- KICTANet - KICTANet

forum and workshop
by Rebecca Wanjiku 25 Apr '07

25 Apr '07

please note that the workshop program starts at 8.30 am to 1pm the monthly forum starts at 3pm to 5.15pm i hope to see you there........ regards becky __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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forum prog.
by Rebecca Wanjiku 25 Apr '07

25 Apr '07

KICTANet MONTHLY FORUM THURSDAY APRIL 26, 2007 PROGRAMME TIME ACTIVITY 3.00- 3.15pm introduction 3.15-3.35pm E-learning initiatives by Ministry of Education- Andrew Gakiria 3:45-3.50pm Q&A 3.50-4.20pm e-learning- the e-picture- Fatma Bashir 4.20-4.25pm Q&A 4.25- 4.50pm Reviving village polytechnics E-learning initiatives by Ministry of Youth 4.50- 5:15pm Q&A 5.15 pm Tea GUESTS LEAVE AT THEIR PLEASURE __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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Free Internet on KDN's Butterfly
by Vincent Wang'ombe 25 Apr '07

25 Apr '07

Dear Listers, We are in the process of testing some new features on our metropolitan Wi-Fi network, Butterfly. We will be providing free internet access on the Butterfly network over this weekend (28th and 29th) in Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu. We would like to request KICTANET Listers who have Wi-Fi capable computers or PDAs to please try out the service and provide us with feedback on the experience. For those who would like to try and don't have Wi-Fi Kit, we'll be happy to "hook you up". Please help us in our endeavor to make Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu the first seamless Wi-Fi Cities in Africa. Your support will be highly appreciated. Regards, Vincent Wang'ombe Kenya Data Networks Tel: +254 20 556755, 828271 Fax: +254 20 828685 URL: www.kdn.co.ke <file:///\\fileserver\OpenArea\UserShares\stanley.nganga\E-mail%20Signature\ www.kdn.co.ke> Visit us on www.Butterfly.co.ke for more information.

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workshop prog
by Rebecca Wanjiku 25 Apr '07

25 Apr '07

The topic of the inaugural workshop is: FIBRE OPTIC CABLE: Financing models, ownership, business models and regulations. DATE: THURSDAY 26 APRIL 2007 VENUE: JACARANDA HOTEL KEYNOTE ADDRESS: CCK DIRECTOR-GENERAL, ENG. JOHN WAWERU OFFICIAL OPENING: PS, MIN. OF INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION, DR. BITANGE NDEMO Find enclosed a copy of the programme. PROGRAMME FOR FIRST ICT MEDIA NETWORK WORKSHOP ON THURSDAY APRIL 26, 20007 AT JACARANDA HOTEL ON: FIBRE OPTIC CABLE: Financing models, ownership, business models and regulations TIME ACTIVITY 8:30-9:00 Registration 9:00-9.45 Opening Remarks by CCK Director-General, Eng. John Waweru 9:45-10:15 Official opening by PS in the Ministry of Information and Communication, Dr. Bitange Ndemo 10:15-10:30 Q&A 10.30-10:45 Tea Break 10:45-11:30 John Walubengo, Lecturer, KCCT 11:30- 12:15 Alex Gakuru, CEO, Consumer Association of Kenya 12:15-12:30 Q&A Vote of thanks Eric Ombok 12:30- 1:30 Lunch GUESTS LEAVE AT THEIR PLEASURE __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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Re: [kictanet] Free PC and cheap Internet for SMEs/Home Users
by judy okite 25 Apr '07

25 Apr '07

Hi, Just one Q: The connection cost comes to approximately 72k,is this per PC? Kind Regards, --- kictanet-bounces+judyokite=yahoo.com(a)kictanet.or.ke <lkimani(a)comnews.co.ke> wrote: > Alex, Joan, Florence and Njorohio, and all our well wishers: > > On behalf of Alunite, let me thank you very much for the kudos. > > Njorohio, if you already have a standalone PC and just need connection > call us, and we will review your requirements, and come up with an offer > you can not resist. > > Alunite is extremely serious about being the ISP for the "People by the > People" > > There will be something for everybody in the Alunite DSL "Kiondo" > > > Lucy Kimani > on behalf of > Alunite Communications, Ltd. > 020-273-7155 > > > Hi All > > This is great and will assist the SMES > > However I think the SMEs and even homeworkers can afford the PC but the > > hindrance has been the cost of the Bandwidth. > > Can the company consider as an alternative the charge for the link only. > > This may persuade those firms with standalone computers to subscribe to > > the service. > > Cheers > > > > Njorohio > > > > > > Florence Etta <feanywhere(a)yahoo.co.uk> wrote: Brilliant!! > > > > > > Florence Etta > > > > > > ----- Original Message ---- > > From: Joan Walumbe <jwalumbe(a)globalnetcorps.org> > > To: feanywhere(a)yahoo.co.uk > > Sent: Monday, 23 April, 2007 4:16:18 PM > > Subject: Re: [kictanet] Fwd: [ke-internetusers] Free PC and cheap Internet > > forSMEs and Home Users > > > > Thanks Alex for the info, > > > > This is actually a great idea. Would you have a contact number or email > > address for Alunite? > > > > Joan Walumbe > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: Alex Gakuru > > To: Kictanet > > Sent: Monday, April 23, 2007 8:57 AM > > Subject: [kictanet] Fwd: [ke-internetusers] Free PC and cheap > > Internet forSMEs and Home Users > > > > > > > > > > Alex Gakuru <gakuru(a)gmail.com> wrote: Date: Mon, 23 Apr 2007 > > 08:51:01 +0300 > > From: "Alex Gakuru" <gakuru(a)gmail.com> > > To: ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net > > Subject: [ke-internetusers] Free PC and cheap Internet for SMEs and > > Home > > Users > > > > [This brightens a new dawn for Kenya's connectivity. I have often > > argued that lesser city traffic jams and higher national productivity > > can be achieved by taking internet outside the city centre, Nairobi > > currently having 80% of Kenya's internet. Many are bound to choose > > working from home to save on expensive city office rent overheads and > > "outsourcing" will definitely benefit considering the time > > differences > > become less of a problem, security is also a consideration. > > > > Forecasting on this possibility at a stakeholders workshop on 22 > > March > > 2007, I warned that it would only take "one clever ISP" to realise === Message Truncated === __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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Re: [kictanet] Free PC and cheap Internet for SMEs/Home Users
by Lucy Kimani 24 Apr '07

24 Apr '07

Janet: Great seeing you in this forum too, and yes the two events are definately on my radar. Reachout is already on my list, and anywhere that KDN has a presence is a possiblity, but please share the addresses for all the centers via private email and I will request for a survey. Lucy > Hello Dear Lucy and All, > > We meet in another setting (where you're being given the same royal > treatment you deserve everywhere), and am thrilled to hear abt this > invaluable endeavor. Bravo!!!! > > I am wondering abt your presence in W Kenya now? Am thinking abt Mumias, > Kisumu, and Mbita (KAIPPG, Reachout, Lake Fellowship, Deaf Impact > Ministry, and others). > > Also, are you attending the e-learning conference in May, and/or the > telecentre meeting in June? Both would be great places for a "plug" > (advertising being connecting by other means), and I'd like to do some > networking re linking you up with folks I know who will be there. > > Thanks again so much (esp for being the "non-retiring" kind!), and "Kudos > to Kimani" (for uniting us "al", haha!), Janet (Feldman, > kaippg(a)earthlink.net) > > -----Original Message----- >>From: Lucy Kimani <lkimani(a)comnews.co.ke> >>Sent: Apr 23, 2007 1:45 PM >>To: Janet Feldman <kaippg(a)earthlink.net> >>Subject: [kictanet] Free PC and cheap Internet for SMEs/Home Users >> >>Alex, Joan, Florence and Njorohio, and all our well wishers: >> >>On behalf of Alunite, let me thank you very much for the kudos. >> >>Njorohio, if you already have a standalone PC and just need connection >>call us, and we will review your requirements, and come up with an offer >>you can not resist. >> >>Alunite is extremely serious about being the ISP for the "People by the >>People" >> >>There will be something for everybody in the Alunite DSL "Kiondo" >> >> >>Lucy Kimani >>on behalf of >>Alunite Communications, Ltd. >> >>> Hi All >>> This is great and will assist the SMES >>> However I think the SMEs and even homeworkers can afford the PC but >>> the >>> hindrance has been the cost of the Bandwidth. >>> Can the company consider as an alternative the charge for the link >>> only. >>> This may persuade those firms with standalone computers to subscribe >>> to >>> the service. >>> Cheers >>> >>> Njorohio >>> >>> >>> Florence Etta <feanywhere(a)yahoo.co.uk> wrote: Brilliant!! >>> >>> >>> Florence Etta >>> >>> >>> ----- Original Message ---- >>> From: Joan Walumbe <jwalumbe(a)globalnetcorps.org> >>> To: feanywhere(a)yahoo.co.uk >>> Sent: Monday, 23 April, 2007 4:16:18 PM >>> Subject: Re: [kictanet] Fwd: [ke-internetusers] Free PC and cheap >>> Internet >>> forSMEs and Home Users >>> >>> Thanks Alex for the info, >>> >>> This is actually a great idea. Would you have a contact number or >>> email >>> address for Alunite? >>> >>> Joan Walumbe >>> ----- Original Message ----- >>> From: Alex Gakuru >>> To: Kictanet >>> Sent: Monday, April 23, 2007 8:57 AM >>> Subject: [kictanet] Fwd: [ke-internetusers] Free PC and cheap >>> Internet forSMEs and Home Users >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> Alex Gakuru <gakuru(a)gmail.com> wrote: Date: Mon, 23 Apr 2007 >>> 08:51:01 +0300 >>> From: "Alex Gakuru" <gakuru(a)gmail.com> >>> To: ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net >>> Subject: [ke-internetusers] Free PC and cheap Internet for SMEs >>> and >>> Home >>> Users >>> >>> [This brightens a new dawn for Kenya's connectivity. I have often >>> argued that lesser city traffic jams and higher national >>> productivity >>> can be achieved by taking internet outside the city centre, >>> Nairobi >>> currently having 80% of Kenya's internet. Many are bound to choose >>> working from home to save on expensive city office rent overheads >>> and >>> "outsourcing" will definitely benefit considering the time >>> differences >>> become less of a problem, security is also a consideration. >>> >>> Forecasting on this possibility at a stakeholders workshop on 22 >>> March >>> 2007, I warned that it would only take "one clever ISP" to realise >>> this enormous small business and home user waiting market away >>> from >>> the current "corporates-only" internet (used between 8am to 5 pm >>> and >>> half-days on Saturdays which drops at lunch-time. (see the first >>> graph >>> at http://www.isoc.or.ke/connectivity.html - website under >>> development)] >>> ----------------------- >>> [Business Daily] >>> >>> ISP targets home users with free PC's >>> Written by Okkutah Mark >>> Monday, 23 April 2007 [NAIROBI] >>> >>> While most Internet Service Providers (ISPs) target corporate >>> users, >>> one new entrant into the online market is banking on capturing >>> residential, small and home business users with a unique offer: a >>> free >>> computer. >>> >>> The company, Alunite, says most Kenyans would love to be connected >>> to >>> a high-speed DSL Internet connection from home, but the lack of >>> affordable personal computers, and high bandwidth costs have kept >>> most >>> out of the loop. >>> >>> Lucy Kimani, the ISPs executive director said Alunite was >>> partnering >>> with Kenya Data Networks (KDN) and Keysde, a local company >>> involved >>> in >>> computer assembly in which Keysde will provide PCs, under a >>> guarantee >>> that the ISP settles the bill within 90 days. >>> >>> KDN will provide the DSL linkage to it's Metro optical fibre. >>> >>> "As an ISP we are linking the home subscribers to the KDN's link >>> which >>> will provide them with a high-speed connection," said Ms Kimani. >>> "We >>> also realised that a majority of people don't own computers, and >>> that's why we looked how we could solve this problem." >>> >>> The deal does come with a catch though. In exchange for a free >>> computer, subscribers must sign a one-year agreement to subscribe >>> to >>> Alunite's Internet sevices, which cost 5,945 per month. >>> >>> The computerÂan Intel Pentium 1.2 Ghz PCÂretails for Sh10,300 in >>> local shops. >>> >>> But Ms Kimani said it was more than just a freebie. >>> >>> "We eliminate the hassle of dealing with a separate connectivity >>> provider and provide attentive customer service," she said. "Our >>> company coordinates all aspects of the installation of the service >>> including site inspection." >>> >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> ke-internetusers mailing list >>> ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net >>> http://www.bdix.net/mailman/listinfo/ke-internetusers >>> >>> >>> >>> --------------------------------- >>> Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell? >>> Check out new cars at Yahoo! Autos. >>> _______________________________________________ >>> kictanet mailing list >>> kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke >>> http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >>> >>> Please unsubscribe or change your options at >>> http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/feanywhere%40yahoo.co.uk >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> --------------------------------- >>> Yahoo! Answers - Got a question? Someone out there knows the answer. >>> Try >>> it now._______________________________________________ >>> kictanet mailing list >>> kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke >>> http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >>> >>> Please unsubscribe or change your options at >>> http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/gathuri_njorohio%40yahoo.com >>> >>> >>> --------------------------------- >>> Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell? >>> Check outnew cars at Yahoo! >>> Autos._______________________________________________ >>> kictanet mailing list >>> kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke >>> http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >>> >>> Please unsubscribe or change your options at >>> http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/lkimani%40comnews.co.ke >> >> >> >>----------------------------------------- >>This email was sent using Communicatons Solutions LTD WebMail. >> " " >>http://www.accesskenya.com/ >> >>_______________________________________________ >>kictanet mailing list >>kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke >>http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> >>Please unsubscribe or change your options at >> http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/kaippg%40earthlink.net > > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > Please unsubscribe or change your options at > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/lkimani%40comnews.co.ke ----------------------------------------- This email was sent using Communicatons Solutions LTD WebMail. " " http://www.accesskenya.com/

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Day 1 of 10: CCK Internet Study-Background Concepts/Overview
by John Walubengo 24 Apr '07

24 Apr '07

Morning all, Today is Day 1 of our deliberation and would like to give a general overview that would constitute our working document for the rest of the deliberations. Please go through it and I welcome general reactions, comments, clarifications or objections as we set the background for the rest of the workshop. We have 24hrs on this before tomorrow when we shall go deeper into the issues of International and Domestic bandwidth. My (personal) summary of the report based on the official copy @ http://www.cck.go.ke/internet_market_study/ follows:- ~~~~00000~~~~~~~~~~ CCK commissioned Netcomm Information Systems (the Consultant) to undertake a study to establish amongst others, the following Internet indicators within the Kenyan Market: 1. The Internet service diffusion and usage patterns in different sectors of the Kenyan economy 2. The general Internet service costing mechanisms employed by operators and service providers 3. The key factors that hinder Internet market development 4. The vertical and horizontal relationships of the Internet market in the country In carrying out its terms of reference, the Consultant held several roundtable meetings with key stakeholders selected from the Government, Telco-operators, Internet Service providers and Consumers. The Consultant administered questionnaires which revealed the following key findings -categorised under Network Infrastructure, Internet Affordability and Dispersion as described below: Network Infrastructure: This indicator establishes the structure and quality of the International and National (domestic) internet backbone across the country. It was found that following the liberation of the telecom sector to allow more players at the International Internet Gateway Operator (IGO) level, there has been a steady increase in the International Bandwidth capacity-currently at 1G and representing over 10% growth since 2004. However, the domestic Internet capacity continued to register limited growth, despite the availability of the local Internet Exchange Point (KIXP). Internet Tariffs & Affordability: This indicator establishes the capacity of consumers to afford the Internet Services. It is taken as a factor of the gross national income, in other words, the average cost of 1 month Internet access measured against the average monthly salaries. It was found that internet service via mobile phone was much more affordable (costing 8% of average monthly incomes) as compared to via fixed lines (costing 200% of the average monthly incomes). This was despite the falling rates of International Internet Bandwidth occasioned by competition at that level. Dispersion: This indicator establishes geographic reach and sectoral absorption of the Intenet Service. In essence it describes the e-Readiness status of the economy or for the Country. It was found that even though ISPs were present in all the 8 Provinces, they were hardly present at the districts level covering only 30% of the districts in Kenya. In addition, of the three key stakeholders, Government, Educational and Commercial, the Commercial sector had the bulk of the existing Internet Connectivity (80%) while the Education Sector had the lowest (less than 2%). Finally, of the estimated 2.8 Million Internet users in the country, 80% are in the capital city Nairobi, 9% in Mombasa and the rest (11%) are spread across the country. In attempting to improve the above bleak indicators, the Consultant made the following key recommendations: Network Infrastructure: That the Government and the Operators make a deliberate effort to extend the domestic Internet backbone through out the country. In addition, that the current license separation between the Internet Gateway Operators (IGOs) and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) be dissolved by combining their services into one license-the Data Communication Network Operator (DCNO) license. Finally, that the Regulator should publish and enforce quality standards in the provision of the Internet Services. Internet Tariffs & Affordability: That the Regulator, introduces competition in the Fixed Telephone line service and a flat-rate tariff or volume-based model for dial-up internet services. Also, that despite the relatively cheaper Mobile internet services, further competition be introduce within the sub-sector to further drive down the rates. Dispersion: That the Regulator reviews and implements the Universal Access strategy, enabling Operators to extend Internet Broadband services to non-economical rural areas in order to serve in particular educational and health institutions. That the Universal Access fund be utilised in promoting and creating local content in order to stimulate demand and usage. Finally, that the Regulator promotes Consumer Awareness programmes while the Government concludes and enacts the necessary legislative framework for supporting eCommerce uptake. -summary ends--- Plse, the floor is open for your reactions and a copy of the 10 day program is copied here as a reminder. Internet Study-Background Concepts/Overview 1day Internet Study-International & Domestic Bandwidth Usage 1day Internet Study-Hierarchy of Providers (IBP,ISP) 1day Internet Study-The Statistics on Infrastructure 1day Internet Study-The Statistics on Affordability 1day Internet Study-The Statistics on Dispersion 1day Internet Study-The Impact of the Recommendations-3days What is the way forward/Conclusions 1day walu. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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Re: [kictanet] Free PC and cheap Internet for SMEs/Home Users
by Janet Feldman 23 Apr '07

