May 2009 - skunkworks - Skunkworks Site

IBM service care
by Jose Ngunjiri 08 May '09

08 May '09

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e-Government Website - New Face
by Lily Karanja 08 May '09

08 May '09

Dear Techies: www.e-government.go.ke is opening a new page......a much better page! Not bad at all......huh! As compared to the one before,ofcourse. Government websites should invest in content, beneficial and relevant content for all. There's a long journey ahead for Government Websites, I hope the people concerned are focusing on these important issues to keep on track and make the needed progress. Lil

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increased spam levels
by Evans Ikua 08 May '09

08 May '09

Hi all, One of my mail accounts that I normally use on webmail (Horde) has shown a marked increase in spam levels in the past week, about 300 messages daily on virility and viagra. I wonder if anyone else has experienced this. I wonder if these guys have just discovered my age, or they never heard about the sex boycot...

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Wanted: Future trainers on "Free & Open Source Business Models for Africa"
by Josiah Mugambi 08 May '09

08 May '09

Hi, I had an opportunity to chat with these people (thanks Alex Gakuru). Those of you involved in FOSS based business, training or are considering it, would want to be involved in this. Apologies for anyone who has already received this. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Hagemann, Petra <petra.hagemann(a)inwent.org> Date: Thu, May 7, 2009 at 4:33 PM Subject: WG: Wanted: Future trainers on "Free & Open Source Business Models for Africa" To: "jmugambi(a)gmail.com" <jmugambi(a)gmail.com> Wanted: Future trainers on "Free & Open Source Business Models for Africa" in East and Southern Africa! Application Deadline is May 30, 2009. Are you interested in building a successful business in Free/Open Source Software (FOSS), and in helping others to do the same? Do you have a solid background in business and FOSS? Do you have experience in training others, and/or are you part of a training institution? Then respond by MAY 30 to become part of an exciting training programme on building businesses with Free/Open Source Software. The call for participants in the Training of Trainers is now open at http://ict-innovation.fossfa.net/call. The ict@innovation programme, a partnership between FOSSFA and InWEnt, is looking for African experts and institutions wanting to become qualified trainers on the subject of building businesses with FOSS. Trainers have the opportunity of incorporating FOSS business training into their institution's curriculum and/or developing FOSS business training as a new revenue stream. You have the opportunity to: - thoroughly deepen your knowledge about doing business with FOSS - become a trainer on the subject of building businesses with FOSS - establish FOSS business training as a revenue stream, and incorporate FOSS business training into your institution's curriculum - become part of an exciting community of African FOSS experts and businesspeople InWent in collaboration with FOSSFA is organizing four Trainings of Trainers (ToT) in four different Eastern and Southern Africa countries. Held between July and October 2009, each of these trainings will consist of a presential full-time phase of two weeks, and be accompanied by 4-6 weeks of part-time online training. These trainings are offered at no cost beyond a minimal registration fee. Applicants will usually have to bear their own travel costs. Board and accommodation will be paid for by InWEnt. The full text of the Call for Participants, including instructions on how to apply, can be found below, or online at http://ict-innovation.fossfa.net/call. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- The ict@innovation program invites applications to participate in a Training of Trainers on "African FOSS Business Models". These trainings are designed to enable interested persons, institutions and businesses to act as trainers on the subject of building a business with Free and Open Source Software (FOSS). Participants will receive intensive training on FOSS business models in Africa; learn how ICT enterprises can use FOSS as a business; obtain necessary business skills to establish and operate a FOSS Business in Africa; and acquire knowledge and skills to adopt FOSS training as a business. The main goal of the Training of Trainers is to share skills and qualifications to equip African ICT companies with the knowledge needed to successfully integrate Free and Open Source Software into their business. Background - call for participation in ict@innovation's advanced training programme The ict@innovation [http://www.ict-innovation.fossfa.net] program aims at building capacities for African small and medium ICT enterprises to build a business with Free and Open Source Software (FOSS). The project encourages the growth of African ICT industries, particularly in Southern and East Africa, through three main action lines: spreading FOSS business models for enterprises in Africa, fostering FOSS certification and supporting innovative local FOSS applications for social and economic development. ict@innovation is a partnership between Free Software and Open Source Foundation for Africa (FOSSFA) [http://www.fossfa.net] and InWEnt - Capacity Building International (Germany) [http://www.inwent.org/index.php.en] Trainings are organised and carried out for the programme by UNU-MERIT [http://www.merit.unu.edu] and AITI-KACE [ http://www.aiti-kace.com.gh] Participants in the trainings will be expected to make trainings on FOSS business a part of their regular business and/or teaching activities. Successful applicants will convincingly demonstrate how they plan to carry out at