-
21:04
Another Day, Another Bottom
» For Love and Money Another Day, Another Bottom
-
18:08 South Africa: State of The Mobile Web
» Afromusing 
Via ICT4D on TwitterThe Opera Mini mobile web browser is gaining popularity even in my household (ahem Nokia E71), and the latest numbers from the State of the mobile web indicate the stats for SA. I did not find any stats on Kenyan usage, i suspect its still not a ‘critical mass’ to warrant inclusion in SMW. Would be curious if anyone has mobile web stats from Kenya, please share, because Tim Berners Lee said so!
Download SMW PDF here and read a summary with highlights and pretty graphs here.
From the report:
In 2008, we saw strong growth in Opera Mini usage all over the world, in both developed and developing countries. Social networks and search engines were competitive, as Opera Mini users determined their preferences.
emphasis is mine
I would not be surprised if traffic from the developing world eclipses that of the developed world in the coming years. If over 80% of BBC mobile site’s traffic comes from Africa…we are likely to see more dominance of mobile web usage by my fellow Africans.
I heard this bbc stat last year and cant for the life of me find the document it was mentioned in. Halp?!Snapshot: South Africa (# of unique users)
• Live is back on the list after a six month absence.
• In December, neither Gmail no webmail.co.za are on South Africa’s top ten list.
Top 10 sites in South Africa (# of unique users)
1) facebook.com
2) google.com
3) wikipedia.org
4) yahoo.com (up from 5)
5) gamejump.com (down from 4)
6) my.opera.com
7) mxit.co.za
8. youtube.com
9) waptrick.com (up from 10)
10) live.com (back on the list)
Top social networks in 2008 South Africa
• Facebook was the preferred social networking site for South Africans in 2008.Web site Growth rate in 2008 (users)
facebook.com 187.48%
peperonity.com 66.44%
mocospace.com 189.98%
hi5.com 59.84%
I am shocked, who are these people using hi5?!!
It is quite likely that the stats for Kenya would indicate Facebook as the top site, would love to see how Zuqka is fairing on. @kahenya i am sure the TOS for Zuqka would definitely trump FB’s current heavy handedness?
-
16:49
Coming soon to Kenya - The Grand Fertilizer Scam
» Rants, Raves & Reviews I, Coldtusker, GUARANTEE that the decision by the government of Kenya to import, subsidise & distribute fertilizer will be beset by multiple scams involving one or more of the following:
A - The 'wrong' (type, grades, mixes, combinations) fertilizer will be imported/distributed to the areas.
B - Politically connected firms & individuals (e.g. jackson kibor & maize) will buy the subsidised fertilizer & sell it at higher prices.
C - In many cases the fertilizer will reach the farmers AFTER the planting season is over. Or reach them when it is not as effective/ideal.
D - Gov't will ultimately deliver fertilizer at prices higher than what private firms can. If not for subsidies, the price of government fertilizer will be higher than private firms!
E - In some cases, the fertilizer will be left to 'spoil' & will be disposed off as 'junk' or 'obsolete' or 'ineffective'.
PLEASE quote me if any if the above does not happen IF the government goes ahead with the foolhardy idea of importing & distributing fertilizer through the NCPB.
-
13:26
In With the Young
» What An African Woman Thinks Something monumental happened in Kenya today. Cecil Miller, only 39 years old, was appointed to a high profile position in Kenya’s government, that of interim Chair of the Electoral Commission of Kenya.
Shock. And awe.
No, seriously. This is big. I had long ago despaired that after John Githongo’s ill-fated term as corruption czar, there would be no more young blood injected into this particular government’s system.
Better, they seemed to think, to whitewash dodgy reputations and recycle the same two and a half people over and over and over again. On account of which I was certain they’d settle on Francis Ole Kaparo, the former Speaker of Parliament (a decent man, by me, by the way).
Instead, they picked Cecil Miller, who, at my first glance, appeared to be an also ran.
It was interesting to surf Kenyan message boards and read some of the reactions. There are some, apparently, who think that because Miller’s father was once Kenya’s Chief Justice, this is just another episode in Kenya’s long running dynasty drama and proof that power will always remain within the clutches of the few and out of the reach of the many.
In this regard, I had rather reserve judgement, although I too answer to a nondescript name.
Per the Chair of the Parliamentary Select Committee on the Constitution, Abdikadir Mohammed, he was chosen because he demonstrated superior understanding of the scope and range of the electoral reforms needed in the country in the wake of the debacle that was the last election. Which makes sense because he was lead counsel during the Kriegler Commission of Inquiry into the botched elections and it was the Kriegler Commision that recommended the disbandment of the current Electoral Commission of Kenya. In that respect, it is quite plausible that he had an edge of the rest of the candidates.
At this juncture, I do not have a personal take on who Cecil Miller is and what he is capable of doing. I do not know enough. But I do wish him well in the post, in the fervent hope that when he succeeds, it will become increasingly clear that Kenya’s post independence generation is ready to take the helm of this nation and steer it in a better direction.
