October 2009 - skunkworks - Skunkworks Site

Re: [Skunkworks] A Kenyan OS
by David Kago 19 Oct '09

19 Oct '09

Guys, ever heard of easier said than done...? I bet you all have.. Apart from funding which is vital in running such a huge project, an OS is a monster project, which is not something we can do in our spare time, I suggest if anyone has to go in this direction, start small like writing an embedded OS for a small device, only then can the complexity of building a market ready OS be appreciated, otherwise for now, it's a pipe dream, count me OUT :-) ________________________________ From: Odhiambo Washington [mailto:odhiambo@gmail.com] Sent: 19 October 2009 15:47 To: Skunkworks Forum Subject: Re: [Skunkworks] A Kenyan OS On Mon, Oct 19, 2009 at 2:53 PM, Rahim Kara <skunkingrahim(a)gmail.com> wrote: A note of something that was said. I agree that there is S/Ware out there that does everything. MS, Linux, Mac OS. All are international competitors. Far fetched from what a realist sees, but what about us being real competitors in this rat race? Even that aside, having a localized operating system from ground up, and being able to make applications that are compatible with all "real world" softwares, and build on that to make the operating system a local standard. the incentives are numerous. By me, for now, just getting this done would be a start. @Rahim, Let me be the pessimist here, but I still have to say, like others have already, that an OS Project is such a big monster to manage. Well, I am not in any way doubting your capability to manage a project, but, as nature puts in, you have to crawl before getting on your two feet. The crawling aspect has not been seen in skunkworks as yet. No suggested group "project" has ever taken off, or is there any? The smallest, and perhaps the first one ever, was to get the list archives into a Db. That isn't completed to date. There are others that have been proposed, discussed and "count me in" responses have been many but where are they? Has that been due to the lack of a project manager? Lack on funding? Enthusiasm? Let me throw you a challenge: Pick any three of those already proposed projects and see them to completion as the Project Manager. Please pick the most challenging ones. After that, re-evaluate yourself, and the team, and see if they are ready to handle a project of the magnitude of an OS (even a branch), and take a look at FreeBSD <http://bit.ly/Zfimw> Project. Perhaps it will give you an idea of what you'll ultimately face, if you ever get round to assembling a team for the project. Let me quote McDonald again. "There are many local problems that require our expertise and can make an impact...an OS isnt one of them." -- Best regards, Odhiambo WASHINGTON, Nairobi,KE +254733744121/+254722743223 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ "If you have nothing good to say about someone, just shut up!." -- Lucky Dube

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Who is the Winner/Loser?
by Odhiambo Washington 19 Oct '09

19 Oct '09

hello skunks, With the introduction by M$ of their Security Essentials, and free for that matter, I am left wondering who are the winners and the losers in this case? Is the Desktop user truly a winner here? Isn't it like trusting the witch to turn around and offer you treatment? (Where I come from, the theory of bewitching is so strong so allow me to use that analogy, for lack of a better one). Are other Desktop AV vendors likely to become 'lUsers'? Let's see: How many of you have opted to deploy M$ Security Essentials on their Desktops as their AV of choice? A few friends have asked me about a good AV and I've always bent towards Kaspersky, but when they freak at the cost (<2k), I tell them that Microsoft now has a free AV for windows, but I still don't quite trust that advise, yet I really can't justify this mistrust given some reviews I am seeing about Security Essentials. Bail me out! -- Best regards, Odhiambo WASHINGTON, Nairobi,KE +254733744121/+254722743223 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ "If you have nothing good to say about someone, just shut up!." -- Lucky Dube

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The Haiku Operating System.
by Martin Chiteri 19 Oct '09

