Reaching for the Cloud with OpenGoo

November 13, 2008 by 3 Comments

I really like Google documents.  I like the flexibility – I can access my information from anywhere in the world with an Internet connection.  Also, it feels good not having to buy the pricey Microsoft Office.  Actually, I'm one of those who is very excited about cloud computing so I pretty much use Google docs for everyday things. (I hear zoho is much better though).

I recently started a small web design 'business'. Basically, I build sites for small organisations and individuals.  I have a reseller account with Myriad Networks so I also host my client's sites.  When I ventured into this, I decided to try and store all the business documents online.  I chose Google docs as I perceive them to be stable and fair.  However, as my small business is progressing, I'm starting to worry about my important documents stored in the 'cloud'.  What if something happened to Google, or what if I somehow lost my Google account?  Questions such as these wore down my resolve to online-only document and spreadsheet processing. I made a local back-up last Tuesday.  Sadly, that's the main problem with computing in the cloud – you entrust your information to a third party.  I'm sure many individuals don't mind doing that – they already have their whole lives on facebook or myspace – but for corporations it is a big problem.  Not only is it worrying to store your company's private information on someone else's disk space bit in some cases, it is not even legal to share client information with third parties.

Guess what? Today I found a reason to go back to my online-only strategy.  OpenGoo is an open source web office solution for every organization to create, collaborate, share and publish external documents.  It offers:

Text documents
Spreadsheets (coming soon)
Presentations
Task lists
Email (very cool)
Calendars (very useful and feature-rich)
Weblinks
Contacts

Of course these are available elsewhere so how is open goo different? Well, 🙂 , OpenGoo is open in all ways.  It isn't hosted on someone's server like, say, Zoho.  You install it on your own disk space and run it from there.  The installation process is similar to WordPress' five minute installation.

Lifehacker has a wonderful review of OpenGoo.  Read it.

My take: OpenGoo provides a solution to many of the problems that plague cloud powered online office suites. Not only that but you don't even need the internet to install and run OpenGoo.  You can use XAMPP instead.

What do you think of OpenGoo?

Filed Under: Tips Hacking and Reviews

Shameless Plagiarism at The Nation Media Group

November 12, 2008 by 4 Comments

I’m a new and proud member of a google group: Bidii Africa.  It is a wonderful group made up of smart people – the kind of place where you learn new things everyday.  What we talk about is probably helpful to everyone that I, and you, know.  The Nation Media Group (NMG) thinks so too.  In fact, they recently printed some articles from Bidii Africa in The Daily Nation and The East African. Sadly, though, they stole what they printed out.  It is sad because I respect the NMG very much (or used to). 

But what is plagiarism, you may ask.  Did the NMG do anything wrong?  Plagiarism.org has this to say about plagiarism: 

” Many people think of plagiarism as copying another’s work, or borrowing someone else’s original ideas. But terms like “copying” and “borrowing” can disguise the seriousness of the offense:
According to the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, to “plagiarise” means

1. to steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one’s own
2. to use (another’s production) without crediting the source
3. to commit literary theft
4. to present as new and original an idea or product derived from an existing source.

In other words, plagiarism is an act of fraud. It involves both stealing someone else’s work and lying about it afterwards.” 

The NMG took articles from Bidii Africa and, without permission, printed them on their papers.  They also failed to, at the very least, acknowledge the source of those articles that they printed out.  This act is in extreme lack of any professional ethics and, in my mind, should be criminal. 
 
The recurring question is: why should a successful and respected newspaper plagiarise?   
 
 “Most often . . . the plagiarist has started out with good intentions but hasn’t left enough time to do the reading and thinking that the assignment requires, has become desperate, and just wants the whole thing done with. At this point, in one common scenario, the plagiarist gets careless while taking notes on a source or incorporating notes into a draft, so the source’s words and ideas blur into those of the plagiarist. 

The plagiarist’s standard defense-that he or she was misled by hastily taken and imperfect notes-is plausible only in the context of a wider tolerance of shoddy work. . . .” (Source: Mano Singham’s Web Journal) 
 
Apart from general lack of professionalism and honesty, I can come up with a few reasons why the NMG did this.  Feel free to add your own. They are: 
  • The people at the NMG don’t know what plagiarism is. 
  • The NMG writers and editors are plain lazy. 
  • Not only are they lazy, they are not creative enough to come up with something o
  • riginal.    
  • Or maybe the NMG writers and editors are too busy to do what they are paid to do. 
  • The NMG didn’t think they could get caught.
  • It was an honest mistake.

