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19:15
Avoiding the slippery road
» Black Looks Ghana is preparing to embark on oil exploration and it looks like they have learned some lessons from their neighbours in Nigeria and Gabon on the need to have a PLAN Ghana has taken a bold initiative towards a systematic establishment of economic, technical and legal framework to manage its oil extraction, whilst maximizing its benefits [...]SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Avoiding the slippery road ", url: "http://www.blacklooks.org/2008/08/avoiding_the_slippery_road_.html" });
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18:07
mobile blogging, part 3
» Kikuyumoja's realm It’s almost one year ago that I published three (1, 2, 3) articles on mobile blogging - and nothing has really changed since then.
Back in 2007, both the Nokia N95 and the Apple iPhone were released - two completely different phones that were only compared on numerous blogs due to setting new standards on each segment: the N95 being a true multimedia phone with a decent 5mp cam, 640×480 @ 30fps video (albeit a mono mic), a (slow) internal GPS module and a really nice multimedia player. With the latest firmware, it even plays flash videos (YouTube & Co.) and has different applications run at the same time (sort of multitasking). The iPhone on the other hand provided a compatible device that suits Apple users - a nice user interface and all-in-one device like the N95 which unfortunately still missed some basic phone tools (MMS, Bluetooth exchange, etc.). And although both phones aren’t the only cool devices out there, they sold quite well. Even if the iPhone doesnt feature all these special goodies the N95 comes with, Apple’s phone still has the best browser on a mobile phone.
GoogleReader on my N95…
Back in 2007 I had bought the N95 because the music player on my Nokia 6230i had constantly failed (due to a bug in the firmware) and because I urgently wanted to have a new, sexy phone. Something that enables a better mobile blogging experience.
And that’s exactly the basic point here: until now, no mobile phone has actually delivered this *sweet mobile blogging* experience so far.
Back in 2007, I argued that it’s a software issue. And still believe it is. So instead of buying new phones, a systematic adjustment between the phone’s software (firmware & single programmes) and your blogging platform (WordPress, Vox, Typepad, etc.) comes into mind.
Sure, there’s this WP iPhone app some of us have tested some time ago, but still: it doesnt work that well, and it doesn’t provide a similar experience we’re having online on our laptop, surfing the net with decent browsers on bigger screens with full JavaScript support etc..
And this - I believe - is also one of the many reasons for the success of Twitter. Twitter just filled that gap on mobile blogging, phone manufacturers have failed on providing. Why? Because that special Twitter experience is the same whether you’re online via a browser window on your laptop, use it via an extra widget somewhere on the desktop, have it run as a stand-alone utility on S60 & iPhone platforms or just use SMS (for sending only, though).
You know I had a discussion with my Minister of Finance earlier this week on getting a new phone (again), and I had mentioned the new Nokia E71 and why it could be an improvement on what I am looking for (~ mobile blogging device). However, with the above mentioned discussion on mobile blogging being a software issue, I am rather confused now and think I should stick to my N95 at this point. Maybe wait for Google Android’s phone being released by the end of this year?
Another interesting developement since 2007 is the success of so-called Netbooks - which are lightweight laptops at 7″-10″ screen sizes, often equipped with an energy saving CPU, a solid state disk and enough flexibility to provide surfing the net, answering your e-mails and doing some other office work. Battery runtime still is an issue though, often only giving 2-3 hrs. Netbooks are currently sold for 300-400,- EUR in Europe and are small enough to fill that special gap the need for mobile blogging has created.
So here’s my conclusion: instead of waiting for the ultimate mobile web experience via a dedicated & maybe also expensive smart phone, I’ll bet on another setup: ppl - especially those in need in a rural Africa - will imho be introduced to the combination of basic GPRS & UMTS (3G) phones, hooked up to cheaper laptop computers such as netbooks.
Not today, not tomorrow - but maybe in two years time when basic netbooks wil sell for ~ 150,- EUR and will also be sold on the African continent in a big style. Why? Because a mobile phone is - although it is often shared with members of the extended family - still a device for a single user (despite of these new Nokias that come with multiple phonebooks). A computer though can easily be shared with others. Here’s what I had in mind:
Solar panels are already for sale in rural Kenya as well as simple GPRS-capable phones, netbooks could be equipped with a free & open OS (+ BT, serial port & USB cable driver package) and it would still cost below the amount you’d normally spend on a) getting a normal desktop pc online or b) a fancy smartphone that just still doesnt deliver the real web experience.
And the best part: this setup isn’t reduced to the needs of a rural environment, but also applies to urban areas in the US, Europe or Asia. In other words: if I had to do true mobile blogging right now, I’d go for this setup (ok, maybe without those solar panels).
Netbooks are what Twitter
isused to be to SMS: added value.
