July 2009 - skunkworks - Skunkworks Site

Re: [Skunkworks] OUT-OF-TOPIC: Kenya a Failed State...?
by wesley kiriinya 08 Jul '09

08 Jul '09

There is another thing about Kenya that we are not looking at. Kenyans have money! In sub-saharan Africa I believe Kenya comes a good 3rd economy-wise after SA and Nigeria. This can lead to another argument on economies but ... I'm no economist so I'll speak from my simple observations: Ignore the poor Kenyans for a while (respectfully). Nairobi is parked full of thousands of cars. Rent is up but people are still paying. High end restaurants and shopping areas are up and running. Profits from $afcom, banks, etc, and on and on. One of the reasons the poor man might be suffering is that the demand for goods has shot up and prices along with it. I think this is so coz people are spending more or are buying wiser especially the generation in their 20s or 30s who are in good employment and have a small number or no children. This category of people are well educated and have planned the direction of their lives. Many of them don't come from rich backgrounds and have struggled to earn their wealth. I believe this now forms the new middle class of Kenya which raises the bar from the previous middle class and the poor have been caught with their pants down. It's not practical for someone who earns USD 200 a month to compete in purchasing the same basket of goods as someone who earns USD 1,000. That brings me on the next point. I believe in Kenya all income groups compete for the same basket of goods. These goods are essential! Unga ya Ugali, Sukuma wiki, mafuta, transport, mobile credit, etc. That's so because of poor planning (failure of institutions) such that people who earn about USD 100 a month are forced to compete with those earning 10 times that. The only difference is their tax brackets. It has been said that poor people pay more for goods and services than the rich. I believe so. Goods bought in bulk are cheaper, yet there is no way a family in the slums will afford to buy in bulk. I hope the data collected in the coming census will be used to create policies that make life affordable for the lower income group. Such as establishing special shops where same goods are at lower prices. But we saw what happened to the Unga ya Ugali! O_O --- On Wed, 7/8/09, Okechukwu <okechukwu(a)gmail.com> wrote: From: Okechukwu <okechukwu(a)gmail.com> Subject: Re: [Skunkworks] OUT-OF-TOPIC: Kenya a Failed State...? To: "Skunkworks forum" <skunkworks(a)lists.my.co.ke> Date: Wednesday, July 8, 2009, 7:17 AM I don't think policies and politics can replace leadership qualities, for instance, courage, goodwill towards the people you represent and many more. I can only be glad for the few good leaders who know what they are doing. Look at South Africa for example - they have Zuma for a leader yet nothing goes wrong, why? because they have structures in place and it doesn't matter who is at the helm of leadership - structures first, before leadership qualities ./Ok3ch But i stopped myself these questions :-) R D On Tue, Jul 7, 2009 at 3:16 PM, Okechukwu <okechukwu(a)gmail.com> wrote: We can say these all our lives but won't change even a bit. We need to put structures in place to go beyond personalities, then things will start working. Moving out of this state reqiuires political goodwill which doesn't seem to be anywhere in sight. ./Ok3ch On Tue, Jul 7, 2009 at 3:10 PM, Rahim Kara <rahim(a)applecentre.co.ke> wrote: Maybe This will help. I'm Gonna Make A Change, For Once In My Life It's Gonna Feel Real Good, Gonna Make A Difference Gonna Make It Right . . . As I, Turn Up The Collar On My Favourite Winter Coat This Wind Is Blowin' My Mind I See The Kids In The Street, With Not Enough To Eat Who Am I, To Be Blind? Pretending Not To See Their Needs A Summer's Disregard, A Broken Bottle Top And A One Man's Soul They Follow Each Other On The Wind Ya' Know 'Cause They Got Nowhere To Go That's Why I Want You To Know I'm Starting With The Man In The Mirror I'm Asking Him To Change His Ways And No Message Could Have Been Any Clearer If You Wanna Make The World A Better PlaceI Take A Look At Yourself, And Then Make A Change Sent from my iPhone On Jul 7, 2009, at 2:26 PM, "Al Kags" <alkags(a)gmail.com> wrote: Perhaps someone needs to help me out: what is a failed state? In definition that is. -----Original Message----- From: Joram Mwinamo <joram.mwinamo(a)gmail.com> Date: Tue, 7 Jul 2009 14:07:50 To: Skunkworks forum<skunkworks(a)lists.my.co.ke> Subject: Re: [Skunkworks] OUT-OF-TOPIC: Kenya a Failed State...? _______________________________________________ Skunkworks mailing list Skunkworks(a)lists.my.co.ke http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks Other services @ http://my.co.ke Other lists ------------- Skunkworks announce: http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks-announce Science - http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/science kazi - http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/admin/kazi/general _______________________________________________ Skunkworks mailing list Skunkworks(a)lists.my.co.ke http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks Other services @ http://my.co.ke Other lists ------------- Skunkworks announce: http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks-announce Science - http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/science kazi - http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/admin/kazi/general _______________________________________________ Skunkworks mailing list Skunkworks(a)lists.my.co.ke http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks Other services @ http://my.co.ke Other lists ------------- Skunkworks announce: http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks-announce Science - http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/science kazi - http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/admin/kazi/general _______________________________________________ Skunkworks mailing list Skunkworks(a)lists.my.co.ke http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks Other services @ http://my.co.ke Other lists ------------- Skunkworks announce: http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks-announce Science - http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/science kazi - http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/admin/kazi/general _______________________________________________ Skunkworks mailing list Skunkworks(a)lists.my.co.ke http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks Other services @ http://my.co.ke Other lists ------------- Skunkworks announce: http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks-announce Science - http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/science kazi - http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/admin/kazi/general -----Inline Attachment Follows----- _______________________________________________ Skunkworks mailing list Skunkworks(a)lists.my.co.ke http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks Other services @ http://my.co.ke Other lists ------------- Skunkworks announce: http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks-announce Science - http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/science kazi - http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/admin/kazi/general

