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<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=687530013-20032010><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2 face=Arial>Dear all,</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=687530013-20032010><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2 face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=687530013-20032010><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2 face=Arial>I think everyone has a valid point. I suppose the only
issue is, "What is the point of "convergence?", in this important
debate.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=687530013-20032010><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2 face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=687530013-20032010><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2 face=Arial>Again, I also gather from most of the comments posted, the
term "E-waste" seem to carry different meanings to different </FONT></SPAN><SPAN
class=687530013-20032010><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial>people..
</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=687530013-20032010><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2 face=Arial>In my considered opinion "E-Waste", is useless,
defective and obsolete junk, that can no longer serve any purpose,
leave alone </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=687530013-20032010><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2 face=Arial>being </FONT></SPAN><SPAN class=687530013-20032010><FONT
color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial>passed on to some rural school who might find
some use still left in it. <STRONG>Wikipedia</STRONG> adds that, such
equipment could be </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=687530013-20032010><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2 face=Arial>a health hazard and could cause pollution. Any equipment that
is re-usable and if for the entire duration it is re-usable it does
</FONT></SPAN><SPAN class=687530013-20032010><FONT color=#0000ff size=2
face=Arial>not </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=687530013-20032010></SPAN><SPAN
class=687530013-20032010><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial>pose
</FONT></SPAN><SPAN class=687530013-20032010><FONT color=#0000ff size=2
face=Arial>any harm, should </FONT></SPAN><SPAN class=687530013-20032010><FONT
color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial>not qualify to be placed in the "E-waste"
column. Let's look for another name.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=687530013-20032010><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2 face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=687530013-20032010><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2 face=Arial>I suppose also, what might be considered E-waste in the
context of "Developed" economies, might never be what we
consider</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=687530013-20032010><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2 face=Arial>it to be in our situation.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=687530013-20032010><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2 face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=687530013-20032010><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2 face=Arial>From the foregoing, let's first - from a
Multistakeholder point of view, work on defining "E-waste" in our context, and
how to </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=687530013-20032010><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2 face=Arial>deal with the menace. Otherwise, I tend to believe the
argument now is from different angles..</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=687530013-20032010><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2 face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=687530013-20032010><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2 face=Arial>Harry</FONT></SPAN></DIV><BR>
<DIV dir=ltr lang=en-us class=OutlookMessageHeader align=left>
<HR tabIndex=-1>
<FONT size=2 face=Tahoma><B>From:</B>
kictanet-bounces+harry=comtelsys.co.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke
[mailto:kictanet-bounces+harry=comtelsys.co.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke] <B>On
Behalf Of </B>aki<BR><B>Sent:</B> Saturday, March 20, 2010 2:35 PM<BR><B>To:</B>
harry@comtelsys.co.ke<BR><B>Cc:</B> KICTAnet ICT Policy
Discussions<BR><B>Subject:</B> Re: [kictanet] Used
Computers<BR></FONT><BR></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV>Hello Victor, I'm sorry to have to disgagree on this one, as a techie. I'm
against the ban on used computers to a certain level and I add my amatuer
input to this thread. A lot of us started our careers in this industry
on used computers way back to atari, ibm 286 ( in the 80s ). </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>We seem to trust 100% studies done and assuming that this time around
the studies were actually based on hard facts, then such a study does confirm
that there are thousands of kenyans depend on the used computer industry. It
would be quite helpful to read these studies done so as to confirm whether the
problem is used computers or that the failure of no facilites in kenya that can
handle such waste. Whatever the agencies are pushing for is, am sure, for the
betterment of the enviroment but they are looking at short term solutions.
</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG>I put forward this argument : The same brand new computer that
you typed this email with will become obsolete in a matter of 2 years due to
newer apps and technologies. What will you then do with it? Sell it as junk
or dispose of it? We will be in the same e-waste situation. What will Kenya's
solution be then? BAN NEW COMPUTERS? </STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV>Dr Ndemo, please do let us keep open minds on the used computers issue and
try to create a balance rationale that a lot of kenyans still cannot afford
a new one. Kenya ICT policies need to ensure that computers penetration into
almost every home is a reality within a number of years, that we have productive
kids who have access to computers both at school and at home. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>- Wild card comment : To really get the envorimental agencies involved,
they should also do a study on the air quality in Nairobi around peak traffic
time and they could possibly confirm to kenyans that we are breathing in very
unhealthy air. Lets go ahead and ban all those Diesel engines from trucks,
matatus which should be complying with acceptable pollution standards. Let us
also get CO testers so that all petrol engine vehicles on the roads are
tuned to comply with pollution standards. And finally, let us not have
half baked attempts at resolving enviromental problems. - </DIV>
<DIV><BR>This mail is not meant to offend anyone. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Thank you.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Rgds.<BR></DIV>
<DIV class=gmail_quote>On Sat, Mar 20, 2010 at 1:27 PM, Victor Maloi <SPAN
dir=ltr><<A
href="mailto:victormaloi3@gmail.com">victormaloi3@gmail.com</A>></SPAN>
wrote:<BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="BORDER-LEFT: #ccc 1px solid; MARGIN: 0px 0px 0px 0.8ex; PADDING-LEFT: 1ex"
class=gmail_quote>
<DIV>Listers,</DIV>
<DIV>I hope everybody read the Thursday Star article on e-waste. The
article quoted a study conducted locally and found out that we import
thousands of tons in e-waste from developed countries. Environmental
agencies are concerned. For every one used computer that ends up being
used, there are ten to be juncked or to be used for canibalizing. Do we
really need this in the country? In my view we should support the
Government's proposal to ban the imports. My brief research shows those
supporting this effort are themselves in the used electronics industry.
In all honest the benefits do not justify our continued use of other people's
waste. PS Ndemo said we can lower the cost of new computers to equal
that of the used computer. Why can we not pursue this?</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV><FONT color=#888888>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Victor.</DIV></FONT><BR></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV></BODY></HTML>