How do you tell if your work is plagiarised?  Here’s a link to plagiarism checking software: http://www.duplichecker.com/

— 
The bottom line is that the NMG should be ashamed of their actions.  The Bidii Africa group deserves an apology and, perhaps, some sort of compensation.
Update: Some Bidii Africa members raised the issue with people at NMG.  It seems that, in return, they got threats.  How deep does impunity run?
 
Update 2: Charles from the NMG handled this issue very well, prompting me to write a follow-up: The Nation Media Group, Plagiarism, An Apology and Customer Service – A Case Study.  Also added “Honest Mistake” to the list of reasons why the NMG would plagiarise anything.
Filed Under: Internet Culture

How to Kill a Nice Brand – The Business Daily Way

November 8, 2008 by 1 Comment

Do you remember back when The Business Daily Africa was launched?  I was happy to see that we finally had a good quality business newspaper and I bought it enthusiastically.  I especially loved that, from inception, they had a very strong online presence.  They did everything right, it seems.  In fact, I had predicted that it would grow into one of the best and most respected business papers in this part of the world.  Arguably, it already is.  They built the brand well. However, they’re now destroying their nice brand with equal zeal.

Two cases in point:
“My target of vitriol is the headline story on the Business Daily of October 7, 2008, titled “Internet theft hits a new high” Naturally I was attracted to this story because I am an avid Internet user and a promoter of its potential as a business tool. Considering the very serious nature of the paper’s allegation, I expected a fact-laden article with detailed testimonies, statistics, and warnings. Instead what I read was a vacuous, sensational, and rambling article that relied on unsubstantiated claims, wildly inaccurate headlines, false syllogisms, and a lack of understanding of the internet, internet banking and banking in general.” From Startups in Kenya: Literary hacks at Business Daily.
And,
“The Business Daily is not a well run paper. This particular article should never have been published unless they’re shedding their “Professionally done Business Paper” image. If you read the article carefully, you will notice subtle nuances that suggest the writer is not Kenyan, or at least doesn’t usually live here. Personally, I think he hails from the UK or thereabouts.

What does this mean? Two things:
1. The Business Daily sources articles from freelance writers. Nothing wrong with this, of course.
2. The article was a shameless cut-and-paste by some lazy editor who trusts this particular freelance writer so much that he didn’t bother to read the article fully.” From Kikulacho: Hating The Business Daily.
I don’t know when it started, but I think that The Business Daily is turning into something it never intended to become.  This, to me, demonstrates the easiest way to kill a good brand: negative publicity.  Negative publicity has always been a problem but in the age of the internet, it can mean a quick and vicious death fueled by the viral nature of the internet.  For example, one person writes pure hate about your product, another picks up on it, and before you know it anyone who googles you can see nothing but negative reviews and hate for your product.
When you’re hit with negative online publicity, the worst thing you can do is do nothing about it.  In publishing shoddy and suspect content, the Business Daily is contributing to its fall.  It makes it worse by doing nothing about it.  If you work for the Business Daily or you are simply interested in online reputation management, read this: “Customer Service and Reputation Management the Twitter Way: A Case Study.”  That article will give you an idea of how online reputation management should work: it should be fast, genuine and consistent.
Filed Under: Internet Culture, Tips Hacking and Reviews

Help the Democratic Republic of Congo

November 8, 2008 by Leave a Comment
The situation in the DRC is getting serious and a lot needs to be done, and fast.  Of course many African countries are trying to do something but while they, and the powers that be in the DRC, try to do something, people in the DRC continue to suffer.  This makes me think back to the post-election violence here in Kenya.  That period made me realise that one of the most helpful things in any crisis is information.  The availability of information helps everyone greatly, information empowers everyone.  To this end, Ushahidi has been deployed in the DRC.


Ushahidi was created and first used to collect information during the post-election violence in Kenya.  It is an ingenious use of crowdsourcing to help manage information in crisis-hit regions.
I believe it’s deployment in the DRC will be quite useful.