19 Oct '09

Hello, I wanted to bring to your attention some interesting operating system that is coming up. It is called Haiku, perhaps you have heard about it. It is based on (backward compatible with) the BeOS Release 6, another operating system that came up in the early nineties that was written from scratch in C++. What is more interesting about it is that it actually has a Microkernel design - more strictly it is a hybrid kernel - and has been known to have the most responsive GUI ever. It was designed to be primarily a "Multimedia platform" thus fully desktop-oriented. The makers of the system claim it is the "Linux of Desktop operating systems" ...... In fact Apple had keen interests on it (BeOS), they actually wanted to use it as a ground for the Macintosh (Version 8 onwards) but because of the pricing made for the system by Be Inc, they decided to acquire NeXT and base the Mac on its variant of B.S.D UNIX a.k.a Darwin (NB: Sir Tim Berners-Lee wrote the Web and run the first Web server on a NEXTStep Machine [info.cern.ch]). All the same Haiku is POSIX compliant, "pervasively multithreaded", has an advanced database-like (journaling) file-system among other things. I have been partly running the alpha-one version and it really feels snappy, quite usable. It can decompress mp3s and MPEG videos nicely, render images including SVGs beautifully and for those of you with strong geek appeals, it has PERL 5 and Python 2.6 for scripting, subversion 1.6 and C++ compilers + gdb to debug applications in case they crash in mid-execution. You can also dis/engage processors & processing cores on the fly by clicking on a button(s) and the kernel will distribute the loads to the available resources splendidly!! You can have a look at it from its site [ http://www.haiku-os.org/ ], the bootable image is about 389 Mb, 145 Mb compressed, and can also boot to the desktop. I thought I would let individuals in these groups know about it because I believe we have a number of strong developers hanging around. Haiku still needs some bug fixes for it to become fully stable. You can watch a video on the systems demo at google from here [http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=236331448076587879#] Have a nice time. I would really like to hear the opinions of those of you who get to use the thing. --- BeOS Part I [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggCODBIfWKY&feature=PlayList&p=17075EF3FA655… ] BeOS Part II [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwqi9HnN17w&feature=PlayList&p=17075EF3FA655…] Regards, Chiteri. P.S: For those of you who want copies of the C.D with Haiku, you can contact me off the list we meet. Am in the City of Nairobi, KENYA.

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Interesting Discovery
by David Kiania | Asentric Consulting Ltd 19 Oct '09

19 Oct '09

I applaud any company or entrepreneur who has the courage to create a business out of directory listings. I came across one company and donnow what's your take? http://www.mocality.co.ke/ can you montize directory listings into profitability and are there any successful case studies that we may know of? Aren't the barriers to entry too low and not defensible? Rgds -- [Asentric Consulting Ltd] If a man has in himself the soul of a slave will he not become one no matter what his birth .... -Richest Man in Babylon

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A Kenyan OS
by Martin Mucheke 19 Oct '09

19 Oct '09

Hi Skunkers, I was just wondering why we can't make our own OS. Preferably we could call it Kenix. It should be POSIX compliant so that it would get global acceptance. For the shel l BASH would be ok but another shell which is object oriented that can compete with microsofts powershell should be considered.The kernel is what should be 100% kenyan contributed by local developers. The rationale 4 a Kenyan os is one that can give the user a kenyan look & feel thro its gui . Anyway these r just my 2 cents worth of thoughts. Any takes. . Regards, Martin Mucheke

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Digital Media [WDTv HD Media Player]
by James Wachira 19 Oct '09

19 Oct '09

Hey guys,Anyone knows where I can get this Device/Box locally - WD TV HD Media Player ( WDAVN00 )<http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.asp?driveid=572> ? Follow the link for details about the product. Am sure there are many on this list who would appreciate it!!! Thank You, -- Best Regards James Wachira Nairobi .ke tel:+254 728 024 897 | twitter: jwaciira | yahoo: jwaciira | gtalk: jwaciira

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The East African and Google Chrome
by Gakuru Alex 19 Oct '09

19 Oct '09

Hi Chris@google, It don't display right on my browser. What to do? Your early fix awaiting internet consumer :-) Cheers, Alex

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J2ME link problem
by Geoffrey Mimano 19 Oct '09

19 Oct '09

Hi all, I am writing a small j2me app to display links to users. Now, some of the links are very long and so I need an API or service that can help me shorten the link from within j2me. Any ideas? -- Mimano G. Muthondu, Software Developer, Datadyne.org skype : gmimano Mobile : +254 723 615 206

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Uruguay becomes first nation to provide a laptop for every primary school student
by Gichingiri Kuria 19 Oct '09