23 Apr '07

Hello Dear Lucy and All, We meet in another setting (where you're being given the same royal treatment you deserve everywhere), and am thrilled to hear abt this invaluable endeavor. Bravo!!!! I am wondering abt your presence in W Kenya now? Am thinking abt Mumias, Kisumu, and Mbita (KAIPPG, Reachout, Lake Fellowship, Deaf Impact Ministry, and others). Also, are you attending the e-learning conference in May, and/or the telecentre meeting in June? Both would be great places for a "plug" (advertising being connecting by other means), and I'd like to do some networking re linking you up with folks I know who will be there. Thanks again so much (esp for being the "non-retiring" kind!), and "Kudos to Kimani" (for uniting us "al", haha!), Janet (Feldman, kaippg(a)earthlink.net) -----Original Message----- >From: Lucy Kimani <lkimani(a)comnews.co.ke> >Sent: Apr 23, 2007 1:45 PM >To: Janet Feldman <kaippg(a)earthlink.net> >Subject: [kictanet] Free PC and cheap Internet for SMEs/Home Users > >Alex, Joan, Florence and Njorohio, and all our well wishers: > >On behalf of Alunite, let me thank you very much for the kudos. > >Njorohio, if you already have a standalone PC and just need connection >call us, and we will review your requirements, and come up with an offer >you can not resist. > >Alunite is extremely serious about being the ISP for the "People by the >People" > >There will be something for everybody in the Alunite DSL "Kiondo" > > >Lucy Kimani >on behalf of >Alunite Communications, Ltd. > >> Hi All >> This is great and will assist the SMES >> However I think the SMEs and even homeworkers can afford the PC but the >> hindrance has been the cost of the Bandwidth. >> Can the company consider as an alternative the charge for the link only. >> This may persuade those firms with standalone computers to subscribe to >> the service. >> Cheers >> >> Njorohio >> >> >> Florence Etta <feanywhere(a)yahoo.co.uk> wrote: Brilliant!! >> >> >> Florence Etta >> >> >> ----- Original Message ---- >> From: Joan Walumbe <jwalumbe(a)globalnetcorps.org> >> To: feanywhere(a)yahoo.co.uk >> Sent: Monday, 23 April, 2007 4:16:18 PM >> Subject: Re: [kictanet] Fwd: [ke-internetusers] Free PC and cheap Internet >> forSMEs and Home Users >> >> Thanks Alex for the info, >> >> This is actually a great idea. Would you have a contact number or email >> address for Alunite? >> >> Joan Walumbe >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: Alex Gakuru >> To: Kictanet >> Sent: Monday, April 23, 2007 8:57 AM >> Subject: [kictanet] Fwd: [ke-internetusers] Free PC and cheap >> Internet forSMEs and Home Users >> >> >> >> >> Alex Gakuru <gakuru(a)gmail.com> wrote: Date: Mon, 23 Apr 2007 >> 08:51:01 +0300 >> From: "Alex Gakuru" <gakuru(a)gmail.com> >> To: ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net >> Subject: [ke-internetusers] Free PC and cheap Internet for SMEs and >> Home >> Users >> >> [This brightens a new dawn for Kenya's connectivity. I have often >> argued that lesser city traffic jams and higher national productivity >> can be achieved by taking internet outside the city centre, Nairobi >> currently having 80% of Kenya's internet. Many are bound to choose >> working from home to save on expensive city office rent overheads and >> "outsourcing" will definitely benefit considering the time >> differences >> become less of a problem, security is also a consideration. >> >> Forecasting on this possibility at a stakeholders workshop on 22 >> March >> 2007, I warned that it would only take "one clever ISP" to realise >> this enormous small business and home user waiting market away from >> the current "corporates-only" internet (used between 8am to 5 pm and >> half-days on Saturdays which drops at lunch-time. (see the first >> graph >> at http://www.isoc.or.ke/connectivity.html - website under >> development)] >> ----------------------- >> [Business Daily] >> >> ISP targets home users with free PC's >> Written by Okkutah Mark >> Monday, 23 April 2007 [NAIROBI] >> >> While most Internet Service Providers (ISPs) target corporate users, >> one new entrant into the online market is banking on capturing >> residential, small and home business users with a unique offer: a >> free >> computer. >> >> The company, Alunite, says most Kenyans would love to be connected to >> a high-speed DSL Internet connection from home, but the lack of >> affordable personal computers, and high bandwidth costs have kept >> most >> out of the loop. >> >> Lucy Kimani, the ISPs executive director said Alunite was partnering >> with Kenya Data Networks (KDN) and Keysde, a local company involved >> in >> computer assembly in which Keysde will provide PCs, under a guarantee >> that the ISP settles the bill within 90 days. >> >> KDN will provide the DSL linkage to it's Metro optical fibre. >> >> "As an ISP we are linking the home subscribers to the KDN's link >> which >> will provide them with a high-speed connection," said Ms Kimani. "We >> also realised that a majority of people don't own computers, and >> that's why we looked how we could solve this problem." >> >> The deal does come with a catch though. In exchange for a free >> computer, subscribers must sign a one-year agreement to subscribe to >> Alunite's Internet sevices, which cost 5,945 per month. >> >> The computeran Intel Pentium 1.2 Ghz PCretails for Sh10,300 in >> local shops. >> >> But Ms Kimani said it was more than just a freebie. >> >> "We eliminate the hassle of dealing with a separate connectivity >> provider and provide attentive customer service," she said. "Our >> company coordinates all aspects of the installation of the service >> including site inspection." >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> ke-internetusers mailing list >> ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net >> http://www.bdix.net/mailman/listinfo/ke-internetusers >> >> >> >> --------------------------------- >> Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell? >> Check out new cars at Yahoo! Autos. >> _______________________________________________ >> kictanet mailing list >> kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke >> http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> >> Please unsubscribe or change your options at >> http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/feanywhere%40yahoo.co.uk >> >> >> >> >> >> >> --------------------------------- >> Yahoo! Answers - Got a question? Someone out there knows the answer. Try >> it now._______________________________________________ >> kictanet mailing list >> kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke >> http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> >> Please unsubscribe or change your options at >> http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/gathuri_njorohio%40yahoo.com >> >> >> --------------------------------- >> Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell? >> Check outnew cars at Yahoo! >> Autos._______________________________________________ >> kictanet mailing list >> kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke >> http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> >> Please unsubscribe or change your options at >> http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/lkimani%40comnews.co.ke > > > >----------------------------------------- >This email was sent using Communicatons Solutions LTD WebMail. > " " >http://www.accesskenya.com/ > >_______________________________________________ >kictanet mailing list >kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke >http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > >Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/kaippg%40earthlink.net

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Re: [kictanet] Fwd: [ke-internetusers] Free PC and cheap Internet forSMEs and Home Users
by Florence Etta 23 Apr '07

23 Apr '07

Brilliant!! Florence Etta ----- Original Message ---- From: Joan Walumbe <jwalumbe(a)globalnetcorps.org> To: feanywhere(a)yahoo.co.uk Sent: Monday, 23 April, 2007 4:16:18 PM Subject: Re: [kictanet] Fwd: [ke-internetusers] Free PC and cheap Internet forSMEs and Home Users Thanks Alex for the info, This is actually a great idea. Would you have a contact number or email address for Alunite? Joan Walumbe ----- Original Message ----- From: Alex Gakuru To: Kictanet Sent: Monday, April 23, 2007 8:57 AM Subject: [kictanet] Fwd: [ke-internetusers] Free PC and cheap Internet forSMEs and Home Users Alex Gakuru <gakuru(a)gmail.com> wrote: Date: Mon, 23 Apr 2007 08:51:01 +0300 From: "Alex Gakuru" <gakuru(a)gmail.com> To: ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net Subject: [ke-internetusers] Free PC and cheap Internet for SMEs and Home Users [This brightens a new dawn for Kenya's connectivity. I have often argued that lesser city traffic jams and higher national productivity can be achieved by taking internet outside the city centre, Nairobi currently having 80% of Kenya's internet. Many are bound to choose working from home to save on expensive city office rent overheads and "outsourcing" will definitely benefit considering the time differences become less of a problem, security is also a consideration. Forecasting on this possibility at a stakeholders workshop on 22 March 2007, I warned that it would only take "one clever ISP" to realise this enormous small business and home user waiting market away from the current "corporates-only" internet (used between 8am to 5 pm and half-days on Saturdays which drops at lunch-time. (see the first graph at http://www.isoc.or.ke/connectivity.html - website under development)] ----------------------- [Business Daily] ISP targets home users with free PC's Written by Okkutah Mark Monday, 23 April 2007 [NAIROBI] While most Internet Service Providers (ISPs) target corporate users, one new entrant into the online market is banking on capturing residential, small and home business users with a unique offer: a free computer. The company, Alunite, says most Kenyans would love to be connected to a high-speed DSL Internet connection from home, but the lack of affordable personal computers, and high bandwidth costs have kept most out of the loop. Lucy Kimani, the ISPs executive director said Alunite was partnering with Kenya Data Networks (KDN) and Keysde, a local company involved in computer assembly in which Keysde will provide PCs, under a guarantee that the ISP settles the bill within 90 days. KDN will provide the DSL linkage to it's Metro optical fibre. "As an ISP we are linking the home subscribers to the KDN's link which will provide them with a high-speed connection," said Ms Kimani. "We also realised that a majority of people don't own computers, and that's why we looked how we could solve this problem." The deal does come with a catch though. In exchange for a free computer, subscribers must sign a one-year agreement to subscribe to Alunite's Internet sevices, which cost 5,945 per month. The computer—an Intel Pentium 1.2 Ghz PC—retails for Sh10,300 in local shops. But Ms Kimani said it was more than just a freebie. "We eliminate the hassle of dealing with a separate connectivity provider and provide attentive customer service," she said. "Our company coordinates all aspects of the installation of the service including site inspection." _______________________________________________ ke-internetusers mailing list ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net http://www.bdix.net/mailman/listinfo/ke-internetusers Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell? Check out new cars at Yahoo! Autos. _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/feanywhere%40yahoo.co.uk ___________________________________________________________ Yahoo! Answers - Got a question? Someone out there knows the answer. Try it now. http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/

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Free PC and cheap InternetforSMEs and Home Users
by Lucy Kimani 23 Apr '07

23 Apr '07

Alex, Joan, Florence and Njorohio, and all our well wishers: On behalf of Alunite, let me thank you very much for the kudos. Njorohio, if you already have a standalone PC and just need connection call us, and we will review your requirements, and come up with an offer you can not resist. Alunite is extremely serious about being the ISP for the "People by the People" There will be something for everybody in the Alunite DSL "Kiondo" Lucy Kimani on behalf of Alunite Communications, Ltd. 020-273-7155 > Hi All > This is great and will assist the SMES > However I think the SMEs and even homeworkers can afford the PC but the > hindrance has been the cost of the Bandwidth. > Can the company consider as an alternative the charge for the link only. > This may persuade those firms with standalone computers to subscribe to > the service. > Cheers > > Njorohio > > > Florence Etta <feanywhere(a)yahoo.co.uk> wrote: Brilliant!! > > > Florence Etta > > > ----- Original Message ---- > From: Joan Walumbe <jwalumbe(a)globalnetcorps.org> > To: feanywhere(a)yahoo.co.uk > Sent: Monday, 23 April, 2007 4:16:18 PM > Subject: Re: [kictanet] Fwd: [ke-internetusers] Free PC and cheap Internet > forSMEs and Home Users > > Thanks Alex for the info, > > This is actually a great idea. Would you have a contact number or email > address for Alunite? > > Joan Walumbe > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Alex Gakuru > To: Kictanet > Sent: Monday, April 23, 2007 8:57 AM > Subject: [kictanet] Fwd: [ke-internetusers] Free PC and cheap > Internet forSMEs and Home Users > > > > > Alex Gakuru <gakuru(a)gmail.com> wrote: Date: Mon, 23 Apr 2007 > 08:51:01 +0300 > From: "Alex Gakuru" <gakuru(a)gmail.com> > To: ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net > Subject: [ke-internetusers] Free PC and cheap Internet for SMEs and > Home > Users > > [This brightens a new dawn for Kenya's connectivity. I have often > argued that lesser city traffic jams and higher national productivity > can be achieved by taking internet outside the city centre, Nairobi > currently having 80% of Kenya's internet. Many are bound to choose > working from home to save on expensive city office rent overheads and > "outsourcing" will definitely benefit considering the time > differences > become less of a problem, security is also a consideration. > > Forecasting on this possibility at a stakeholders workshop on 22 > March > 2007, I warned that it would only take "one clever ISP" to realise > this enormous small business and home user waiting market away from > the current "corporates-only" internet (used between 8am to 5 pm and > half-days on Saturdays which drops at lunch-time. (see the first > graph > at http://www.isoc.or.ke/connectivity.html - website under > development)] > ----------------------- > [Business Daily] > > ISP targets home users with free PC's > Written by Okkutah Mark > Monday, 23 April 2007 [NAIROBI] > > While most Internet Service Providers (ISPs) target corporate users, > one new entrant into the online market is banking on capturing > residential, small and home business users with a unique offer: a > free > computer. > > The company, Alunite, says most Kenyans would love to be connected to > a high-speed DSL Internet connection from home, but the lack of > affordable personal computers, and high bandwidth costs have kept > most > out of the loop. > > Lucy Kimani, the ISPs executive director said Alunite was partnering > with Kenya Data Networks (KDN) and Keysde, a local company involved > in > computer assembly in which Keysde will provide PCs, under a guarantee > that the ISP settles the bill within 90 days. > > KDN will provide the DSL linkage to it's Metro optical fibre. > > "As an ISP we are linking the home subscribers to the KDN's link > which > will provide them with a high-speed connection," said Ms Kimani. "We > also realised that a majority of people don't own computers, and > that's why we looked how we could solve this problem." > > The deal does come with a catch though. In exchange for a free > computer, subscribers must sign a one-year agreement to subscribe to > Alunite's Internet sevices, which cost 5,945 per month. > > The computeran Intel Pentium 1.2 Ghz PCretails for Sh10,300 in > local shops. > > But Ms Kimani said it was more than just a freebie. > > "We eliminate the hassle of dealing with a separate connectivity > provider and provide attentive customer service," she said. "Our > company coordinates all aspects of the installation of the service > including site inspection." > > > > _______________________________________________ > ke-internetusers mailing list > ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net > http://www.bdix.net/mailman/listinfo/ke-internetusers > > > > --------------------------------- > Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell? > Check out new cars at Yahoo! Autos. > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > Please unsubscribe or change your options at > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/feanywhere%40yahoo.co.uk > > > > > > > --------------------------------- > Yahoo! Answers - Got a question? Someone out there knows the answer. Try > it now._______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > Please unsubscribe or change your options at > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/gathuri_njorohio%40yahoo.com > > > --------------------------------- > Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell? > Check outnew cars at Yahoo! > Autos._______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > Please unsubscribe or change your options at > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/lkimani%40comnews.co.ke ----------------------------------------- This email was sent using Communicatons Solutions LTD WebMail. " " http://www.accesskenya.com/

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workshop and forum...... no charges
by Rebecca Wanjiku 23 Apr '07

23 Apr '07

just a reminder that on thursday this week, we have a workshop for journalists on OFC, FOI and ICT bill updates, Dr. Ndemo and Eng. Waweru will give the opening address, its open to members interested in more information on the topics , its at Jacaranda from 8.30 to 1pm and the forum starts at 3 pm as usual, no charges...... that afternoon, KICTANet members will hold the monthly forum dedicated to e-learning, as you may be aware, the e-learning conference is taking place in nairobi next month, the forum will bring out some of the issues expected to come out of the conference next month, KICTANet is counting on your participation, you are the members, so you must come, regards becky __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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Re: [kictanet] Fwd: [ke-internetusers] Free PC and cheap Internet for SMEs and Home Users
by Florence Etta 23 Apr '07

