July 2011 - skunkworks - Skunkworks Site

Re: [Skunkworks] Government to Launch Open Data July 8th @KICC
by Bernard Mwagiru 07 Jul '11

07 Jul '11

Thank you for this. Is there a "click here to register " link? ./bernard sent from my android device. On Jul 7, 2011 6:49 PM, "Paul Kukubo" <pkukubo(a)ict.go.ke> wrote: *Listers* * * * * *The Government of Kenya, through the Ministry of Information of Communications will launch a new Government Open Data Portal on July 8, 2011 at the KICC that will, for the first time, make several large government datasets available to the general public in an easy to search and view format.* The launch will be presided over by HE President Mwai Kibaki . Program commences at 9.30 tomorrow. The web portal will allow citizens and the private sector to search and display national and county level data in graphs and maps and allow for easy comparison and analysis between datasets. **** ** ** For web and software developers, the portal will avail data in useable formats like cvs, Excel and will even include APIs for each dataset.**** ** ** The portal will be one of the first and largest government data portals in sub-Saharan Africa. With this launch, Kenya will become a leader among developing countries in the adoption of open data - a movement that is gathering momentum globally. **** * * *What is open data?***** Public information and searchable information are two different things. Much public data is already available by law but it's often not usable because it is in a format that is not easy to find, use and re-use. Published PDF files do not constitute "open data" and are not helpful to large-scale users.**** ** ** To be open, data must be:**** - easily found through search engines (meta-tagged)**** - available in machine readable formats (CSV, XML, APIs not PDF)**** - accessible by third party tools/applications (interoperable)**** - allow others to use and re-use for non-commercial and commercial use (e.g Creative Commons Licences)**** Open Data not only increases transparency and accountability but also promotes greater efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of public services by allowing users to easily consume and interpret data**** ** ** This is therefore to invite you to the launch. You can register at the door on your arrival. Paul Kukubo Chief Executive Officer, Kenya ICT Board PO Box 27150 - 00100 Nairobi, Kenya 12th Floor, Teleposta Towers Koinange Street Tel +254 20 2089061, +254 20 2211960 Fax: +254 20 2211962 website: www.ict.go.ke local content project: www.tandaa.co.ke, www.facebook.com/tandaakenya twitter:@tandaaKENYA BPO Project: www. doitinkenya.co.ke Digital Villages Project: www.pasha.co.ke personal contacts _______________ Cell: + 254 717 180001 skype: kukubopaul googletalk: pkukubo personal blog: www.paulkukubo.co.ke personal twitter: @pkukubo ____________________ Vision: Kenya becomes a top ten global ICT hub Mission: To champion and actively enable Kenya to adopt and exploit ICT, through promotion of partnerships, investments and infrastructure growth for socio economic enrichment _______________________________________________ Skunkworks mailing list Skunkworks(a)lists.my.co.ke http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------ Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke

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Government to Launch Open Data July 8th @KICC
by Paul Kukubo 07 Jul '11

07 Jul '11

*Listers* * * * * *The Government of Kenya, through the Ministry of Information of Communications will launch a new Government Open Data Portal on July 8, 2011 at the KICC that will, for the first time, make several large government datasets available to the general public in an easy to search and view format.* The launch will be presided over by HE President Mwai Kibaki . Program commences at 9.30 tomorrow. The web portal will allow citizens and the private sector to search and display national and county level data in graphs and maps and allow for easy comparison and analysis between datasets. **** ** ** For web and software developers, the portal will avail data in useable formats like cvs, Excel and will even include APIs for each dataset.**** ** ** The portal will be one of the first and largest government data portals in sub-Saharan Africa. With this launch, Kenya will become a leader among developing countries in the adoption of open data - a movement that is gathering momentum globally. **** * * *What is open data?***** Public information and searchable information are two different things. Much public data is already available by law but it's often not usable because it is in a format that is not easy to find, use and re-use. Published PDF files do not constitute "open data" and are not helpful to large-scale users.**** ** ** To be open, data must be:**** - easily found through search engines (meta-tagged)**** - available in machine readable formats (CSV, XML, APIs not PDF)**** - accessible by third party tools/applications (interoperable)**** - allow others to use and re-use for non-commercial and commercial use (e.g Creative Commons Licences)**** Open Data not only increases transparency and accountability but also promotes greater efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of public services by allowing users to easily consume and interpret data**** ** ** This is therefore to invite you to the launch. You can register at the door on your arrival. Paul Kukubo Chief Executive Officer, Kenya ICT Board PO Box 27150 - 00100 Nairobi, Kenya 12th Floor, Teleposta Towers Koinange Street Tel +254 20 2089061, +254 20 2211960 Fax: +254 20 2211962 website: www.ict.go.ke local content project: www.tandaa.co.ke, www.facebook.com/tandaakenya twitter:@tandaaKENYA BPO Project: www. doitinkenya.co.ke Digital Villages Project: www.pasha.co.ke personal contacts _______________ Cell: + 254 717 180001 skype: kukubopaul googletalk: pkukubo personal blog: www.paulkukubo.co.ke personal twitter: @pkukubo ____________________ Vision: Kenya becomes a top ten global ICT hub Mission: To champion and actively enable Kenya to adopt and exploit ICT, through promotion of partnerships, investments and infrastructure growth for socio economic enrichment