19 Oct '09

http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/18/uruguay-becomes-first-nation-to-provide-… -- Gichingiri Kuria _________________________________________ www.gichingiri.com / www.sokoletu.co.ke / www.website.co.ke / www.buyanzi.com

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Can i get these on any free to air satellite?
by Areba Collins 18 Oct '09

18 Oct '09

Hi guys, with plans to relocate away from nairobi complete, and with virtually no terrestrial tv to have, i am just wondering if i can get any of the following tv stations on any band. Please include dish size and any contact if possible. BBC news. deutsche welle. KTN, NTV, CITIZEN, FAMILY al jazeera. I remember seeing something about family media having something like that but i think it got discontinued. Thanks in advance.

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My Thoughts on A Way Out of The Murky Internet Fiasco
by Mark Mwangi 18 Oct '09

18 Oct '09

Hi Skunks, Wrote a few words on what I think is the route out of this whole ''give us cheap internet-we cant lower our prices'' war between kenyans and the ISP's Contributions are welcome. http://wp.me/ppK0J-N -- Regards, Mark Mwangi http://mwangy.wordpress.com

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NSE goes open source?
by Sammy Njoroge 18 Oct '09

18 Oct '09

Considering the London Stock exchange recently opted to go opensource<http://www.computerworlduk.com/community/blogs/index.cfm?entryid=2568>for some pretty compelling reasons i wonder what the NSE will decide to do since on the website there is a tender advert for a broker back office system http://www.nse.co.ke/newsite/. How about skunkworks lobbying the government to go open source and if they refuse we sue them Canadian style for ignoring open source alternatives<http://www.osor.eu/news/quebec-government-sued-for-ignoring-open-source-alt…>

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Mick Wilson/UNEP/NBO/UNO is at UNGIWG
by Mick Wilson 18 Oct '09

18 Oct '09

I will be out of the office starting 18/10/2009 and will not return until 26/10/2009. It's UNGIWG time again I will be checking this mail less often than you'd like. If you need an intelligent reply before I get back then please contact caroline.mureithi(a)unep.org or, for POW 2010 matters, norberto.fernandez(a)unep.org

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She is looking for a Job
by Humphrey Forum 18 Oct '09

18 Oct '09

Hello people, Please help my sister get a job. She holds a Higher Diploma in IT and has done a bit of Accounts. Any assistance given to her will be highly appreciated. Regards, Humphrey

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Why we should welcome the land policy with a pinch of salt!!!!!!!!!!
by Joseph McDonald 17 Oct '09