On Prime Time news this evening, there were those who thought there was too much being made about his age. Maybe. But there wouldn't be, if this was a more common occurrence. Of course, there’s no guarantee that young will be better than old, so Cecil Miller still has to prove himself. We wait to see.
Update: I did that thing that we really shouldn't. I counted the chickens before they had hatched. So, the nomination hit a snag in parliament. When the motion was put before parliament, Millie Odhiambo, nominated MP, stood up and said she could not in good conscience support Miller's chairmanship on account of his allegedly being a wife batterer. The deputy Speaker declared that statement "contrary to the dignity and the integrity of the House" but it was already out there and it swayed enough women MPs' votes to lead to a tie-67 for, 67 against with one abstention by another woman MP, Cecily Mbarire.
Update 01.03.09 (For Denford's Sake): It has all fallen apart. The search for a new chair has began. It's my window, but I don't own the view. -
25 Things That Julian Smith Hates About Facebook
» What An African Woman Thinks Via Michael Hyatt, who also has an interesting take on where and how social media converge here.
In the interest of full disclosure, I must sheepishly confess that I did the 25 Random Things About You Meme. And quite enjoyed it at that. And although I was surprised by the flood of birthday wishes, I didn't mind them, in the end.
Still, he totally made me holler out loud when the butt of the joke was, umm... me. That's not necessarily a bad thing.
It's my window, but I don't own the view.
-
9:02
Quiet street on a sunday
» REBECCA WANJIKU'S BLOG 
-
Am not sure what this is...
» REBECCA WANJIKU'S BLOG 
It must be from one of the most interesting sculptors but am not sure what this is.... -
Barcelona and culture
» REBECCA WANJIKU'S BLOG 
-
8:01
In Case We Go To The Hague
» You Missed This 1024x768 Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 st1:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;}Winners:
Kenyan Tax Payers: In these tough economic times, we should be happy that our tax shillings will not be used in the formation of a kangaroo court.
Kamiti Residents: The way I see it, all prisoners in Kenya must ask their respective wardens to open the prison gates and set them free. After all, the judicial system that locked them up has lost all confidence. The journey to The Hague vindicates all of those who’ve been in front of a Kenyan judge.
Raila Odinga: In about two weeks, we shall start hearing some fantastic stories about how Raila really and truly never wanted a local tribunal…even though he voted for it. Come campaign time, the people’s president will take credit for sending chaps to The Hague. His vote as recorded in the gazette will be seen as a tactful political chess move to hoodwink some people who we really don’t know yet.
Mwai Kibaki: Now that this thing is pretty much over, my friend can go back to State House and rest. The trips to Parliament Buildings were not only cumbersome but also very tiring. Rather than listen to hecklers saying ‘no’ to his face, he would rather sit in his backyard listening to birds chirp and feeding bananas to the monkeys of Arboretum.
Ruto and Uhuru: Wacheni kupapatika wasee. Fifteen years is a long time to prepare a defense…. and even if they lost the case, current ICC prisoners eat eggs and sausages for breakfast. As we speak, there are some Rwandese prisoners in Tanzania playing badminton in the lush ICC prison yard. Life as an ICC prisoner is not too shabby.
Phillip Waki: For the first time in Kenya’s history, a commission’s report may mean justice. Praise be to Waki…even though his list left out a huge number of suspicious tax payer fattened MPs.
IDPs: It’s going to take a while but justice will come…someday. Just the sight of Kenyan suspects shivering behind the bullet proof glass should provide some solace.
Kalonzo Musyoka: He’s probably the only person in Kenya who can claim he did not cast a stone…so if he goes to The Hague, it will be as a witness or a tourist. That alone should allow him some kind of relevance in future.
Major Ali: Much as he’s willing to divulge all the details of the much publicized police killings, the man simply does not have a case to answer.
Kumekucha
-
3:27
Orange/Telkom/Mobile whatever
» Farmgal Aki orange is such a hoax! I’ve been trying to register my friends and family numbers so I can enjoy the 1 shilling phone calls for a few days now! I’ve called the free number, and they tell you to keep trying. I think they need to get punished for advertising something that’s not really [...]
-
Tidbits from
» Rants, Raves & Reviews Japan's Finance Minister resigns coz he appeared to be drunk at a conference. He claims it was a combination of jet lag & cold medicine.
Kenya's current FM, uhuru kenyatta, looks drunk. All the time. Just joking. I hope he does better than most of the jokers Kenya has had in the past especially the george 'goldenberg' saitoti.
We all know Kenya's former FM (guess who???) is a former drunk. Kudos to him on kicking the habit but not the lethargy.
Now for the serious part: Kenyan ministers NEVER resign for any sort of foible or corruption. Starting with paul ngei to william ruto. And so many in between!!!
African legislators are crooks. No matter where.
KPC in more trouble. Again!!! Kenol-Kobil plays tough with KPC.
