January 2011 - skunkworks - Skunkworks Site

Using Blackerry Service on Laptop
by David Mugo 11 Jan '12

11 Jan '12

Guys, I have a Blackberry 8310 Curve, I came accross this post: http://www.blackberryforums.com/blackberry-guides/2019-user-howto-use-black… I have tried to configure mine and it doesnt seem to work, anyone successfully used a blackberry connection on a laptop? Advice. David. -- ------------- http://blog.majibu.com

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Open source has all this, yet they cannot build even the most basic of systems!
by aki 20 Nov '11

20 Nov '11

According to the definition in wikipedia, "Open source code evolves through community cooperation". lol! :-) Open source software <https://mail.google.com/wiki/Open_source_software> is software whose source code is published and made available to the public, enabling anyone to copy, modify and redistribute the source code without paying royalties or fees. Open source code evolves through community cooperation. These communities are composed of individual programmers as well as very large companies. Examples of open-source software products are: [19]<https://mail.google.com/mail/html/compose/static_files/blank_quirks.html#ci…> - GNU Project <https://mail.google.com/wiki/GNU_Project> — “a sufficient body of free software” - FreeBSD <https://mail.google.com/wiki/FreeBSD> — operating system<https://mail.google.com/wiki/Operating_system>derived from Unix <https://mail.google.com/wiki/Unix> - Alfresco <https://mail.google.com/wiki/Alfresco_(software)> — content management system<https://mail.google.com/wiki/Content_management_system> - Apache <https://mail.google.com/wiki/Apache_HTTP_Server> — HTTP web server - Tomcat web server <https://mail.google.com/wiki/Apache_Tomcat> — web container - Drupal <https://mail.google.com/wiki/Drupal> — content management system <https://mail.google.com/wiki/Content_management_system> - Eclipse <https://mail.google.com/wiki/Eclipse_(software)> — software development environment comprising an integrated development environment<https://mail.google.com/wiki/Integrated_development_environment>(IDE) - Joomla <https://mail.google.com/wiki/Joomla> — content management system <https://mail.google.com/wiki/Content_management_system> - Linux <https://mail.google.com/wiki/Linux> — operating system<https://mail.google.com/wiki/Operating_system>based on Unix <https://mail.google.com/wiki/Unix> - Mediawiki <https://mail.google.com/wiki/Mediawiki> — wiki<https://mail.google.com/wiki/Wiki>server software, the software that runs Wikipedia - MongoDB <https://mail.google.com/wiki/MongoDB> — document-oriented, non-relational database - Moodle <https://mail.google.com/wiki/Moodle> — course management system<https://mail.google.com/wiki/Course_management_system>or virtual learning environment<https://mail.google.com/wiki/Virtual_learning_environment> - Mozilla Firefox <https://mail.google.com/wiki/Mozilla_Firefox> — web browser - Mozilla Thunderbird <https://mail.google.com/wiki/Mozilla_Thunderbird>— e-mail client - OpenBSD <https://mail.google.com/wiki/OpenBSD> — operating system<https://mail.google.com/wiki/Operating_system>derived from Unix <https://mail.google.com/wiki/Unix> - OpenOffice.org <https://mail.google.com/wiki/OpenOffice.org> — office suite - openSIS <https://mail.google.com/wiki/OpenSIS> — open source Student Information System - OpenSolaris <https://mail.google.com/wiki/OpenSolaris> — Unix Operating System from Sun Microsystems - osCommerce <https://mail.google.com/wiki/OsCommerce> — ecommerce<https://mail.google.com/wiki/Ecommerce> - PeaZip <https://mail.google.com/wiki/PeaZip> — File archiver<https://mail.google.com/wiki/File_archiver> - PHP <https://mail.google.com/wiki/PHP> - Scripting language suited for the web - RenovatioCMS <https://mail.google.com/wiki/RenovatioCMS> — content management system<https://mail.google.com/wiki/Content_management_system> - Stockfish <https://mail.google.com/wiki/Stockfish_(chess)> — chess engine <https://mail.google.com/wiki/Chess_engine> series, considered to be one of the strongest chess programs of the world - Symbian <https://mail.google.com/wiki/Symbian> — real-time<https://mail.google.com/wiki/Real-time_operating_system>mobile operating system <https://mail.google.com/wiki/Operating_system> - TYPO3 <https://mail.google.com/wiki/TYPO3> — content management system<https://mail.google.com/wiki/Content_management_system> - WordPress <https://mail.google.com/wiki/WordPress> — blog software<https://mail.google.com/wiki/Blog_software> - 7-Zip <https://mail.google.com/wiki/7-Zip> — File archiver<https://mail.google.com/wiki/File_archiver> - *Many, many more* --- Saidia-Ohh-Saidia Apps Made in KE aka Mkate Nusu---