How can you help?
Spread the word.  Crisis information can be submitted to Ushahidi via sms or online.  Let people know of the DRC’s deployment and the mobile number to use.  Things are getting very serious in the DRC, let’s all help make a difference.

Mobile Number: +243992592111

 
Filed Under: Miscellaneous

How to Earn While Learning (in Kenya)

November 5, 2008 by 26 Comments

JJ people have set up a Java Development Centre in Nairobi, Kenya and are looking for people to join them to become professional software developers writing Java code for clients spread across Europe, Canada and North America.

They look to have a very sweet deal: basically, you sign up with them to receive FREE training in java.  After you complete introductory level training, they will pay you to learn with them following which they will then offer you a three year as a java developer working with their clients from Europe and North America.  Now, I don’t know about you but that does sound too good to be true.  


Guess what? It’s not too good to be true.  This is the real deal.  In my view it’s the quickest and easiest path to becoming a software developer (and get paid while doing it).  I have the good fortune to have a good friend currently in the JJ people program and he agreed to an interview.  So without much further ado, I bring to you, Paul.

How did you find JJ People?
I found the JJ people opportunity through the help of my big sister.  She saw the advertisement in the newspaper, and knowing how much I enjoy using computers, she suggested I sign up.  So she helped me draft a letter which I sent through email with my CV attached.

How easy was it to get in?
Getting in was easy, the hard part was waiting for my username and password.  I remember I waited for a month, calling the JJ people HR Manager everyday asking about my username and password.  After two weeks, I had lost hope of joining.  After four months, I finally got the email from JJ people and that same night, I finished the first module.

What is your experience like?
When I frist went to the office(situated at Augustana College Building – on your way to Karen along Ngong Road), I saw all these older people, very active at researching and coding.  I knew it had been some time since I did Java, but I always have preferred it over any other programming language. So that same day, I had to borrow a huge book on Java programming from a friend. Since I was coming to the office once a week, it took me two months to finish the second module(Java fundamentals) as I was studying Java all over again.  After finishing that module, it was easy street. 

At JJ people you meet all kinds of people.  Those who have had years of experience in Java, those who are starting out. T hose who are in it for the money (eventually most have quit midway module two).  At the main office, you get to meet those who have gone through the whole training and are know either Senior developers, Developers or trainees doing projects for the company.  The training has helped me think outside the box more when it comes to java. This is my 4th week at JJ people and what I’ve learnt, no university or college in Kenya can match.

Best moment so far?
I don’t think I have had a particular best moment at JJ people because everyday, walking into that office and sitting at my laptop is a good moment for me.  At JJ People, not everyone is the “serious type”.  You will find the IT Manager, Mr John Dickerson, talking to students and sometimes complaining out loud.  But with the friendly environment comes work.  You must work hard to achieve that 3 year contract you want with JJ People.

Worst moment so far?
Once when I was the only one caught on facebook (people are supposed to be working and not chatting. Yet half the room was on facebook).  Also another time when I was accused of copying someones idea. Sincerely, if the question read the same, they also gave the names of the methods to use………to me, it’s not copying, I simply learnt from the person’s idea.

Any advice for people looking to join?
If anyone wants to join, join. But I must warn you, join if you know what you want. If you have a passion for Java and you want to further develop it, join. There will be people greater at Java than you, but in the end its all about understanding because later on, you apply what you have learnt in previous tasks.

What do you hope to achieve at JJ people?
I joined JJ people because I wanted to learn.  That is my main reason after which is the pay.  But all in all, my dream job is working at EA(Electronic Arts) in Europe.  So my next part-time task is learning 3D programming and 3D animation.  I find a job to learn more than to earn. Most of the cases people quit jobs because of the pay and not because of the skills they acquire.

—
Enough said. Here’s the link to the JJ People website, click and go. Please leave a comment telling us what you think of this.

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Filed Under: Interviews, Online Jobs, Tips Hacking and Reviews

Safaricom, WiMAX and internet for the whole of Kenya?