23 Apr '07

This is the Egyptian model! ----- Original Message ---- From: Alex Gakuru <alex.gakuru(a)yahoo.com> To: feanywhere(a)yahoo.co.uk Sent: Monday, 23 April, 2007 8:57:56 AM Subject: [kictanet] Fwd: [ke-internetusers] Free PC and cheap Internet for SMEs and Home Users Alex Gakuru <gakuru(a)gmail.com> wrote: Date: Mon, 23 Apr 2007 08:51:01 +0300 From: "Alex Gakuru" <gakuru(a)gmail.com> To: ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net Subject: [ke-internetusers] Free PC and cheap Internet for SMEs and Home Users [This brightens a new dawn for Kenya's connectivity. I have often argued that lesser city traffic jams and higher national productivity can be achieved by taking internet outside the city centre, Nairobi currently having 80% of Kenya's internet. Many are bound to choose working from home to save on expensive city office rent overheads and "outsourcing" will definitely benefit considering the time differences become less of a problem, security is also a consideration. Forecasting on this possibility at a stakeholders workshop on 22 March 2007, I warned that it would only take "one clever ISP" to realise this enormous small business and home user waiting market away from the current "corporates-only" internet (used between 8am to 5 pm and half-days on Saturdays which drops at lunch-time. (see the first graph at http://www.isoc.or.ke/connectivity.html - website under development)] ----------------------- [Business Daily] ISP targets home users with free PC's Written by Okkutah Mark Monday, 23 April 2007 [NAIROBI] While most Internet Service Providers (ISPs) target corporate users, one new entrant into the online market is banking on capturing residential, small and home business users with a unique offer: a free computer. The company, Alunite, says most Kenyans would love to be connected to a high-speed DSL Internet connection from home, but the lack of affordable personal computers, and high bandwidth costs have kept most out of the loop. Lucy Kimani, the ISPs executive director said Alunite was partnering with Kenya Data Networks (KDN) and Keysde, a local company involved in computer assembly in which Keysde will provide PCs, under a guarantee that the ISP settles the bill within 90 days. KDN will provide the DSL linkage to it's Metro optical fibre. "As an ISP we are linking the home subscribers to the KDN's link which will provide them with a high-speed connection," said Ms Kimani. "We also realised that a majority of people don't own computers, and that's why we looked how we could solve this problem." The deal does come with a catch though. In exchange for a free computer, subscribers must sign a one-year agreement to subscribe to Alunite's Internet sevices, which cost 5,945 per month. The computer—an Intel Pentium 1.2 Ghz PC—retails for Sh10,300 in local shops. But Ms Kimani said it was more than just a freebie. "We eliminate the hassle of dealing with a separate connectivity provider and provide attentive customer service," she said. "Our company coordinates all aspects of the installation of the service including site inspection." _______________________________________________ ke-internetusers mailing list ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net http://www.bdix.net/mailman/listinfo/ke-internetusers Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell? Check out new cars at Yahoo! Autos. _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/feanywhere%40yahoo.co.uk ___________________________________________________________ Yahoo! Mail is the world's favourite email. Don't settle for less, sign up for your free account today http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/evt=44106/*http://uk.docs.yahoo.com/mail/winter07.ht…

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reflecting on the internet
by Rebecca Wanjiku 23 Apr '07

23 Apr '07

Founding father of the Internet surveys his domainBy CLINT SWETT Wednesday, April 18, 2007 When the man known as a "founding father of the Internet" looks back on its 30-plus years of existence, Vinton Cerf sees a reflection of our best and worst instincts. What has most surprised and pleased the renowned Internet pioneer has been the continuing avalanche of free information that's become available since the advent of the worldwide Web in the mid-1990s. "I see an enormous desire for people to put information online with no compensation," said Cerf, speaking Monday night to a gathering of TechCoire, a group of technology entrepreneurs, in Davis, Calif. That information, he said, ranges from technical papers related to the human genome project to user-written entries on the Wikipedia online encyclopedia. "It's created the most democratic access to information we have ever seen," said Cerf, who in the 1970s helped develop software that became the basis for transmitting everything from e-mail to movies over the Internet. These days, in addition to staying busy with various Internet projects, Cerf serves as Google Inc.'s "chief Internet evangelist." In his talk, he also noted the number of less benign impulses that also flourish online. "We get spam, viruses, worms ... fraud and worthless content," Cerf said. "But we've already dealt with these problems in another context," noting that fraud has occurred for decades via the telephone and the Postal Service. Clad in his trademark three-piece suit set off with a crimson handkerchief, Cerf predicted that much of the Internet's future growth will be tied to mobile devices such as BlackBerry-style gadgets. He recalled being on a boat in southern India several months ago. "I was in the middle of this big lake and thinking I couldn't possibly get any service," said Cerf. "I turned on my BlackBerry and got 300 e-mails." That reinforced the notion that the Net's reach can far exceed the expensive telephone lines and cables that are now standard for getting online. That could be especially powerful in places like Africa where only about 35 million of that continent's estimated 1 billion inhabitants have Internet access, he said. He also predicted that scores of Internet-connected devices will someday be linked in a seamless way. For example, Cerf said, different foods sitting in a Net-connected refrigerator might contain radio frequency tags identifying them by type and date purchased. The fridge could inventory the food, compile recipes and even alert you to shortages while you're shopping. "You'll get a message from your refrigerator saying, 'Don't forget the marinara sauce,'" he said. In addition to his position with Google, Cerf is chairman of ICANN, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers that oversees Internet naming issues, and is working with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory on ways to efficiently transmit data in outer space. Cerf's job with Google, a part-time position he's held since 2005, includes talking with college students about the Internet's technical challenges. "Even though the Internet has been around for 35 years, there's lots of problems that need to be solved," he said, including beefing up security and finding more efficient ways to transmit data. And the 63-year-old Cerf apparently has no plans to ease into retirement. "I consider it a successful day," he said, "when I wear out two 26-year-olds." __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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Fwd: [ke-internetusers] Free PC and cheap Internet for SMEs and Home Users
by Alex Gakuru 23 Apr '07

23 Apr '07

Alex Gakuru <gakuru(a)gmail.com> wrote: Date: Mon, 23 Apr 2007 08:51:01 +0300 From: "Alex Gakuru" <gakuru(a)gmail.com> To: ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net Subject: [ke-internetusers] Free PC and cheap Internet for SMEs and Home Users [This brightens a new dawn for Kenya's connectivity. I have often argued that lesser city traffic jams and higher national productivity can be achieved by taking internet outside the city centre, Nairobi currently having 80% of Kenya's internet. Many are bound to choose working from home to save on expensive city office rent overheads and "outsourcing" will definitely benefit considering the time differences become less of a problem, security is also a consideration. Forecasting on this possibility at a stakeholders workshop on 22 March 2007, I warned that it would only take "one clever ISP" to realise this enormous small business and home user waiting market away from the current "corporates-only" internet (used between 8am to 5 pm and half-days on Saturdays which drops at lunch-time. (see the first graph at http://www.isoc.or.ke/connectivity.html - website under development)] ----------------------- [Business Daily] ISP targets home users with free PC's Written by Okkutah Mark Monday, 23 April 2007 [NAIROBI] While most Internet Service Providers (ISPs) target corporate users, one new entrant into the online market is banking on capturing residential, small and home business users with a unique offer: a free computer. The company, Alunite, says most Kenyans would love to be connected to a high-speed DSL Internet connection from home, but the lack of affordable personal computers, and high bandwidth costs have kept most out of the loop. Lucy Kimani, the ISPs executive director said Alunite was partnering with Kenya Data Networks (KDN) and Keysde, a local company involved in computer assembly in which Keysde will provide PCs, under a guarantee that the ISP settles the bill within 90 days. KDN will provide the DSL linkage to it's Metro optical fibre. "As an ISP we are linking the home subscribers to the KDN's link which will provide them with a high-speed connection," said Ms Kimani. "We also realised that a majority of people don't own computers, and that's why we looked how we could solve this problem." The deal does come with a catch though. In exchange for a free computer, subscribers must sign a one-year agreement to subscribe to Alunite's Internet sevices, which cost 5,945 per month. The computeran Intel Pentium 1.2 Ghz PCretails for Sh10,300 in local shops. But Ms Kimani said it was more than just a freebie. "We eliminate the hassle of dealing with a separate connectivity provider and provide attentive customer service," she said. "Our company coordinates all aspects of the installation of the service including site inspection." _______________________________________________ ke-internetusers mailing list ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net http://www.bdix.net/mailman/listinfo/ke-internetusers --------------------------------- Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell? Check outnew cars at Yahoo! Autos.

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* YOUNG COMPUTER EXPERT MAKES AFRICAN VIDEO GAME IN KENYA
by alice 22 Apr '07

22 Apr '07

From Balancing Act * YOUNG COMPUTER EXPERT MAKES AFRICAN VIDEO GAME IN KENYA A young Kenyan computer programmer has produced an adventure video game he says is first of its kind in Africa. Wesley Kirinya, aged 23, developed the 3-dimensional action game in his Gwimgrafx Studios in Nairobi. It is called 'The Adventures of Nyangi.' The game is about a character named Nyangi who has to find some rare African artifacts. Each artifact has an interesting and mysterious story behind it, Kirinya says. "I want to bring the entertainment from reading a book or watching a film on African stories into video games." He said the task took him about three years to accomplish. "Since there are no video game development schools in Africa, I taught myself the skill," he said. "I developed this game on a tiny budget. I'm impressed with the outcome, considering that it costs millions of dollars to develop games using the latest technology." The game can be purchased electronically as a digital download from the website: www.gwimgrafxstudios.com (SOURCE: Catholic Information Service for Africa )

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BARBARIANS at the GATES of KENYA: ATC’s moves to consolidate Wins from Africa Online Deal by Investing KSh 2 billion in Wananchi Online and sends signal that Private Equity Industry has its eyes firmly set on Kenya”
by alice 21 Apr '07

21 Apr '07

*BARBARIANS at the GATES of KENYA* *“ATC’s moves to consolidate Wins from Africa Online Deal by Investing KSh 2 billion in Wananchi Online and sends signal that Private Equity Industry has its eyes firmly set on Kenya”* Like the famous KKR acquisition of RJR Nabisco that put the Private Equity industry center stage in America in the 80’s, industry sources are seeing the Africa Telecom Company Ltd’s (ATC) KSh 2 billion investment plans for Wananchi Online as a signal that the Private Equity Industry in Kenya is set to explode. ATC shot to prominence last year when they purchased 30% of Africa Lakes/Africa Online at Stg 10 per share and then got into a bitter and hostile takeover battle with Telekom South Africa. They successfully extracted a heavy price from Telkom South Africa by eventually selling their shares for Stg 25 per share plus another US$ 1.5m of costs. Telkom South Africa’s share price fell significantly at the news and their CEO has subsequently been forced to resign. The deal was a classic private equity play. Africa Online’s revenues have been shrinking for 5 years at a time when the Internet industry in Africa as a whole was growing at record speeds. The cause was typical of many public companies in the UK: bloated head office costs, overpaid and inept senior executive management and a board that could not deliver change. Richard Bell a seasoned ICT entrepreneur turned Private Equity Manager saw the latent value in the business and realized that the only way to release the value was through change – with or without the permission of the board. Leveraging of this experience Bell/East Africa Capital Partners teamed up with Mark Schneider a US Media Entrepreneur and brought in local support through James Gachui (Chairman of Transcentury) & Jimnah Mbaru (Chairman of Dyer & Blair) both well known local financial investors, to use ATC to invest in Wananchi Online and create Wananchi Telecom. It therefore came as no surprise to the Industry when Wananchi Online announced to its shareholders this week that there would be an EGM on Friday 20^th April at which shareholders would be asked to approve a capital investment and infrastructure rollout costing KSh 7 billion over 5 years with the first two years accounting for nearly KSh 2 billion of capital. Commenting on the investment Richard Bell said that the funds would be used to rollout a country-wide broadband Wi-Max network delivering Internet and Fixed Line Voice services “…Wananchi Online’s roots were in making the Internet affordable to Kenyas now *Wananchi Telecom* will do the same by delivering the most inexpensive and affordable consumer broadband service in Africa – and that will be GUARANTEED. It’s a very exciting time in this industry and we believe that Kenyans are crying out for a true broadband service in their homes and our Wi-Max product will deliver this……”. The network will be ready in greater Nairobi by the middle of the year and in all major towns by the end of the year. Joseph Mucheru another local ICT guru and Deputy CEO of the new group went on to commend the Government for their efforts in developing the ICT sector and committed that Wananchi Telecom would support all of these initiatives including the governments plans for Schools, Universities and ICT Villages “…by the time TEAMS, SEACOM and EASSY maritime cables get to Mombassa our network will be ready and all Kenyans will have broadband available. We Kenyans (and some operators) tend to spend a lot of time complaining about the government without recognizing the government’s achievements. The Hon Mutahi Kagwe and PS Ndemo have in my view set the seeds of a great future for Kenyans in ICT……..” The sheer scale and audacity of their plans (3 times larger than Access Kenya’s IPO, with 5 times more base stations) for Wananchi Telecom have taken even industry insiders by surprise, but that’s typical of Private Equity. Whether you like them or hate them the one certainty is that the power, speed and agility *these Private Equity Barbarians *is going to be a big force in Kenya over the next 5 years.

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Ubuntu 'Feisty Fawn' released, hit by traffic
by Alex Gakuru 21 Apr '07

21 Apr '07

Ubuntu 'Feisty Fawn' released, hit by traffic By Stephen Shankland, CNET News.com Published on ZDNet News: April 19, 2007, 11:41 AM PT Canonical on Thursday released version 7.04 of Ubuntu Linux, nicknamed Feisty Fawn, but the company's Web site was unable to keep up with the demand for the software. The up-and-coming Ubuntu has yet to attain the commercially blessed status of Red Hat Enterprise Linux and Novell's Suse Linux Enterprise, which have been in the marketplace years longer and are certified to work with many software and hardware products. But Canonical's software has built a significant fan base with its twice-yearly updates, user-friendly values and cutesy naming scheme. Feisty Fawn held up better than the protagonist in the animation Bambi Meets Godzilla: Canonical put up a bare-bones home page with just a single logo and a list of "mirror" sites from which the software can be downloaded. Still, the site was unavailable for more than half of the day, according to site availability monitoring company Pingdom. "We have been absolutely swamped with hits to the Web site and the mirrors," Canonical Chief Executive Mark Shuttleworth said in a conference call. "Fortunately there are 160 mirrors out there, all rapidly updating to include Feisty Fawn. We hope the logjam won't last much longer." Feisty Fawn features virtualization support and a new crash-reporting tool to aid debugging, but not the glitzy 3D interface Shuttleworth initially wanted. Ubuntu got an unsolicited endorsement from Michael Dell, chairman and CEO of Dell, a computer maker that's been wrestling with how to meet demand for desktop Linux. On Wednesday, the company announced on its Direct2Dell blog that Michael Dell got a new notebook with Feisty Fawn installed. Shuttleworth said he didn't talk to Dell's CEO about the move and wouldn't comment on whether he was in discussions with the computer maker for some sort of partnership. But Dell's move "does suggest that the company is forward-looking and perhaps considering Ubuntu," Shuttleworth said. Ubuntu is chiefly popular on PCs today, but Canonical is following the well-worn path to the server as it builds its Linux business. On servers, the open-source operating system is a stronger rival to Microsoft Windows and functionally very similar to versions of Unix that many administrators are familiar with. Red Hat and Novell's Linux business comes chiefly from selling support subscriptions to server customers. Also on Thursday, Canonical announced a partnership with Sun Microsystems to bolster its server push. The company has integrated Sun's Java software with Feisty Fawn, making it available through the "multiverse" collection of preconfigured, downloadable software packages. Sun has begun making its core Java Standard Edition software open source and will finish during the first half of 2007, said Jeet Kaul, Sun's vice president of developer products and programs. Other components already are open-source software, including the Glassfish project for Java Enterprise Edition, a collection of extensions for running Java on servers, and NetBeans, a Java programming environment. Java SE, Glassfish and NetBeans all are available for Feisty Fawn, Shuttleworth said. "This is the first time the Java platform technology has been fully integrated into a Linux distribution to this extent," said Ian Murdock, Sun's newly appointed chief operating systems officer and founder of the Debian version of Linux on which Ubuntu is based. Though NetBeans is his own "preferred Java development environment," Shuttleworth said that its main rival, Eclipse, already is integrated into Ubuntu. The next version of Ubuntu, Gutsy Gibbon, is due in October. Neither it nor Feisty Fawn features the long-term support of version 6.06, called Dapper Drake. A version with long-term support, which lasts five years, likely won't arrive until the release of Gutsy Gibbon's successor, Shuttleworth said. --------------------------------- Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell? Check outnew cars at Yahoo! Autos.

