[kictanet] Taking the digital dividends to the constituencies for prosperity

Wed Jan 25 14:00:06 EAT 2017

Correction @Ngigi,

The touchscreen as an Input device is inconvenient for writing code. It is
however a self contained Input / Output device in a small enough form
factor, The only thing missing is a physical keyboard and the difference
between that and a laptop for instance is negligible.

When my laptop was out of commission, I remained conpletely productive on
an Ipad and an external keyboard, doing everything on codeanywhere.com and
ssh into my servers, which is more or less what I do anyway on the laptop.
You just cant beat the flexibility of having everything in a small package
like you get on a tablet, and the ability to move round with your computer
withour extending cables and ethernet.

I guess the question is, Should they get cheap laptops? or Tablets? I think
we should disocciate the need for hackable hardware from the type of
hardware needed for a learning environment that would give in the broadest
sense as much value.

On Wed, Jan 25, 2017 at 1:03 PM, Ngigi Waithaka <ngigi at at.co.ke> wrote:

> Collins,
>
> Yes, you can program on a tablet, but that's fitting a square pole into a
> round hole. If you hack code, try working on a Tablet a whole day :-)
>
> Tablets , Phablets, Phones were never meant for programming. Their form
> factors just don't work very well for programming and/or learning. They are
> consumer devices.
>
> I think the biggest advantage Raspberry et.al have over everything else,
> including desktop computers, they are meant to encourage someone to open
> them up and learn how to put it together.
>
> Also, with a different SD Card, you could load a different OS
> (environment) altogether. So kids just keep on loading different things as
> they learn from them.
>
> Computers on the other hand are getting more & more closed. You buy, it
> breaks, return to dealer. forget even about opening it up just to play
> around.
>
> Rgds
>
> On Wed, Jan 25, 2017 at 12:23 PM, Collins Areba via kictanet <
> kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:
>
>> I think the problem is not the tablet, its what runs on the tablet. There
>> is amazing software that can run on tablets and deliver the same learning
>> experience as on a desktop or laptop. The problem is the ecosystem.
>>
>> On Wed, Jan 25, 2017 at 12:20 PM, Erick Mwangi via kictanet <
>> kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:
>>
>>> Ngugi,
>>>
>>> Touche my 5 year old daughter understands the inner working of a comp
>>> and we do have intelligent conversations and frankly sometimes I draw
>>> blanks as my core background is not IT. She started coming with Rasberry
>>> PI's home since she was 4. This is how they are taught programming in
>>> school.
>>>
>>> I also don't get the Tablet façade!
>>>
>>> Eric
>>>
>>> E Njoroge Mwangi
>>> Technology| FINTECH | Big Data
>>>
>>> Cell +44 7539372742
>>> Skype: Erick.mwangi
>>>
>>> On Wed, Jan 25, 2017 at 8:41 AM, Ngigi Waithaka via kictanet <
>>> kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Tony,
>>>>
>>>> I still think the Raspberry Pi would have made a much better
>>>> alternative than Tablets.
>>>>
>>>> Tablets IMO do not inspire deep learning, they are more entertainment
>>>> devices than work devices (Try programming with a Tablet).
>>>>
>>>> They are also at greater risk of getting spoilt due to their mobility.
>>>> And if a kid drops one, that's it! Completely dead unless someone gets a
>>>> replacement screen.
>>>>
>>>> Now, look at the Raspberry Kits out there. Cheap, even cheaper to
>>>> replace incase anything goes wrong and much hardier than tablets. Most
>>>> importantly Raspberry inspire learning, starting with a kid seeing how a
>>>> computer gets put together.
>>>>
>>>> For mobility, how about a kid could even carry the Raspberry home and
>>>> connect to their home tv?
>>>>
>>>> At these costs, and adding a Ksh 5K monitor, you have a 10K machine
>>>> that's very versatile.
>>>>
>>>> Have a look at some sample kits from here (
>>>> https://www.raspberrypistarterkits.com  )
>>>>
>>>> https://www.amazon.com/Vilros-Raspberry-Complete-Starter-Bla
>>>> ck/dp/B00MV6TAJI
>>>>
>>>> https://www.canakit.com/raspberry-pi-3-ultimate-kit.html
>>>>
>>>> What I also find interesting is how developed economies are pushing
>>>> their Kids to Raspberry Pi-type devices which are ideal for learning, as we
>>>> push our kids towards consumer type devices (Tablets)
>>>>
>>>> Regards
>>>> Waithaka Ngigi
>>>> www.at.co.ke
>>>>
>>>> On Tue, Jan 24, 2017 at 4:52 PM, Tony White via kictanet <
>>>> kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Eric,
>>>>>
>>>>> I'm in full agreement with your suggestion - but this should be in
>>>>> addition to the '40 tablets'.  Raspberry Pis, whilst low cost, also
>>>>> need TVs as monitors, keyboards, mice, power supplies, cables.  It
>>>>> would be a maintenance nightmare!
>>>>>
>>>>> So - there should be 'maker space' provided in addition for mebbe 5
>>>>> Pis, with breadboards, components, and a RasPi teacher following the
>>>>> recently released curriculum for the RasPi.
>>>>>
>>>>> We can but dream ;)
>>>>>
>>>>> Cheers,
>>>>> Tony
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> On 24/01/2017, Eric Mwangi via kictanet <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>
>>>>> wrote:
>>>>> > While this cool - I was fortunate to sit with his team and talked
>>>>> about
>>>>> > Ajira and this particular project. However my suggestion then and
>>>>> still is -
>>>>> > why not install Rasberrry PI's to create a development culture and
>>>>> cost a
>>>>> > fraction to tablets?
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Eric
>>>>> > www.vaultglobal.co.uk
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Sent from my iPhone
>>>>> >
>>>>> >> On 24 Jan 2017, at 12:59, Collins Areba via kictanet
