-voting liaison of the At-Large Advisory Committee on the board said she hoped that members of other communities would be “consulted early in the process and would have full opportunities to analyse proposals that come out of this working group.” ”All interested constituencies will have the opportunity to provide input to the group,” wrote Kristina Rosette, an IP lawyer at Covington & Burling who represents the IP Constituency in the GNSO. This means the opportunity to provide input before drafting starts and during the early stages as well as the opportunity to comment on the draft, she said in a written statement to /Intellectual Property Watch/. ”It may also mean membership on the team,” Rosette added. “To my knowledge, that aspect has not been decided nor has the size of the team.” But she would expect that the group could be established in the next 10 days. Rosette also said she was confident that the IP Constituency could ultimately present a solution acceptable to other constituencies. Members of other constituencies in first reactions were worried that the IP Constituency would start over and neglect the policy development process that has taken place over years on the new gTLD introduction. They complain that the constituency has taken part in it and now is given a privileged chance to push their interests. “We need a solution,” Dengate Thrush said of the trademark issue. If the report is not acceptable to other constituencies in ICANN, “we will start our own work for a solution,” he said. Government Involvement The chairman of the ICANN Government Advisory Committee (GAC), Janis Karklins, welcomed the steps taken to ensure IP protection but criticised a proposal that geographic names be given the same level of protection rather than higher protection. So far GAC advice on the protection of country and place names has not been “fully taken into account,” Karklins said, as ICANN provided protection for the top level but not the second level of the upcoming new gTLDs. The second level would be in the form of @name.othername. Dengate Thrush reacted to this by saying that there might be a need for the GAC to reconsider parts of its advice, “partly because they’re difficult to implement and partly because they’re in conflict with other policy decisions.” Dengate Thrush also confirmed that as details of the different processes of introducing new gTLDs and new internationalised country-code top-level domains (IDN ccTLDs) becoming much clearer, the possibility for different start times for each set of names would become more real. Dengate Thrush asked, “Now that the possibility of divergence is becoming more real, what is the policy behind that?” and called for discussion on the question at the next ICANN meeting to be held in Sydney on 21-26 June. /Monika Ermert may be reached at info(a)ip-watch.ch <mailto:info@ip-watch.ch>./ _______________________________________________ AfrICANN mailing list AfrICANN(a)afrinic.net https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo.cgi/africann

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Re: [kictanet] ict@innovation workshop
by Gakuru Alex 13 Mar '09

13 Mar '09

"FOSS is an idea whose time has come", stated Hon. (Eng.) James Rege. News article <http://www.strathmore.edu/News.php?NewsID=50> Enjoy! Alex On Thu, Mar 12, 2009 at 5:48 AM, Gakuru Alex <alexgakuru.lists(a)gmail.com> wrote: > folks, > > Been at http://www.strathmore.edu/Events.php?EventID=6 all along. > Great workshop it has been!! Will post a news update in due course. >

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ict@innovation workshop
by Gakuru Alex 12 Mar '09

12 Mar '09

folks, Been at http://www.strathmore.edu/Events.php?EventID=6 all along. Great workshop it has been!! Will post a news update in due course. rgds, Alex

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Confirmed Speakers for National BPO Week 7th to 9th April 2009
by Peres Were 10 Mar '09

10 Mar '09

The Kenya BPO & Contact Centre Society will hold the inaugural Annual National BPO Week on 7th to 9th April 2009. This Conference and Exhibition comes at a very important time as the sub-marine cable lands in Kenya, creating great opportunities within the BPO sector in the country. It is expected that there will be exponential growth of Kenya's BPO sector once the fibre optic cable becomes operational in June 2009. The conference and expo will run concurrently at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre, in Nairobi. Internationally recognised speakers from the global and local contact centre and BPO industry will provide thought leadership during the conference sessions. The main expo will mostly include companies that are involved in Business Process Outsourcing, Call Centre, Software, Hardware, and Telecommunication among others. They will seek to showcase their products and offerings to the general public and seek to educate them on the emerging opportunities available to the youth and others alike. Confirmed international speakers include: Ken Bone President - Rising Data Solutions Ken has over 20 years of experience establishing, developing and operating world-class BPO centres in emerging markets. He is one of the pioneers responsible for the establishment and success of the BPO industry in the Philippines. Prior to joining Rising Data, Ken was the CEO of Electraserv Inc., a contact centre based in the Philippines. This call centre was founded in February, 2005. Electraserv is a Hong Kong Company, with operations in the Philippines and marketing offices in the U.S.A. Russ Sandlin Head of Contact Center - Gulf Bank of Kuwait Russ joined the bank in 2008. Prior to this, Russ managed large contact centres for Barclays PLC, HSBC, Chase Manhattan, Bank of America, AT&T and Dell. Russ is also the founder of Benprise LLC, an Outsourcing Service Provider. Russ has helped US based investors move their work offshore setting up contact centres in Korea, Mexico, Dubai, Qatar, Pakistan, India, the Philippines, China, Ghana and Kuwait. Russ is an industry expert in Offshore Outsourcing, BPO, KPO and Contact Centers. Dr. Pradeep Mukherjee President and Managing Partner of Avasant - Asia Avasant is a leading Management Consultancy and Global Sourcing firm headquartered in USA. Dr. Mukherjee has over 20 years of experience and expertise in Consultancy and Management of Technology Business. He has advised leading enterprises in US, Europe and ASPAC on strategic aspects of Services Globalization and Transformational Outsourcing. His expertise includes IT Consulting & Strategy, BPO Strategy, Global Risk Assessment and Management, Relationship Management, Contracting and Program Management and M&A .He has in the past advised Private Equity organizations on deal sourcing, deal structuring and post deal transformation. Captain Percy Jokhi Global Head of Security & Vigilance - Firstsource Solutions formerly Vice President of Security Services HSBC Bank. First Source Solutions has approximately 22,250 employees spread over various contact centers in India and abroad spanning USA, UK, Ireland, Argentina & Philippines. First Source clients include major blue chip international companies. As Global Head of Security and Vigilance, Percy's role includes creation & standardization of security policies & procedures within the organizations contact centres and throughout the entire organization. While Vice President -Security Services, at HSBC Bank, Percy set up the security department for the Bank in India and went on to set up the same for all companies and properties of HSBC Group in India. Percy has wide experience in all aspects of Security and in particular securing contact centre and BPO operations to meet international standards necessary for procuring outsourced contracts from the financial services industry. BOOK YOUR SPACE TODAY! Peres Were Vice-Chair Kenya BPO & Contact Society For bookings contact Kenya BPO & Contact Centre Society. Studio House, along Argwings Kodhek road, 2nd floor E-mail: <mailto:secretariat@kenyabposociety.or.ke> secretariat(a)kenyabposociety.or.ke Tel. No. /020-2391301/ 0722-663176/ 0733-917518 www.kenyabposociety.or.ke <http://www.kenyabposociety.or.ke/> www.bpoweek.co.ke <http://www.bpoweek.co.ke/> www.outsource2kenya.co.ke <http://www.outsource2kenya.co.ke/>

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ICANN Mexico Meeting Briefing note
by alice 10 Mar '09

10 Mar '09

Mexico City Briefing Note Published 9 March 2009 A briefing note on the Mexico City meeting <http://mex.icann.org/briefing-note> of 1-6 March 2009 has been published. ICANN's 34th international public meeting was hosted by ICANN, the Mexican Internet Association (AMIPCI), the Network Information Center (NIC) Mexico, and the Internet Society (ISOC) Mexico. The briefing note summarizes key developments at the meeting and outlines next steps and sources of further information for each. The topics included are: * New generic Top Level Domains (gTLDs) * Internationalized Domain Names and the IDN Fast Track * Amendments to the Registrar Accreditation Agreement (RAA) * The Improving Institutional Confidence (IIC) consultation * GNSO Improvements * Independent Reviews * A summary of Board resolutions The briefing note is an informal summary. The authoritative records of official meetings will be available in their minutes. Further information about the meeting, including presentations and transcripts, is available at http://mex.icann.org/. Information about the next meeting which will be from 21-26 June 2008 in Sydney, Australia can be found at its dedicated website at http://syd.icann.org <http://syd.icann.org/>. *Related links: * Mexico City briefing note: http://mex.icann.org/briefing-note Mexico City meeting website: http://mex.icann.org/ Sydney meeting website: http://syd.icann.org <http://syd.icann.org/> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ *Sign up for ICANN's Monthly Magazine <http://www.icann.org/magazine/>* _______________________________________________ AfrICANN mailing list AfrICANN(a)afrinic.net https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo.cgi/africann

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Re: [kictanet] [ke-internetusers] KICC LAN PROJECT SUCCESFULLY COMPLETED
by James Rege 09 Mar '09

09 Mar '09

Walu, you can say "funny" again, it has been completed on time and without any of those "fleecings". May I also join hands with others in saying congratulation to everybody who had a hand in the project? As we are all trying very hard to prove a point that ict is the way and will assist all sectors in reducing graft, it would have been sad if the project had failed for one reason or the other. I only wish the late Dr Juma Okech was around to have a champaign in celebration. Lucy did you have a chance to add wifi for the geeks - those who rome the corridors with lap tops on their left/right hands and typing with the other? Congrats James Rege On Mar 6, 2009, at 3:09 PM, John Walubengo wrote: > > hey Lucy, > > I have been wanting to comment on this ICT Board project but hadnt > just gotten the minute...until now. > > I think the completion of your Infrastructure Project at KICC is > commendable in several ways. > > Firstly, it is rare for Govt projects to be completed on time, > within budget and hopefully expected quality standards. Particularly > in .KE where we have poor track record for ICT projects (ref: Anglo- > fleecing, et al) > > Secondly, it is rare for Govt Depts to be open about the same > (projects) - even if for it is for purposes of benchmarking and/or > lessons learnt. (Secrecy Act applies?) > > Funny, I just realized that as Kenyans we have been so numbed by > scandals that when a Project is "above board"/"open"- we fail to > notice that flicker of hope that all is not lost. That maybe there > are some "civil-servants" who want to make a change in their own > little ways. And that they should be encouraged and their lessons > shared precisely because they are a minority. Their little successes > should be celebrated because only then, can we built that critical > mass of civil servants that will begin to change the way Govt > thinks, behaves and responds to its 21st century Netizens. > > walu. > > > > --- On Fri, 2/20/09, Lucy Odhiambo <lodhiambo(a)ict.go.ke> wrote: > >> From: Lucy Odhiambo <lodhiambo(a)ict.go.ke> >> Subject: [ke-internetusers] KICC LAN PROJECT SUCCESFULLY COMPLETED >> To: kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >> Cc: ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net >> Date: Friday, February 20, 2009, 6:21 PM >> Dear All, >> >> >> >> We are pleased to inform you that Kenya ICT Board and the >> E- Government >> directorate initiative has successfully completed >> installation of the much >> anticipated connectivity project at the Kenyatta >> International Conference >> Center. Sponsored and implemented by the two key >> stakeholders, the project >> has seen the set up of a secure Local Area Network; with >> infrastructure laid >> across the entire KICC premises. >> >> >> >> The network will be centrally managed and maintained on an >> inclusive IT >> system with connectivity to both the internet and the >> Government Common Core >> Network (GCCN). It is supported on a fiber optic backbone >> that was rolled >> out as part of the project and completed under the guidance >> of a team >> comprising experts from the Board among other stakeholder >> organizations. >> KICC has for a long time stood out as a key government >> owned building that >> does not have its own local area network and access to the >> Government WAN >> (wide area network.) >> >> >> >> This project is a milestone achievement as it realizes >> connectivity of all >> government offices to an overall network (comprising all >> other ministries >> and selected departments) allowing seamless and secure >> communication and >> file sharing. >> >> The project will be commissioned next week and we will keep >> you informed on >> the details. >> >> >> >> We congratulate the team that made this project a success - >> lead by Victor >> Kyalo and George Otieno from the board and the late Dr. >> Juma Oketch , >> Elijah Liech and the E-Government Directorate team. >> >> I have attached the project charter to give you some >> background on the >> project. >> >> >> >> >> >> Lucy Gachui Odhiambo >> >> Communications Manager >> >> Kenya ICT Board >> >> 12th Floor Telposta Towers >> >> Koinange Lane >> >> PO Box 27150 - 00100 >> Nairobi, Kenya >> >> Cell 0737- 839047 >> >> Tel: 254-020-2093040 >> >> <http://www.ict.go.ke> www.ict.go.ke >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> ke-internetusers mailing list >> ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net >> http://www.bdix.net/mailman/listinfo/ke-internetusers > > > > _______________________________________________ > ke-internetusers mailing list > ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net > http://www.bdix.net/mailman/listinfo/ke-internetusers