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16:43
Unmasking Githongo's Blunt Warning on Growth Weaned on Corruption
» You Missed This Judging from the confidence and the salvos he fired during his first press conference, John Githongo appears to be privy to some form of protection we don’t know. Given the fact that the powerful political elite he brought down as still alive and with their connections intact, the former PS cannot afford the luxury of being naive to expose himself to these sharks who will not waste a second to wring his neck literally.
Granted, Githongo is many things to many people. To many he epitomizes selflessness judging from his readiness to bell the marauding big wild cats roaming our political lives. The guy is no typical Kenyan will readily turn the other way provided his comfort is guaranteed and the pocket taken care of. And to his detractors he is just but a simple headline seeker blowing his trumpet from the hilltops. Whatever you take, give it to the chap for the extraordinary courage to look at scoundrels right into the eye and calling their bluff. Kenya’s political landscape is still reverberating from his actions to stand for the truth more than 1000 days ago.
Without mincing words, Githongo has busted the myth that corruption does not really matter so long as the economy was growing. With DECEPTION and FRAUD as unique factors defining our political leadership, Githongo’s twinning of corruption and poor governance is going to generate predictable political heat. The script is so predictable so much so that in a matter of days the heat will be chocking the GCG. And there lies the political catch too.
Hunting dragon corruption
In his press release last week, Githongo initially indicated he was on a brief visit home as a KNHRC guest speaker. Now that has changed and JG has hinted he is here to stay for the long haul to continue doing what he knows best from within-hunting the corruption DRAGON. Come to think of it. The advertisements of senior positions at the PM’s office a few weeks back may not be mere coincidence.
It demands no fertile imagination to picture the political fireworks ahead were the present developments to prove more than a coincidence. Only time will tell but one thing is for sure; the political landscape is destined for vigorous tremors. What next then? Your guess is as good as mine on political grand scheming. Something is definitely cooking and soon the guns will be out blazing. Keep your eyes WIDE open.
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9:08
BlogDay and Blog Action Day 2008
» White African A heads-up on two upcoming blog event days that are worth participating in.
BlogDay 2008 - August 31
I really like BlogDay as it’s a chance to show a little love to some bloggers that are new, really good or unique. I always tend to find at least a couple new blogs that I didn’t know existed before. All you need to do is pick 5 blogs and write a quick blurb about them with a link to their site. Simple. Easy. Effective. (I’ve already got my 5 picked out, and the post written!)
Blog Action Day - October 15
Blog Action Day focuses on a specific global issue and asks bloggers the world over to focus on that for one day. Last year 20,000 bloggers wrote with a laser focus about the environment - we did a post on AfriGadget for it. This year the conversation is focused on poverty.
Blog Action Day 2008 Poverty from Blog Action Day on Vimeo.
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4:42
Tiomin Kwale saga
» bankelele Tiomin Kwale saga
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8 Million Dollar Corrupt China Guns Deal
» You Missed This It appears that our extremely expensive grand coalition government is shaping up to also be a government of grand corruption even as we witness a 10th parliament that is proving to be the most effective watch dog the country has ever had in its’ parliamentary history.--------------------------------
See also: Ingenious way to sell that lifted small business to big success
Relationships: Romance without finance?
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Kumekucha has unearthed a fascinating deal that seems to be unfolding at the moment involving the department of defense.
The government of Kenya needs to import 10,000 rifles for the department of defense. The US government has offered the required rifles for free but in circumstances still shrouded by mystery the government seems to be already taking steps to purchase the said rifles from China at a cost $800 per unit. Incidentally the rifles being purchased are relatively new in the market. This is in sharp contrast to the American rifles which are not only being offered for free, but we are talking about the tried and tested M16 assault weapon which was severely tested in the jungles of Vietnam against the renowned AK-47s that were being used against them in that horrible war. The M16 has over the years been modified and improved to the standard where it can measure up against the very best. Little wonder that the military chiefs have advised that they prefer this particular weapon and have said that this is what should be purchased. It seems that they are unaware of the free offer.
The Chinese Norinco QBZ
However the government seems to have turned down the free offer and has instead opted to purchase those 10,000 rifles from China at a cost of $800 per unit. The rifles from China are the Norinco QBZ-97. This the export version of the brand new Chinese QBZ-95 regulation rifle. Which means that it is yet to be tried and tested.
However the news gets worse. The real cost for each rifle is $500. But the Kenya government is paying $800 per rifle.
One loophole that has consistently been used to fleece money off the public over the years is this excuse about defense and security related purchases being too sensitive for any close scrutiny. Accordingly the names that end up being involved with such deals are always extremely high profile. The names behind this China rifle deal are no exception.
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0:07
Abseiling in Swaziland
» Kenya Imagine A few weeks ago, I went to Swaziland. While there, I went abseiling, a great sport where one climbs down a rope in rock climbing. The view from the top was breathtaking as it was scary. However, I made it to the bottom!
pictures here.