>>>>> >> <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:
>>>>> >>
>>>>> >> Interesting read, I actually have a question:
>>>>> >>
>>>>> >> What is the current state of Business Process outsourcing in this
>>>>> country?
>>>>> >> I remember there was a time when this was a tune everyone was
>>>>> singing as
>>>>> >> justification for landing five (or is it six) submarine cables. A
>>>>> few
>>>>> >> years down the line, have these industries taken off? Is there
>>>>> >> quantifiable lessons to learn from these? Do the same , or more
>>>>> business
>>>>> >> opportunities exist for the same or different kind of platforms?
>>>>> >>
>>>>> >> On making access affordable and available, Would it make better
>>>>> sense to
>>>>> >> expand the mandate of Kenet? To somehow tap into their experience
>>>>> to have
>>>>> >> them extend internet to schools, polytechnics, etc, and provide more
>>>>> >> funding (government, USF, Private sector) in a single channel to
>>>>> manage
>>>>> >> delivery of connectivity to academia.
>>>>> >>
>>>>> >> My $2.
>>>>> >>
>>>>> >> On Tue, Jan 24, 2017 at 3:43 PM, Ali Hussein via kictanet
>>>>> >> <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:
>>>>> >>> Listers
>>>>> >>>
>>>>> >>> An interesting article penned by our very own CS. Insightful and
>>>>> needed.
>>>>> >>>
>>>>> >>>
>>>>> >>> Taking the digital dividends to the constituencies for prosperity
>>>>> >>>
>>>>> >>> I'm hoping that the Abdis, The Kamaus, The Karisa, The Poghishios,
>>>>> The
>>>>> >>> Omaris, The Nyachaes...(You get the drift..) in the farthest
>>>>> corners of
>>>>> >>> Kenya - From Wajir to Kakuma to Lamu will access Broadband
>>>>> everywhere and
>>>>> >>> anywhere sooner rather than later.
>>>>> >>>
>>>>> >>>
>>>>> >>> Regards
>>>>> >>>
>>>>> >>>
>>>>> >>> Ali Hussein
>>>>> >>> Principal
>>>>> >>> Hussein & Associates
>>>>> >>>
>>>>> >>> Tel: +254 713 601113 <+254%20713%20601113>
>>>>> >>> Twitter: @AliHKassim
>>>>> >>> Skype: abu-jomo
>>>>> >>> LinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim
>>>>> >>>
>>>>> >>> 13th Floor , Delta Towers, Oracle Wing,
>>>>> >>> Chiromo Road, Westlands,
>>>>> >>> Nairobi, Kenya.
>>>>> >>>
>>>>> >>> Any information of a personal nature expressed in this email are
>>>>> purely
>>>>> >>> mine and do not necessarily reflect the official positions of the
>>>>> >>> organizations that I work with.
>>>>> >>>
>>>>> >>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>> ollins%40gmail.com
>>>>> >>>
>>>>> >>> The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder
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>>>>> >>> for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy
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>>>>> >>
>>>>> >>
>>>>> >>
>>>>> >> --
>>>>> >> Regards,
>>>>> >>
>>>>> >> Collins Areba,
>>>>> >> Kilifi, Kenya.
>>>>> >> Tel: +254 707 750 788 / 0731534124
>>>>> >> Twitter: @arebacollins.
>>>>> >> Skype: arebacollins
>>>>> >> _______________________________________________
>>>>> >> kictanet mailing list
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>>>>> >>
>>>>> >> Unsubscribe or change your options at
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>>>>> mwangi%40gmail.com
>>>>> >>
>>>>> >> 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.
>>>>> >
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> --
>>>>> Tony White
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> kictanet mailing list
>>>>> kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke
>>>>> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
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>>>>>
>>>>> Unsubscribe or change your options at https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/m
>>>>> ailman/options/kictanet/ngigi%40at.co.ke
>>>>>
>>>>> 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.
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> *Regards,*
>>>>
>>>> *Wait**haka Ngigi*
>>>> Chief Executive Officer | Alliance Technologies | MCK Nairobi Synod
>>>> Building
>>>> T +254 20 525 0750 |Office Mobile: +254 716 201061
>>>> <+254%20716%20201061> | M +254 737 811 000
>>>> www.at.co.ke
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> kictanet mailing list
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>>>>
>>>> Unsubscribe or change your options at https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/m
>>>> ailman/options/kictanet/erick.mwangi%40gmail.com
>>>>
>>>> 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.
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
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>>> ailman/options/kictanet/arebacollins%40gmail.com
>>>
>>> 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.
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Regards,
>>
>> Collins Areba,
>> Kilifi, Kenya.
>> Tel: +*254 707 750 788 */ *0731534124*
>> Twitter: @arebacollins.
>> Skype: arebacollins
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> kictanet mailing list
>> kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke
>> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
>> Twitter: http://twitter.com/kictanet
>> Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KICTANet/
>>
>> Unsubscribe or change your options at https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/m
>> ailman/options/kictanet/ngigi%40at.co.ke
>>
>> 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.
>>
>
>
>
> --
> *Regards,*
>
> *Wait**haka Ngigi*
> Chief Executive Officer | Alliance Technologies | MCK Nairobi Synod
> Building
> T +254 20 525 0750 |Office Mobile: +254 716 201061 | M +254 737 811 000
> www.at.co.ke
>

-- 
Regards,

Collins Areba,
Kilifi, Kenya.
Tel: +*254 707 750 788 */ *0731534124*
Twitter: @arebacollins.
Skype: arebacollins
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