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Community Comment Invited on Petition To Form A New GNSO CyberSafety Constituency
by alice＠apc.org 06 Mar '09

06 Mar '09

Community Comment Invited on Petition To Form A New GNSO CyberSafety Constituency 5 March 2009 The ongoing GNSO Improvements process has created significant community interest in the formation of new GNSO constituencies and several groups have stepped forward to begin the process of forming a new GNSO constituency. The ICANN Board has now received its first formal petition - from the prospective CyberSafety Constituency. All members of the ICANN community and the public are now invited to review the petition and charter of the CyberSafety Constituency and share comments with the Board through 5 April 2009. Background and Explanation: In June 2008, the Board of Directors endorsed a series of recommendations on how to improve the GNSOs structures and operations. One of the significant drivers of those recommendations was an interest in maximizing participation in the GNSO and its policy development processes. Among the various recommendations endorsed by the Board was that ICANN take steps to clarify and promote the option to self-form new constituencies. The current ICANN Bylaws provide that any group of individuals or entities may petition the Board for recognition as a new or separate constituency, in accordance with Section 5(4) of Article X. Such a petition must explain (1) why the addition of such a Constituency will improve the ability of the GNSO to carry out its policy-development responsibilities and (2) why the proposed new Constituency would adequately represent, on a global basis, the stakeholders it seeks to represent. Despite those Bylaw provisions, it has been many years since the organization has had a formal request for a new constituency. Since the Board action last June, however, the ICANN Staff has received inquiries from several interested parties about how to form a new GNSO constituency. The ICANN bylaws do not provide specific procedural guidance for how interested parties should submit the petitions contemplated in Article X. Mindful that explicit steps, formats, and/or processes for expansion would take some time for the community to develop in the implementation of the improvements recommendations, the Board directed ICANN Staff to provide the community with some initial guidance, a structure and a specific procedural path for potential new constituencies to follow. At its 1 October meeting, the Board acknowledged Staff's development of a "Notice of Intent" document for potential new constituencies and directed Staff to develop a formal petition and charter template to assist new constituency applicants in satisfying the formative criteria (consistent with the ICANN Bylaws) to facilitate the Board's evaluation of petitions to form new constituencies. The process subsequently developed by the Staff required interested groups to first submit a Notice of Intent to Form New Constituency (NOIF) [DOC, 148K]. The proponent of the CyberSafety Constituency completed that first step on 20 October 2008. The second step of the process is development of a New Constituency Petition and Charter. The proponent of the CyberSafety Constituency completed that effort on 23 February 2009. Relevant Board Resolution, Bylaws and Constituency Submissions: Minutes of 1 October 2008 ICANN Board Meeting: http://www.icann.org/en/minutes/minutes-01oct08.htm ICANN Bylaws Article X, Section 5, Subsection 4: http://www.icann.org/en/general/bylaws.htm - X-5.1 Copies of the CyberSafety Constituency Petition Documents: o CyberSafety Introduction Letter to Petition and Charter Document [PDF, 10K] o CyberSafety Constituency Petition and Charter (23 Feb 2009-Redacted) [PDF, 94K] The Process From Here: At the end of this Public Comment Forum period, the ICANN Staff will provide a summary/analysis of the comments submitted regarding the CyberSafety Constituency petition and charter. That summary/analysis will be shared with the community and the Board. The Board will ultimately make the decision on whether to authorize the new constituency. It should be noted that the GNSO Improvements Report approved by the Board in June 2008 has additional guidelines and recommendations for the ongoing practices and processes of GNSO constituencies. It is expected that this work will be ongoing as part of the GNSO Improvements implementation efforts. Deadline and How to Submit Comments: The Staff is opening a 30-day public consultation forum, from 5 March 2009 through 5 April 2009, and invites community comments on this matter. This particular comment period is slightly longer than 30-days because the period is tolled while International ICANN meetings are in session. The formal Public Comment Forum Box is located here: http://www.icann.org/en/public-comment/public-comment-200904.html#cybersafe… To submit comments: cyber-safety-petition(a)icann.org To view comments (including the various constituency submissions): http://forum.icann.org/lists/cyber-safety-petition/ Staff Responsible: Robert Hoggarth _______________________________________________

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ICANN Meeting Sydney
by alice＠apc.org 06 Mar '09

06 Mar '09

http://syd.icann.org/ The page is up and registration opened. As you may remember the fellowship programme application round is ongoing and deadline for applications is 9 March 2009. best alice

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New gTLDs Preliminary Reports on Competition and Pricing
by alice＠apc.org 06 Mar '09

06 Mar '09

New gTLDs Preliminary Reports on Competition and Pricing 4 March 2009 Mexico City, Mexico An important element of ICANNs consideration of the introduction of new gTLDs is consumer benefit as well as pricing issues. ICANN commissioned an independent third-party report and retained Dennis Carlton, who is a Professor of Economics at the University of Chicago and who, from 2006 to 2008, was the highest-ranking economist in the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. Professor Carlton also is a Senior Managing Director of Compass Lexecon, a prestigious economic consulting firm that specializes in competition matters. Professor Carlton has prepared two preliminary reports relating to the introduction of new gTLDs. In one report Preliminary Report of Dennis Carlton Regarding Impact of New gTLDs on Consumer Welfare, [PDF, 160K] Professor Carlton states: I conclude that ICANNs proposed framework for introducing new TLDs is likely to improve consumer welfare by facilitating entry and creating new competition to the major gTLDs such as .com, .net, and .org. Like other actions that remove artificial restrictions on entry, the likely effect of ICANNs proposal is to increase output, lower price and increase innovation. This conclusion is based on the fundamental principles that competition promotes consumer welfare and restrictions on entry impede competition. The other report, Preliminary Analysis of Dennis Carlton Regarding Price Caps for New gTLD Internet Registries, [PDF, 60K] addresses pricing issues associated with new TLDs. He concludes as follows: I conclude that price caps or ceilings on prices charged by operators of new gTLD registries are unnecessary to insure competitive benefits of the proposed process for introducing new gTLDs. I further conclude that imposing price caps on the registries for new gTLDs could inhibit the development and marketplace acceptance of new gTLDs by limiting the pricing flexibility of entrants to the provision of new registry services without generating significant benefits to registrants of the new gTLDs. ICANN encourages the community to read both reports. A public comment forum has been opened on these preliminary reports prepared by Professor Carlton for 45 days, until 17 April 2009. The complete Preliminary Reports and Public Comment Forum can be found at: http://www.icann.org/en/public-comment/public-comment-200904.html#compri New GTLDs and the Internet Openness Change Innovation After years of discussion and thought, new generic top-level domains (gTLDs) are being expanded. They will allow for more innovation, choice and change to a global Internet presently served by only 21 generic top-level domain names. As a not-for profit corporation dedicated to coordinating the Internet's addressing system, ICANN is not doing this to add to its revenue. An implementation plan is being developed with opportunities for public comment. There will be processes for objections. There has also been detailed technical scrutiny to ensure the Internet's stability and security. There will be an evaluation fee but it will recover costs only (expenses so far, application processing and anticipated legal costs). Promoting competition and choice is one of the principles upon which ICANN was founded. In a world with 1.5 billion Internet users (and growing), diversity, choice and innovation are key. The Internet has supported huge increases in choice, innovation and the competition of ideas, and expanding new gTLDs is an opportunity for more. Media Contacts: Brad White Director of Media Affairs Corporate Affairs ICANN Ph: +1.202.429.2710 E: brad.white(a)icann.org International: Andrew Robertson Edelman (London) Ph: +44 7921 588 770 E: andrew.robertson(a)edelman.com Related Links and Resources: New gTLD Program Summary and Analysis of First Draft Applicant Guidebook Public Comments _______________________________________________

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TEAMS Map
by Dorcas Muthoni 05 Mar '09

05 Mar '09

Where can i get the TEAMS (The East African Marine System) map showing all the landing points. Would appreciate to know the current progress status as well. I have information that Alcatel-Lucent have announced that laying of the cable should be complete in the second quarter of 2009. More information suggests that date of first use is due April 2009. Any further updates are most welcome. -- Muthoni My Blog: http://rugongo.blogspot.com/ -------------------------------------------- Mahatma Gandhi once said:- First they ignore you, Then they laugh at you, Then they fight you, AND THEN YOU WIN!!!

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Day 2 of 10:-KCA 2008-Broadcasting-The Bad
by John Walubengo 04 Mar '09

04 Mar '09

Looks like Day 1 on the good aspect of the Broadcasting Section was too quiet. I am not sure if that is because there is nothing good about it or maybe fatigue has just kicked in. Either way, today we want to review the so called bad aspects. They have been in the press/public domain for the last 4weeks but here is my take of the top three. 1. that the retained 'draconian' clause 88 gives unrestricted powers to the two ministers (Internal Security and Information Ministers) and their regulatory (CCK) appointees. These Powers enable them to declare an emergency and raid media houses. The beef is that these powers are likely to be abused particularly because of the heavy Govt composition of the Regulatory Authorities who would likely serve their appointing authority (Executive) rather than the common good (Public) 2. that the Content Regulation (Programming Code) aspects is also flawed in that it is ONLY the Information Minister and his appointees who can decide what is prohibited and what is not, what should go on air and at what time. 3. that a Signal Distribution Monopoly would be enforced given that current broadcasters would need to channel their transmission through a licensed signal distributor i.e. dismantle their current distribution infrastructure in the likely event that they are not the designated signal distributor. Any more? Feel free to clarify as well where I may have errored in the interpretation. Tomorrow we shall look at the proposed interventions once we are agreed on the problems/issues. walu.