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Never register a domain with a Kenyan ISP
by Daudi Were 01 Nov '11

01 Nov '11

One reason that Kenyan ISPs lose money, customers and the good will of the technical committee is their backward, dracorian and illegal policies regarding domain names. It has now reached the stage where I believe that NO ONE in the right mind should purchase a domain (.com, .net, .org or .ke) from a Kenyan ISP. Mainly because they make it such a hassle to transfer your domain out. All international reputable domain registrars make it very easy to get your Auth Code/EPP Code to transfer your domain away from them if you wish. With Namecheap for example, have your EPP codes in your domain admin screens so you don't even have to ask anyone for it. For many others you get the code in your email at the click of a button. However, Kenyan ISPs go as far as even lying blatantly to keep hold of a single domain. One person was told that if the get the EPP code they would never be able to use the domain again. Another was told that if they get the EPP code their website and email would go down immediately. Another was told they would have to fill in a detailed form stipulating why they needed the code. In one crazy example last year a ISP wanted me to shuttle between their Mombasa Road and city centre office carrying hard copies of a “letter of authorisation” to get the Auth Code. They did not release the domain until we threatened them with legal action and adverse publicity. They ended up losing the contract to provide internet connectivity as well as domain registration as their aggression/unprofessionalism over a simple USD 10 domain scared one of their big clients away. What nonsense is this? Why not focus on delievering a reliable service rather than attempting to hold people hostage when they realise how useless the service your deliver is? These guys either ignore or have no knowledge of even the most basic ICANN policies: http://www.icann.org/en/transfers/policy-en.htm Considering that Kenyan ISPs are probably the main registrars of .ke domains this unprofessionalism represents a big challenge to increasing .ke domain uptakes. If it were not for the independent .ke registrars and all we had to deal with were Kenyan ISPs then .ke would have died out a long time ago. Yes, I know I have been speaking generally. I challenge you to name one Kenyan ISP where I can ask for my domain Auth Code during business hours and have it within the hour. -- Pamoja e:daudi.were@gmail.com <e%3Adaudi.were(a)gmail.com> skype: d.were

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EXCHANGE SERVER MIGRATION
by ANTONY NDUNG'U 17 Aug '11

17 Aug '11

Looking for a company to do migration from MS exchange server 2000 to 2007, Active sync config plus the AD. 50 users. Contact me offlist pls. Rgds, Antony

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Learning simplified: Khan Academy
by Tony Likhanga 11 Aug '11

11 Aug '11

Folks, You may know persons to whom this is invaluable. Kindly do the needful. http://khanacademy.org/ PS: It should make a perfect haloween present to some. :) Haloween is meant tobe spooky anyway. Tony

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Generic PHP form saving functions
by Peter Karunyu 10 Aug '11

10 Aug '11

Good people, I seek to write a generic, reusable set of functions that, given a GET/POST array, a table name and a few other instructions, can retrieve data from a form and save it in one or more tables. Anyone know of anything similar which I can build upon? If there is one thing I find totally boring, its processing form data. Oh yeah, ideas on how to do this are also welcome, below are my initial ideas: ---- Parameters to be received by function: 1. Associative array with name of form element and corresponding name of table column 2. Name of table, to be used to construct the INSERT statement 3. A flag to instruct the function to return the last_insert_id() for those cases where you need it for the next save To be returned by the function 1. The last_insert_id() if specified 2. A boolean value indicating if the saving was successful or not Anything else I am missing?