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Re: [kictanet] media workshop
by Frances Angalia 20 Apr '07

20 Apr '07

Hi Becky, Would be interested to attend. how much is it? Jane Angalia FEMNET COMMUNICATION <communication(a)femnet.or.ke> wrote: v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} .shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);} st1\:*{behavior:url(#default#ieooui) } Dear Becky, Greetings from the African Womens Development and Communication Network (FEMNET). Thank you for your invitation to attend the workshop for journalists to be held on 26 April 2007. I will be pleased to attend on behalf of FEMNET. Best regards Magdalene Wanjugu For Communications Programme African Women's Development and Communication Network (FEMNET) Reseau de Developpement et de Communications des Femmes Africaines P.O. Box 54562, 00200 Nairobi, Kenya Tel: +254 20 3741301/20 Fax: +254 20 3742927 Email: admin(a)femnet.or.ke Website: http://www.femnet.or.ke FEMNET aims to strengthen the role and contribution of African NGOs focusing on women's development, equality and other human rights through communications, networking, training and advocacy. FEMNET est un reseau qui soutient le renforcement des capacites des femmes dans les domaines du plaidoyer et de la communication a travers le travail en reseau. Il facilite egalement les echanges d'informations, d'experiences, et de strategies entre les organisations feminines en vue d'une veritable promotion des droits humains et particulierement des droits de la femme. --------------------------------- From: kictanet-bounces+communication=femnet.or.ke(a)kictanet.or.ke [mailto:kictanet-bounces+communication=femnet.or.ke@kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf Of Rebecca Wanjiku Sent: Wednesday, April 18, 2007 9:36 AM To: communication(a)femnet.or.ke Subject: [kictanet] media workshop Kictanet and Kenya ICT journalists network will be holding a workshop for journalists on April 26 at Jacaranda from 9 am to 1 pm, the workshop, addressing OFC, FOI and ICT bill the workshop is basic and we expect to hold further training in a month or two, if you are interested in attending, please confirm with me directly, regards becky --------------------------------- Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell? Check out new cars at Yahoo! Autos. _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/jfrances02%40yahoo.com --------------------------------- Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell? Check outnew cars at Yahoo! Autos.

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in the news
by Rebecca Wanjiku 20 Apr '07

20 Apr '07

ICT lobby group to educate users on their rights Written by Okuttah Mark Friday, 20 April 2007 [NAIROBI] Formation of an information and communication technologies (ICTs) consumer lobby group in Kenya, and a tender by the communications regulator for partners to educate Kenyan ICT consumers on their rights point to a shift towards reducing the vulnerability of users. As more people rely on ICTs in their daily lives, the more they open themselves up to financial and other abuses. According to Alex Gakuru, chairman of Kenya ICT Consumer Association, as the Internet, mobile telephony and other technologies take centre stage in Kenyan life, consumers must be made aware of their rights. "Consumers have a right to be informed about services they are getting," Mr Gakuru said. "Informed people always make informed decisions." According to Mr Gakuru, while ICT users remain ill-informed of their rights and have little legal protection against abuses, this is in contrast to corporate clients who often sign service level agreements with ICT service providers. The association alludes to complaints over services from Internet service providers (ISPs) as well as fixed and mobile telephone operators. According to Mr Gakuru, telephony users contend with costly local land-line calls, mobile network congestion and poor coverage in some areas, as well as too many failed calls. Some customers, the group adds, have lost pre-paid credit after buying it, or been charged for SMS messages that were never sent. <snip> <http://bdafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=679&Itemid=30…> __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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Fwd: [UgaBYTES] Invitations to the 3rd EA-TLF
by chelimo kenneth 19 Apr '07

19 Apr '07

Dear All, Kindly go through the forwarded document. Iam sure it might be of interest to some of you. Thanks Ken Chelimo Note: forwarded message attached. --------------------------------- Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell? Check outnew cars at Yahoo! Autos.

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[Fwd: [Aftld-discuss] AfTLD - Administrative Manager Post Announcement ..]
by Michuki Mwangi 19 Apr '07

19 Apr '07

FYI -------- Original Message -------- Dear Colleagues African Top Level Domains Organization ("AFTLD") was incorporated as a non-profit organization on December 19th 2002 in Mauritius. AFTLD acts as a focal point for all the African TLDs Managers, to discuss matters of policy that affect ccTLDs regionally and globally. Further, AFTLD presents the African region members position on global matters relating to the DNS and ccTLDs, and is a regional body of ccNSO (country code Name Supporting Organization), one of ICANN’s supporting organization. To achieve these objectives, AFTLD is seeking a suitable candidate to run its day-to-day operations (primarily based in Mauritius) in the position of AFTLD Administrative Manager. More information on the post visit www.aftld.org . Best Regards, Mohamed EL Bashir Vice President, Communications & Out-Reach African Top Level Domains Orgnization "AfTLD" - Home of Africa National TLD Registries ------------------------------------ Chers Collègues L'organisation africaine de domaines de niveau supérieur ("AFTLD") a été incorporée comme organisation à but non lucratif le 2002 19 décembre en îles Maurice. AFTLD agit en tant que point focal pour tous les directeurs africains de TLDs, pour discuter des points de la politique qui affectent des ccTLDs régionalement et globalement. De plus, AFTLD présente aux membres africains de région la position sur les sujets globaux concernant le DNS et les ccTLDs, et est un corps régional de ccNSO (organisation de support nommée de code de pays), une de l'organisation de support d'ICANN's. Pour atteindre ces objectifs, AFTLD cherche un candidat approprié pour courir ses opérations de jour en jour (principalement basées en îles Maurice) en position de directeur administratif d'AFTLD. Plus d'informtion sur la visite www.aftld.org de poteau. Les meilleurs souvenirs, Mohamed EL Bashir le vice-président de communications AfTLD.org -- Michuki Mwangi KENIC _______________________________________________ Aftld-discuss mailing list Aftld-discuss(a)aftld.org http://lists.aftld.org/mailman/listinfo/aftld-discuss

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Re: [kictanet] Sluggish Internet? This works fast for me
by Jose' 19 Apr '07

19 Apr '07

You sure off topic but its all good.I believe your new discovery will surely work in our R & D (Cyber Cafe') department at Kimathi Information centre.I have to try with one computer tho and see the aftermath and repercussions. Thank you Alex. Best Regards, Jose' Njuki-Imwe Ngunjiri || +254 722 336754 || ----- Original Message ---- From: Alex Gakuru <alex.gakuru(a)yahoo.com> To: ngunjirijnr(a)yahoo.com Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2007 2:17:19 PM Subject: [kictanet] Sluggish Internet? This works fast for me Hi all, I know I am a little off-topic here but I could not resist to share this. For a while now, I changed my DNS server settings resulting in remarkable internet speed increase. Just this morning, one cyber cafe user asked "How come your internet is much faster" so I thought you should all know why, and also try it out if you like. Do not try this (at home or office:-) if you don't know how to change DNS Server settings on your internet connetion card. You know, that one with an IP address, subnet mask then DNS Server, alternate DNS (for windows). Remember to write down your current settings before changing so that you can revert to them whenever you wish, if your not on Linux-based systems which can take more than 2 DNS servers [>>FF>> <http://www.opendns.com/ (DNS 1 208.67.222.222 and DNS2 208.67.220.220 Would appreciate if you let me know (off-list) you if it helps.] They are saying: "OpenDNS helps you navigate the Internet in a safer, faster, smarter and more reliable way. Our service is free and requires nothing to download. OpenDNS doesn't replace your existing Internet connection, it just makes it better." "The only thing worse than a slow DNS service is an unreliable DNS service. When DNS isn't working it appears as if the entire Internet isn't working. Our service is built on our own high-performance network that is connected in multiple cities and to many different networks. We know reliability is important, and we stand behind ours." <http://www.opendns.com/what/> Simply put, when one types a website address on to their browser, your ISP's DNS Server resolve the characters into an IP address where and the browser is then directed to that IP address. What does DNS do? DNS, the Domain Name System, translates the human addresses of websites and servers (like wikipedia.org) to the numerical address used by computers (207.142.131.203). Do I use DNS? Every time you send an email or visit a web page, you are using DNS services. We estimate most people make at least 100 DNS requests every day. If you are unsure, readup some more from their site before making changes. Thxs Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell? Check out new cars at Yahoo! Autos. _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/ngunjirijnr%40yahoo.com __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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Sluggish Internet? This works fast for me
by Alex Gakuru 19 Apr '07

19 Apr '07

Hi all, I know I am a little off-topic here but I could not resist to share this. For a while now, I changed my DNS server settings resulting in remarkable internet speed increase. Just this morning, one cyber cafe user asked "How come your internet is much faster" so I thought you should all know why, and also try it out if you like. Do not try this (at home or office:-) if you don't know how to change DNS Server settings on your internet connetion card. You know, that one with an IP address, subnet mask then DNS Server, alternate DNS (for windows). Remember to write down your current settings before changing so that you can revert to them whenever you wish, if your not on Linux-based systems which can take more than 2 DNS servers [>>FF>> <http://www.opendns.com/ (DNS 1 208.67.222.222 and DNS2 208.67.220.220 Would appreciate if you let me know (off-list) you if it helps.] They are saying: "OpenDNS helps you navigate the Internet in a safer, faster, smarter and more reliable way. Our service is free and requires nothing to download. OpenDNS doesn't replace your existing Internet connection, it just makes it better." "The only thing worse than a slow DNS service is an unreliable DNS service. When DNS isn't working it appears as if the entire Internet isn't working. Our service is built on our own high-performance network that is connected in multiple cities and to many different networks. We know reliability is important, and we stand behind ours." <http://www.opendns.com/what/> Simply put, when one types a website address on to their browser, your ISP's DNS Server resolve the characters into an IP address where and the browser is then directed to that IP address. What does DNS do? DNS, the Domain Name System, translates the human addresses of websites and servers (like wikipedia.org) to the numerical address used by computers (207.142.131.203). Do I use DNS? Every time you send an email or visit a web page, you are using DNS services. We estimate most people make at least 100 DNS requests every day. If you are unsure, readup some more from their site before making changes. Thxs --------------------------------- Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell? Check outnew cars at Yahoo! Autos.

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Nurturing Future Enterprenuers....
by Fatma Bashir 19 Apr '07

19 Apr '07

NURTURING FUTURE ENTREPRENUERS. By Fatma Bashir When I got a call confirming that I would have a chance to make a presentation before ICT stakeholders, I was delighted. I somewhat expected more Industry representation, perhaps from the Information and Communication Ministry and a cross section of players from the industry such as communication, hardware and software providers. However, the attendance was good and presentations were excellent. Kictanet Monthly Forum is a good forum to meet and exchange ideas and I am sure that our views will reach the right tables. The media bit was tricky because I missed most of Gakuru's presentation when I was being interviewed. Being on the KICTANet mail list is a revelation, once again THANK YOU! I am getting to know more and more and soon will start to add my voice on a lot of things that are being sent around. My interest is in education...not only because I am a teacher by profession but because without our building understanding of the use of ICT in education and maximizing of this emergent market in schools we will have chosen to be rained on instead of walking in the rain. Needless to say, tomorrow's entrepreneurs, policy makers, presidents, business owners, employees, mums and dads are in school right now. I look forward to the next forum you can count on my attendance and contribution. Fatma A Bashir Chief Marketing Officer Cyber School Technology Solutions Ltd. P.O. Box 14636-00100 Nairobi, Kenya. T: 4452870/1 ; 0726/0734 880864 F: 4452873 M: 0722 5070 50 www.cyberschooltech.com ---------------------------------------------- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is believed to be clean. --------------------------------------------- "easy access to the world"

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International telecommunications blackout looms
by Rebecca Wanjiku 19 Apr '07

19 Apr '07

17 April 2007 International telecommunications blackout looms In a move that threatens to cause a blackout in the telecommunications sector, Zimbabwe’s mobile phone operators, Econet, Net*One and Telecel have said they will start billing all outgoing international calls in foreign currency. The move will also see Tel*One, the sole fixed telephone network provider charging all outgoing calls in United States Dollars. Mobile phone companies, which have been engaged in a rate wrangle with the Posts and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ), maintain that they are unable to pay the termination rates charged in United States dollars, and have accumulated many debts. Chair of the Telecommunications Operators Association of Zimbabwe Douglas Mboweni is quoted as having stated that currently it costs ten times cheaper to make an international call from Zimbabwe than anywhere else in the world and as a result most international calls now emanate from Zimbabwe . Consequently, these companies have to pay more termination rates than the corresponding countries. POTRAZ has set the tariffs using the official exchange rate of Z$250 against each US $ a rate which has become unsustainable for most exporters and service providers. Zimbabwe is currently facing a foreign currency shortage, making it virtually impossible for subscribers to pay their telephone bills in foreign currency. Nyasha Nyakunu Research and Information Officer Media Institute of Southern Africa - Zimbabwe 84 McChlery Ave Eastlea P.O Box HR 8113 Harare Zimbabwe Tel: 263 4 776165 / 746838 misa(a)mweb.co.zw www.misazim.co.zw __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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My day with journalists……By Jose Ngunjiri
by Jose' 19 Apr '07

19 Apr '07

It was the first time for Kimathi Information Centre (KIC) to do a presentation at a panel of ICT stakeholders. I was still getting to know how things work around the meeting until the journalists sought to interview me. Working around journalists has made me become more cautious with what I say. I was interviewed by KBC and the first time is always shaky, you don’t know what to say or what not to. It went on well and we got valuable coverage. Thanks to Kictanet. After the forum, KDN (Kenya Data Networks) Pledged that they will help us network the six E-learning centres that we are planning to open. The big question is where are the resources to sustain all these? We are a group operating at the community level and we are under so much pressure from the neighboring communities to set up e-learning centres. Our growth is narrowed down by lack of resources. in as much as we have no money, we are approaching local banks for loans but the only collateral we have are computers and we have not made progress in securing loans. We are not afraid to get loans because we believe in what we are doing. Countries like Malaysia succeeded on commercial loans and through hard work they have reaped benefits. We will too. On March 24th, we organized a financing symposium that mainly addressed areas that require financing and how to approach financing institutions. Small Medium enterprise Solution centre (SSC) a World Bank affiliate attended the symposium and emphasized on starting small enterprises and on ways to access funds as the youth and the importance of building business capacity. More than 134 youth delegates were inspired to see Edith Adera from IDRC. Adera is KIC’s mentor and greatest supporter. Thanks for your support! Best Regards, Jose' Njuki-Imwe Ngunjiri || +254 722 336754 || __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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setting digital pace in Eastlands
by Rebecca Wanjiku 19 Apr '07

19 Apr '07

SETTING DIGITAL PACE IN EASTLANDS When Dr Bitange Ndemo, Information and Communication Permanent Secretary asked Collin Bruce and his team to visit Eastlands, everybody was eager. Eager because the PS had sang praises about Kimathi Information Centre (KIC) and how it had used Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) to uplift the lives of the youth in the area. As the PS and his team snaked through the streets of Maringo, Jerusalem, Bahati and Uhuru, the team of youth at KIC were putting final touches to the presentation. The KIC team is comprised of Catherine Atieno Agallo {21}, Jose Njuki-Imwe Ngunjiri {26} and Lillian Gloria Okumu {28). Before welcoming the visitors, the KIC team and the volunteers had to ensure that all the work due to the local schools has been delivered and any other pending jobs are finalized. This is their day to show what the youth can do. The PS has been so impressed by KIC’s digital innovation and integration to the community that every visitor to Ndemo’s office is referred to the centre for examples of how Kenya has embraced ICTs. Bruce, the World Bank country director was not disappointed at what he saw. He witnessed how the area youth had worked with meager resources to improve living conditions in the area. “We have received tremendous support from Dr. Ndemo. It has motivated us to keep exploring our potential,” said Ngunjiri. He was speaking at the Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) monthly forum, where innovators in ICTs showcase their achievements to other industry players as well as the public. So why was KIC started? According to Ngunjiri, they teamed up in December 2005 and decided to come up with innovative practical solutions to the problems of unemployed youth in the area. KIC serves Eastland’s community in Kimathi, Bahati, Jerusalem, Maringo and Uhuru. Apart from unemployment, the youth in the area lack of proper skills to search for jobs, lack job interview skills and some have been unable to secure attachment opportunities after university. Armed with their findings and suggested solutions, the trio approached Computer for Schools Kenya and the International Development Research Council (IDRC) seeking assistance. Impressed by the innovation, the two organizations donated 13 computers and agreed that the trio would train and equip the youth and the whole communities in the area. “I think they have done an excellent job that can be shared with others,” said Edith Adera from IDRC. Ngunjiri told KICTANet members how that partnership has improved ICT knowledge, reduced crime rate, unemployment and ignorance among the youth. “We have tried to ensure that the community owns the project, they give collective security and our equipment has never been stolen. The youth who would have been out mugging people is now working behind computers,” Ngunjiri added. KIC works with neighbouring schools to provide computer services if needed. For instance, at the end of the term, the teachers forward the scores for tallying and grading instead of doing it manually. “It is now easier and time saving for teachers to grade the students. Once they mark the exams, we send one volunteer to get the data, organise according to instructions then send back to the school. A minimal cost is charged,” said Ngunjiri. KIC has tried to integrate everybody into the project provided they show interest in learning. Those with skills they can share with others are encouraged to visit the centre and benefit the others. Working with university graduates, KIC goes beyond ICTs skills and teaches accounting and small business management skills to those aspiring to start businesses. Other services offered include- research and study centre, library centre through e-learning, data base centre for small business entrepreneurs, security pay point for Kimathi estate, networking centre, web design training for teenagers under the Mtandao Africa initiative. Out of the activities, the centre raises money to sustain itself and pay minimal wages to the workers. The priority now is to ensure the community fully embraces ICTs before they can pursue profits. To fulfill their social responsibility, Ngunjiri told KICTANet forum how KIC supports Shelter of Hope Centre- the local children’s home. The home houses sixty orphans in the neighboring Kiambiu slum. Because the space at KIC is limited, two trainers from the children’s home have been trained with the expectation that they will impart the orphans with ICT knowledge. Every Sunday, have a volunteer from KIC teaches 5 students from the children’s centre on computer packages and any advanced skills needed. The progress of KIC has not gone unnoticed by the corporate sector, Popote wireless gave thirty volunteers a chance market the company’s products. The library and research centre expects to train many students and enter competition for international awards including the Bill and Melinda gate Foundation Program. Ends Rebecca Wanjiku, journalist, p.o box 33515, Nairobi.00600 Kenya. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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media workshop
by Rebecca Wanjiku 19 Apr '07