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(no subject)
by Geoffrey Shimanyula 03 Mar '09

03 Mar '09

Regards, Geoffrey Shimanyula Chief Executive Officer One Communications Limited Onecom House Waiyaki Way (Church Road Junction) P.O. Box 13651 - 00800, Westlands, Nairobi KENYA Tel: +254 20 2306678 Fax: +254 20 4440123 Mobile:+254 722 530188 Email: gshimanyula(a)onecom.co.ke

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ICANN's President and CEO Announces Departure
by alice＠apc.org 02 Mar '09

02 Mar '09

ICANN's President and CEO Announces Departure 2 March 2009 Mexico City, Mexico 2 March 2009 Founders and leaders of the Internet today praised the achievements of Dr Paul Twomey, the President and Chief Executive Officer of ICANN, after learning that Twomey had advised ICANN's Board of Directors that he will not seek renewal of his contract and will move on from ICANN at the end of 2009. Twomey announced his decision at the opening session of ICANN's 34th International Public Meeting in Mexico City, which has drawn more than 1,200 attendees from every corner of the globe. "Last year, I told the Board that I did not want to renew my contract as President and CEO for another 3 year term," said Twomey. "While I am deeply and personally committed to ICANN and its success, I think this is the right time for me to move on to another leadership position in the private or international sectors." Twomey was named CEO and President in 2003, after serving, for 4 years, as the Chairman of ICANN's Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC). He oversaw the phenomenal growth of an organization that has become the primary coordinator of the Internet's global address system. "I'm delighted to have taken part in building ICANN's role in assuring a stable and secure Internet," said Twomey. "The Board has asked me to stay on after it appoints a successor to have a period of handover with the new appointee. During this transition period I shall be appointed to the new position of Senior President." "Paul Twomey has made an extraordinary contribution to ICANN" said Peter Dengate Thrush, Chairman of the Board. "He was involved in its set up, helped establish the role of governments in his term as founding chair of the GAC, and then was its longest serving CEO. He guided the organization through the World Summit on the Information Society in 2005 and has been one of the strongest and most persuasive advocates for the multi-stakeholder model of Internet governance" Upon learning of Twomey's decision to step down, some of the most significant leaders in the Internet community praised his work. Vint Cerf, known as the Father of the Internet and 8 year Chairman of the ICANN Board said "I can think of no other person who has had more influence on the course of ICANN's evolution than Paul. We owe him a great debt for long and faithful service and I owe him personal thanks for his counsel during my time on the Board. The Board will be challenged to find a worthy and capable successor." Lynn St Amour, the CEO of the Internet Society (ISOC) commented "During his tenure, ICANN has become a stronger organization and, as a key element of the Internet ecosystem, has ensured the security and stability of the Domain Name System. The Internet Society extends its appreciation to Dr. Twomey for his service and dedication to ICANN and its communities. We look forward to working with him on major issues over the remainder of this year" she said. Egypt's Minister of Information and Communications, Tarek Kamel also thanked Twomey for his many contributions. "We were happy in Egypt and the developing world to work together with an outstanding person like Paul Twomey in Internet Governance issues. He was always trying to bring some balance to the global Internet policy dialogue," said Kamel. "Egypt was also delighted to host successful ICANN meetings during his term. We thank him for his contributions and wish him further luck in his career." Dengate Thrush said the board was delighted to be able to retain Twomey's unique skills until the end of the year. "This is a momentous year for ICANN, and it is good that we will be able to continue with business as usual. " Twomey agreed his announcement will not be a distraction from ICANN's ongoing work and its international meeting being held this week in Mexico. "I'm looking forward to this week's discussions on a range of issues that will affect current Internet users and the billions still to come" he said. ## Paul Twomey's biographical information can be found at: http://www.icann.org/en/biog/twomey.htm The complete schedule for ICANN's 34th International Public Meeting in Mexico City, as well as links to webcast sessions and our public participation website, can be found at: http://mex.icann.org. About ICANN: To reach another person on the Internet you have to type an address into your computer - a name or a number. That address has to be unique so computers know where to find each other. ICANN coordinates these unique identifiers across the world. Without that coordination we wouldn't have one global Internet. ICANN was formed in 1998. It is a not-for-profit public-benefit corporation with participants from all over the world dedicated to keeping the Internet secure, stable and interoperable. It promotes competition and develops policy on the Internet's unique identifiers. ICANN doesn't control content on the Internet. It cannot stop spam and it doesn't deal with access to the Internet. But through its coordination role of the Internet's naming system, it does have an important impact on the expansion and evolution of the Internet. For more information please visit: www.icann.org. Contacts: Brad White Director of Media Affairs Ph. +52 55 181 68619 E: brad.white(a)icann.org Andrew Robertson, Edelman PR Ph: +44 7921 588 770 E: andrew.robertson(a)edelman.com _______________________________________________ AfrICANN mailing list AfrICANN(a)afrinic.net https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo.cgi/africann

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Kenya: Good Mobile Access Fails To Boost Weak Connectivity Rating 2009
by alice 28 Feb '09

28 Feb '09

Its a new way of measuring connectivity do you agree with the verdict on Kenya? <http://www.connectivityscorecard.org/countries/kenya> Good Mobile Access Fails To Boost Weak Connectivity Rating Kenya’s performance on the 2009 Connectivity Scorecard places it nearly at the bottom of the nations sampled. In almost every consumer and business measure of connectivity, Kenya failed to achieve a passing score. Exceptions include an above average proportion of the population provided with mobile access, and a relatively high literacy rate. Kenya displays one of the worst secondary school enrolment rates out of all the countries surveyed, along with weak broadband and internet penetration. Bandwidth availability is also quite low. Kenya’s E-Government ranking falls below the median. Despite a history of innovation, notably in the mobile segment, Kenya’s economic progress is held back by a lack of investment in human development in order to provide workers with the skills necessary to drive an ICT-based economy. Regulation of the telecommunications sector has also slowed development of the broadband services required to create a more sophisticated business infrastructure. Kenya Connectivity Performance by Scorecard Component

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Fw: Multimedia University College (formerly KCCT) looking for Lecturers...
by John Walubengo 27 Feb '09

27 Feb '09

Incase you missed to catch the above in the Dailies - plse sambaza (spread) far and wide. walu. NB: Two thousand years ago, He said 'The Harvest was big, but the Laborers were few'. Plse help in getting us the laborers by spreading the message.

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Fellowships to attend AfriNIC-10 Cairo, Egypt]
by alice 26 Feb '09

26 Feb '09

-----Original Message----- From: announce-bounces(a)afrinic.net [mailto:announce-bounces@afrinic.net] On Behalf Of Lillian O. Sharpley Sent: 26 February 2009 15:53 To: announce(a)afrinic.net; africann(a)afrinic.net Subject: [AfriNIC-announce] Fellowships to attend AfriNIC-10 Cairo, Egypt Dear Colleagues, Please be advised that AfriNIC is offering several fellowships to attend AfriNIC-10 which will take place 10-22 May, 2009, Cairo, Egypt (back-to-back with AfNOG-10). The fellowship is reserved for individuals representing small organizations, universities, and journalists who are activity involved in Internet development in the African Region or ICT Policy in their countries and respective communities, who can positively and actively contribute to IP address management awareness in the AfriNIC region of service. Upon selection of the fellows, AfriNIC will notify the selected fellows directly and allow the fellow 7 days to reply with an acceptance of the fellowship. Public announcement of the fellowship winners will be made after the acceptance by the winners. The fellowship includes: assistance with round-trip airfare to the meeting venue, hotel accommodates for the AfriNIC event, from the night before the beginning of the event to the last day of the event. If you think you meet the criteria above, please complete the online application form at http://meeting.afrinic.net/afrinic-10/fellowship-form1.htm Or, reply to the questions below in a separate email along with your personal detail information to fellowship(a)afrinic.net before (15 March 2009). Personal details: * Name of Participant: * Name of Organisation: * Is your organization an LIR?: * Your position in the Organisation: * Physical Address: * E-mail: * Passport Number: * Country and City of residence: * Cost of ticket from your residence city to Egypt: * How much are you willing to contribute towards the fellowship? General Questions: ** Your answers to the questions bellow will determine you eligibility to the fellowship 1. Which Internet related meetings (inc. AfriNIC meetings) have you attended in the past? Please give details of events and dates. 2. What has been or is your contribution in your Country/Africa in relation to the ICT field? Please give details of events and dates. 3. How are you planning to share with your community what you will learn from the AfriNIC-10 meeting? 4. What has been your contribution to discussions within the AfriNIC community? Other requirements from the fellows: * To attend and participate in events as outlined in the agenda and complete a survey of the meeting events; * To provide a meeting/attendance report within 15 days after the last day of the meeting; * To provide a follow-up report to AfriNIC within four (3) months after the meeting on how he/she is contributing to the community as a result of the AfriNIC participation and how the meeting has benefited the fellow; and, * Ensuring requirements for entry into Egypt are met at least three weeks prior to the first date of the event, such as, obtaining passport and visa. Please direct questions to fellowship(a)afrinic.net. Sincerely, Lillian Sharpley Communications Area Manager AfriNIC www.afrinic.net

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[Fwd: [AfrICANN-discuss] Research and Markets: Web Domain Registration Markets 2009-2011]
by alice 23 Feb '09