least two trainings on the subject in their own country during 2010, and make FOSS business training a permanent part of their business and/or teaching activities in the future. Topics covered in the Training of Trainers The training programme will primarily cover the following topics : * Module 1: Introduction to Emerging FLOSS Business Models * Module 2: African Business Models:Case Studies * Module 3: Communicating FLOSS * Module 4: FLOSS Specific Business Knowledge and Skills * Module 5: Introduction to General Business Skills * Module 6: FLOSS Training For more information on content of the training materials visit http://www.ict-innovation.fossfa.net/call/topics. Dates and Locations for Training of Trainers (ToT): 1st regional ToT: July 13-24, 2009 South Africa For participants from: Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia, Namibia 2nd regional ToT: Aug 31-Sept 11, 2009 Uganda For participants from: Ethiopia, Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda 3rd regional ToT: Sept. 14-25, 2009 Tanzania For participants from: Ethiopia, Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda 4th regional ToT: Oct. 19-30, 2009 Mozambique For participants from: Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia, Namibia Each of these trainings will consist of a full-time phase of attendance of two weeks, and be accompanied by 4-6 weeks of part-time online training. The language of instruction will be English. For updates on dates and locations, visit http://www.ict-innovation.fossfa.net. Profile of Participants/Participating Institutions All participants and participating institutions must have a permanent residence in one of the listed countries and must be sufficiently proficient in English. Successful applicants will have the following background: * ICT trainer or professional with an training institution (public or private) * ICT/ business lecturer at a higher education institution * At least two years of experience in professional Business development * A lead person in focus group(s) targeting ICT companies / ICT professionals * Suitably qualified women are especially encouraged to apply. In particular, we encourage applications by candidates who are associated with organisations such as: * ICT training institution with IT/business programmes (public or private) * University/ higher Education Institution with IT/business programmes * FOSS association or group / ICT and business association * ICT SMEs with significant potential to further disseminate the knowledge provided in the trainings on a sustainable basis. Responsibilities of Participants and Participating Institutions * organise at least two FOSS business trainings of their own in their country during 2010 * Integrate the course "African FOSS Business Models" into their training portfolio or curriculum * Assist in the localization/enhancement of training materials, by updating those materials and adapting them to specific local conditions and requirements * Contribute to the training costs by a fee of US$ 50.00 and cover their own travelling expenses. Travel grants may be available to successful applicants on request and sufficient justification. ict@innovation will cover the following costs: Board, lodging for non-local residents, training course, online infrastructure. No daily allowance will be paid. Application procedure: (Deadline: May 30, 2009) * Option1: Apply by filling in an online application form below -Individuals: http://www.ict-innovation.fossfa.net/call/individuals -Institutions: http://www.ict-innovation.fossfa.net/call/institutions * Option 2: Apply by email to call2participate(a)it-inwent.org - Download the application from http://www.ict-innovation.fossfa.net/call, and mail it to the e-mail address above. Or use forms attached. * Option 3: Submit the application by fax to +27(0)86 624 9181 - Download the application form http://www.ict-innovation.fossfa.net/call, or use attached form, fill it in, and fax it to the number above. Background of ict@innovation - Creating Business and Learning Opportunities with Free and Open Source Software in Africa The programme focuses on Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) as a key technology to drive innovation, add local value and create sustainable and affordable ICT-solutions. ict@innovation aims to enhance regional networking and to strengthen consulting capacities of regional and national ICT associations and training institutions as well as of other change agents. Funding partners are the German Ministry Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa (OSISA). More information at http://www.ict-innovation.fossfa.net and in the programme brochure at http://www.ict-innovation.fossfa.net/files/ict@innovation_brochure.pdf Join ict@innovation and become a community member! We would like to ask you to become a member of the ict@innovation community by registering on the ict@innovation website and creating a profile, indicating your interests and skills in FOSS. This will enable you to contribute to the Website Fora and Wikis, to join in a knowledge exchange with other persons interested in FOSS and/or involved in the ict@innovation programme. Please register here: www.ict-innovation.fossfa.net/user/register ------------ Sent on behalf of the management team of ict@innovation, George Nyambuya (ict@innovation/FOSSFA/InWEnt) and Petra Hagemann (InWEnt) - For all inquires and answers to this mail, please use the following address: call2participate(a)it-inwent.org - Please feel free to further distribute this information to persons/institutions which might be interested in the call. - In case you have received this information through different channels: sorry for crossposting -- Josiah Mugambi +254 738 504418 http://blog.josiahmugambi.com SK Classifeds... Visit stockskenya.co.ke for more info.