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What is Innovation?
by aki 07 Jul '11

07 Jul '11

Some thots for Sunday. Each person has their own definition, *From a developed country's view* : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NK0WR2GtFs . I like the comments by the Marie Quinn, EU Commissioner because she hit the nail on the head and so did Larry Hurst, IBM. Plenty of words on Govt Policies. *From Africa's view point* : Re-cycling entreprenuers : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BAm99UKn7w . ( BTW, those garbage is a symbolic representation of anything-dealerships, vendorships, wheeler dealers etc ) Rgds.

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Looking for experienced .NET developers
by Joe Murithi Njeru 07 Jul '11

07 Jul '11

Hello Skunks, My client is looking for experienced .NET developers with the following areas of specialization: 1. Atleast 3 years experience in .NET Development 2. Crystal Reports (Design, Embedding, Visualization, Model Scenarios) 3. Microsoft SQL Server (Administration, DB Design, Query Optimization) 4. Microsoft IIS (Installation/Configuration, Administration, .NET) 5. Active Directory (Advanced Management, Integration with .NET apps) If you are interested please send your cv/resume to joe.njeru(a)gmail.com Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. -- Regards, Joe Murithi Njeru LPI Certified Professional (www.lpi.org) Linux User: #361092 Skype ID: joenjeru Twitter: http://twitter.com/joenjeru Blog: http://www.joenjeru.com

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Re: [Skunkworks] USB MODEM PROBLEM
by nick.wambugu＠gmail.com 07 Jul '11

07 Jul '11

Thats the order of the day at Safaricom Sent from my Nokia phone -----Original Message----- From: Allan Sent: 07/07/2011 12:46:20 Subject: [Skunkworks] USB MODEM PROBLEM Is anybody else experiencing immediate disconnection after connecting to the network? Especially when connecting to Yu? Allan

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Re: [Skunkworks] [kictanet] Kenya IGF 2011 Discussions Day 6 Broadband
by Barrack Otieno 07 Jul '11

07 Jul '11

Thank you Brainiac, Sam Gatere, Lucy Kimani and Francis Hook, you all raise important points. I would just like to stress on the defination of broadband and Service Level agreements as emphasised in your posting, why does it take bashing on lists for companies to honour their Service level obligations, is there a way we can reign in on this poor services from a policy and regulatory perspective? On Thu, Jul 7, 2011 at 7:46 AM, Francis Hook <francis.hook(a)gmail.com> wrote: > I concur. At IDC for the purpose of measuring BB connections, we take 256k > as minimum speeds, especially in emerging markets. In more developed > nations, when talking about national brooadband policies (and in some > countries it is seen as a "right" alongside access to electricity, water, > housing, etc), the definitions range from 1 to 4 Mbps. > > Also agree - SLAs - very crucial. In Kenya its too common to see ISPs > touting 1Mbps speeds and overlooking to mention that contention rates could > be anything between 4-8.....and sometimes seeming to be up to 16 :-) like I > am experiencing with our current provider....finally SLA's in terms of > availability and speeds... > > > On 6 July 2011 21:38, [ Brainiac ] <arebacollins(a)gmail.com> wrote: > >> For starters I think so as not to confuse the public the use of the term >> broadband should be accompanied by a definition and a service level >> agreement. :-( ! >> >> On Wed, Jul 6, 2011 at 9:34 PM, Barrack Otieno <otieno.barrack(a)gmail.com>wrote: >> >>> Dear Listers, >>> >>> • As a nation do we need a comprehensive policy on broadband, if so >>> what should it contain? >>> • Does the current ICT Policy ensure that the country maximizes on >>> the >>> potential of the available broadband? >>> >>> the floor is open, feel free to continue contributing to the previous >>> threads. >>> >>> Best Regards >>> >>> -- >>> Barrack O. Otieno >>> >>> +254721325277 >>> +254-20-2498789 >>> Skype: barrack.otieno >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Skunkworks mailing list >>> Skunkworks(a)lists.my.co.ke >>> http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks >>> ------------ >>> Skunkworks Rules >>> http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 >>> ------------ >>> Other services @ http://my.co.ke >>> >> >> >> >> -- >> *“The twentieth century has been characterized by three developments of >> great political importance: the growth of democracy, the growth of >> corporate power, and the growth of corporate propaganda as a means of >> protecting corporate power against democracy”* >> >> ~ Alex Carey ~ >> >> Tel No: 0x2af23696 >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> kictanet mailing list >> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> >> Unsubscribe or change your options at >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/francis.hook%40gmail.c… >> >> >> The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform >> for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and >> regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT >> sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development. >> >> KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors >> online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, >> share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do >> not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications. >> > > > > -- > Francis Hook > +254 733 504561 > > > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > Unsubscribe or change your options at > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/otieno.barrack%40gmail… > > The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform for > people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and > regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT > sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development. > > KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors > online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, > share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do > not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications. > -- Barrack O. Otieno Afriregister Ltd (Kenya) www.afrire <http://www.afriregister.com>gister.bi, www.afriregister.com<http://www.afriergister.com> <http://www.afriregister.com>ICANN accredited registrar +254721325277 +254-20-2498789 Skype: barrack.otieno