23 Feb '09

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/research-markets-web-domain-registrat… Research and Markets: Web Domain Registration Markets 2009-2011 Last update: 7:03 a.m. EST Feb. 23, 2009 DUBLIN, Ireland, Feb 23, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Research and Markets ( http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/a0525d/map_research_forec) has announced the addition of the "MAP Research Forecasts: Domain Registration Markets 2009-2011" report to their offering. The world's first report on the size, state and future of the global domain registration industry. Research results show that by the end of 2008, the overall industry will have a market value of $3.6 billion (all figures in $US), forecast to increase to $5.3 billion by 2011. According to the report, whilst the overall market size of the global domain industry is expected to increase over the next three years, growth will be at a slower rate than previous years and a drop in average revenue per domain is forecast. And although growth in global top-level domains (ie .com and .net) will slow, growth in country code top-level domains (ie .au and .uk) is expected to increase in developing countries such as Brazil, Russia, India and China ("BRIC nations"). The research also predicts trends in the domain industry such as consolidation to gain market share; a growing emphasis on bundling services; growth in demand for 'domain parking'; growth of mobile internet and .mobi; and a new internet provider platform, IPv6, dramatically increasing the number of available domain names. Domain registrars are now becoming 'one-stop-shop' service providers, offering their customers variety of services such as domain registration, domain management, web hosting and domain resale. With the contractions of the top-level market, many of the global domain registrars are diversifying their revenue base by providing a number of related value added services to the provision of domain registration. These additional services are increasingly being bundled with domain registration and include web hosting, domain parking, pay-per-click advertising and selling domain portfolios. As part of the research, a number of the top 20 global domain registrars were interviewed. Key points from the Global Domain Industry Report: Registered domains total 185 million, a growth of 20.8% over 2008, expected to reach nearly 297 million by 2011. Overall size of the industry is $3.6 billion (all figures in $US), expected to reach $5.3 billion by 2011. The generic top level domain (gTLD) market has grown 15.1% over 2008 to a value of $1.83 billion. Domain registrars are diversifying into value added services such as web hosting and domain management. Country code top level domains (ccTLDs) will grow by 21% to a value of $1.81 billion in 2008, driven largely by stronger demand in the BRIC nations and Eastern Europe. MAP Research forecasts stronger demand in BRIC nations following increasing internet penetration rate, growing economies and also increasing online advertising market. GoDaddy is ranked number one in the world, with a market share of 27.9% in the gTLD market. Companies Mentioned: GoDaddy eNom Tucows Network Solutions Melbourne IT 1&1 Interent Moniker Online Register.com Directl Key-Systems For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/a0525d/map_research_fore SOURCE: Research and Markets Laura Wood Senior Manager press(a)researchandmarkets.com Fax from USA: 646-607-1907 Fax from rest of the world: +353-1-481-1716 _______________________________________________ AfrICANN mailing list AfrICANN(a)afrinic.net https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo.cgi/africann

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ICT & Media
by Wainaina Mungai 23 Feb '09

23 Feb '09

Dear All, Made in Kenya Network is in a position to offer consultancy and training on the use of ICT in Media/Journalism. Kindly contact me for details. Regards Wainaina

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E-waste in Africa- findings
by Rebecca Wanjiku 23 Feb '09

23 Feb '09

just in case you are wondering what happened to the e-waste research findings, the report was released in Barcelona last week http://computerworld.co.ke/articles/2009/02/20/hp-and-partners-tackle-afric… Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/

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invited to waste time online, and pay for it...
by Alex Gakuru 23 Feb '09

23 Feb '09

Hello, I am amazed at the increasing numbers of strangers inviting me to waste my time at online with their other "e-friends" at social networks sites, chats, (now including dating services...Mungu one) etc. Its not exciting to have all those intrusive pop-ups messages, when one must still find time to earn money to pay for their monthly bandwidth consumption. Amazing! Anyway, and as policy, I accept none if care not to bother wasting your invites? If have something constructive, write me a direct email. No hard feelings? It's just policy. Sincerely, Alex

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Adobe Reader, Acrobat Vulnerable To Attack
by Evans Kahuthu 21 Feb '09

21 Feb '09

FYI: Security companies are warning of a vulnerability in two Adobe programs that could allow hackers to compromise your PC. Attackers are actively exploiting the flaw, although security researchers say the onslaught isn't yet widespread. Versions 9 and 8.x of Adobe Reader and Acrobat are affected. According to Adobe, this vulnerability would cause the application to crash and could potentially allow an attacker to take control of the affected system. Adobe categorizes this as a critical issue and recommends that users update their virus definitions and exercise caution when opening files from untrusted sources. "Adobe is planning to release updates to Adobe Reader and Acrobat to resolve the relevant security issue. Adobe expects to make available an update for Adobe Reader 9 and Acrobat 9 by March 11th, 2009," Adobe said in its security advisory. "Updates for Adobe Reader 8 and Acrobat 8 will follow soon after, with Adobe Reader 7 and Acrobat 7 updates to follow." Several Attack Variations In the meantime, Adobe said it is in contact with antivirus vendors, including McAfee and Symantec. According to the Shadowserver Foundation, there are several different variations of the attack, and it's only a matter of time before the vulnerability ends up in every exploit pack on the Internet. Zero-day attacks are the preferred choice of cybercriminals because victims are less able to defend against them. "At the turn of 2009, malicious PDF documents were discovered to be exploiting a zero-day vulnerability affecting Adobe Reader 8.x and 9.x. In parsing a specially crafted embedded object, a bug in the reader allowed the attacker to overwrite memory at an arbitrary location," said McAfee's Geok Meng Ong. "The attacks, found in the field, use the infamous 'HeapSpray' method via JavaScript to achieve control of code execution." When successful, the attack installs a backdoor for remote control and monitoring of infected systems. While the distribution of this exploit so far appears to be targeted, new variants are expected as more information is made public, Ong said. As with the Conficker experience, Ong noted the lack of good patch management is a very worrying trend that deserves more attention from IT security practitioners. A JavaScript Payload Symantec says it has received several PDF files that actively exploit a vulnerability in Adobe Reader. Symantec said the vulnerability is caused by an error in parsing particular structures within the PDF format. Once the malicious document is opened, it will trigger the vulnerability. The JavaScript payload then sprays the heap with malicious code in an attempt to increase the chances of a successful exploit. If the exploit is successful, a malicious binary will be dropped and executed on the victim's system. "We are continuing to remain in contact with Adobe on this vulnerability in order to ensure the security of our mutual customers," said Kevin Haley, director of Symantec Security Response. "This exploit is currently detected heuristically as Bloodhound.PDF.6 by our products. We have noticed an increase in submissions of similar PDFs using this exploit. So far, these attacks appear to be targeted and not widespread. Symantec is continuing to monitor the vulnerability's use in the wild." Evans Kahuthu

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KICC LAN PROJECT SUCCESFULLY COMPLETED
by Lucy Odhiambo 20 Feb '09

20 Feb '09

Dear All, We are pleased to inform you that Kenya ICT Board and the E- Government directorate initiative has successfully completed installation of the much anticipated connectivity project at the Kenyatta International Conference Center. Sponsored and implemented by the two key stakeholders, the project has seen the set up of a secure Local Area Network; with infrastructure laid across the entire KICC premises. The network will be centrally managed and maintained on an inclusive IT system with connectivity to both the internet and the Government Common Core Network (GCCN). It is supported on a fiber optic backbone that was rolled out as part of the project and completed under the guidance of a team comprising experts from the Board among other stakeholder organizations. KICC has for a long time stood out as a key government owned building that does not have its own local area network and access to the Government WAN (wide area network.) This project is a milestone achievement as it realizes connectivity of all government offices to an overall network (comprising all other ministries and selected departments) allowing seamless and secure communication and file sharing. The project will be commissioned next week and we will keep you informed on the details. We congratulate the team that made this project a success - lead by Victor Kyalo and George Otieno from the board and the late Dr. Juma Oketch , Elijah Liech and the E-Government Directorate team. I have attached the project charter to give you some background on the project. Lucy Gachui Odhiambo Communications Manager Kenya ICT Board 12th Floor Telposta Towers Koinange Lane PO Box 27150 - 00100 Nairobi, Kenya Cell 0737- 839047 Tel: 254-020-2093040 <http://www.ict.go.ke> www.ict.go.ke

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AfriNIC Vacancy: Technical Operations Area Manager
by Brian Munyao Longwe 20 Feb '09

20 Feb '09

AfriNIC: Technical Operations Area Manager AfriNIC is a non-governmental, not-for-profit, membership based organization, based in Mauritius to serve African Internet Community. We are the Regional Registry for Internet Number Resources for Africa and the Indian Ocean region. *Job Description* ------------------------------ Job Title: *Technical Operations Area Manager* Reports To: Chief Executive Officer Supervises: Technical Project team/ Technical Staff/ Internet Number Resources Management Team Ref: afjob-toam200902 ------------------------------ Download the PDF version of this vacancy here<http://www.afrinic.net/job/jobs2009/afjob-toam200902.pdf> ------------------------------ AfriNIC is currently seeking a dynamic and motivated professional to fill the position of Technical Operations Area Manager. In this role, you will be expected to provide company-wide direction in the areas of technology policy and services, and ensure that AfriNIC has an effective and efficient infrastructure for current operations and future development. The functionality of the Technical Operations Area Manager also includes Internet Number Resources Service and its tools, Infrastructure security and management, Software Engineering and development, and future functions that may be requested for the technical service growth at AfriNIC. The Technical Operations Area Manager reports to the Chief Executive Officer *Primary responsibilities and duties * - Plan and monitor the Technical Operation Area, staffing, development and organization. - Develop and maintain department budget and exercise fiduciary control and responsibility for the department. - Direct the design, development and maintenance of systems, programs and software to meet management and company's needs. - Present to management the best long-term direction for the department. Keep management abreast with progress of all projects. - Develop and maintain company Disaster Recovery Plan. - Provide technical training and support for internal staff. Provide external training and support to members as requested in coordination with the Training Unit of the Communication Area. - Maintain knowledge of developments throughout AfriNIC and incorporate new developments into the future systems of the company. - Assist in the monitoring and participation in public forums, such as standards-setting bodies and technical matters that have an impact on the mission of AfriNIC. * Background/Skills Required* - Minimum four years university degree in an information systems or computer science related discipline or equivalent work experience. Masters in information systems or computer science related discipline is preferred. - 8-10 years of job-related experience in system life cycle development. - Experience in managing one or more information processing functions (operations, development). - Skills in programming and hardware installation and maintenance. - A minimum of five years of supervisory experience in a Technical Department. Demonstrated ability to lead people and get results through others. - Proven ability to think ahead and plan over a 1-2 year time span. - Ability to travel to various locations to attend industry related conferences in order to maintain the level of familiarity with the subject matter. - Good interpersonal skills. - Available and able to travel internationally - Strong verbal and written skills. *Benefits * AfriNIC is a progressive employer offering competitive benefits, including: International exposure; Medical; Life/Travel Insurance; paid vacation, sick, holiday and personal days; Pension Scheme; and, Expatriate benefits (Housing, car and relocation allowances, and airfare back to original country for vacation every two years). *Dates * Application Deadline:7 March 2009 *Applications* If you wish to apply for this position please send a Letter of Motivation with your salary requirements and availability, accompanied by your CV, both in English, to jobs[at]afrinic.net . To facilitate a timely handling of your application, please quote the relevant Vacancy Reference Number and your name in the subject line of your email and Letter of Application. For additional information, please visit http://www.afrinic.net/job/ AfriNIC is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. AfriNIC reserves the right to call only the best qualified candidates for an interview and not to make an appointment following this advertisement -- Brian Munyao Longwe e-mail: blongwe(a)gmail.com cell: + 254 722 518 744 blog : http://zinjlog.blogspot.com meta-blog: http://mashilingi.blogspot.com

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Fwd: Register for GPPS 2009 Bermuda Before February 28 and Save 40%
by waudo siganga 19 Feb '09