17 Oct '09

Good Day! It is with relief that we welcome the New Land Policy..since as we know land is a very emotive and sensitive issue in Kenya. But even as we are ready do celebrate this new policy which is yet to be discussed in parliament,am sceptical since I have not seen anyway the ministry getting views from the techies the ICT people. You cannot have a land policy without a comprehensive Land Information Systems (LIS) and this is where the good people on the skunkworks can help. Allow me to indulge a little,to explain the problem with the present land ownership scenerio and how they can be solved with an LIS. 1.Legality vs Legitimacy:The present law in Kenya,only looks at the Legality (owning a title deed),whereas it should also look at the legitimacy.For example a person with a title deed,for a land in Mau Forest or Wetland might have a legal document to own that land.But does not have the legitimacy of owning it because it is water catchment area or wetland or school compound.Now with a LIS all land will be document and the information available on a website (with maps).The land will be marked accordingly e.g Wetland,Water Catchment,agricultural land,forest land,road reserve,Industrial development land ,public land and Private Property will also have the lease period and the details of the owner.So in future we will not have a situation where a person buys a land in a water catchment area then asks for compensation.Secondly it will sensitize people when they see people doing funny activities on land that is earmarked for special common good.Even if they go ahead and acquire such land the title can be revoked due to the legitimacy angle.At the moment the Title deed is everything,people can even forge your title deed and once they have it ,its a legal nightmare.Legitimacy issues can also arise when for example a runaway husband sales land that belongs to the family. 2.Ownership Vs Access: The present law in Kenya,give primacy to ownership,but it should also look at access to land.It is alright that you own the land,but is it accessible.What is the point of someone owning 10 of thousands of land while there are squatters as his neighbors.This person should make the land accessible by at least subletting it so that people can at least grow crops.Another example,the somalis can buy the whole of eastleigh if they want...so long as they put the land into projects which will be accessible to all people in terms of shopping mall etc.Tied with the first point then when someone buys land he will be required to state the his intentions.So that we dont have large tracks of land sitting idle.The LIS will make it easier to manage how accessible land is.In all we should have situations where by you can be without land,but you are not landless. Additional Features for the LIS .Search Capabilities.(by function,by person,by institutions,by title number,by unused lands,lease,by location,for sale) .Ability to Pay land rates using mobile payments .Ability to pay tax on land by the amount of acarage etc .Maps Without a transparent LIS then whatever land policy we have is bound to fail. I heard one day...the Lands Minister saying that they require 2 billion to digitize the records.Am sure if we look for a home grown solution most people on this list e.g Alliance Technologies can make such solutions for much less.Secondly isn't that an opportunity for our budding BPOs.?????? NB:Anyway my advise for young people,think about the cyberspace forget land. A good website with monitized content,can cost you less than 200-500k and you can make 200k monthly. A plot in a place in eastlands (forget prime land) will cost you 500K-1million.....then developing it for low income houses will cost you another 4-7 million.Then make what? 70 -100k a month? its not worth it. So lets see guys fighting for cyberspace,lets see more .co.ke website,lets see more local content.Lets see more webprenuers,lets see more solutions,lets see more people leaving their comfortable zones in jobs as sys admins,network admins and all those fancy titles and see guys making really solutions for smes,for government,for homes etc.Lets use ICT to solve agenda 4 ISSUES and 5 and 6 OR ANY OTHER ISSUES whatever the number.

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hi
by steve kyengo 17 Oct '09

17 Oct '09

anybody out there who can help me oput to get an internship. i have just completed campo pursuing a Bachelors in IT if at all you can help me seccure 1 i will be greatful regards steve kyengo 0727049692

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GPS Handheld differential
by henry kamabi 16 Oct '09

16 Oct '09

Hi I am looking for this kind of GPS handheld (differential) system. Some of it salient features include: - Accuracy less that 1M - Rugged and waterproof - Bluetooth/wireless connectivity - Windows mobile 0.5 - 1GB onboard storage Kindly advice where i can source a good label with the above. regards, Henry

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Pfsense vs Mikrotik
by Job Muriuki 16 Oct '09

16 Oct '09

Am torn between this two solutions for a router. based on ease of installation, reformance and features which is recommended. Just to mention the system has to have a captive portal and authenticates users against am external radius server. -- Sent from my mobile device

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Vincent needs attachment
by Areba Collins 16 Oct '09

16 Oct '09

Honestly i dont know him, ive not even met him but a good friend of mine tells me this vincent guy is his bro and needs attacho. He's just about to clear comp sci and maybe join skunkworks inc. Anyone out there that could help him out?

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Radio Streaming ove the Net....
by Walubengo J 16 Oct '09

16 Oct '09

Hi all, My College recently launched a community radio. I would like to stream its content over the web...Plse shoot the me the instructions on how I would do it over a Linux (Ubuntu) platform. regards. walu.

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Facebook Crashing?
by Samuel Waithaka 16 Oct '09

16 Oct '09

Hi Skunk(ette)s, Anybody noticed anything wrong with FB? It has crashed on me several times. -- Samuel Waithaka http://www.linkedin.com/in/waithaka http://twitter.com/samwaithaka

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I have a problem i want to advertise prime land for sale in Ruiru but i dont know where to do so on the skunkworks list?
by waihiga mwaura 16 Oct '09

16 Oct '09

Any ideas Waihiga

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Got an Afsat VSAT Dish & Decoder
by benson maina 16 Oct '09

16 Oct '09

Are there any buyers ?

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sms based webpage development
by Omondi douglas 16 Oct '09

16 Oct '09

Anyone out there who knows how to make your website support sms messaging? Id greatly appreciate the info.

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Google maps
by I. Ati 16 Oct '09

16 Oct '09

hi Guyz, any one who has used google map in there sites , to show location to show location of people registered in there site, let me know how u did it thanks -- God cares!

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