19 Apr '07

Kictanet and Kenya ICT journalists network will be holding a workshop for journalists on April 26 at Jacaranda from 9 am to 1 pm, the workshop, addressing OFC, FOI and ICT bill the workshop is basic and we expect to hold further training in a month or two, if you are interested in attending, please confirm with me directly, regards becky __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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IT in rural schools
by Rebecca Wanjiku 19 Apr '07

19 Apr '07

TAKING IT TO RURAL SCHOOLS At the heart of Meru district, a dusty road leads to Ruiga girls’ school. It is a typical village school with no power and vehicles to the shopping centre operate only on market days. To access it, one needs prior information, if it rained; don’t bother visiting because the road is impassable. The school is two kilometers from the road with no public transport. Imagine this: the school has an integrated system that allows teachers to teach mathematics, chemistry, biology and physics using animated computer graphics and has an integrated system that allows parents to monitor students’ academic and disciplinary progress from the internet. The imagination can roll on to the classroom where the teachers use LCD projectors in place of black boards and exam past papers are available online. The assignments are forwarded via email and teachers, parents and students are in constant communication. Well, this is the dream that the headmistress of the school has dared to dream. The school is typical of many village schools but wants to be the pioneer of computer technology in the area. This school imposes itself as the testimony of the determination by Cyber School Technology Solutions (CSTS) of providing quality educational services to schools in Kenya- whether rural or urban. With no power and coming from a place where computers are still perceived as myths, CSTS is proving that all students can enjoy world-class teaching aids that enhance the learning environment. Fatma Bashir, chief marketing officer at CSTS narrated to ICT stakeholders gathered for the KICTANet forum how she has had to teach communities about benefits of computers before embarking on her mission to promote educational packages. “One time a headmistress of another school blocked us from entering the school because we were introducing ‘bad pictures through the internet’ to the students. I took time to explain to the teachers the benefits of computers in schools, and that we had good intentions,” Bashir told the forum. CSTS develops teaching resources, aligned to specific syllabi, featuring 3D animations. Each Unit within a Chapter apart from 3D animations contains 2D animations, visuals, charts, experiments and other reference materials required by teachers in a classroom environment. Today, Ruiga girls’ school has 220 students and 12 teachers. Granted the challenges, the school was ranked 18 out of 79 schools in 2006, up from 33rd position in the district in 2005, and according to Bashir, the students have demonstrated positive index improvement in sciences subjects after using the Digital Science products for barely 6 weeks before the final exams. This school epitomizes the desire by CSTS to bridge the infrastructure and digital divide and ensure that rural schools enjoy similar opportunities as those enjoyed by urban schools. Through the electronic teaching aids offered to schools, CSTS hopes to bridge the digital divide between rural and urban schools. This, Bashir argued, will lead to early familiarization with ICT for teachers and students alike. According to Bashir, CSTS hopes to qualitatively improve learning by conceptualizing more creatively and digitizing learning resources to help educators build better learning interventions. For the tough science subjects, CSTS hopes to make them fun by introducing new teaching aides in the subjects of Mathematics, Biology, Physics and Chemistry that animate and turn the subjects to life, making it easier to learn and recall. Standardizing the learning process thereby creating an equal opportunity for success for every student sitting the examination across the board. Digital Science is a revolutionary teaching aid because by using animated visuals, that brings to life the abstract concepts learning science has been made easier thus more interesting and readily understood by the students. “The interactivity built into these modules also gives students a feeling of hands-on experience. At the same time, it gives control to the teachers and students as the lessons follow syllabi of specific subjects while pace and explanations can match the level of the student,” said Bashir. In Physics, interactivity allows students to tweak parameters in situations and literally see how the system responds to the change. In short, the limitations of a school laboratory are overcome. For example, no school lab can show a nuclear reaction, but this is also shown in our modules. In Chemistry, using the virtual lab, students can conduct potentially hazardous experiments safely and without the expenditure of chemicals. Even dangerous experiments dealing with poisonous gases, etc. can be performed (students are warned adequately in such cases to prevent them from replicating it in reality). They can also repeat experiments over and over until they are familiar with the process in preparation for practical examinations, all this at the click of a button. In Biology, through animation of complex concepts students get to understand what they are being taught and can thus apply this not only in their lives but also while responding to examination questions. For example a process such as importance of diffusion in the human body, cell division during reproduction etc are visually depicted aiding the understanding and retention process required in the teaching and learning environment. CSTS has introduced a new technique of teaching mathematics. In Mathematics, when teaching about shapes, the animation shows the shapes in 3 dimension, thus attracting the students to get into the concept and learn it better and with self-interest. CSTS recognizes the necessity for educating students about HIV / AIDS appropriately and effectively, using the power of multimedia. The organization has developed innovative, original multimedia teaching tools, on CD ROM for HIV / AIDS education for children between the ages of 6 and 18. The content sophistication increases for higher age groups, covering the nature of viral infections and causes and effects of HIV / AIDS. Because this is a global problem with many mature themes, it is treated in a sensitive and flexible, non-judgmental manner to appeal to persons from different backgrounds. The lessons are created in a visually attractive style with cartoon characters giving the message in a manner which is easy to understand. This is followed by interactive exercises, quizzes, etc. to reinforce the learning process, evaluate what they have learnt, and show them how this knowledge can be applied in safe behavior to avoid HIV / AIDS. By Advocating the use of relevant ICT software in education CSTS hopes to improve learning processes of all students in Kenya as well as improve living standards. Ends Rebecca Wanjiku, journalist, p.o box 33515, Nairobi.00600 Kenya. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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kictanet monthly forum
by Rebecca Wanjiku 18 Apr '07

18 Apr '07

Kictanet will be holding the monthly forum on thursday next week (april 26) at 3pm Jacaranda, the forum will address e-learning issues to coincide with the e-learning conference to be held in Nairobi next month, there will be presentations from government on e-learning intiatives, we expect presentations about all the elements needed to complete the eLearning picture, there will be presentations from organisations working in software development as well as rural awareness, please plan to attend, regards becky __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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Time to rebuild the internet]
by alice 17 Apr '07

17 Apr '07

Others explore scrapping Internet By ANICK JESDANUN, AP Internet Writer Fri Apr 13, 11:04 PM ET NEW YORK - Although it has already taken nearly four decades to get this far in building the Internet, some university researchers with the federal government's blessing want to scrap all that and start over. The idea may seem unthinkable, even absurd, but many believe a "clean slate" approach is the only way to truly address security, mobility and other challenges that have cropped up since UCLA professor Leonard Kleinrock helped supervise the first exchange of meaningless test data between two machines on Sept. 2, 1969. The Internet "works well in many situations but was designed for completely different assumptions," said Dipankar Raychaudhuri, a Rutgers University professor overseeing three clean-slate projects. "It's sort of a miracle that it continues to work well today." No longer constrained by slow connections and computer processors and high costs for storage, researchers say the time has come to rethink the Internet's underlying architecture, a move that could mean replacing networking equipment and rewriting software on computers to better channel future traffic over the existing pipes. Even Vinton Cerf, one of the Internet's founding fathers as co- developer of the key communications techniques, said the exercise was "generally healthy" because the current technology "does not satisfy all needs." One challenge in any reconstruction, though, will be balancing the interests of various constituencies. The first time around, researchers were able to toil away in their labs quietly. Industry is playing a bigger role this time, and law enforcement is bound to make its needs for wiretapping known. There's no evidence they are meddling yet, but once any research looks promising, "a number of people (will) want to be in the drawing room," said Jonathan Zittrain, a law professor affiliated with Oxford and Harvard universities. "They'll be wearing coats and ties and spilling out of the venue." The National Science Foundation wants to build an experimental research network known as the Global Environment for Network Innovations, or GENI, and is funding several projects at universities and elsewhere through Future Internet Network Design, or FIND. Rutgers, Stanford, Princeton, Carnegie Mellon and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are among the universities pursuing individual projects. Other government agencies, including the Defense Department, have also been exploring the concept. The European Union has also backed research on such initiatives, through a program known as Future Internet Research and Experimentation, or FIRE. Government officials and researchers met last month in Zurich to discuss early findings and goals. A new network could run parallel with the current Internet and eventually replace it, or perhaps aspects of the research could go into a major overhaul of the existing architecture. These clean-slate efforts are still in their early stages, though, and aren't expected to bear fruit for another 10 or 15 years assuming Congress comes through with funding. Guru Parulkar, who will become executive director of Stanford's initiative after heading NSF's clean-slate programs, estimated that GENI alone could cost $350 million, while government, university and industry spending on the individual projects could collectively reach $300 million. Spending so far has been in the tens of millions of dollars. And it could take billions of dollars to replace all the software and hardware deep in the legacy systems. Clean-slate advocates say the cozy world of researchers in the 1970s and 1980s doesn't necessarily mesh with the realities and needs of the commercial Internet. "The network is now mission critical for too many people, when in the (early days) it was just experimental," Zittrain said. The Internet's early architects built the system on the principle of trust. Researchers largely knew one another, so they kept the shared network open and flexible qualities that proved key to its rapid growth. But spammers and hackers arrived as the network expanded and could roam freely because the Internet doesn't have built-in mechanisms for knowing with certainty who sent what. The network's designers also assumed that computers are in fixed locations and always connected. That's no longer the case with the proliferation of laptops, personal digital assistants and other mobile devices, all hopping from one wireless access point to another, losing their signals here and there. Engineers tacked on improvements to support mobility and improved security, but researchers say all that adds complexity, reduces performance and, in the case of security, amounts at most to bandages in a high-stakes game of cat and mouse. Workarounds for mobile devices "can work quite well if a small fraction of the traffic is of that type," but could overwhelm computer processors and create security holes when 90 percent or more of the traffic is mobile, said Nick McKeown, co-director of Stanford's clean-slate program. The Internet will continue to face new challenges as applications require guaranteed transmissions not the "best effort" approach that works better for e-mail and other tasks with less time sensitivity. Think of a doctor using teleconferencing to perform a surgery remotely, or a customer of an Internet-based phone service needing to make an emergency call. In such cases, even small delays in relaying data can be deadly. And one day, sensors of all sorts will likely be Internet capable. Rather than create workarounds each time, clean-slate researchers want to redesign the system to easily accommodate any future technologies, said Larry Peterson, chairman of computer science at Princeton and head of the planning group for the NSF's GENI. Even if the original designers had the benefit of hindsight, they might not have been able to incorporate these features from the get- go. Computers, for instance, were much slower then, possibly too weak for the computations needed for robust authentication. "We made decisions based on a very different technical landscape," said Bruce Davie, a fellow with network-equipment maker Cisco Systems Inc., which stands to gain from selling new products and incorporating research findings into its existing line. "Now, we have the ability to do all sorts of things at very high speeds," he said. "Why don't we start thinking about how we take advantage of those things and not be constrained by the current legacy we have?" Of course, a key question is how to make any transition and researchers are largely punting for now. "Let's try to define where we think we should end up, what we think the Internet should look like in 15 years' time, and only then would we decide the path," McKeown said. "We acknowledge it's going to be really hard but I think it will be a mistake to be deterred by that." Kleinrock, the Internet pioneer at UCLA, questioned the need for a transition at all, but said such efforts are useful for their out-of- the-box thinking. "A thing called GENI will almost surely not become the Internet, but pieces of it might fold into the Internet as it advances," he said. Think evolution, not revolution. Princeton already runs a smaller experimental network called PlanetLab, while Carnegie Mellon has a clean-slate project called 100 x 100. These days, Carnegie Mellon professor Hui Zhang said he no longer feels like "the outcast of the community" as a champion of clean- slate designs. Construction on GENI could start by 2010 and take about five years to complete. Once operational, it should have a decade-long lifespan. FIND, meanwhile, funded about two dozen projects last year and is evaluating a second round of grants for research that could ultimately be tested on GENI. These go beyond projects like Internet2 and National LambdaRail, both of which focus on next-generation needs for speed. Any redesign may incorporate mechanisms, known as virtualization, for multiple networks to operate over the same pipes, making further transitions much easier. Also possible are new structures for data packets and a replacement of Cerf's TCP/IP communications protocols. "Almost every assumption going into the current design of the Internet is open to reconsideration and challenge," said Parulkar, the NSF official heading to Stanford. "Researchers may come up with wild ideas and very innovative ideas that may not have a lot to do with the current Internet." ___ Associated Press Business Writer Aoife White in Brussels, Belgium, contributed to this report. ___ On the Net: Stanford program: http://cleanslate.stanford.edu <http://cleanslate.stanford.edu> Carnegie Mellon program: http://100x100network.org <http://100x100network.org> Rutgers program: http://orbit-lab.org <http://orbit-lab.org> NSF's GENI: http://geni.net <http://geni.net> __._,_.___ Messages in this topic <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DigAfrica/message/5866;_ylc=X3oDMTM0Z3V1b3BiB…> (1) Reply (via web post) <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DigAfrica/post;_ylc=X3oDMTJwNjNtMTd2BF9TAzk3M…> | Start a new topic <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DigAfrica/post;_ylc=X3oDMTJlNTJpc3E1BF9TAzk3M…> Messages <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DigAfrica/messages;_ylc=X3oDMTJlNmNoZ2ZtBF9TA…> | Links <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DigAfrica/links;_ylc=X3oDMTJmb3U4c2FqBF9TAzk3…> | Polls <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DigAfrica/polls;_ylc=X3oDMTJmMWVxdjc2BF9TAzk3…> | Calendar <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DigAfrica/calendar;_ylc=X3oDMTJkdWcyc2txBF9TA…> Dig Africa site welcomes you to join us at http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/Digafrica on IT in Africa Aids-Africa is a forum for communication and information on AIDS related issues in Africa and all are welcome to join us at http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/aids-africa Join us on hiv/aids forum on Kenya at http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/kenya-aids Join us at a Kenyan networking forum and NGOS at http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/kenyainternational Yahoo! 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East Africa Broadband Connectivity Workshop
by alice 17 Apr '07

17 Apr '07

*East Africa** Broadband Connectivity Workshop* The Global Digital Freedom Institute (GDFI), inveneo, and balancing act in cooperation with the United States’ Digital Freedom Initiative (DFI), are pleased to invite you to join colleagues from telecommunications ministries, the information and communications technology (ICT) industries and non-profit communities, to participate in a roundtable discussion about ways of accelerating deployment of high-speed broadband networks in Eastern Africa. The discussion will take place on Thursday, May 10 at the Hotel des Mille Collines, in Kigali, Rwanda beginning at 8:00 am and ending at 5:00pm. It will immediately follow a two day *East Africa Regional Broadband Workshop** **that** *the U.S. Digital Freedom Initiative, under the leadership of Ambassador David A. Gross, will be holding on May 8-9 with Telecommunications Ministers and private/academic sector leaders from Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. The ministerial-level DFI Workshop will examine potential models and produce a road map for expanding broadband connectivity in East Africa. The follow-up, roundtable discussion on May 10 will delve more deeply into the issues and further refine policy and infrastructure build-out options identified during the preceding two-day DFI workshop. These will include but not necessarily be limited to the following three tasks: · Examining specific steps that ICT businesses and governments in East Africa could take to remove or relax impediments to broadband deployment. · Discussing the feasibility of implementing the policy and infrastructure options developed during the two-day workshop and suggesting enhancements where necessary. · Focusing on connecting universities in the region and building on the work that has already been accomplished. We hope you will view this meeting as an opportunity to positively influence the deployment of broadband networks and applications throughout East Africa, and we very much hope that you will join us in this effort. *Please RSVP by May 1 by e-mail to gmccoy(a)gdfi.org <mailto:gmccoy@gdfi.org>. *