19 Feb '09

Dear KICTANet Colleagues - FYI On Wed, 18 Feb 2009 18:10:15 -0500, "Anders Halvorsen" <ahalvorsen@witsa. org> said: February 18, 2009 TO: Members of the World Information Technology and Services Alliance FR: Dr. James Poisant, Secretary General RE: Register for GPPS 2009 Bermuda Before February 28 and Save 40% ______________________________________________________________ Dear Colleagues, On behalf of the Global Public Policy Summit 2009 Bermuda team, I am pleased to provide you with a postcard as a reminder notice of our November 1-3, 2009 Summit. I strongly encourage you to take advantage of the early bird registration. Register before February 28^th in order to receive your discount: [1]http://www.gpps2009.com/Registration.aspx. We would also greatly appreciate if you could forward the postcard to your membership. In that regard, I have included a brief overview of the event below the following postcard, which you may use in part or in full while communicating with your members. If you wish to view the postcard in PDF, go to: [2]http://www.witsa.org/gpps2009/GPPS_postcard.pdf If you wish to view the postcard in JPG, go to: [3]http://www.witsa.org/gpps2009/GPPS_postcard.jpg Sincerely, Jim GPPS postcard.jpg Information for your member companies: GPPS Bermuda 2009 As you schedule your activities for 2009, plan on attending the November 1-3, Global Public Policy Summit (GPPS 2009); ref. [4]http://www.gpps2009.bm/. This will be a unique and important event. Please see a special delegate invitation letter at [5]http://www.witsa.org/gpps2009/Delegate_Letter.pdf. The event program will feature several thought provoking sessions, including: - Business Technology: An Enabler in your Economy? - Can Enlightened ICT Policy Enable Your Economy and an Economic Recovery? - Do Policies that Promote Technology Infrastructures that Are Resilient and Secure, and that Protect the Privacy of Personal Data Conflict with Policies that Encourage Economic Expansion? - Will Proposed Internet Governance Policies on the Stability, Security and Private Sector Leadership of the Internet Dampen Economic Recovery and Expansion? - Do Environmental Policies Hamper Growth and Can Enlightened ICT Policies and Involvement Bridge the Gap? - Is There Evidence that Institutions Can Play a Positive Role In Promoting ICT and Expanding Economies or Are They Simply Relics of the Past? - Are There Potential Business Technology Developments on the Horizon That Will Enhance Business Growth? In addition, there will be a Pre-Summit Workshop entitled Incubators as a Catalyst to Developing a Strong ICT Sector on October 31. Deadlines for early bird registrations are: before February 28 (USD 550) that is nearly a 40% discount! - and before April 30 (USD 700). From April 30, the regular price (USD 900) applies. Business Technology: An Enabler in your Economy. The Global Public Policy Summit (GPPS) is a flagship event of the World Information Technology and Services Alliance ([6]WITSA) - a consortium of over 67 information technology (IT) industry associations from economies around the world. This international summit focuses on global policies affecting the ICT industry and is attended by over 500 senior executives, government officials and policy makers. One of the principal reasons for participating is that ICT companies gain an excellent opportunity to target their products and services at policy makers and business leaders. Taking place once every two years and commencing in 1999, the summit is hosted in a different country each time, with the leading ICT association of that country organizing the event. In November 2009, GPPS will be coming to Bermuda with the Bermuda Chamber of Commerces Business Technology Division as the organizer in partnership with the Ministry of Energy, Telecommunications and E-Commerce. Be sure to check out the Summit events page at [7]https://www.gpps2009.bm/Events.aspx for a schedule of the spouse program, as well as additional information about golf, shopping, boating and other activities. References 1. http://www.gpps2009.com/Registration.aspx 2. http://www.witsa.org/gpps2009/GPPS_postcard.pdf 3. http://www.witsa.org/gpps2009/GPPS_postcard.jpg 4. http://www.gpps2009.bm/ 5. http://www.witsa.org/gpps2009/Delegate_Letter.pdf 6. http://www.witsa.org/ 7. https://www.gpps2009.bm/Events.aspx Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we have been been waiting for. - Kenyan-American Barack Obama

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Re: [kictanet] Orange/Telkom slash internet costs by 40pc - how do rural folk stand to benefit?
by Victor Gathara 17 Feb '09

17 Feb '09

One concern I have is how all this is playing out in the rural/marginalised areas. Does Telkom have in their service provision a requirement to ensure Quality of Service in places other than Nairobi and Mombasa? Price wars are good news for us in town and I guess the arrival of the sub-marine fibre will make it even more interesting. But how do the rural population stand to benefit? On a related issue, I am doing a preliminary research on behalf of DFID on the potential impact of the arrival of the sub-marine fibre on development and would welcome some ideas from the group. It seems to me that many are eagerly awaiting the cable (even calling it a revolution) but there doesn't seem to be much to suggest that the country really stands to gain immensely save for having a larger presence on Facebook:-) Victor (DFID) -----Original Message----- From: kictanet-bounces+v-gathara=dfid.gov.uk(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke [mailto:kictanet-bounces+v-gathara=dfid.gov.uk@lists.kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf Of kictanet-request(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke Sent: 17 February 2009 12:00 To: Victor Gathara Subject: kictanet Digest, Vol 21, Issue 33 Send kictanet mailing list submissions to kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to kictanet-request(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke You can reach the person managing the list at kictanet-owner(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of kictanet digest..." Today's Topics: 1. Re: Orange/Telkom slash internet costs by 40pc (Judy Okite) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message: 1 Date: Mon, 16 Feb 2009 13:40:02 +0300 From: Judy Okite <judyokite(a)gmail.com> Subject: Re: [kictanet] Orange/Telkom slash internet costs by 40pc To: jwalu(a)yahoo.com Cc: KICTAnet KICTAnet <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Message-ID: <45098e8f0902160240o35021145g84c5395cb48fa86e(a)mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 As we celebrate this,WE as consumers need to tread very carefully, lets not forget that cheap can be very expensive....with Telkom's...per minute billing...their speed...is 126Kbps....how much will it cost you to download 100MB? Lets watch the games unfold :-), and be wise. Kind Regards, On 2/13/09, John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > > I am indeed watching the Orange space with their new internet tariff > offerings. Whereas Safcom&Zain are charging per downloaded MB > (data-centric charges), Orange_TKL throws in a totally new dimension > i.e. non-data based tariff which time-based. That is per minute > billing irrespective of your data volumes. > > I think things are going to start heating up even before the fiber > lands...reminds me of the original mobile tariff battles that were > between the 'per minute' visa viz 'per second' billing models. > > I can only say - let the games begin and may the best team win. > > walu. > > > --- On Fri, 2/13/09, Alex Gakuru <gakuru(a)gmail.com> wrote: > >> From: Alex Gakuru <gakuru(a)gmail.com> >> Subject: [ke-internetusers] Orange/Telkom slash internet costs by >> 40pc >> To: "ke-users" <ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net> >> Date: Friday, February 13, 2009, 10:50 AM A thank you to >> Orange/Telkom for solving three problems, while making money:- >> >> 1) lowering communications costs for consumers( ICT Consumer >> Association of Kenya opposes all tariffs increases, welcomes all >> reductions) >> >> 2) addressing longstanding "office-hours-only" >> internet problem >> (attached Kenya Internet Exchange Point "graph 3" >> proves it). >> >> 3) Universal Access-all of Kenya's internet is/has been 80 per cent >> only used in "affluent" Nairobi (CCK Internet Market Study) >> >> Alex >> ------excerpt-- >> [Daily Nation] >> Orange slashes its internet access fees EVANS NYABIAGE February 12 >> 2009 >> >> It will now be cheaper to use the internet after Telkom Kenya slashed >> its access fees through the Orange network by 40 per cent. >> >> The new rates mean that one can browse for Sh1 per minute. >> >> "With equipment cost of Sh3,500 for the plug-and-play modem and >> browsing charges for Sh1 per minute during off peak hours (7pm-7am), >> universally affordable internet access for Kenyans in rural and urban >> areas is now a reality," said Telkom Kenya head of marketing and >> strategy Jean-Michel Chanut. >> >> The revamped internet service is a pay-as-you-go one that comes with >> a modem, a data-enabled RUIM card (Removable User Identity Module), >> Sh50 bonus airtime on activation and a step-by-step set-up guide. >> >> Subscribers will be able to top-up upon purchase of Telkom prepaid >> and VoIP top up cards. >> >> A government move in the 2008/2009 budget to scrap import tax on >> telecom equipment such as mobile phones and those required for >> putting up base stations, has resulted in cut-throat competition in >> the industry. >> >> <http://www.nation.co.ke/business/news/-/1006/529474/-/j2b57fz/-/> >> _______________________________________________ >> ke-internetusers mailing list >> ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net >> http://www.bdix.net/mailman/listinfo/ke-internetusers > > > > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: judyokite(a)gmail.com Unsubscribe or change > your options at > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/judyokite%40gmail > .com > -- "Each of us is great insofar as we perceive and act on the infinite possibilities which lie undiscovered and unrecognized about us." James Harvey Robinson ------------------------------ _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet End of kictanet Digest, Vol 21, Issue 33 **************************************** ________________________________________________________________________ This e-mail has been scanned for all viruses by Star. The service is powered by MessageLabs. For more information on a proactive anti-virus service working around the clock, around the globe, visit: http://www.star.net.uk ________________________________________________________________________ DFID, the Department for International Development: leading the British Government's fight against world poverty. Find out more about the major global poverty challenges and get the facts on what DFID is doing to fight them: http://www.dfid.gov.uk/aboutdfid/howwefightpoverty.asp. Subscribe to our e-bulletin: http://www.dfid.gov.uk/feedback ______________________________________________________________________ This e-mail has been scanned for all viruses by Peapod. The service is powered by MessageLabs. For more information on a proactive anti-virus service working around the clock, around the globe, visit: http://www.peapod.co.uk/cleanmail

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Re: [kictanet] Orange/Telkom slash internet costs by 40pc
by John Walubengo 16 Feb '09