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Re: [Skunkworks] Safaricom Care Centre- what they are degenerating to
by john kihahu 08 May '09

08 May '09

Thank you for calling Safaricom customer care center. We know you have been trying to get through since last week but dont worry, at least you got through today. We also hope your phone has enough charge since this will take longer than most calls. For Kiswahili, Press 1, for English press 2. For any other language, you can get a translator. If you want to flirt with our customer care personell ... some advice ...., they dont look as good as they sound. If you think we overcharged you one the your last call, goodbye. If your scratch card number did not top up, bring us the card, the receipt, a copy of your national ID, your PIN number; and a copy of the ID of the person who sold it to you. We will give you a refund immediately if not sooner. If you were sent MPesa which you dint receive, write an essay of not less than 5000 words explaining how that is our problem. All offensive four letter words are not allowed. If your phone is having a problem, just hang up. If it went through our customer care line, it has no problem. Furthermore, we do not manufacture any phones. Even the one written safaricom is not a phone. Its just a handset! If you want to yell at us about our lousy customer service, you have to shout a little louder. They cant hear u in Cairo yet. If you feeling pissed at the length of this call, press the red button on your keypad. That does the trick. If you are Kalembe Ndile, the number for the ECK chairman is available in your local directory. If your handset is experiencing network problems, VUKA! See if we care! Or buy an external antennae. If you are Lucy, hang onto the line. A customer service representative called Wambui will attend to you shortly. If you are a Zain, Yu or Orange employee, we are not hiring at The moment so butt off. If you are Raila or Kibaki, for the umpteenth time, GO BACK TO YOUR JOB! KENYAN ARE DYING OF HUNGER! If you want to talk to Michael Joseph, you'll have to wait outside. Thank you! * * --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ -- If you notice this notice you will notice that this notice is not worth noticing

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Suspected Cornficker Worm Variant Alert
by Dennis Kioko 07 May '09

07 May '09

Been a Windows Xp user and a part time consultant often working on repairs of mostly Windows Xp machines, I have spotted that most of them are infected by malware that manifests itself as a hidden Autorun.inf Folder (not file). Attempts to delete the above folder using standard and more than standard means in windows and linux environment. On closer look, you will realize that the Autorun.inf folder contains 2 nested folders. zhengbo. (no extension ) Folder and zzzzzzz.zzz which are also undeleteable. After preliminary research on the net, I found that the above are attributed to a far east (possibly chinese) variant of the famous and notorious Cornficker (Downadup) Worm. It spreads via USB drives. the level of infection is moderate to high in the country. Removal tool available from Symantec.com . -- Bored? Stop been Bored. why are u still Bored? visit my blog http://gramware.blogspot.com Get your free issue of tekniaonline, a Kenyan ICT magazine at http://tekniaonline.blogspot.com

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Project Director, Nairobi, Kenya
by Moses Kemibaro 07 May '09