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why are we paying taxes?
by Watchman 19 Apr '11

19 Apr '11

I don't know why i'm paying taxes when my money is going to : 1. Politician's bellies 2. Protecting and harboring criminals 3. Not taking care of our people. Current case the North Kenyans. 4. Getting ready to bargain for the wrong doing politicians over protecting Kenyans. Why is there even a question of whether to pay for the six guilty politicians to stay safe in Kenya over helping the tens of thousands in Northern Kenya? If they aren't guilty, let them go. I don't mind my taxes being used for them going to the hague, but WTF? we're paying 4.7Billion shillings so that they don't go? NO! I will not sit back anymore. There will have to be action. -- ...and I shall shed my light over dark evil. For the dark things cannot stand the light.

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RECOMMEND A BANK ACCOUNT THAT IS NOT FULL OF CRAP.
by Dave Kirirah 01 Apr '11

01 Apr '11

I hated my bank instantly when sm1 made an ATM withdrawal from my account and after reporting all they could provide is date, time and place of withdrawal and would allow me to view footage of there ATM without complecating my life , go to manager, go to police, go to matatu... Anyway i later found out it was my Ex girlfriend and I beat her ass to death...[?] So anyone knows a good bank with no monthly charges ... Enough ATM's, Cues not longer than those on a "Kichwa Bila Mwili" at the ASK show ground" and maybe no minimum balance, or even better they can give me a Credit Card without needing me to earn more than 30K. Other than that i just want a bank that wants to show off its technology...by catching thieves who steal from my account.... You're experience and recommendations will be greatly valued...

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ANYONE ELSE EXPERIENCED SLEEP PARALYSIS.
by Dave Kirirah 30 Mar '11

30 Mar '11

Some say it's your spirit coming back to your body after an astral projection. I'm talking about when you trying to wake up but you can't move your body,You can only move your eyes, You can't talk or scream for help and you hear your thoughts out loud."HOLY JESUS FKING CHRIST THERE'S A DEMON ON MY BACK!! sometimes you can here wierd voices like foot steps or an engine or drums. Eventually it wears off, It only last for about 30 seconds, then I wake up. Or if someone sees u acting all wierd and taps you you instantly wake up.. but now u cant go back to sleep quickly. It sucks...anyone has a experienced this? or has a fix. I know ...off topic... shoot me.

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Press Release:DIGITAL VILLAGES (Pasha Call for Applications)
by Jose Ngunjiri 28 Mar '11