16 Feb '09

I am indeed watching the Orange space with their new internet tariff offerings. Whereas Safcom&Zain are charging per downloaded MB (data-centric charges), Orange_TKL throws in a totally new dimension i.e. non-data based tariff which time-based. That is per minute billing irrespective of your data volumes. I think things are going to start heating up even before the fiber lands...reminds me of the original mobile tariff battles that were between the 'per minute' visa viz 'per second' billing models. I can only say - let the games begin and may the best team win. walu. --- On Fri, 2/13/09, Alex Gakuru <gakuru(a)gmail.com> wrote: > From: Alex Gakuru <gakuru(a)gmail.com> > Subject: [ke-internetusers] Orange/Telkom slash internet costs by 40pc > To: "ke-users" <ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net> > Date: Friday, February 13, 2009, 10:50 AM > A thank you to Orange/Telkom for solving three problems, > while making money:- > > 1) lowering communications costs for consumers( ICT > Consumer > Association of Kenya opposes all tariffs increases, > welcomes all > reductions) > > 2) addressing longstanding "office-hours-only" > internet problem > (attached Kenya Internet Exchange Point "graph 3" > proves it). > > 3) Universal Access-all of Kenya's internet is/has been > 80 per cent > only used in "affluent" Nairobi (CCK Internet > Market Study) > > Alex > ------excerpt-- > [Daily Nation] > Orange slashes its internet access fees > EVANS NYABIAGE > February 12 2009 > > It will now be cheaper to use the internet after Telkom > Kenya slashed > its access fees through the Orange network by 40 per cent. > > The new rates mean that one can browse for Sh1 per minute. > > "With equipment cost of Sh3,500 for the plug-and-play > modem and > browsing charges for Sh1 per minute during off peak hours > (7pm-7am), > universally affordable internet access for Kenyans in rural > and urban > areas is now a reality," said Telkom Kenya head of > marketing and > strategy Jean-Michel Chanut. > > The revamped internet service is a pay-as-you-go one that > comes with a > modem, a data-enabled RUIM card (Removable User Identity > Module), Sh50 > bonus airtime on activation and a step-by-step set-up > guide. > > Subscribers will be able to top-up upon purchase of Telkom > prepaid and > VoIP top up cards. > > A government move in the 2008/2009 budget to scrap import > tax on > telecom equipment such as mobile phones and those required > for putting > up base stations, has resulted in cut-throat competition in > the > industry. > > <http://www.nation.co.ke/business/news/-/1006/529474/-/j2b57fz/-/> > _______________________________________________ > ke-internetusers mailing list > ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net > http://www.bdix.net/mailman/listinfo/ke-internetusers

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Microsoft Collaborates With Industry to Disrupt Conficker Worm
by alice 13 Feb '09

13 Feb '09

http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-2-12feb09-en.htm ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Microsoft Collaborates With Industry to Disrupt Conficker Worm 12 February 2009 Today, Microsoft announced a partnership with technology industry leaders and academia to implement a coordinated, global response to the Conficker (aka Downadup) worm. Together with security researchers, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), and operators within the Domain Name System, Microsoft coordinated a response designed to disable domains targeted by Conficker. Microsoft also announced a $250,000 reward for information that results in the arrest and conviction of those responsible for illegally launching the Conficker malicious code on the Internet. "As part of Microsoft's ongoing security efforts, we constantly look for ways to use a diverse set of tools and develop methodologies to protect our customers," said George Stathakopoulos, general manager of the Trustworthy Computing Group at Microsoft. "By combining our expertise with that of the broader community we can expand the boundaries of defense to better protect people worldwide." As cyberthreats have rapidly evolved, a greater level of industry coordination and new tactics for communication and threat mitigation are required. To optimize the multiple initiatives being employed across the security industry and within academia, Microsoft helped unify these broad efforts to implement a community-based defense to disrupt the spread of Conficker. Along with Microsoft, organizations involved in this collaborative effort include ICANN, NeuStar, VeriSign, CNNIC, Afilias, Public Internet Registry, Global Domains International Inc., M1D Global, AOL, Symantec, F-Secure, ISC, researchers from Georgia Tech, the Shadowserver Foundation, Arbor Networks and Support Intelligence. "The best way to defeat potential botnets like Conficker/Downadup is by the security and Domain Name System communities working together," said Greg Rattray, chief Internet security advisor at ICANN. "ICANN represents a community that's all about coordinating those kinds of efforts to keep the Internet globally secure and stable." "Microsoft's approach combines technology innovation and effective cross-sector partnerships to help protect people from cybercriminals," Stathakopoulos said. "We hope these efforts help to contain the threat posed by Conficker, as well as hold those who illegally launch malware accountable." More information about how to protect yourself from Conficker can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/conficker. Customers interested in learning more about staying safe online can visit http://www.microsoft.com/protect. Microsoft's reward offer stems from the company's recognition that the Conficker worm is a criminal attack. Microsoft wants to help the authorities catch the criminals responsible for it. Residents of any country are eligible for the reward, according to the laws of that country, because Internet viruses affect the Internet community worldwide. Individuals with information about the Conficker worm should contact their international law enforcement agencies. *About ICANN: * ICANN is responsible for the global coordination of the Internet's system of unique identifiers like domain names (like .org, .museum and country codes like .uk) and the addresses used in a variety of Internet protocols that help computers reach each other over the Internet. Careful management of these resources is vital to the Internet's operation, so ICANN's global stakeholders meet regularly to develop policies that ensure the Internet's ongoing security and stability. ICANN is an internationally organized, public benefit non-profit company. For more information please visit: www.icann.org <http://www.icann.org/>. *Media Contacts: * ICANN: press(a)icann.org <mailto:press@icann.org> International: Andrew Robertson Edelman (London) Phone: +44 7921 588 770 Email: andrew.robertson(a)edelman.com <mailto:andrew.robertson@edelman.com> _______________________________________________ AfrICANN mailing list AfrICANN(a)afrinic.net https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo.cgi/africann

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New Health-Related Blogging Campaign Starts February 14th: Please Join Us!
by Janet Feldman 13 Feb '09

13 Feb '09

Dear All, I'm posting this info here (below) because we have a number of Kenyan and African project partners in Global Voices and Rising Voices, including the youth development nonprofit REPACTED (www.repacted.org) and our chat moderators, Serina Kalande and Daudi Were. We have found some highly valuable Kenyan blogs about HIV/AIDS, and would love to find more such blogs and bloggers in Kenya and Africa. Please be in touch with any information or interest in this project! Thanks and best blogging wishes, Janet Dear Friends, This Valentine's Day (February 14), Global Voices--a leading participatory media news room for voices from the developing world--will be launching a campaign called "Teach Someone You Love to Blog or Micro-Blog." Please participate in this exciting project by following the simple steps on this post: http://globalvoicesonline.org/2009/02/11/on-valentines-teach-someone-you-lo… Global Voices and its outreach arm, Rising Voices, are at the forefront of citizen-journalism activities related to issues such as health, development, and ICTs. This "teach-in" marks the start of a series of health-related activities specifically focusing on HIV/AIDS. A "Blogging Positively Guide," now in the works, will provide valuable advice on how to blog to address HIV/AIDS issues. We are looking for help to create the Guide and/or to give feedback, so those interested in or already blogging about the pandemic are encouraged to participate. People living with or affected by HIV/AIDS are especially encouraged to become involved. A global interactive map--with entries about HIV/AIDS-related blogs and bloggers who write on that theme--is being created, and we hope you will send information to add to our growing list! A "Blogging Positively" chat, intended as an ongoing discussion about blogging to address HIV/AIDS, is scheduled for February 27, 2009 at the following times: 9 a.m. New York, 2 p.m. London, 5 p.m. Nairobi. This chat will build on the insights shared during the highly successful World AIDS Day chat, held on December 3, 2008. The chat will be held at www.worknets.org/chat. There may be several chatrooms available for different languages. Login using your name and elect the room you want to join by clicking "enter." Once in the room, select a font color on the left side of the screen, then join the chat. For more information, visit the Rising Voices website and join the Blogging Positively forum. To contact someone involved in the Blogging Positively project, email Janet Feldman (Blogging Positively Guide Coordinator), Juhie Bhatia (Global Voices Public Health Editor), Solana Larsen (Global Voices Managing Editor). To contact the chat moderators, write to Serina Kalande (serina.kalande(a)gmail.com) and/or Daudi Were (daudi.were(a)gmail.com)

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Recruitment for ICANN Leadership Positions: 2009 Nominating Committee]
by alice 13 Feb '09

13 Feb '09

http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-12feb09-en.htm ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Recruitment for ICANN Leadership Positions: 2009 Nominating Committee 12 February 2009 The 2009 Nominating Committee began its work in November 2008 following the ICANN Annual Meeting in Cairo, Egypt, and is actively seeking qualified candidates for the following key positions within ICANN: * Three members of the ICANN Board of Directors * Three members of the At Large Advisory Committee (for the African, Asia/Australia/Pacific, and Latin American regions) * Two members of the Council of the Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO) * One member of the Council of the Country-Code Names Supporting Organization (ccNSO) * Those selected by the Nom Com will take their seats at the end of the 2009 ICANN Annual Meeting, 30 October 2009 in Seoul, Korea. * The Nom Com will be conducting a workshop and other outreach activities during the At Large Summit and the ICANN meeting in Mexico City (28 February - 6 March 2009), see http://mex.icann.org/ for more information. The people selected by the Nominating Committee will have a unique opportunity to work with accomplished colleagues from around the globe, address intriguing technical coordination problems and related policy development challenges with diverse functional, cultural, and geographic dimensions, and gain valuable insights and experience from working across these boundaries of knowledge, responsibility and perspective. Information on applying is available at http://nomcom.icann.org/. Prospective candidates are invited to submit their Statements of Interest to the Nominating Committee by 15 April 2009 23:59 UTC. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ *Sign up for ICANN's Monthly Magazine <http://www.icann.org/magazine/>* _______________________________________________ AfrICANN mailing list AfrICANN(a)afrinic.net https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo.cgi/africann

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Re: [kictanet] [PubSoft] Obama, free software and open standards
by Gakuru Alex 13 Feb '09

13 Feb '09

What of GoK? Alex > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: S. Kritikos > Date: Fri, Feb 13, 2009 at 12:08 AM > Subject: [PubSoft] Obama, free software and open standards > To: PubSoft Mailing List <pubsoft(a)elists.isoc.org> > > > > Folks, a couple of short articles: > > Calls for open source government > http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7841486.stm > > Short article on Linux Mag - Jan 21: "Co-founder and former CEO of > SunMicrosystems, Scott McNealy revealed to the BBC this week that > he had been tapped by the Obama administration to write a paper > on the benefits to the government of using open source." > > Additional links on the new admin: > > President Obama: Good for Open Source? > http://www.linux-mag.com/cache/7232/1.html > > sk > > _______________________________________________ > PubSoft(a)elists.isoc.org > http://elists.isoc.org/mailman/listinfo/pubsoft >

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Fwd: Press Release ::: WSYA ::: Final Call for Registration
by Gakiria 12 Feb '09

12 Feb '09

Dear All, Kindly circulate to your networks. Regards Andrew Gakiria KeLC ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Angelika Spraider <spraider(a)icnm.net> Date: Wed, Feb 11, 2009 at 4:14 PM Subject: Press Release ::: WSYA ::: Final Call for Registration To: undisclosed-recipients Dear Friends of the WSA Youth Award, The World Summit Youth Award's deadline for entries, February 28th, 2009, is approaching. Web and mobile pioneers addressing the UN Millennium Development Goals are invited to participate in the global competition. So far there 450 projects have been submitted - let's make it at least a 500! Therefore, I would like to ask you to distribute information within your network and to your local media as soon as possible. Thank you very much for your help in this matter. Best regards, Angelika & the WSYA Team -- Angelika Spraider World Summit Award ICNM - International Center for New Media Moosstrasse 43a 5020 Salzburg Austria Tel: +43 662 63 04 08-32 Fax: +43 662 63 04 08-22 www.icnm.net * www.wsis-award.org * www.youthaward.org ----------------------------------------------------------- ZVR-Zahl 361 985 748 Please consider the environment before printing this email! -- Gakiria Andrew Coordinator Kenya eLearning Centre Nairobi, KENYA