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Re: [Skunkworks] Do you know Dave?
by fyodor 08 Jul '09

08 Jul '09

Dave was bragging to his boss one day, "You know, I know everyone there is to know. Just name someone, anyone, and I know them." Tired of his boasting, his boss called his bluff, "OK, dave, how about Tom Cruise?" "No dramas boss, Tom and I are old friends, and I can prove it." So dave and his boss fly out to Hollywood and knock on Tom Cruise's door, and Tom Cruise shouts, "dave! What's happening? Great to see you! Come on in for a beer!" Although impressed, Dave's boss is still skeptical. After they leave Cruise's house, he tells dave that he thinks him knowing Cruise was just lucky. "No, no, just name anyone else," dave says. "President Bush," his boss quickly retorts. "Yup," dave say's, "Old buddies, let's fly out to Washington and off they go. At the White House, Bush spots dave on the tour and motions him and his boss over, saying, "dave, what a surprise, I was just on my way to a meeting, but you and your friend come on in and let's have a cup of coffee first and catch up." Well, the boss is very shaken by now but still not totally convinced. After they leave the White House grounds he expresses his doubts to dave, who again implores him to name anyone else. "The pope," his boss replies. "Sure!" says dave. "I've known the pope for years." So off they fly to Rome. dave and his boss are assembled with the masses at the Vatican's St. Peter's Square when dave says, "This will never work. I can't catch the pope's eye among all these people. Tell you what, I know all the guards so let me just go upstairs and I'll come out on the balcony with the pope." He disappears into the crowd headed towards the Vatican. Sure enough, half an hour later dave emerges with the pope on the balcony, but by the time dave returns, he finds that his boss has had a heart attack and is surrounded by paramedics. Making his way to his boss' side, dave asks him, "What happened?" His boss looks up and says, "It was the final straw ... you and the pope came out on to the balcony and the man next to me said, 'Who the hell is that on the balcony with dave?" Blessed Friday guys:-) -tyrus _IEEE Member. -- Click here for great quotes from top international movers! http://tagline.hushmail.com/fc/BLSrjkqhoPYFLQOrTLB2xf2bPpbZOZKCP5JEmHpPNPSV…

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FOR DUMMIES
by Trey 07 Jul '09

07 Jul '09

Hi guys, Anyone interested in: 1.Ubuntu Linux for Dummies 2.VOIP for Dummies 3.SQL Server 2008 for Dummies 4.Building a Website for Dummies 5.Linux complete Reference for Dummies Have any other one you need? Let me know. Thanks

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OFFTOPIC: Now looking for a house
by Simon Mbuthia 07 Jul '09