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Freedom of Information Policy
by bitange＠jambo.co.ke 17 Apr '07

17 Apr '07

Dear Joee, Teams shall be partly owned by the GOK. We are now ready to talk to investors who will take up to 40% equity. Our partners, Etisalat will take up 20%. We welcome seacom as redudancy and possibly buy some capacity from them to Europe. Our model is drastically different from Seacom in the sense that ours is a means to an end. Our cost to the consumer will depend on what our competitors, that is, India and the Philipines charge their consumers. If they charge $200 per MB, that is what we shall charge our consumers. We will still have a good return on investment. I do not know who "Heracles" is although I have met Brian Hilehy several times in his capacity as Blackstone Group's represantative. Regards Ndemo. ---------------------------------------------- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is believed to be clean. --------------------------------------------- "easy access to the world"

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African Banking Technology Conference
by Sean Moroney 17 Apr '07

17 Apr '07

Dear Colleagues, I wanted to invite Kictanet members to participate in our Banking Technology Conference by taking advantage of the 20 free delegate spaces we allocate for members at each of our Kenya events. The full programme is available on our web site. Please notify Judy if you would like to apply for a free registration. I look forward to seeing Kictanet members there - and to having your active participation in the discussions. Best regards, Sean Sean Moroney Chairman AITEC Africa <mailto:seanm@aitecafrica.com> seanm(a)aitecafrica.com UK Tel: +44-(0)1480-880774 UK Fax: +44-(0)1480-880765 UK Mobile: +44(0)7973-499224 Kenya Mobile: +254(0)721-845674 Nigeria Mobile: +234(0)802--0571766 SA Mobile: +27(0)72-610-7153 Skype: seanmoroney <http://www.aitecafrica.com/> www.aitecafrica.com

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flashback.... OFC debate
by Rebecca Wanjiku 17 Apr '07

17 Apr '07

hi, here are some issues raised during the OFC discussion, a full report will be uploaded once the site becomes fully operational.... KICTANET facilitates OFC debate “The government is only facilitating, the owners of the Optic Fibre Cable (OFC) will be the private sector,” said Bitange Ndemo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communication. “Governments must design and implement regulation based on the needs of a particular country and its peculiar historical or other circumstances, of course tending towards best practices,” said Joseph Kihanya, a lawyer. “Will all this fibre talk translate to real consumer cost savings or are they just the usual public marketing of the wonderful world to come?” asked Alex Gakuru These are some of the comments that came out of the two week online discussion on the OFC facilitated by KICTANET. The online forum was calculated to encourage stakeholder input to the OFC debate, analyze the advantages and the concerns of the various sectors. There were contributions from government, private sector as well as academia. The discussions were divided into five themes; Why OFC?, existing business models for OFC provisioning, existing/appropriate regulatory models for OFC, best model (business and regulatory) for East African, projected impact on stakeholders, reconciling stakeholder Why OFC? OFC has been described as the solution to high cost of international Bandwidth. According to Information and Communication minister, Kenya will be in a position to attract ICT business and compete with countries like India, once the cable is in place. Once the whole country is linked via a backbone, then rural areas can conduct business online locally and internationally. For instance, the coffee societies licensed to market their coffee can easily sell their coffee directly without coming to Nairobi or other major towns. In the region, OFC will make easier and cheaper to communicate and share information. Uganda and Ethiopia have already laid their cable, expected to connect through Kenya to the world. With the backbone, the banks and other regional businesses can use the same network for transactions. Existing Business Models Three models persisted throughout the discussion, namely, Open Access (EASSy), Private-led (Flag), and the Consortium models. There was lively discussion about separation of Cable ownership from Cable Management which fits squarely with the Open Access thinking, whereby, the investors in the cable (Govt, Public, Private Companies) appoint an independent management agent (at a fee) to operate the cable on their behalf on a cost-recovery, open access basis. I.e. open to current and future operators wishing to connect to the landing points or invest further in the cable on equal basis. In this case, the cable becomes an essential service or public good, from where operators can compete to offer (other) services at a Profit. Flag- a Private Investment initiative has a variant model where the cable is –privately owned but promises to open access to the landing points - but aims to maximize returns on the investments made on the cable infrastructure by reselling capacity at market rates. They also aim to play only at the infrastructure level, rather than at all levels, namely Infrastructure (cable) and services (network and application), opting to leave that to ISPs and ASP (Application Service Providers). The consortium model was not heavily advocated for but there were suggestions that it can operate if commercial interest are let loose to play dynamically with the market forces. The consortium model is where a group of operators get into a private, closed,Commercial agreement to build, own and operate a submarine cable with aim of maximizing their returns (profit) in the shortest time possible. The question of short term investors has been a bone of contention with arguments that in the end, consumers suffer once investors get their profits and pull out. The short-term interests of investors must be balanced against the long-term social benefits that would accrue from an affordable bandwidth provisions. Discussants asked for the regulator should flex their muscle once the OFC is laid-out. The major financing option was by way Initial Public Offer (IPO) other financing models (Equity, Debt, etc) were not thoroughly discussed. Existing/appropriate regulatory models The overriding argument was that the government should relax its oversight role to allow business to operate with some elasticity. In this relaxed role, the government would maintain the role of regulator e.g. the way governments of other fledging economies such as South Africa, Singapore and Malaysia maintain a subtle oversight role. However, the role of government as the regulatory authority was underscored as the balance between investor interests and the consumers. Why is regulation in telecommunications important?It authorizes new operators, removes barriers to entry, mandates interconnection between players, and oversees the penetration of services in areas that commercial imperatives would not allow or pursue because of minimal profits. Transparent telecommunications will regulate mainly by promoting efficient supply of services, providing an enabling environment for the maintenance of efficient pricing, Protect consumer rights/privacy rights and facilitate interconnection thereby efficient use of communication services. Deregulation was discussed as a theme that is in play in most countries that have achieved above optimal competitive markets. The case of the UK under the Communications Act 2003 was given as an example. Though there is no direct call for deregulation in the draft ICT bill CCK was suggested as a proper authority that could maintaining industry specific competition principles and statutes for the telecommunication sector. Regulation for the OFC may be through the competition framework under the CA (1998) or the ICT bill (2006). Complete lack of regulation may therefore not be an option given the circumstances.The WTO and the ITU also anticipate regulatory oversight given the various international documents that Kenya is signatory to. Projected impact of OFC It was unanimous the OFC will boost connectivity and lower the cost of bandwidth. With faster internet, it will be easier to carry voice, data and images via internet protocol. The issue of local content raised great concern with arguments that Kenya imports 99 % of the content. The implication will mean that people will have to develop content that suits them instead of copying what is already available elsewhere. With local content, the internet industry will employ more people to keep updating the content as well as offer services and goods via the internet. It was felt that regardless of the OFC that will be adopted, benefits might not be maximized due to prevailing market structures. Roland Alden (2006) argues that our current market (regulatory) structures have not adapted to the realities of a converged market and therefore continue to constrain the potential benefits that OFC may bring about. In his extensive writing on telecommunications, Roland contends that networks require capital investment, customers who can support that investment, and a clear regulatory environment that is not disruptive or counterproductive. In Kenya, all three inputs have been in short supply. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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four players in the cable
by Rebecca Wanjiku 17 Apr '07

17 Apr '07

FOUR PLAYERS IN THE CABLE Its now official, another company- Harakles Telecom LLC has commissioned Tyco to survey the 13,000km East and South African coast. Herakles awarded the SEACOM marine survey to Tyco Telecommunications of USA. The survey commences the development of the undersea fiber optic network which will provide high capacity bandwidth connectivity between South Africa, Madagascar, Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya, India and Europe. SEACOM becomes the fourth entrant to the scene with questions being raised on whether the costs will come down and the time its likely to take before we get the cable. In February, the government said the cost of international broadband is set to drastically reduce within 18 months after it confirmed it is ready to adopt three different under sea cables provided through various routes. Bitange Ndemo, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Information and Communication said that Kenya was taking a three pronged approach calculated to reduce the cost of international connectivity. Priority is given to the East African Marine System (Teams) the fibre optic cable link to Fujairah in the UAE. “The lead arranger will take over the private/public TEAMS project and will be in charge of financial sourcing. We expect to be done within 18 months,” said Ndemo. Under the Teams agreement, the Kenya Government will have a 40 per cent holding in the project, Etisalat of UAE will hold 20% and the remaining 40% will go to investors in the East African region. The Government has said it will organise an Initial Public Offer (IPO) on the Kenyan Stock Exchange. According to John Waweru, Director General at the Communication Commission of Kenya, the Teams project is expected to recover the costs within three years. Kenya is still pursuing the controversial East African Submarine Cable System (EASSy) an initiative aimed at constructing and operating a submarine fiber optic cable along the East African Coast. EASSy will connect nine coastal countries and island nations and to the rest of the world. The route will be from South Africa to Port Sudan, covering over 9,000 km, connecting Djibouti, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan and Tanzania (including Zanzibar). Thirty-two leading telecommunications operators from East and Southern Africa signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in December 2003 to carry out the construction and maintenance of EASSy. But the project was dogged by controversy over whether NEPAD should take the overall leadership or the leadership should be led by the private sector. Terrestrial backbone networks are also being built in separate developments to link all capitals and major cities in Eastern and Southern Africa to the EASSy cable and the international backbone system. The third international fibre project is fronted by Kenya Data Network (KDN) and which has now signed its contract with Flag Telecom. KDN will link from Mombasa and terminate in an undersea junction in international waters off of the Yemen. KDN says the link will be fully operational in the first quarter of 2008, just 15 months away. KDN also stresses that its landing station at Mombasa will allow other carriers to co-locate therefore charging only electricity and services at cost. According to the PS, the three options are meant to make Kenya competitive in provision of international broadband. Ndemo underscored the need for the country to compete internationally and attract international businesses. He argued that the broadband purchased by international businessmen at a cost of USD 200 costs USD 7,500 in Kenya, therefore ruling the country out as an internet investment destination. SEACOM now gives industry players a chance to evaluate whether any of the operators will lay the cable, then the debate can start over its efficacy. Ends __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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ICT law or none???
by Rebecca Wanjiku 16 Apr '07

16 Apr '07

STILL WAITING FOR ICT LAW It has been a long wait for an ICT Act, and there is no immediate sign that the wait is over. Though the draft policy was presented to the cabinet by Attorney General Amos Wako, it is yet to be published in the Kenya gazette. If the draft is published in the gazette, then there can be a chance it will be presented to parliament for debate before end of this year. Though the AG’s office claims to be attending to the bill together with others pending, the challenge is how to harmonize the draft bill to be in tandem with the Communications Act (1998). Wako’s office is debating whether to come up with a separate ICT Act or to repeal the communications Act to incorporate the draft bill. Lawyer Paul Mwangi, who has been following developments of the draft policy, says that the AG can come up with a new Act so long as it does not contradict the Communications Act. “The draft bill can be published and presented to parliament then they can decide whether to enact an ICT Act or to come up with a more comprehensive Act by repealing the Communications Act and,” says Mwangi. Mwangi argues that the excuses by the AG are about convenience, and nothing substantial. He adds that it is just a matter of codifying the law, and that can come up with another Act and they will still be applicable. Lawyer Joseph Kihanya agrees that Bills can be debated and passed to repeal Acts in force. “Why this cannot be done with the Communications Act (1998) I can not tell,” says Kihanya. Kihanya adds that Telecommunications law demands that the laws be consolidated into one statute. He illustrates this by quoting the UK Communications Act 2003 which was consolidated into one statute that deals with every aspect of ICTs. The UK Communications Act (2003) deals with issues ranging from regulations, media ownership and control, internet, ecommerce to the relationship between the ministry and the British Broadcasting Corporation. The UK CA (2003) is divided into parts that exhaust legislation relation to the field for instance, part 5 deals with competition in communications market. Under this part, there are chapters guiding on functions of the ministry according to the law, and media mergers, detailing how they should be carried out. The Kenya ICT draft bill is a product of the Economic Recovery Strategy for Wealth and Employment Creation (2003-2007) and was developed by the Ministry of Information & Communications in January 2006. According to the ministry of Information and Communication website, the ICT draft bill is seeking to encourage sustained economic growth and poverty reduction, promote social justice and equity, mainstream gender in national development, empower youth and disadvantaged groups, stimulate investment and innovation in ICT, and achieve universal access. The draft bill addresses market structure, policy objectives and targets, implementation strategies, universal access, and the institutional framework of information technology (IT), broadcasting, telecommunications, radio frequency spectrum, and postal services. But some stakeholders in the ICT industry feel that some amendments should be made to the draft before it is presented for debate. Media owners feel that the draft has not adequately addressed their concerns and instead has come up with draconian measures regarding media ownership. Ends __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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Kictanet events
by Rebecca Wanjiku 16 Apr '07

16 Apr '07

April 26: One day workshop for journalists, April 26: Kictanet monthly furum May 17: KICTANet monthly forum June 14: KICTANet Monthly forum July12: KICTANet Monthly forum August 9: KICTANet monthly forum August (TBC) KICTANet launch Strategic plan, website, Institutional Assessment report and Positioning for the future study September 13: KICTANet Monthly forum October 11: KICTANet monthly forum November 8: KICTANet monthly forum December 20: KICTANet Monthly forum __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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newsletter articles
by Rebecca Wanjiku 16 Apr '07

16 Apr '07

Editor’s note Welcome to the first issue of the KICTANET newsletter. The newsletter will be a forum for members to share views and get updates on the happenings in the ICT industry. This month, the focus is on the Optic Fibre Cable (OFC), a summary of the online discussion and some background information on the three cables that Kenya is pursuing. The articles give some of the suggestions made relating to the regulation as well as legal aspects in the OFC business. Focusing on the ICT draft bill, there are opposing views on how the Attorney General should react- a separate ICT Act or to repeal the Communications Act (1998) and replace it with a more detailed and exhaustive Act. It is proving to be a convoluted debate which KICTANET hopes to keep updating. Remember to update your calendar on all ICT related events, the newsletter will feature upcoming events but members can also contribute to this by writing to KICTANET. Because it is the inaugural issue, KICTANET is counting on you to read and give feedback on the newsletter. Members are invited to forward suggestions on what should be the title of the newsletter. Write to: alice(a)apc.org __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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Fwd: [Idlelo2] Google and East african Universities
by Judy Okite 16 Apr '07