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Re: [kictanet] Hacked password list offers security insights
by James Kagwe 11 Feb '09

11 Feb '09

When you consider the way these passwords are usually stored (sometimes on simple MSAcces databases or other databases without encrypting the password field) by the website designers on some of these websites. I agree it is very wise not to put serious passwords on such websites as they do not serve their purpose anyway. I personally use very weak passwords on such websites too. Let them hack an e-banking website then rewrite the story. The statistics will make more sense then. ________________________________ From: kictanet-bounces+jkagwe=kippra.or.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke [mailto:kictanet-bounces+jkagwe=kippra.or.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf Of Odhiambo Washington Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2009 8:19 AM To: James Kagwe Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions Subject: Re: [kictanet] Hacked password list offers security insights On Tue, Feb 10, 2009 at 1:27 AM, Evans Kahuthu <ekahuthu(a)comtechltd.co.ke> wrote: Recently a niche programming-oriented website called phpbb.com had its user database hacked into and the passwords for 20,000 members stolen. The hacker who broke in then posted the account info and passwords online for the world to see. And while this is really bad news for those 20,000 unlucky souls, it offers an instructive lesson on password security <http://www.darkreading.com/blog/archives/2009/02/phpbb_password.html> for the rest of us. InformationWeek analyzed the hacked password list and found a number of interesting trends in the data, primarily revolving around the fact that most people do exactly what they've been told not to do since passwords were first invented. Author/analyst Robert Graham has tons of analysis on offer. I'm ordering my favorite/most enlightening data points from the piece here, starting with the most interesting. On thing to remember: These passwords are from a group of people interested in computer programming, so if anyone should know better, it's these guys. > The most popular password (3.03% of the 20,000) was "123456." It's also generally considered the most common password used today <http://www.whatsmypass.com/?p=415> . > 4 percent used some variant of the word "password." Seriously, people, there's no excuse for this one. "password" was the 2nd most popular password used, also in keeping with historical trends. > 16 percent of passwords were a person's first name. No word on if it was their first name, but someone's. Joshua is the most commonly used first-name password, a likely reference to the movie WarGames. > Patterns abound. In addition to "123456," other pattens like "12345, "qwerty," and "abc123" were common, comprising 14 percent of the passwords used. > 35 percent of passwords were six characters long. 0.34 percent were only one character long. > For reasons no one can explain, "dragon," "master," and "killer" all crack the top 20 passwords. (On the top 500 password list linked above, "dragon" is #7.) > One thing Graham doesn't discuss is that phpbb.com is really just a message board, and many users may simply have not cared about the security of their passwords here (unlike, say, with a bank account). In other words, they may very well have intentionally chosen something simplistic here to avoid re-using a password they save for an important login, just in case this site got hacked. Which, it turns out, it did. I could go on, but Graham's post has way more detail than I can digest here and it's easy-reading too. Worth a close look for any citizen of the web. Personally, I believe noone really cares about the strength (or lack of) the passwords they use on community sites. To start with, there is a stage in the registration process into such sites (or Bulletin Boards if you may call them) which warns you NOT TO USE any of your sensitive passwords that you use elsewhere. Given that noone really stores any sensitive material on such sites it's not uncommon to simply use 123456 (because the registration system insists on your password having at least six characters) or something like "letmein". I don't believe it was "really bad news for the 20,000 unlucky souls" at all. Rather, the lesson to be learn here, IMHO, is by those souls deploying systems that are accessible to the hostile Internet to take seriously security considerations for those systems. -- Best regards, Odhiambo WASHINGTON, Nairobi,KE +254733744121/+254722743223 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ "The only time a woman really succeeds in changing a man is when he is a baby." - Natalie Wood

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Church service Late Dr Juma
by Andrew Limo 11 Feb '09

11 Feb '09

Dear all, There will be a funeral service 10am tommorow Thurs 12th at St Paul Chapel, Nairobi, for our late brother Dr Juma Okech (ICT Secretary, Directorate of e-Government). Thank you all for your prayers and support. Andrew

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BungeSMS com added you as a connection on Plaxo
by BungeSMS com 10 Feb '09

10 Feb '09

Hi Policy, BungeSMS com wants to add you as a connection on Plaxo. To accept this connection request, go to: http://www.plaxo.com/invite?i=59901184&k=1839213572&l=en&src=email&et=1&est… Thanks! The Plaxo team More than 20 million people use Plaxo to keep in touch with the people they care about. Don't want to receive emails from Plaxo any more? Go to: http://www.plaxo.com/stop?src=email&et=1&est=nolevels&etv=nnic1b2&el=en&ema…

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Obama and Cybersecurity
by alice 10 Feb '09

10 Feb '09

FYI http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/09/AR200902090… best alice

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Capital Mobile Radio Drive Winners
by Patrick Mburu 10 Feb '09

10 Feb '09

Congratulations to the Capital Mobile Morning Drive winners so Far! There's a lot of prizes to be won! Listen in on Capital FM Radio: 98.4 or listen on the web: www.capitalfm.co.ke in between 7am and 9am and participate in a chance to win: - 2 nights for 2 Flying package Holiday in the Mara Intrepid (Courtesy: Heritage Hotel's and Safari Link) - 2 nights for 2 at the Leopard Beach Resort (Courtesy: Leopard Beach Resort & Uzuri Spa and Fitness Forest!) - Free breakfasts and lunches at exclusive restaurants in Nairobi And Much Much More....! www.capitalmobile.co.ke/mobile Want a chance to win.. listen in the morning for a get your prize 98.4 Capital FM

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[Fwd: [IGP Announce] Internet Governance Project Headlines]
by lillian＠cipesa.org 10 Feb '09

10 Feb '09

Apologies for cross posting! -------------------------------------------------------------------------- February 09, 2009 A Field Guide to the ICANN Reforms EU posts online consultation results on "Internet of Things" Cyber-security for people? Or nations? Shareholder groups push ISPs for transparency on DPI use Search Internet Governance Project Headlines ________________________________________________________ * A Field Guide to the ICANN Reforms - http://feedblitz.com/r.asp?l=38133930&f=175425&u=11399282 Important changes are taking place in ICANNâs representational structures. They are the most sweeping changes in ICANN since the so-called âevolution and reformâ process of 2001-2. The new changes will directly affect opportunities for people to participate in ICANN â hopefully in a more positive way. Indeed, there are some (potentially) good things about the planned reforms, such as a more balanced representation of commercial and noncommercial users and more flexible working group structures. But there are also serious problems and dangers in this effort. That is why the Internet Governance Project is initiating a series of blogs explaining and analyzing the structural changes underway in ICANN. If you think reading about this topic is about as appealing as getting a tetanus shot, we sympathize, and promise to make it as lively and interesting as possible. At the very least, we guarantee that reading this unfolding report will be more pleasurable than reading the 23 different ICANN staff reports, 5-6 Board resolutions, months of Council minutes and multiple email lists you would have to monitor to piece it all together for yourself. Email to a friend Article Search - http://www.feedblitz.com/f/f.fbz?Search=175425;9995717;Main Page;A Field Guide to the ICANN Reforms;1047081 * EU posts online consultation results on "Internet of Things" - http://feedblitz.com/r.asp?l=38108085&f=175425&u=11399282 Europe is very interested in the Internet of the future, having ceded to the United States so much of the standards and governance of the Internet of the past. A September 29, 2008 European Union staff working paper, âEarly Challenges to the Internet of Things,â shot some policy concerns across the bow. How should the IoT be regulated? EU seemed especially concerned about the apparent linkage between the Object Naming System (ONS) used by EPC Global (contracting with VeriSign) and the U.S.-controlled DNS root. Comment upon and responses to this staff paper are now posted online. If you are interested in the evolution of thinking about IoT a look through these comments might be rewarding. Email to a friend Article Search - http://www.feedblitz.com/f/f.fbz?Search=175425;9995717;Main Page;EU posts online consultation results on "Internet of Things";1047081 * Cyber-security for people? Or nations? - http://feedblitz.com/r.asp?l=38066197&f=175425&u=11399282 The Internet is organized around âautonomous systemsâ -- independently managed networks most of which are privately owned or, if public, managed at the agency or department level. The current institutional structure for public governance, on the other hand, is organized around nation-states. That disjunction encourages some actors to construct Internet security as a national security issue. Political claims that invoke ânational securityâ can inflate budgets and provide for more effective political mobilization within bureaucracies and the political class. A recent report from a "Commission on Cyberspace Security for the 44th Presidency" assembled by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a Washington DC-based think tank with longstanding roots in Cold War dialogue, exemplifies this problem. Written late in 2008, it urged the incoming President to proclaim that âcyberspace is a vital asset for the nation andâ¦the United States will protect it using all instruments of national power.â This is a fundamentally misguided approach; this post explains why. Email to a friend Article Search - http://www.feedblitz.com/f/f.fbz?Search=175425;9995717;Main Page;Cyber-security for people? Or nations?;1047081 * Shareholder groups push ISPs for transparency on DPI use - http://feedblitz.com/r.asp?l=38031216&f=175425&u=11399282 A coalition of investors have filed shareholder resolutions with 10 major U.S. Internet service providers, urging their corporate boards to report on the impact of the companiesâ use of deep packet inspection for Internet network management on the freedom of expression and privacy of their customers. The effort was organized by the Open Media and Information Companies initiative (OpenMIC). A spokesperson for one of the investor groups, Farnum Brown of Trillium Asset Management, said: "These companies have responded to the challenges of managing the Internet in a patchwork, ad hoc fashion. In so doing they've failed to notice the profound social policy issues they've unwittingly engaged. Americans are concerned about how their use of the Internet is monitored. They're concerned about whether their privacy and freedom of expression are respected by the companies that manage the Internet. We as shareholders believe it is in these companies' best business interests to respond to those concerns." Email to a friend Article Search - http://www.feedblitz.com/f/f.fbz?Search=175425;9995717;Main Page;Shareholder groups push ISPs for transparency on DPI use;1047081 ________________________________________________________ Unsubscribe from all current and future newsletters powered by FeedBlitz - http://www.feedblitz.com/f/f.fbz?EmailRemove=_MTEzOTkyODJ8fGxpbGxpYW5AY2lwZ…

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Re: [kictanet] SPAM-LOW: Re: Hacked password list offers security insights
by Evans Kahuthu 10 Feb '09