07 Jul '09

Hi skunkers, Pardon me for asking so many things that do not necessarily pertain to the objectives of the list, but I just thought that there might be someone with information that people on the list might find useful should they find themselves in a situation like mine. A friend of mine is looking for a two-bedroomed house, preferably in the Langata area, going for between 20 and 24 thousand shillings a month, spacios enough to accomodate a young family with a newborn. Master en suite preferred, but not necessary. If you know someone that can be contacted regarding the above or you know a vacant house that matches the above description, kindly contact me offlist. Thanks again, Me. -- שִׁמְעוֹן

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Avaya Gurus
by Odhiambo ワシントン 07 Jul '09

07 Jul '09

Hello Skunk{ette}s, Is there any Avaya guru "in the house"? I am playing with some Avaya PBXs (IPO406 platform) and wondering whether anyone has tried out the Avaya one-X Mobile server. -- 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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Kenyan AIDS Patients Seek To Overturn Anti-Counterfeiting Law As Unconstitutional
by Gakuru Alex 07 Jul '09

07 Jul '09

7 July 2009 NAIROBI - Three HIV/AIDS patients in Kenya announced Tuesday they will petition the country’s Constitutional Court to declare a new anti-counterfeiting act illegal because it could deny them access to generic medicines. The move, which has the support of public health groups across the country, seeks to have the 2008 Anti-Counterfeiting Act made unconstitutional on the grounds that it could rob them of their right to life. The anti-counterfeiting law, which is aimed at cracking down on the fake batteries, pens, drugs and cosmetics flooding into Kenya, has been criticised by the NGO community and importers of generic drugs because of the way it defines counterfeit products. They say its definition is so vague that it could include generic drugs. The act could also allow a pharmaceutical company to charge patent infringement in Kenya even if its patent is not registered there. ”Generic medicines are legitimate exact copies of their brand-name original. They are not counterfeits,” the three said in a statement read out at a news conference. “They should not be confused with counterfeits. The manufacturing of generic medicines is not a criminal offence.” ”We believe our government should combat counterfeiters and counterfeit goods, including medicines,” the statement said. “But not at the expense of our health and our right to life.” ... http://www.ip-watch.org/weblog/2009/07/07/kenyan-aids-patients-seek-to-over…

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Linux command line applications
by Dennis Kioko 07 Jul '09

07 Jul '09

I am using command line programs like Aria2c and mplayer. the problem is that when i launch them from gnome, they do not display console output, as is the case when you open them directly in console. How can you use "open with" such that mplayer will launch in a terminal and not be silent during its usage? -- with Regards: The Chilling stories of Armed robberies with rape in mid/low income ares in Nairobi that will not be part of your prime time news. At my blog: http://gramware.blogspot.com

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URGENT NOKIA N70 BVB-H
by chege boniface 07 Jul '09

07 Jul '09

Hi Skunk workers, How can I activate DVB-H on My Nokia N70,..Is it supported?And are there softwares for this particular Phone that can stream online TVs like Aljazeera.Also are there softwares for DVB-H?? Regards, Boniface.

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Qmail SMTP (MTA) Server - Have you installed
by Joram Gachuiri 07 Jul '09

07 Jul '09

Hi Guys; Has any of you installed a Mail Transfer Agent server ? If yes contact me offlist Hardware Requirements The MTA hardware comprises two SUN X2100 entry-level servers. Model: A75-BFB1-H-2GB-FA8 *Description*: 1 * AMD Opteron Model 175 dual core processor, 2 * 1 GB un-buffered ECC PC3200 DDR-400 memory, 1 80 GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA hard drive, no DVD, 2 * 10/100/1000 Ethernet ports, 6 * USB 2.0 ports, 1 * PCI-Express x8 slot, Java Enterprise System and Solaris 10 Pre-Installed. Power requirements: Max 400 Watt per server. Sofware As MTA software, it is recommended to use Qmail for external MTA set up. Qmail is an Internet Mail Transfer Agent (MTA) for UNIX-like operating systems. It's a drop-in replacement for the Sendmail system provided with UNIX operating systems. Qmail uses the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) to exchange messages with MTA's on other systems. Regards

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School Management System (SMS) - Archives
by muskiv 07 Jul '09

07 Jul '09

Skunkers, A while ago there was a thread on School Management Systems. I visited skunkworks archives with a view to retrieving the threads on this subject but failed. The downloaded .gz file yielded nothing. Could someone kindly provide me with contacts of local providers with a robust SMS. Many thanks. MusKiv.

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