February 2011 - skunkworks - Skunkworks Site

Pivot 25
by Phares Kariuki 18 Jun '11

18 Jun '11

Hi, http://pivot25.com/ <http://pivot25.com/>Have a look at the above event, an iHub/MLab initiative... Pivot25 gives companies the opportunity to showcase their applications to Operators, Venture Capital Community, Angel Investors and the ICT community at large, and at the same time the chance win prize money for their Companies and Applications. Applications are due midnight (Kenyan Time) March 15th, 2011. To enter the competition please view the rules and instructions. We advise you to be as detailed as possible and fill as much of the application criteria as possible. Good opp to display the 'garage' app? -- With Regards, Phares Kariuki | T: +254 734 810 802 | E: pkariuki(a)gmail.com | Twitter: kaboro | Skype: kariukiphares | B: http://www.kaboro.com/ |

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How to create a fallback internet connection
by Kibui Maina 11 Jun '11

11 Jun '11

Hi, anyone know how to create a fallback internet connection? I have two internet connections, Zuku broadband (*Main*) and Safaricom broadband (*Alternate*), I usually connect my Safaricom broadband to the router and disconect the Zuku one when Zuku goes down since its my main connection problem is: users have to change their Gateway when I do this by disconnecting their connections and reconnecting them again. I have been toying with the idea of setting up a server using smoothwall so that when I need to make this change all I do is change the gateway on the server and the clients will not have to mess/change their internet connection settings. Any assistance will be highly appreciated. Rgds, -- Kibui Kenneth Maina, BSC Computer Science. *Tel:* +254 (0) 721 173 780 *Website:* Opticom Solutions <http://opticomsolutions.blogspot.com/> -- Kibui Kenneth Maina, BSC Computer Science. *Tel:* +254 (0) 721 173 780 *Website:* Opticom Solutions <http://opticomsolutions.blogspot.com/>

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Apple TV - windows/linux Equivalent
by Thuo Wilson 24 May '11

24 May '11

Hi, Am looking for an equivalent (functionality or close to..) that can work in other platforms like windows/linux (beside xbox and windows media centre) More importantly the cost coz apple tv is cheap,. If any let me know... THanks -- Wilson.

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Formation of the Kenyan Software & Developers Association / Forum / Group
by aki 03 May '11

03 May '11

While am not one yet as a local software company or developer, I think time has come for us to develop the portfolio and what we want to see done. Even more important is to see where the Govt is on such matters and whether at all it does anything or has left the industry to the mercy of its own survival. *These are our competitors:* - Pirated software - Open Source software - Proprietory software - Software vendors *Who are applicable to become members:* - Local software companies ( not vendors ) - Frameworks - Platforms - Developers - Anyone who develops localised software *What does the portfolio do?* - Helps us achieve and document what needs to be done on short term and long term goals - Representation and decision making on various ICT industry boards - Improve on the educational system - Creation of awareness and more opportunities for developers - In-house software certification - In-house testing facility - Promotion and Marketing - Promote policies that Govt incentive schemes and goals - Long term visions of the sector Please take your time and think what and where we need to head to. Ideas, points and discussions are all welcome. Asante.

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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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Help Setting up Paypal Account
by [Dr. Matt_Mca] 05 Apr '11

05 Apr '11

Dear Team, What do I need to setup paypal account? How safe is it especially with credit card details? Anyone who can assist please do get in touch on call or offlist. Regards, Matt +254 731 714000

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Project Management and ITIL Foundation Training
by Mr. Lawi 04 Apr '11

04 Apr '11

Hello good people, Some time in January there was a thread about PM training and many people expressed interest in signing up for a certification course. I also promised to get back to the group on the said PM training schedule for the year. The company is called Prometrics Associates Kenya. Below is the forwarded introduction letter the company sent to me: RE: PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND ITIL FOUNDATION TRAINING We write to introduce our training and consulting firm Procept Associates with presence in Canada, Nigeria and now Kenya. Procept has formally entered the East African market this year looking to elevate the regions training and consulting experience. Procept is recognized as a market leader in its core capability areas within its geographies of operation. We have previously delivered courses in Kenya (under local partnership arrangements) to delegates from K-Rep Bank and Sofgen, and in Nigeria to delegates from Central Bank of Kenya. Procept is running a 3-day Project Management Essentials course from March 7-9, and ITIL Foundation V3 course, from March 14-16, 2011. The course brochures for these two courses as well as the Instructor Biography are attached. To promote this first public offering in Nairobi, Procept is offering one free space for every 3 fully paid candidates from your organization - this excludes exam fees. Kindly complete the attached Registration Form, and forward via email to Ms Jane Njeru at info(a)proceptkenya.com or call her on +254 722 958 637 for further enquiries. Yours truly, Sola Oduko Website www.procept.com Premier Training and Strategic Consulting in PM, BA, IT Service Management and Business Continuity Management Encl: Course Brochures, Registration Forms and Biography of Instructor.

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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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