10 Feb '09

Washington, I completely agree with you on users not caring about their passwords on community websites. Unfortunately, when it comes to social networking web sites, people tell all -- who they are, what they like to do and what's happening at that exact moment. Consequently, with this weak passwords, hackers "hijack" their profiles and go after internet contacts. This is one of the newest scams to hit the internet. Hackers somehow take over users pages and pose as them online. Case in point, "Facebook user Bryan Rutberg of Seattle, Wash., had his profile hacked into by someone who changed his status to: "Bryan Rutberg NEEDS HELP URGENTLY!" Many friends immediately responded to the status change wanting to know what had happened to him. One friend, Beny Rubenstein, got a direct message from Rutberg saying he had been robbed at gunpoint while in England and was in desperate need of cash in order to get home. Being a good (but dumb) person, he wired his thought-to-be troubled friend $1,143 in two installments, only to find out Rutberg was sitting home safely in Seattle. Rubenstein told CNN that he misses the money he lost, but feels worse about being tricked by someone impersonating his friend on the Web site." Evans Kahuthu ---------------------------------------- From: Odhiambo Washington <odhiambo(a)gmail.com> Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2009 8:26 AM To: ekahuthu(a)comtechltd.co.ke Subject: SPAM-LOW: Re: [kictanet] Hacked password list offers security insights On Tue, Feb 10, 2009 at 1:27 AM, Evans Kahuthu <ekahuthu(a)comtechltd.co.ke> wrote: Recently a niche programming-oriented website called phpbb.com had its user database hacked into and the passwords for 20,000 members stolen. The hacker who broke in then posted the account info and passwords online for the world to see. And while this is really bad news for those 20,000 unlucky souls, it offers an instructive lesson on password security for the rest of us. InformationWeek analyzed the hacked password list and found a number of interesting trends in the data, primarily revolving around the fact that most people do exactly what they've been told not to do since passwords were first invented. Author/analyst Robert Graham has tons of analysis on offer. I'm ordering my favorite/most enlightening data points from the piece here, starting with the most interesting. On thing to remember: These passwords are from a group of people interested in computer programming, so if anyone should know better, it's these guys. > The most popular password (3.03% of the 20,000) was "123456." It's also generally considered the most common password used today . > 4 percent used some variant of the word "password." Seriously, people, there's no excuse for this one. "password" was the 2nd most popular password used, also in keeping with historical trends. > 16 percent of passwords were a person's first name. No word on if it was their first name, but someone's. Joshua is the most commonly used first-name password, a likely reference to the movie WarGames. > Patterns abound. In addition to "123456," other pattens like "12345, "qwerty," and "abc123" were common, comprising 14 percent of the passwords used. > 35 percent of passwords were six characters long. 0.34 percent were only one character long. > For reasons no one can explain, "dragon," "master," and "killer" all crack the top 20 passwords. (On the top 500 password list linked above, "dragon" is #7.) > One thing Graham doesn't discuss is that phpbb.com is really just a message board, and many users may simply have not cared about the security of their passwords here (unlike, say, with a bank account). In other words, they may very well have intentionally chosen something simplistic here to avoid re-using a password they save for an important login, just in case this site got hacked. Which, it turns out, it did. I could go on, but Graham's post has way more detail than I can digest here and it's easy-reading too. Worth a close look for any citizen of the web. Personally, I believe noone really cares about the strength (or lack of) the passwords they use on community sites. To start with, there is a stage in the registration process into such sites (or Bulletin Boards if you may call them) which warns you NOT TO USE any of your sensitive passwords that you use elsewhere. Given that noone really stores any sensitive material on such sites it's not uncommon to simply use 123456 (because the registration system insists on your password having at least six characters) or something like "letmein". I don't believe it was "really bad news for the 20,000 unlucky souls" at all. Rather, the lesson to be learn here, IMHO, is by those souls deploying systems that are accessible to the hostile Internet to take seriously security considerations for those systems. -- Best regards, Odhiambo WASHINGTON, Nairobi,KE +254733744121/+254722743223 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ "The only time a woman really succeeds in changing a man is when he is a baby." - Natalie Wood

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Hacked password list offers security insights
by Evans Kahuthu 10 Feb '09

10 Feb '09

Recently a niche programming-oriented website called phpbb.com had its user database hacked into and the passwords for 20,000 members stolen. The hacker who broke in then posted the account info and passwords online for the world to see. And while this is really bad news for those 20,000 unlucky souls, it offers an instructive lesson on password security for the rest of us. InformationWeek analyzed the hacked password list and found a number of interesting trends in the data, primarily revolving around the fact that most people do exactly what they've been told not to do since passwords were first invented. Author/analyst Robert Graham has tons of analysis on offer. I'm ordering my favorite/most enlightening data points from the piece here, starting with the most interesting. On thing to remember: These passwords are from a group of people interested in computer programming, so if anyone should know better, it's these guys. > The most popular password (3.03% of the 20,000) was "123456." It's also generally considered the most common password used today . > 4 percent used some variant of the word "password." Seriously, people, there's no excuse for this one. "password" was the 2nd most popular password used, also in keeping with historical trends. > 16 percent of passwords were a person's first name. No word on if it was their first name, but someone's. Joshua is the most commonly used first-name password, a likely reference to the movie WarGames. > Patterns abound. In addition to "123456," other pattens like "12345, "qwerty," and "abc123" were common, comprising 14 percent of the passwords used. > 35 percent of passwords were six characters long. 0.34 percent were only one character long. > For reasons no one can explain, "dragon," "master," and "killer" all crack the top 20 passwords. (On the top 500 password list linked above, "dragon" is #7.) > One thing Graham doesn't discuss is that phpbb.com is really just a message board, and many users may simply have not cared about the security of their passwords here (unlike, say, with a bank account). In other words, they may very well have intentionally chosen something simplistic here to avoid re-using a password they save for an important login, just in case this site got hacked. Which, it turns out, it did. I could go on, but Graham's post has way more detail than I can digest here and it's easy-reading too. Worth a close look for any citizen of the web. Evans Kahuthu

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[Fwd: [APC Forum] APC job vacancy: Assistant to the executive director and grant administrator]
by alice 09 Feb '09

09 Feb '09

Please help us circulate. Thank you! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- APC job vacancy: Assistant to the executive director and grant administrator The Association for Progressive Communications (APC) is a global network of civil society organisations whose mission is to empower and support organisations, social movements and individuals in and through the use of information and communication technologies to build strategic communities and initiatives for the purpose of making meaningful contributions to equitable human development, social justice, participatory political processes and environmental sustainability. www.apc.org The APC is looking for an Assistant to the Executive Director/Grants Administrator. Application deadline: 20 February 2009 Start date: Immediately DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Grant administration * Research and track funding opportunities * Coordination submission of proposals and following up subsequent to submission * Prepare and maintain appropriate materials that need to accompany proposals * Coordinate receipt, signing and filing of donor/client agreements * Manage the APC donor reporting calendar and notify relevant staff members of upcoming deadlines and ensure that completed reports are filed in the appropriate online spaces * Liaise with donors in submitting reports, providing updates, etc. * Ensure that donor contact information is kept up to date and is reflected on APC’s online project management space and on APC.org * Provide overall support to the management team in ensuring effective relationships with APC’s donor partners. Assistance to the Executive Director * Assistance with correspondence, scheduling, and travel arrangements, and expense reimbursements * Compile and draft reports, procedures, and other internal documents * Take minutes of board and staff meetings as needed * Provide administrative support to the board of directors’ activities * Assist in the maintenance of internal calendars in collaboration with the Network Development team * Assist with event follow-up (minutes, reports, and other documentation) Coordination of consultants’ contracts * Liaise with staff members and consultants in order to acquire all relevant contract information and finalise consultants’ contracts and distribute to relevant staff and consultants for approval * Distribute approved contracts to consultants and relevant staff members * Receive signed consultant and staff contracts by email, fax, and mail, and file them online and in paper files in the APC office * Notify relevant staff members when consultants have signed their contracts * Ensure that all relevant documents and information are present in the subcontracts database of APC’s online project management space Management of the Executive Director’s office in Johannesburg (if based there) * Answer the telephone, check voice mail, and send and receive faxes, mail, packages and email. * Maintain complete and accurate paper and online filing systems * Order office supplies and arrange payments via the online finance system * Work with APC’s Events and Logistics Coordinator in the planning and coordination of events held in South Africa * Provide other executive and administrative assistance as needed REQUIREMENTS * Higher degree in the social sciences, development studies or a related field (or at least three years professional experience) * Excellent interpersonal and communication skills * Excellent written English * Ability to organise, prioritise and complete tasks in a timely manner without supervision * Experience in information management * Able to work independently and as part of a team * Excellent wordprocessing and internet skills (e.g. online research) * Able to communicate comfortably in written French and/or Spanish ADVANTAGES * Ability to work from executive director’s office in Johannesburg, South Africa * Familiarity with working in networks * Experience working remotely * Experience in working in an international context with ICT-based civil society networks like APC * · Ability to communicate in more than two languages ORGANISATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS The successful applicant will report to the Executive Director and work closely with the Events and Logistics Coordinator, the Network Development Manager, the Finance Manager, the Finance Assistant, and other members of the management team. LOCATION AND WORK CONDITIONS The successful applicant will work in the APC office in Johannesburg, South Africa. However very strong candidates who wish to be considered for the post and work remotely from another country may still apply. Some international travel might be required. APC provides an equipment allowance but requires staff to provide their own laptops. REMUNERATION This is a full time, fixed-term (renewable) contract. Remuneration is based on the APC’s salary scale for the position. Short-listed candidates will receive specific information on the salary range. HOW TO APPLY Send a covering letter and detailed CV (in English), which include the following information: * A description of your interest in working with APC in this position * Your experience related to the job requirements listed above * Experience of working in networks and managing partnerships * People and project management skills * A rating of the languages you speak and write * A description of your computer skills * Work experience in an international context * Online work experience * Other information you think might be of importance to our assessment of your application * Three (3) references: names, relationship and their contact details. Send your application via email, as an attachment, to jobs at apc.org with “Executive Assistant and Grant Administrator” in the subject line. Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Any applications which are incomplete, do not follow the instructions here, received with viruses, or in any language other than English will be automatically disqualified. (END/2009) ======================================= APC Forum is a meeting place for the APC community - people and institutions who are or have been involved in collaboration with APC, and share the APC vision - a world in which all people have easy, equal and affordable access to the creative potential of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to improve their lives and create more democratic and egalitarian societies. _______________________________________________ apc.forum mailing list apc.forum(a)lists.apc.org http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/apc.forum

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Blogging; Special Report on Business Daily, Opinion?
by Gakuru Alex 09 Feb '09

09 Feb '09

Dear all, I would be very interested in your views of Business Daily's Special Report on blogging: - 1. Blog post revolution hits corporate Kenya <http://www.bdafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12756&Ite…> 2. Blogs command attention of corporate world <http://www.bdafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12755&Ite…> 3. Blogs emerge as avenues for making money< http://www.bdafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12754&Ite…> 4. Companies use online platform to monitor views from the public <http://www.bdafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12753&Ite…> 5. Fibre optic cable to pave way for corporate blogging <http://www.bdafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12752&Ite…> 6. What is likely to compete with the mainstream media? <http://www.bdafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12751&Ite…> Please,,, be generous with your opinion.... regards, Alex

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