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Finance Policy, Startups
by Phares Kariuki 07 Jul '11

07 Jul '11

Hi, Apologies, cross posted... Question, for those who have run tech startups, how do you deal with excessive revenue? Given that tech firms many times operate on high margins, let's, for the sake of example, say you have a product that, with an expense book of roughly 1M (Rent + Salaries), and your monthly revenue is 8 M KES. What do you do with the remaining 7M? Some say invest in product development but even then, you will still have quite an amount of change. What happens to that change? Invested in a bank? Or in some form of Fixed Income Securities (Bonds, T-Bills etc). What's the general practice in .ke? -- With Regards, Phares Kariuki | T: +254 720 406 093 | E: pkariuki(a)gmail.com | Twitter: kaboro | Skype: kariukiphares | B: http://www.kaboro.com/ |

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USB MODEM PROBLEM
by Allan 07 Jul '11

07 Jul '11

Is anybody else experiencing immediate disconnection after connecting to the network? Especially when connecting to Yu? Allan

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Code: The last frontier and a universal raw material
by aki 07 Jul '11

07 Jul '11

Sharing some thoughts… J *The final chapter* Much as we appreciate the advances in Technology in fancy boxes and functionality, I believe Code is the atom and the raw material that drives every technology devices in existence. Some may argue that semiconductors or even super conductors will change the global map on communications and platforms; it is Code that translates the functionality of semiconductors into useful mechanisms. Whether a low-level pulse generator to high level complex systems. Since we never developed code, but because of the hard work and visions of others who wrote the code, the world today is a much different place. Those that shared code, and allowed it to be further developed to suit others have given something to the world that has value beyond any billion dollar industries. The knowledge and capacity to create using the code atom is within our grasp. In the developing world where we cannot afford to do anything from the ground upwards, whether semiconductors to jet fuel to space age materials to pharmaceuticals, we now have access to the most powerful universal raw material that even the billion dollar industries depend on. We are now equal with most global Research & Development departments, but we lack are the funds to match any research development. To remove partial blame from you and me, we know that until Governments fulfill their side of commitments to growth and stimulus plans, we are not going to be able to achieve much. Yet we have the Code Atom in our hands. We have the heart of all technologies within reach, within our minds to push the barriers further. We have the raw materials and the knowledge to create. We no longer lack any vital ingredient that needs to be imported, we have it now. We don’t create because we need to survive first. And we are at the mercy of government systems that will ensure we remain in the same place for decades to come. They will ensure that while you can take the Code and change things, they cannot allow it to happen. They compare us to failed road contractors, to failed engineers, to failed projects that are meant to show our in competencies, to failed corrupt practices that are not in our control and the failed versions of the propoganda continues to fill the minds of many. Many who have lost every confidence in us all and choose to ignore and open their minds that we do not need help; we are very much capable of helping ourselves achieve a lot. So for some of us the road to the Code Atom continues, despite every set back we read and come across each day. Each day takes us further and further away from our goals but we must continue this very slow progress road until we are able to start claiming ownership of the Code Atom. No one will applaud you, nor pay you for time that could span a number of years. No one cheered or even acknowledged until the end the original pioneers coders but showed them as geeks with abnormal or unique characters. But we need to do this to be able to tackle the last and only frontier that is within our reach. For those who become master of the code atom, a worldwide career awaits you, somewhere out there. You have the ability to create, and the last frontier is the road to a future success. You will find me on this road, at a slow speed, because I understood what the raw material has brought me. The final connection between ideas and reality. An art tool that only artists will understand. I’d like to thank skunks forum for the platform and patience and have been more than glad to share and invite discussion over the years. Retirement from such a worthy forum is not easy but everyting has a time and a place. Glad to have been in electonic contact with many, and hope the future brings much success to all on this list who are also trying to make it somewhere. With Best Rgds. -- The EL_Diablo is a metaphor...

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Mentorship Program
by Phares Kariuki 07 Jul '11

07 Jul '11

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