16 Apr '07

This really looks good ! ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Dapo Ladimeji <dapo(a)ladimeji.co.uk> Date: Mon, 09 Apr 2007 16:04:08 +0100 Subject: [Idlelo2] Google and East african Universities To: idlelo2(a)fossfa.net East African universities to gain from web tools deal The deal will give more students access to communication technologies Kimani Chege 26 March 2007 Source: SciDev.Net [NAIROBI] A software deal signed between universities in East Africa and the US-based internet giant Google will improve access to web-based communications for staff and students. Under the deal, Rwanda's government ministries and three Rwandan universities — the National University of Rwanda, the Kigali Institute for Education and the Kigali Institute for Science and Technology — as well as Kenya's University of Nairobi (UoN) will have free access to Google Apps. The applications include email, shared calendars, instant messaging and word processing software, along with the associated support services provided by the corporation. The deal, signed last week (19 March), looks set to improve internal communications at UoN and facilitate research, particularly for studies undertaken in remote areas. The head of information and communication technology at UoN, Elijah Omwenga, says the email application Gmail will be particularly useful in reducing the bandwidth required for internal communications by its 50,000 students and staff. He told SciDev.Net that the institution was facing major challenges in acquiring enough bandwidth. "This means our students and staff can access mail from the campuses as well as from outside. This will facilitate communicating all research, even when it is being done in remote areas," said Omwenga. However, he called for Google to come up with specific details of the offer, so that Google and the UoN can develop research schemes geared towards Africa's needs — such as developing software in local languages and making it more relevant to the local audience. About 20,000 users in Rwanda will have access to Google Apps in the first phase. This will be followed by a broader countrywide introduction. Students at UoN will be the first to use Google Apps in Kenya. Software access will then be extended to 150,000 Kenyan students at universities across the country. A Google spokesperson told the International Data Group News Service, "We are exploring other opportunities in both countries, and throughout the region as well." *Related SciDev.Net articles:* Zambia announces ICT training centre for scientists <http://www.scidev.net/News/index.cfm?fuseaction=readNews&itemid=3453&langua…> Web 2.0 can benefit the world's poor <http://www.scidev.net/Opinions/index.cfm?fuseaction=readOpinions&itemid=572…> ICT for development: hope or hype? <http://www.scidev.net/Opinions/index.cfm?fuseaction=readOpinions&itemid=537…> *Related links:* University of Nairobi <http://www.uonbi.ac.ke> National University of Rwanda <http://www.nur.ac.rw/> *Photo Credit:* SciDev.Net/Tonks *Dossiers:* Technology Transfer <http://www.scidev.net/dossiers/index.cfm?fuseaction=dossierItem&Dossier=12> Back to news <http://www.scidev.net/news/> To the top <http://www.scidev.net/News/index.cfm?fuseaction=readNews&itemid=3508&langua…> Print Format <http://www.scidev.net/news/index.cfm?fuseaction=printarticle&itemid=3508&la…> Email Article <javascript:emaillink()> Comment <javascript:comments()> Regional Gateways World Map * Latin America <http://www.scidev.net/latinamerica/> * Sub-saharan Africa <http://www.scidev.net/africa/> * Middle-East & North Africa <http://www.scidev.net/middleeast/> * South Asia <http://www.scidev.net/sasia/> * China <http://www.scidev.net/china/> * South-East Asia <http://www.scidev.net/seasia/> Dossiers * Agri-Biotech <http://www.scidev.net/agribiotech/> * Biodiversity <http://www.scidev.net/biodiversity/> * Bird Flu <http://www.scidev.net/birdflu/> * Brain Drain <http://www.scidev.net/braindrain/> * Climate Change <http://www.scidev.net/climate/> * Desert Science <http://www.scidev.net/desertscience/> * Ethics of Research <http://www.scidev.net/ethics/> * HIV/AIDS <http://www.scidev.net/hiv/> * Indigenous Knowledge <http://www.scidev.net/indigenous/> * Intellectual Property <http://www.scidev.net/ipr/> * Malaria <http://www.scidev.net/malaria/> * Research and Development <http://www.scidev.net/randd/> * Technology Transfer <http://www.scidev.net/techtransfer/> Quick Guides * Genomics <http://www.scidev.net/genomics/> * Nanotechnology <http://www.scidev.net/nanotechnology/> * Science Publishing <http://www.scidev.net/sciencepublishing/> FREE SciDev.Net Newsfeed *Would you like to carry SciDev.Net stories on your website? We offer a constantly-updated 'newsfeed' featuring our top three news items. To find out more, click **here* <http://www.scidev.net/index.cfm?fuseaction=subpages&root=aboutthissite&page…> Book Reviews Read SciDev.Net's selection of book reviews <http://www.scidev.net/bookreviews/> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -- CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE This e-mail including any attachments may contain confidential and/or privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient you should not use the contents or disclose them to any other person. Unauthorised recipients are requested to preserve this confidentiality and to advise the sender immediately of any error in transmission. Ladimeji & Co, Chartered Accountants & Chartered Tax Advisers, Springfield House, 23 Oatlands Drive Weybridge KT13 9LZ TEL; +44-207-096-1811 FAX: +44 207-900-3574 -- Judy Ann Okite, +254-721237507,+254-734252336 P.O. BOX 2228 00100, NAIROBI,KENYA. "Even if you are on the right track, you'll still get run over if you just sit there."

6 9

CCK Internet Market Study - Looking for PDF copy.
by John Walubengo 13 Apr '07

13 Apr '07

I note the above has now been uploaded at http://www.cck.go.ke/internet_market_study/ However, am looking for a PDF copy for the same. I realise that my mind is hard-wired to read 'offline' rather than 'online' when i get into serious analysis. walu. nb: maybe CCK could upload a PDF version as well? ____________________________________________________________________________________ Get your own web address. Have a HUGE year through Yahoo! Small Business. http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/domains/?p=BESTDEAL

4 3

Re: [kictanet] kictanet Digest, Vol 26, Issue 24
by Joan Walumbe 13 Apr '07

13 Apr '07

Thanks Simret. Joan ----- Original Message ----- From: <kictanet-request(a)kictanet.or.ke> To: "Joan" <jwalumbe(a)globalnetcorps.org> Sent: Friday, April 13, 2007 11:19 AM Subject: kictanet Digest, Vol 26, Issue 24 > Send kictanet mailing list submissions to > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > kictanet-request(a)kictanet.or.ke > > You can reach the person managing the list at > kictanet-owner(a)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: CCK Internet Market Study - Looking for PDF copy. > (Alex Gakuru) > 2. Re: CCK Internet Market Study - Looking for PDF copy. > (Odhiambo WASHINGTON) > 3. Fwd: [ke-internetusers] User Privacy (deliberately?) > Compromised (Alex Gakuru) > 4. Fwd: [ke-internetusers] User Privacy (deliberately?) > Compromised (Alex Gakuru) > ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >

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Fwd: [ke-internetusers] User Privacy (deliberately?) Compromised
by Alex Gakuru 13 Apr '07

13 Apr '07

I need user opinion on this issue. Could you kindly spare some time and comment either on or off line? TIA Alex Gakuru <gakuru(a)gmail.com> wrote: Date: Fri, 13 Apr 2007 09:27:47 +0300 From: "Alex Gakuru" <gakuru(a)gmail.com> To: ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net Subject: [ke-internetusers] User Privacy (deliberately?) Compromised *** Any comments*** Identity Management Systems invade individual's privacy. Interception of communication, lawful or otherwise, is primarily used to gain "informed advantage" and fore-warn law enforcement agencies to protect everyone, commercial espionage, Intellectual property thefts, or sheer mischief, such as embarrassing an online user, among others. "Private censorship" is a far bigger and real problem that government censorship considering technology users served by state-owned Telkom. Privacy has never been a bigger issue that it is today. For example, with 8 million subscribers but only 2.7 million internet users in Kenya, how, if, when, and where did 7 million pre-paid subscribers ever read website-posted terms of service? These terms are repeated in broadcast advertisements as "terms and conditions apply" Celtel appears not to bother posting their terms of service but several interesting clauses can be read at Safaricom's pre-paid "contract" at . [Safaricom Pre-paid users "contract"] f) Please note that the confidentiality of your communications via our Network is not guaranteed. You are advised that for reasons beyond our control, there is a risk that your communications may be unlawfully intercepted or accessed by those other than the intended recipient. We cannot accept any liability for any loss, injury or damage whether direct or consequential arising out of any such compromise of confidentiality; g) You accept that we may disclose and/or receive and/or record any details of your use of the Services including but not limited to your calls, emails, SMS's, data, your personal information or documents obtained from you for the purposes below: i. Fraud prevention and law enforcement; ii. For reasonable commercial purposes connected to your use of the mobile service, such as marketing and research related activities; iii. Use in our telephone directory enquiry service in printed or electronic format; iv. To comply with any legal, governmental or regulatory requirement; v. Our lawyers in connection with any legal proceedings; vi. In business practices including but not limited to quality control, training and ensuring effective systems operation. h) You must comply with any instructions that we may give you from time to time about the use of the Services; i) The maximum call duration for any one single call made using the Services is approximately sixty (60) minutes. j) With the exception of calls made to our Customer Service Hotline numbers and to any other designated toll free numbers, a variable minimum network access credit requirement shall be applied and shall depend on the Tariff used by the Customer. 2 . 3. ACCEPTANCE AND COMMENCEMENT OF CONDITIONS OF USE You are deemed to have accepted these Conditions of Use as amended from time to time and which take effect:- (a) Upon the Re-charge of your account at any time with any amount using the designated recharge voucher or using any other approved means of Re-charge ; or (b) Upon your use of our Services or upon you accessing our Network at any time; or (c) Upon the initial activation of your SIM Card.3 The EU has perhaps more protection for privacy than in the U.S. The Data Protection Directive of 1995 prohibits sharing of information with any nation that does provide adequate protection for personal data. In 1999 the U.S. Dept. of Commerce worked out a safe harbor regulation that has so far satisfied the EU. FTC (US) has led govt. action to protect consumer privacy. FTC thinks that web sites should adhere to the Five Fair Information Principles: 1. Notice/Awarenessright to be notified if someone is collecting information about you 2. Choice/Consentright to opt out of having information about you collected 3. Access/Participationright to see files collected about you and right to offer corrections 4. Integrity/Securityright to have personal files collected about you be secure 5. Enforcement/Redressright to sue if any of the first four FIPs are violated ------- [How Stuff Works] by Jeff Tyson Carnivorous Evolution Carnivore was the third generation of online-detection software used by the FBI. While information about the first version has never been disclosed, many believe that it was actually a readily available commercial program called Etherpeek. In 1997, the FBI deployed the second generation program, Omnivore. According to information released by the FBI, Omnivore was designed to look through e-mail traffic travelling over a specific Internet service provider (ISP) and capture the e-mail from a targeted source, saving it to a tape-backup drive or printing it in real-time. Omnivore was retired in late 1999 in favor of a more comprehensive system, the DragonWare Suite, which allowed the FBI to reconstruct e-mail messages, downloaded files or even Web pages. DragonWare contained three parts: * Carnivore - A Windows NT/2000-based system that captures the information * Packeteer - No official information released, but presumably an application for reassembling packets into cohesive messages or Web pages * Coolminer - No official information released, but presumably an application for extrapolating and analyzing data found in the messages As you can see, officials never released much information about the DragonWare Suite, nothing about Packeteer and Coolminer and very little detailed information about Carnivore. But we do know that Carnivore was basically a packet sniffer, a technology that is quite common and has been around for a while. Packet Sniffing Computer network administrators have used packet sniffers for years to monitor their networks and perform diagnostic tests or troubleshoot problems. Essentially, a packet sniffer is a program that can see all of the information passing over the network it is connected to. As data streams back and forth on the network, the program looks at, or "sniffs," each packet. Normally, a computer only looks at packets addressed to it and ignores the rest of the traffic on the network. When a packet sniffer is set up on a computer, the sniffer's network interface is set to promiscuous mode. This means that it is looking at everything that comes through. The amount of traffic largely depends on the location of the computer in the network. A client system out on an isolated branch of the network sees only a small segment of the network traffic, while the main domain server sees almost all of it. A packet sniffer can usually be set up in one of two ways: * Unfiltered - Captures all of the packets * Filtered - Captures only those packets containing specific data elements Packets that contain targeted data are copied as they pass through. The program stores the copies in memory or on a hard drive, depending on the program's configuration. These copies can then be analyzed carefully for specific information or patterns. When you connect to the Internet, you are joining a network maintained by your ISP. The ISP's network communicates with other networks maintained by other ISPs to form the foundation of the Internet. A packet sniffer located at one of the servers of your ISP would potentially be able to monitor all of your online activities, such as: * Which Web sites you visit * What you look at on the site * Whom you send e-mail to * What's in the e-mail you send * What you download from a site * What streaming events you use, such as audio, video and Internet telephony * Who visits your site (if you have a Web site) In fact, many ISPs use packet sniffers as diagnostic tools. Also, a lot of ISPs maintain copies of data, such as e-mail, as part of their back-up systems. Carnivore and its sister programs were a controversial step forward for the FBI, but they were not new technology. ---- Alex Gakuru _______________________________________________ ke-internetusers mailing list ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net http://www.bdix.net/mailman/listinfo/ke-internetusers --------------------------------- Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell? Check outnew cars at Yahoo! Autos.

1 0

Fwd: [ke-internetusers] User Privacy (deliberately?) Compromised
by Alex Gakuru 13 Apr '07

13 Apr '07

I need user opinion on this issue. Could you kindly spare some time and comment either on or off line? TIA Alex Gakuru <gakuru(a)gmail.com> wrote: Date: Fri, 13 Apr 2007 09:27:47 +0300 From: "Alex Gakuru" <gakuru(a)gmail.com> To: ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net Subject: [ke-internetusers] User Privacy (deliberately?) Compromised *** Any comments*** Identity Management Systems invade individual's privacy. Interception of communication, lawful or otherwise, is primarily used to gain "informed advantage" and fore-warn law enforcement agencies to protect everyone, commercial espionage, Intellectual property thefts, or sheer mischief, such as embarrassing an online user, among others. "Private censorship" is a far bigger and real problem that government censorship considering technology users served by state-owned Telkom. Privacy has never been a bigger issue that it is today. For example, with 8 million subscribers but only 2.7 million internet users in Kenya, how, if, when, and where did 7 million pre-paid subscribers ever read website-posted terms of service? These terms are repeated in broadcast advertisements as "terms and conditions apply" Celtel appears not to bother posting their terms of service but several interesting clauses can be read at Safaricom's pre-paid "contract" at . [Safaricom Pre-paid users "contract"] f) Please note that the confidentiality of your communications via our Network is not guaranteed. You are advised that for reasons beyond our control, there is a risk that your communications may be unlawfully intercepted or accessed by those other than the intended recipient. We cannot accept any liability for any loss, injury or damage whether direct or consequential arising out of any such compromise of confidentiality; g) You accept that we may disclose and/or receive and/or record any details of your use of the Services including but not limited to your calls, emails, SMS's, data, your personal information or documents obtained from you for the purposes below: i. Fraud prevention and law enforcement; ii. For reasonable commercial purposes connected to your use of the mobile service, such as marketing and research related activities; iii. Use in our telephone directory enquiry service in printed or electronic format; iv. To comply with any legal, governmental or regulatory requirement; v. Our lawyers in connection with any legal proceedings; vi. In business practices including but not limited to quality control, training and ensuring effective systems operation. h) You must comply with any instructions that we may give you from time to time about the use of the Services; i) The maximum call duration for any one single call made using the Services is approximately sixty (60) minutes. j) With the exception of calls made to our Customer Service Hotline numbers and to any other designated toll free numbers, a variable minimum network access credit requirement shall be applied and shall depend on the Tariff used by the Customer. 2 . 3. ACCEPTANCE AND COMMENCEMENT OF CONDITIONS OF USE You are deemed to have accepted these Conditions of Use as amended from time to time and which take effect:- (a) Upon the Re-charge of your account at any time with any amount using the designated recharge voucher or using any other approved means of Re-charge ; or (b) Upon your use of our Services or upon you accessing our Network at any time; or (c) Upon the initial activation of your SIM Card.3 The EU has perhaps more protection for privacy than in the U.S. The Data Protection Directive of 1995 prohibits sharing of information with any nation that does provide adequate protection for personal data. In 1999 the U.S. Dept. of Commerce worked out a safe harbor regulation that has so far satisfied the EU. FTC (US) has led govt. action to protect consumer privacy. FTC thinks that web sites should adhere to the Five Fair Information Principles: 1. Notice/Awarenessright to be notified if someone is collecting information about you 2. Choice/Consentright to opt out of having information about you collected 3. Access/Participationright to see files collected about you and right to offer corrections 4. Integrity/Securityright to have personal files collected about you be secure 5. Enforcement/Redressright to sue if any of the first four FIPs are violated ------- [How Stuff Works] by Jeff Tyson Carnivorous Evolution Carnivore was the third generation of online-detection software used by the FBI. While information about the first version has never been disclosed, many believe that it was actually a readily available commercial program called Etherpeek. In 1997, the FBI deployed the second generation program, Omnivore. According to information released by the FBI, Omnivore was designed to look through e-mail traffic travelling over a specific Internet service provider (ISP) and capture the e-mail from a targeted source, saving it to a tape-backup drive or printing it in real-time. Omnivore was retired in late 1999 in favor of a more comprehensive system, the DragonWare Suite, which allowed the FBI to reconstruct e-mail messages, downloaded files or even Web pages. DragonWare contained three parts: * Carnivore - A Windows NT/2000-based system that captures the information * Packeteer - No official information released, but presumably an application for reassembling packets into cohesive messages or Web pages * Coolminer - No official information released, but presumably an application for extrapolating and analyzing data found in the messages As you can see, officials never released much information about the DragonWare Suite, nothing about Packeteer and Coolminer and very little detailed information about Carnivore. But we do know that Carnivore was basically a packet sniffer, a technology that is quite common and has been around for a while. Packet Sniffing Computer network administrators have used packet sniffers for years to monitor their networks and perform diagnostic tests or troubleshoot problems. Essentially, a packet sniffer is a program that can see all of the information passing over the network it is connected to. As data streams back and forth on the network, the program looks at, or "sniffs," each packet. Normally, a computer only looks at packets addressed to it and ignores the rest of the traffic on the network. When a packet sniffer is set up on a computer, the sniffer's network interface is set to promiscuous mode. This means that it is looking at everything that comes through. The amount of traffic largely depends on the location of the computer in the network. A client system out on an isolated branch of the network sees only a small segment of the network traffic, while the main domain server sees almost all of it. A packet sniffer can usually be set up in one of two ways: * Unfiltered - Captures all of the packets * Filtered - Captures only those packets containing specific data elements Packets that contain targeted data are copied as they pass through. The program stores the copies in memory or on a hard drive, depending on the program's configuration. These copies can then be analyzed carefully for specific information or patterns. When you connect to the Internet, you are joining a network maintained by your ISP. The ISP's network communicates with other networks maintained by other ISPs to form the foundation of the Internet. A packet sniffer located at one of the servers of your ISP would potentially be able to monitor all of your online activities, such as: * Which Web sites you visit * What you look at on the site * Whom you send e-mail to * What's in the e-mail you send * What you download from a site * What streaming events you use, such as audio, video and Internet telephony * Who visits your site (if you have a Web site) In fact, many ISPs use packet sniffers as diagnostic tools. Also, a lot of ISPs maintain copies of data, such as e-mail, as part of their back-up systems. Carnivore and its sister programs were a controversial step forward for the FBI, but they were not new technology. ---- Alex Gakuru _______________________________________________ ke-internetusers mailing list ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net http://www.bdix.net/mailman/listinfo/ke-internetusers --------------------------------- Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell? Check outnew cars at Yahoo! Autos.