28 Mar '11

Press Release: Pasha Call for Applications Today, Kenya ICT Board and Family Bank have launched a Ksh 320 million loan facility to support the establishment of Pasha Centres across the country. This facility will finance Kenyan entrepreneurs willing to set up thePasha Centres. Pasha Centres are internet access centres that will offer a rich bouquet of services to the public. Pasha Centers are modeled under three categories: Basic, Standard, and Advanced. Each category is defined by the number of computers and services to be offered and the scale of the Pasha Centre proposed by each applicant, but should include a blend of the following: Internet access, computer training, vocational training, ICT retail, access to government services, entertainment and gaming, typing and data entry, printing services, copying and scanning, CD/DVD burning, faxing, IP telephony, cell phones and SIM card sales, mobile-based financial services, IT support and services, office supplies and stationary sales, printer supplies, laminating and photography and other IT enabled services. The centres, most of which will be in the rural areas will help deliver the government’s objective of ensuring that Kenyans everywhere have access to the internet , use it to access Government E-Services and improve their lives. To apply for this loan, the Kenya ICT Board is inviting entrepreneurial Kenyans from around the country to submit business plan proposals that demonstrate how to build and run a successful Pasha Center. The best proposals will be offered a low cost loan from Family Bank allowing the entrepreneurs to realize their dream of owning a Pasha Center. Applicants will be required to submit a compelling business plan as part of their loan application. Together with our financial partners, Family Bank , Kenya ICT Board will award loans to entrepreneurs that will see one Pasha Centre set up in each constituency countrywide within a year. Important Dates Call for Application: January 25, 2011 Deadline for Application: 25th February 2011 Budgets Pasha Digital Villages Revolving Fund: USD 4 M Training BudgetUSD 2M Technical Support:USD 2 M Bandwidth SupportUSD 2M Number of Pasha Centres to be set up: There will be one Pasha centre in each constituency – making 210 Centres in total to be set up within the next year. Project Objectives The project has three objectives: 1.Provide affordable access and use of ICT resources to rural communities in a sustainable way 2.Increase public accessibility to Government services by making these easily accessible through the Pasha Portal. (E.g. KRA, Registration of Persons, Utility payments, Company registration services, Police Abstracts, public service Commission among others) 3.Create economic opportunities that will spur rural economic development Background: What is a Pasha Center? Pasha centers provide a suite of services to the public via computers connected to the internet.. Role of Pasha Centers To provide Kenyans in rural areas with access to information; the increased access to information will serve to: •Enhance business skills and knowledge in rural areas as well as expose rural communities to world news and trends that maypositively enhance their lives •Provide employment for Kenyans both directly through economic activity that the centre will generate and secondarily through the opportunities that the information will provide •Bring online services closer to rural communities Technical Support The Kenya ICT Board will hire a consulting firm to provide online and on-call support to Pasha Centers. The support will include troubleshooting, repair and maintenance of equipment, support with software installation, support for LAN and WAN installation, among other services. Monitoring and Evaluation The monitoring and evaluation (M&E) for the Pasha Centres is intended to assess success of the digital village (DV) project. M&E segment will look at the business success of the pasha entrepreneurs. The M&E will also assess impact and sustainability of the centres, including the pasha centre’s contribution to increased access to information and services to the public at the grass root level. Estimated cost of the models Type of PASHA Apprx number of computers with Internet Access Estimated Maximum Set Up Costs (KES) PASHA Basic 5 computers KES 820,000 PASHA Standard 10- 18 computers KES 2,553,000 PASHA Advance 20- 30 computers KES 3,342,000 About the Pasha Loan The Pasha Loan is made possible through a revolving fund set up by the Kenya ICT Board (through World bank funding) and administered by Family Bank. The funds allocated to each entrepreneur will be repayable over a three year period with an interest rate of 11.5% p.a on the reducing balance. Entrepreneurs can use the funds to finance set-up costs and or upgrading of an existing facility. The revolving fund will be administered as follows: Steps 01: A call for application shall be made by Kenya ICT Board for prospective entrepreneurs to submit Pasha Loan applications Step 2: Prospective entrepreneurs submit complete applications to the nearest Family Bank branch Step 3: Submitted applications are vetted by Family Bank and Kenya ICT Board’s Grants Committee Step 4: Successful entrepreneurs are informed and invited to sign a loan agreement and Kenya ICT Board service level agreement Step 5: Successful entrepreneurs begin loan repayment after a grace period of three months For more information: Visit www.pasha.co.ke Email: pasha(a)ict.go.ke Call: 020 – 2089061 Or www.familybank.co.ke Email: info(a)familybank.co.ke Call: 020- 318 173 www.ict.go.kePage of 1 The Kenya ICT Board is a State Corporation under the State Corporations Act 446 -- ** <http://ngunjirijnr.wordpress.com> | Readiness | Availability | Uptake | Impact |

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