A friend of mine remarked recently that we need to figure out how to work out how part time software developers can get round to producing really innovative, disruptive and market changing products. Someone who develops fun or part time projects, would probably be able to do really good work, as a result of the passion.

Still figuring out this one.. but soon..

He will be at (E001 Lecture Theater, School of Engineering, University of Nairobi) from about 3.00 pm (His presentation starts at 4pm – no late comers) on Friday 25 May to give a talk about his life as an ICT Entrepreneur in Kenya, his advice to the next generation of entrepreneurs, and, his thoughts on where the
opportunities are over the next ten years in Kenya.

Afterwards, he will be available for chat at Blu Corner in Nakumatt Lifestyle.

This is especially targeting University, College students.

live debate stream on http://idhaa.kenic.or.ke:8001/

Follow via blog – http://beckyit.blogspot.com/

The debate is calculated to ensure that ICT issues are put on the
pedestal during the campaign period and in the process hold the future
leaders accountable given the commitments they will give that day.

More details here.

I must say it is quite an entertaining game yet at the same time a learning experience. It took us a bit of time to get up and running as we all had to understand the rules of the game. Too bad we did not have too much time and some of us had to leave early.

However, I managed out of the rat race second. My next target is to see if I can get out within 30 minutes . I am now looking to get my own game as this was borrowed, and at the same time get 202. The weekend beckons…

Mailing list: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kenyalinux/- oldest one I think?
www.lpakenya.org – recently launched Linux Professionals Association
www.osskenya.org – just recently come across it.

I wonder how many people and organisations in Kenya actually use a Linux distribution for ordinary day to day tasks.

I use Ubuntu for my personal (and non day job ) stuff but unfortunately have to use Windows at work – policies). OpenOffice for Documents, AmaroK for Music, Firefox for the web, I’m about to start on GnuCASH for my personal finances, GAIM for Yahoo,MSN,gtalk, skype for linux(no video though). List is long.

There’s lots of legal FOSS software alternatives available – have a look at this chart:

http://linux.wordpress.com/2007/04/08/why-use-software-illegally-when-you-can-use-legally/

and this website: http://www.osalt.com/

I think for a developing country like ours, more and more people and organisations need to be exposed to FOSS alternatives which will go a long way in reducing the cost of software ownership (legally that is ), while, due to the very nature of FOSS, encouraging development of custom/homemade software solutions and services.

I didn’t know that running around for just an afternoon could be so tiring!

The first ever BarCamp in East Africa I guess went well!

Hopefully, we can learn from the experience of organising it. and build on the experience we had.

Details of the event here and here

Get more info on this on the official BarCampKenya Website. Sign up as a sponsor, presenter, participant, blogger etc

It’s free, it’s fun, it’s informal

Saturday 31st March 2007 at the University of Nairobi.

S0me of the possible features:

• Startup Presentations – Ayo Africa, MamaMikes, Possibly – Stockskenya.com (by Netware Associates)
• Blogger Presentations
• AJAX
• VOIP – Asterisk Setup by Melvin & Co @ JKUAT
• Broadband

Sign up on the website for the event if you have something that you’d like to share, or you would like to be part of it.
More details can be found here – http://www.barcamp.org/BarcampKenya

http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/bestcompanies/2007/snapshots/1.html

I am wondering whether Steadman Group can run such a poll – but for Kenya.

They may consider adding a category – Worst Place to Work in Kenya