1 0

Anita Borg Award for Social Impact: Call for Nominations
by alice 11 Apr '07

11 Apr '07

Anita Borg Award for Social Impact Call for Nominations - Submission deadline: April 16, 2007 *Submission Guidelines - ONLINE SUBMISSIONS <https://ssl.linklings.net/organizations/abi/>NOW BEING ACCEPTED * The third Anita Borg Social Impact Award <http://www.anitaborg.org/about/history.php#anita>, an international prize, will honor an individual or team who has caused technology to have a positive impact on the lives of women and society or who has caused women to have a significant impact on the design and use of technology. The recipient of the 2006 Anita Borg Social Impact Award will receive a $10,000 award and will be honored at the 2007 Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing <http://www.anitaborg.org/programs/ghc/> conference Awards Banquet to be held in Orlando, Florida, October 18, 2007. The inaugural Social Impact Award was presented to Karen Banks <http://www.anitaborg.org/programs/awards/kbanks.php>, Global Coordinator, APC Women's Networking Support Programme, located in London, England. Working with programs in Africa, Asia and Latin America for 15 years, she brought information and communication technologies (ICTs -eg. internet, radio, video, cell phones) to underserved women and communities as a vital tool for empowerment and positive social change. Their network numbers over 100 women from more than 35 countries. Their network includes individual women and women's groups and organizations working in the field of gender and ICT and actively supporting women's networking. Their members have formed themselves into regional networks in Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Africa and they are building an emerging network in Europe. In 2006, the award was given to Dr. Carol Muller <http://www.anitaborg.org/programs/awards/cmuller.php>, the Founder and CEO of MentorNet, The E-Mentoring Network for Diversity in Engineering and Science. MentorNet (www.MentorNet.net <http://www.mentornet.net/>) is a nonprofit organization headquartered in San Jose, CA. Founded in 1997, its mission is to further the progress of women and others underrepresented in scientific and technical fields through the use of a dynamic, technology-supported mentoring program; and to advance individuals and society, and enhance engineering and related sciences, by promoting a diversified, expanded and talented global workforce. Mentornet began by matching 539 mentoring pairs representing students at 27 universities and 261 individuals at companies in 1999. In 2006 Mentornet matched over 2,500 pairs at 111 universities and 1045 companies. In 2006 students from 97 countries and mentors from 67 countries were represented in the program. *Selection Criteria* * Impact will be measured by 1) the degree and type of social change, 2) the amount of women's increased empowerment through the technology or increased influence over technology and 3) its sustainability and scalability. * The award recipient may have developed the technology, motivated social change and empowerment through that technology, or increased women's influence over and decision-making about technology. * The award recipient must be available to participate in the 2007 Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing Conference"s Awards Banquet on October 18, 2007 in Orlando, Florida. Your nomination may be for a colleague or you may nominate yourself. Only completed submissions will be considered by the jury. *Required Materials* (Online Submission Only) <https://ssl.linklings.net/organizations/abi/> 1. Title of nominated achievement* 2. Name(s) of nominee(s)* 3. 30 word (maximum) summary of the person and project, for the selection committee to use for identification purposes* 4. Expanded statement of merit with examples (2-3pages). This must include short bio(s) of the nominated person(s) and address the following issues: Describe the impact and how it was measured. Was the action taken with respect to a specific situation? What motivated the nominee(s) to take action? Did he/she/they encounter any significant challenges?** 5. Resume or curriculum vitae** 6. Letters of reference (2-3)** 7. Nominator's name, e-mail address, phone number and relationship to nominee* *You will submit the nomination title, nominee(s) name(s), summary statement and your contact information via web forms at https://ssl.linklings.net/organizations/abi/. For more information about the Awards, please visit: http://anitaborg.org/programs/awards/ <http://www.anitaborg.org/programs/awards/>. **The expanded statement of merit, resume or curriculum vitae, and letters of reference must be in separate Microsoft Word or text documents. Additional information about this award may be found at http://anitaborg.org/programs/awards/ <http://www.anitaborg.org/programs/awards/>.Questions may be emailed to the Chair of the Anita Borg Social Impact Award Committee, Amy Pearl at socialaward_2007(a)anitaborg.org <mailto:socialaward_2007@anitaborg.org> *Schedule* Nomination packages due April 16, 2007 Finalists selected May 14, 2007 Award recipient notified July 9, 2007 Awards ceremony in Orlando, Florida October 18, 2007 Selection Committee The 2007 Anita Borg Award for Social Impact is chaired by Amy Pearl.

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[Fwd: [At-Large] NomCom: seeking candidates for ICANN leadership positions]
by alice 11 Apr '07

11 Apr '07

Hi, ICANN's NomCom is recruiting candidates, we are selecting: * 3 seats on the ICANN Board of Directors. * 3 members of the At-Large Advisory Committee (ALAC), from Africa, Latin America and Caribbean and Asia/Australia/Pacific regions. * 2 members to Generic Names Supporting Organization Council (GNSO). * 1 Country Code Names Support Organization Council (ccNSO) member. NomCom website <http://nomcom.icann.org> has information about the process and more information about the positions. You can nominate yourself. You can suggest someone you think would be a good candidate (details of how to do that here <http://nomcom.icann.org/formal-call-2007.html#H>). Or just send me the names of anyone you think would be a good candidate for any of the positions. Please pass on this information to your ALS or any other groups and individuals you think may be interested. I would be happy to help anyone with questions, please forward my email address <ajp(a)glocom.ac.jp>. Deadline for applications in 1 May 2007. I should have asked this list long ago for advice, ALAC --the RALOs and ALS-- is the strongest link to the ICANN user community and potential source of candidates. Apologies. Many thanks, Adam (2007 NomCom Associate Chair) _______________________________________________ ALAC mailing list ALAC(a)atlarge-lists.icann.org http://atlarge-lists.icann.org/mailman/listinfo/alac_atlarge-lists.icann.org www.alac.icann.org www.icannalac.org

1 0

[Fwd: [DigAfrica] High Phone Charges Hamper Region's Growth, Says W Bank]
by alice 10 Apr '07

10 Apr '07

Our never ending connectivity problems and the prices we pay..... The East African Standard (Nairobi) NEWS April 10, 2007 Posted to the web April 10, 2007 By Benson Kathuri and Robert Nyasato Nairobi International phone call and high-speed Internet connection charges are beyond the reach of average classes in 25 East and Southern African countries. A report by the World Bank says the region is the only one not connected to the global optical fibre broadband infrastructure. "The 'missing link' explains why the region accounts for less than one per cent of the world's international bandwidth capacity," says the report released in Washington last week. These countries lack direct terrestrial access to global information and communications infrastructure, relying on expensive satellite connectivity to link up with the rest of the world. As a result, telecommunication users face some of the highest costs in the world, says the study: African Region Communications Infrastructure Programme Report. The countries are Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Kenya. The rest are Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. "International wholesale bandwidth prices are 20 to 40 times higher than in the United States, and international calls are on average 10 to 20 times more than in other developing countries," says the report. This, according to the report, has limited regional and international trade, job creation, use of information and communication technology in learning, good governance, and transparency. "The region's growth and development is being held back by this lack of access to low price and high quality telecommunications services." However, the World Bank has initiated a multi-billion shilling project, the Africa Regional Communications Infrastructure Programme (RCIP) to address the 'missing link'. By the end of the programme, it is expected that all capitals and major cities in East and Southern Africa would be linked to competitively priced high-bandwidth connectivity. "To put 25 agents on the phone, it will cost us close to US$17,000 (Sh1.2 million) a month while elsewhere, it will only cost US$600-900 (Sh42, 000 -Sh56, 000) a month," said Nicholas Nesbitt, CEO of KenCall. Meanwhile, in Kisii town, Internet service charges have doubled in the past two months due to power failure. Many cyber cafes now charge Sh2 a minute up from one shilling. "Whenever there is a power outage, we have to increase the cost of browsing because we use a generator, which is more expensive," said Ms Josephine Kerubo, a worker at one of the Internet shops in the town. Other sops have closed down due to the unreliable supply. 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[Fwd: Kenya and EASSy?]
by alice 10 Apr '07

10 Apr '07

I'm confused: I was under the impression, not the least from Bitange Ndemo's* *comments on the KICTANeT list, that Kenya had pulled out of EASSy? Any clarifications welcome. Alan EASSY winner of fibre-optic cable race By A STAFF WRITER The EastAfrican, April 9 2007 Which of the upcoming submarine cable projects out of Mombasa will rollout first? That is the big question in Kenya where the government is investing in two parallel projects at the same time — namely. The East African Marine System (TEAMS) and the East Africa SubMarine Cable System (EASSy). Although the government has justified the investment in TEAMS on the grounds that the EASSy project will take too long to roll out, the indications so far is that EASSy which has already received the support and commitment of 22 telecom operators representing 20 countries, — 90 per cent of which are African operators, both private and public — is likely to move much faster. So far, the project has secured all its funding targets and committed leading development financial institutions to the project. Its funding arrangement is structured to allow equity partners to either participate through a special purpose vehicle (SPV) or come in as direct investors. The SPV, consisting mainly of regional operators, has already been incorporated in Mauritius under the name West Indian Ocean Cable Company Ltd. Financial instruments for the SPV are in process and have been finalised in partnership with the development funding institutions comprising the World Bank, IFC Group, European Investment Bank, KFW of Germany, AFD Prop Arco of France, the African Development Bank and the Development Bank of South Africa. On March 9, nine EASSy members formally signed the supply contract with Alcatel-Lucent, who will be implementing the EASSy fibre-optic cable project on a full turnkey basis. The process of manufacturing the necessary equipment is going on and the approximation is that the project will be concluded by the end of 2008. The overall project cost will be in excess of $200 million. In compliance with international and national regulatory requirements, all operators having been conducting environment and social impact analyses studies which are expected to conclude this month. The EASSy submarine network will span nearly 10,000km linking eight countries from Sudan to South Africa via Djibouti, Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Madagascar and Mozambique. The initial capacity will be 20 gigabits per second with ultimate capacity of 320 gbits/s per fibre pair. Last week, the EASSY project received a major boost when the World Bank announced that it has approved $164.5 million for high speed connectivity for Kenya, Burundi and Madagascar. East and Southern Africa is the only region in the world that is not connected to the global broadband infrastructure and accounts for less than one per cent of the world’s international bandwidth capacity. As a result of this “missing link,” the region relies on satellite connectivity, with costs among the highest in the world. One Kenyan call-centre entrepreneur told the World Bank board of directors that the region simply cannot compete with others. “To put 25 agents on the phone will cost us close to $17,000 a month. Elsewhere, it will only cost $600-$900 a month,” said Nicholas Nesbitt, chief executive of KenCall. “It is absolutely imperative that something be done right now to make bandwidth affordable. Otherwise, we’re going to miss a huge opportunity and people are simply going to say that Africa is not ready for these kinds of jobs, is not ready for business.” By the end of the programme, it is expected that all capitals and major cities in East and Southern Africa will be linked to competitively priced high-bandwidth connectivity

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[Fwd: [Fibre-for-africa] SA considering second, cheaper undersea cable]
by alice 10 Apr '07

10 Apr '07

SA considering second, cheaper undersea cable By Lesley Stones, Financial Mail, April 4 2007 ARGUMENTS about the cost of bandwidth on a telecommunications cable to be laid around Africas east coast could see more money pumped into a duplicate cable laid in direct competition to the original R300m project. A second multimillion-dollar cable to replicate the planned East Africa Submarine System (EASSy) may be laid because of a clash between private investors wanting to profiteer and governments demanding cheaper bandwidth to reduce the cost of doing business and stimulate economic growth. Partners in the long-awaited EASSy cable include Telkom, which is 38% government owned. But yesterday the communications departments director-general, Lyndall Shope-Mafole, confirmed that SA might lead a rival cable-building project because of the EASSy consortiums intransigence. Ideally, the EASSy cable will be a key component in a project to increase Africas bandwidth launched by the New Partnership for Africas Development (Nepad). But private investors in the EASSy consortium were more interested in profits than in providing affordable bandwidth, Shope-Mafole said. Telkom CEO Papi Molotsane has repeatedly said Telkom will only invest in EASSy if it can make a decent return on its investment. The EASSy consortium members have complained that African governments are trying to hijack the project, with its finance committee chairman, Donald Nyakairu, recently telling the Ugandan newspaper The Monitor that the politicians are making unreasonable demands. If a compromise is not reached, Nepad will lay a rival undersea connection. We hope it will be the same cable. There is no cable right now but we could absolutely build another one, he said. Twelve African governments have signed an agreement pledging that access to a cable linking SA to Sudan must not be monopolised by a private cabal. International bandwidth is so crucial that Africa can no longer be held to ransom by private companies looking to profiteer, the governments believe. Their policy for international connectivity is dubbed the Nepad Network, based on a submarine cable and a terrestrial network covering landlocked countries. The policy insists that all telecoms operators, internet service providers and other bandwidth-hungry businesses will be able to use the cable for the same price as the companies that invested in the infrastructure. That is a direct attempt to prevent companies from capitalising on Africas lack of bandwidth by charging exorbitant fees, much as Telkom charges punishing fees for access to bandwidth on the Sat-3 cable around Africas west coast. In an interview with the Financial Times this week, President Thabo Mbeki blasted Telkom for charging absolutely phenomenal rates for access to Sat-3 and said the government was applying pressure on Telkom to cut its fees. About 10 companies in SA will be invited to invest up to $2m each to fund the Nepad Network, whether it is based on the EASSy cable or on a rival venture. Technology and telecommunications companies, internet service providers and bandwidth-intensive banks and other businesses would be asked to invest, Shope-Mafole said. Another investor could be InfraCo, a new state-owned entity created with a budget of R647m to supply wholesale bandwidth. Shope-Mafole also said the department would give Mbeki the telecoms price cuts he was demanding when Communications Minister Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri made some policy announcements on May 24. _______________________________________________ Fibre-for-africa mailing list Fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fibre-for-africa

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[Fwd: [Fibre-for-africa] Will EASSy will the war of the cables?]
by alice 10 Apr '07

10 Apr '07

EASSY winner of fibre-optic cable race By A STAFF WRITER The EastAfrican, April 9 2007 Which of the upcoming submarine cable projects out of Mombasa will rollout first? That is the big question in Kenya where the government is investing in two parallel projects at the same time namely. The East African Marine System (TEAMS) and the East Africa SubMarine Cable System (EASSy). Although the government has justified the investment in TEAMS on the grounds that the EASSy project will take too long to roll out, the indications so far is that EASSy which has already received the support and commitment of 22 telecom operators representing 20 countries, 90 per cent of which are African operators, both private and public is likely to move much faster. So far, the project has secured all its funding targets and committed leading development financial institutions to the project. Its funding arrangement is structured to allow equity partners to either participate through a special purpose vehicle (SPV) or come in as direct investors. The SPV, consisting mainly of regional operators, has already been incorporated in Mauritius under the name West Indian Ocean Cable Company Ltd. Financial instruments for the SPV are in process and have been finalised in partnership with the development funding institutions comprising the World Bank, IFC Group, European Investment Bank, KFW of Germany, AFD Prop Arco of France, the African Development Bank and the Development Bank of South Africa. On March 9, nine EASSy members formally signed the supply contract with Alcatel-Lucent, who will be implementing the EASSy fibre-optic cable project on a full turnkey basis. The process of manufacturing the necessary equipment is going on and the approximation is that the project will be concluded by the end of 2008. The overall project cost will be in excess of $200 million. In compliance with international and national regulatory requirements, all operators having been conducting environment and social impact analyses studies which are expected to conclude this month. The EASSy submarine network will span nearly 10,000km linking eight countries from Sudan to South Africa via Djibouti, Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Madagascar and Mozambique. The initial capacity will be 20 gigabits per second with ultimate capacity of 320 gbits/s per fibre pair. Last week, the EASSY project received a major boost when the World Bank announced that it has approved $164.5 million for high speed connectivity for Kenya, Burundi and Madagascar. East and Southern Africa is the only region in the world that is not connected to the global broadband infrastructure and accounts for less than one per cent of the worlds international bandwidth capacity. As a result of this missing link, the region relies on satellite connectivity, with costs among the highest in the world. One Kenyan call-centre entrepreneur told the World Bank board of directors that the region simply cannot compete with others. To put 25 agents on the phone will cost us close to $17,000 a month. Elsewhere, it will only cost $600-$900 a month, said Nicholas Nesbitt, chief executive of KenCall. It is absolutely imperative that something be done right now to make bandwidth affordable. Otherwise, were going to miss a huge opportunity and people are simply going to say that Africa is not ready for these kinds of jobs, is not ready for business. By the end of the programme, it is expected that all capitals and major cities in East and Southern Africa will be linked to competitively priced high-bandwidth connectivity _______________________________________________ Fibre-for-africa mailing list Fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fibre-for-africa

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