07 May '09

A friend forwarded me the following position for Nairobi. Kindly send resumes to the email address at the bottom. --- POSITION: Project Director, Nairobi, Kenya REPORTS TO: Senior HMIS Manager, DC PROJECT SUMMARY: PEPFAR has called for immediate, comprehensive and evidence based action to turn the tide of global HIV/AIDS. One specific goal is to strengthen and expand Strategic Information (SI) activities through: The development, implementation and support for innovative HMIS and public health informatics systems for better information flow from health facilities to the national level. Collaboration with the Ministries of Health, CDC and other partners to develop a national HMIS strategy that enable integration of health related systems in the lab, pharmacy and clinics. Capacity building for Government of Kenya GOK/MOH and other local institutions on the three key components of SI, namely Disease Surveillance, M&E and Informatics/HMIS. Futures Group has developed several HMIS applications to support collection and tracking data across our various local partners. These databases support the President’s Emergency Plan indicators, National Ministry of Health (NMOH) indicators, and specific Program and Clinical indicators. These databases directly support AIDSRelief field officers and are essential to provide high quality care and treatment regimens, ensure drug durability, track progress, and provide accurate reporting to both the NMOH and US Government POSITION SUMMARY: This position is a blend of business analysis and programming activities and responsibilities. The Project director will be responsible for a team that has the following objectives: Support the development of a draft five-year national HMIS strategy with the leadership of Ministry of Health and GOK to include a plan for enabling integration of health related information systems. establishing a framework for the integration of key national electronic sub-systems which include a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), Electronic Medical Records (EMR) and Pharmacy systems Demonstration of interoperability between three subsystems in at least one geographical location (district or province), based on sound messaging standards and publish a data dictionary that will also allow various EMRs to exchange information Assist NASCOP and the Division of HMIS to develop and implement an HMIS/Informatics strategy giving major consideration to innovative technologies such as hand-held devices, GIS, the Internet, GSM/CDMA networks, biometric devices, to improve data capture and management. Data storage, security and privacy as well as access policies should be among the key areas. This will require an evaluation of existing systems and prioritization of implementation. The project director will interact with a wide array of stakeholders at the national and local levels to support collecting of requirements. He/she will be required to work closely with the development team to develop and maintain the Data warehouse around these requirements. As new requirements are requested, the candidate will work with subject matter experts and write the business specifications. The candidate will work closely with the field team to make sure that business specifications are being implemented as per the specifications. It is anticipated for the programmer/BA to be involved in train-the- trainer (ToT) activities; providing training support via web, online and virtual teleconference calls. Responsibilities include participating in weekly teleconference calls and emails; maintaining issue tracking of bugs; fixed and closed out; applying updated business rules; validation rules; reporting status and progress of continued developments; enhancement or modifications. It is expected for the project director to document software code and resolve software issues associated with installation and operation of the application as it expands to meet requirements of other countries. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Experience in one or more IT domain(s) with demonstrated programming skills and software development process Extensive use of requirements gathering techniques such as interviews, creating storyboards, flow diagrams, and documentation Programming skills, knowledge of software project management principles, understanding business rules and working as part of a multi-disciplinary team Programming background with solid software development, database design and implementation experience; strong computer programming skills. Experience in maintaining MsAccess and SQL databases; understanding other programmers coding structures Experience developing web or internet applications Bachelor Degree in Computer Science or equivalent 2-4 years minimum working experience in a development environment Project management skills ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS Has extensive experience in developing and managing informatics solutions (in the health sector) including experience in web and database technologies e.g. aspx and sql server respectively Has experience in managing grants (with USG) and can work in a multi- sectoral environment Has experience in monitoring technical innovative solutions following the USG ADS548R guidelines in Africa Has proven experience in leadership of informatics solutions and grants management especially in Africa Responsible for managing staff and deliverables for all TOs and coordinating with the Project Officer Reviewing current HMIS operations in Kenya and analyzing Kenya HMIS needs in measurable deliverables With the technical monitor and the contracts department of Futures group, the project director will coordinate outsourcing/subcontracting specialized functions relating to the project and managing small grants awarded herein Coordinate phased piloting of the HMIS system in select provinces before full roll-out In implementation, the project manager will ensure project deliverables are delivered within scope, quality, cost (budget) and time constraints and project is within corporate and regulatory limits Coordinate communications/linkages internal and external to the project including with CDC, MOH, NACC and NASCOP and other relevant parties Responsible for supporting HMIS Strategy. Monitoring and controlling all project activities including measuring the current project activities, monitoring the project variables including cost and effort against the project plan and performance baseline and identifying corrective actions to circumvent issues and risks Financial analysis of the costs and budgets including outsourced services on a regular basis to be shared with Futures administration* Ensuring constant support of end users, correction of errors and in- time updates of the HMIS solutions based on both need and schedule Coordinate closing efforts ensuring sustainability and proper handing over to local partner (CHAK) on project completion SKILLS Project Management Visual Studio, Microsoft .NET, MsAccess, SQL, SQL Server, MySQL Creating, analyzing backend database structures and tables in Access or SQL Generating MsAccess and SQL queries for reporting; The ability to work well as part of multi-disciplinary team; skilled in trouble shooting and problem solving Verbal and writing skills are required to produce user manuals, training materials, programming specifications, email correspondence and documentation related to programming; training experience preferred International experience (Africa) preferred and commitment to work in a team environment required Excellent communication skills ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Equipment to be used: General office equipment: Computers Physical demands: N/A International travel – up to 30% SEND RESUME TO: IWanyeki(a)futuresgroup.com

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Re: [Skunkworks] Skunkworks University?
by fyodor 07 May '09

07 May '09

Hmmmmm....lovely idea however i can only imagine a strike of the said University... DDoS, Defacement, Route-poisoning....CAT 5e cables,.FreeBSD CD's and Suse DVD's strewn across the roads to block traffic....RJ-45's pullmeted at GSU guards.... ..Jesus Wept. :( -tyrus _IEEE Member -- Click to learn about options trading and get the latest information. http://tagline.hushmail.com/fc/BLSrjkqecvhARlbiJaPHwu65kES37XauJ4l6RE94nV7a…

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Google.co.ke
by Mbugua Njihia 07 May '09

07 May '09

This morning going to google.co.ke I kept being redirected to other sites! Other goggle properties open fine. Anyone else with a similar experience?

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Of websites - between govt and private sector
by Lmwangi 07 May '09

07 May '09

Hi all, Just came across this.. It's a pretty good homegrown solution to the car buying problem. http://www.dealer.co.ke/ I wish our GOK websites were half as functional. W/out the ever present waving flag and the unmissable marquee

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