October 2, 2008 by 2 Comments

OneCom (which is 51% owned by Safaricom) has just signed a deal that could see universal internet access come to Kenya in the form of WiMAX. (Read the full story over at Kikulacho)


But what is WiMAX, what can it do? According to HowStuffWorks,” WiMAX has the potential to do to broadband Internet access what cell phones have done to phone access. In the same way that many people have given up their “land lines” in favor of cell phones, WiMAX could replace cable and DSL services, providing universal Internet access just about anywhere you go. WiMAX will also be as painless as WiFi — turning your computer on will automatically connect you to the closest available WiMAX antenna“. 

So what does this mean for the average Kenyan?  Well WiMAX is a technology that has had a lot of hype associated with it and not for no good reason: On the surface, WiMAX seems an arrestingly good idea. It’s a wireless broadband technology that can link to homes as a competitor to wireline, it’s good for mobile and portable data at high speeds, you can make voice calls on it, the range is up to about 20 miles … what else could you want? The problem is that the benefits of WiMAX aren’t free; you have to establish a business framework in which the limitations of WiMAX, which are the limits of any wireless broadband technology, don’t stall deployment and success.(Read)

The reality, though, is There is no way that WiMAX can be competitive to wireline broadband where the latter can be economically deployed. Sure, there are second- and third-world applications of WiMAX where very low population density means the number of people per cell will be low, and where wireline services aren’t available. There are likely similar rural opportunity examples in industrial nations, including the U.S. But WiMAX isn’t going to cover the city of San Francisco with twenty-odd cells and generate a service experience that will keep Clearwire and WiMAX credible if the standard of performance is to be as good as wireline.The value of WiMAX has to be in doing something it can do uniquely well, not doing something that other wireline technologies do better.(Read)

Still, many of the limitations of WiMAX become apparent only in heavily populated regions where the newtork is put under strain. Here in Kenya, there are large regions where the number of internet users is sufficiently low to make WiMAX’s adoption smooth and easy.
Filed Under: Internet Culture

How to Fight Internet Addictions

February 18, 2008 by 2 Comments

The amount of time kids spend online is a source of frustration for many parents. Initially, parents welcomed the Internet into their homes, believing they were opening up an exciting new world of educational opportunities for their children. However, many parents soon realized that, instead of using the Internet for homework or research, their kids were spending hours instant messaging with friends, playing online games or talking to strangers in chat rooms. Be Aware.

I believe not just kids are faced with internet addictions. Youu may well find yourself spending way too much time playing an online game, chatting, reading forums, or doing a number of internet activities (including blogging!). Such a situation can be very frustrating. Indeed, many online gamers, for example, hate how much time they spend in the game yet they come back everyday.

How do you beat internet addictions?
1. Houston We Have a problem
As with all addictions, the first step is always to admit that there is a problem. Without doing this, you cannot break your addiction. Here are some simptoms of interent addictions to help you along: (from the simply fabolous Be Aware site on internet addiction)

A.Psychological symptoms
Having a sense of well-being or euphoria while at the computer
Inability to stop the activity
Craving more and more time at the computer
Neglecting family and friends
Feeling empty, depressed and irritable when not at the computer
Lying to family and friends about activities
Problems with school or work

B. Physical symptoms
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Dry eyes
Migraine headaches
Backaches
Eating irregularities, such as skipping meals
Neglecting personal hygiene
Sleep disturbances and changes in sleep patterns

2. What do you do next?

After acknowledging that you have a proble, you can now solve it. A lot of good stuff has been written on how to break away from addictions so I’ll only give (very useful) links.

Be Aware – Internet Addictions. Simply super resource for recognising several forms of internet addictions and combating them.

Break a Work of Warcraft Addiction. Highly recommended and applicable to breaking online game addictions.

Break a Myspace Addiction. Very applicable to breaking social website site addictions.

Defeat a Wiki Addiction. For those of you addicted to wikis. This may be applicable to forum and, possibly, blogging addicts as well.

Seven Steps to breaking Your Addiction. In case your particular brand of addiction isn’t covered above, Dr. Phill’s excellent site is just for you.

Internet Addiction Disorder. Finally, an interesting read arguing that internet addictions are just new forms of older (real life) addictions and, as such, can be fought with old hat conventional methods. For example, a gambling addict is a gambling addict whether he gambles on or offline.

May the force be with you. 😉

Filed Under: Internet Culture