BBK's group results PBT up 13% but PAT up 12.5% (EPS of 4.10), BBK is trading at a historic P/E of 10.
-
Atlantique Telecom chooses AIRCOM for EDGE planning in West Africa
» REBECCA WANJIKU'S BLOG AIRCOM International, the leading independent network planning and optimisation consultancy, today announced that it has signed a deal to provide its suite of market-leading network planning tools to Atlantique Telecom, the West African subsidiary of UAE-based telecoms group Etisalat International which operates networks in six countries across West Africa.
Atlantique Telecom operates EDGE mobile networks under the “Moov” brand in the Ivory Coast, Benin, Togo, the Central African Republic, Gabon and Niger. Under the terms of the agreement, Atlantique Telecom will purchase AIRCOM’s suite of planning tools –including its market-leading software products ASSET, ILSA and CONNECT – to improve the performance of individual networks by optimising each one’s RF and transmission plans. This will deliver better coverage levels and improved capacity across each network, delivering an enhanced quality of service to Moov customers.
“Our aim is to always push the boundaries of the African mobile phone market by delivering a consistently high quality of service and user experience to our Moov customers,” said Mr Mamadou Cisse, Network Quality and Optimization Director at Atlantique Telecom. “In competitive trials, AIRCOM planning tools consistently came out on top. Our choice of AIRCOM for our RF planning needs means that our engineers can use separate RF and transmission databases to deliver a single, optimised RF and transmission plan that is specific to each of our networks. By maximising our networks’ performance in this way, we ensure our customers get to enjoy the best possible service, wherever they are.”
“We’re delighted to be picked by Atlantique Telecom as its supplier of choice for RF network planning,” said Bashar Zako, MD of AIRCOM MEI. “An optimised RF / transmission plan ensures a network performs more efficiently and more effectively. This reduces running costs while also improving coverage levels, thereby ensuring subscribers can enjoy a consistently high quality user experience, whenever they use their mobile phone.” -
AIRCOM and iBwave Partner for in-Building Network Optimisation
» REBECCA WANJIKU'S BLOG AIRCOM International, the leading independent network planning and optimisation consultancy, announces today a partnership with iBwave Solutions, the leader of in-building wireless standard software, to deliver improved in-building network planning and design solutions to operators across the globe.
The deal will see iBwave’s unique in-building wireless network design software integrated into AIRCOM’s ASSET solution, the industry’s leading network optimisation tool. It will allow AIRCOM to offer all-encompassing radio network planning and optimisation services, adding enhanced in-building functionality into its ENTERPRISE tool suite.
“In-building coverage is fast becoming one of the most important considerations for network operators, so we needed to find a best in class solution provider to help service our customers and provide seamless in-building planning as part of the radio network design,” says Margaret Rice-Jones, CEO of AIRCOM International. “It was clear that iBwave was the company to help achieve this, so we look forward working with them to strengthen our position as the in-building industry’s network solution provider of choice.”
iBwave is an international in-building software company that specialises in providing unique in-building network planning and design solutions to more than 150 customers including operators, integrators and equipment vendors across five continents. The deal will extend AIRCOM’s solution portfolio, allowing both companies to offer an integrated network solution to their combined customer base.
Commenting on the shared interface Mario Bouchard, CEO and President of iBwave says that “The mobile operator community is a key target market for iBwave and this integration is our commitment with our partners to deliver best of breed indoor and outdoor wireless networks.”
The integration between iBwave’s software and AIRCOM’s ENTERPRISE is complete and the new network optimisation indoor/outdoor feature will be available upon RF-vu’s new 4.2 version that is planned to be released on February 23, 2009 -
In Barcelona
» REBECCA WANJIKU'S BLOG Barcelona is such a nice city, am busy enjoying the food and the nights out and forgot to update the blog..... will post some pictures of nice unique architecture later....
But now...some boring techie stuff must come....
-
2:00
Sentencing of confessed murderer of Eudy Simelane
» Black Looks Four men were tried for the murder and rape of Eudy Simelane at the Delmas Circuit Court last week. LGBTI activist and supporters from other social movements in South Africa were also there to give witness to the trial. One of the accused pleaded guilty to murder but not rape and was [...]SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Sentencing of confessed murderer of Eudy Simelane", url: "http://www.blacklooks.org/2009/02/sentencing_of_confessed_murderer_of_eudy_simelane.html" });
-
Rwanda - The New Hope of Africa Part 2
» Rants, Raves & Reviews Unlike Kenya, Rwanda (under Paul Kagame) is taking a serious stand against corruption.
When I spoke to folks doing business in Rwanda, they say corruption tends to be low-level but structures are in place to deal with serious corruption.
Paul Kagame wants to make Rwanda the Singapore of Africa. Paul is a 'benevolent dictator' on a similar plane as Lee Kuan Yew & he is reportedly as clean as it gets.
Paul - unlike most African rulers (thieves) gave up his ancestral land since he did not need it!!!
In Kenya, jomo kenyatta & dan moi were unabashed kleptocrats!
