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Department of Information Service Receives Boost From President Jammeh

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 04:10:39 GMT

Thursday, November 06, 2008

President Jammeh recently donated four DELL computers to the Department of Information Services in Banjul. The donation came as a result of the intervention by the Secretary of State for Communication, Information and Information Technology (DoSCIIT) Mrs. Fatim Badjie-Janneh who presented the equipment on behalf of the President.

In handing over the brand new computers, Mrs. Badjie-Janneh revealed that during her discussion with His Excellency she expressed her concern that the Department of Information Services has been without functioning computers and “it is getting a while to get equipment from Finance”. She however explained that it was at this juncture that the President offered to donate four Dell Computers to the Department as a start.

She revealed that she had discussed the plan with the President and also the possibility of a Gambian daily newspaper to be published by the Government Information Services.

Secretary of State Badjie-Janneh mentioned that the President suggested that Government projects should be displayed on the newspapers well as classified advertisements.

Secretary of State Badjie-Janneh went further to explain that it is sad to come and find a room closed because no one can work and for a long time the Department of Information Services has been quiet.

She emphasised that in the first place information coming from the Gambia Government should come through the department. “You should feed GRTS news, reliable sources and you should let people know about Government’s Policies and Programs,” SOS Badjie-Janneh added.

She further pointed that the President said, “you should be the gateway and that you should have website that links all the websites in the Country and you should be the information Services as you are.”

She further revealed her plan to provide a technical assistant for the Department. “This person may come from outside The Gambia and give you boast so that we all can be a State Department changing the way Information Services is are carried out. We will become one of the strongest sectors that we have in our Department of State,” she said.

Secretary of State Badjie-Janneh reiterated that in other countries she could have been called the Minister of Information and it is sad when we have an Information Services here that are not functioning very well.

In receiving the equipment, the acting director of Information, Mrs. Isatou Davies Ann, commended President Jammeh for this valuable donation and to the Secretary of State for her foresight and initiative. She noted that since she took over as Secretary of State the department has been her number one priority which every member of staff has appreciated. Earlier on the permanent secretary at Department of State for Communication, Information and Information Technology, Mr. Alhagi Cham, assured them that, “this is just to show you have our support and we will do everything possible to ensure that you have the required tools to work with.”

Information Services boosted

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 09:18:04 GMT

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

President Alhaji Yahya AJJ Jammeh, on Monday, donated four DELL computers to the Department of Information Services in Banjul.

According to a press release received from the information department, the donation came as a result of the intervention of the secretary of state for Communication, Information and Information Technology (DoSCIIT), Honourable Fatim Badjie-Janneh.

In handing over the brand new computers, Mrs Badjie-Janneh revealed that during her discussion with His Excellency, she expressed her concern that the department has been without functioning computers and that "it is taking a while to get equipment from Finance."She explained that it was at that juncture that the president offered to donate the four DELL computers to the department for a start.

She finally expressed hope that the presidential gift would motivate the staff of the department to work harder.

In receiving the equipment, the acting director of Information, Isatou Davies-Ann, commended President Jammeh for his generosity, and the secretary of state for her foresight.

Author: DO

SOUTH AFRICA: The global village is slowly going digital

Sun, 19 Oct 2008 09:22:23 GMT

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Computers are increasingly ubiquitous in the developing world as software and internet companies create operating systems, computing programmes, and web-based portals in hundreds of indigenous languages.

Following the rapid growth of local-language technology in mobile phones and open-source programmes, many software and internet companies are scrambling to gain a foothold in these markets.

Microsoft already offers its flagship Windows and Office products in about 40 different languages, including Arabic and French. But the US software giant is also developing what it calls "interface packs". The free downloads are now available in 37 additional indigenous languages, including isiZulu (South Africa), Quechua (Andes region) and Inuktitut (rural Canada).

In Africa the digital divide remains vast, despite the growing numbers of computers in schools, businesses and homes; according to the International Telecommunication Union, only 5 percent of Africa's estimated 800 million people accessed the internet in 2007, and desktops and laptops still require a basic degree of computer literacy, even in indigenous languages.

Computing technology in local and marginalised languages is another tool with which to address humanitarian issues, such as helping farmers and boosting regional food security efforts. They also can be a boon to small business creation and economic development, as well as language preservation.

In KwaDukuza, on the northern coast of South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal Province, rural farmers flood the local computer lab to use computers in Zulu, one of South Africa's 11 official languages. Visitors browse the internet using Google's Zulu search engine, in which Ngizizwa Nginehlanhla replaces the tab "I'm feeling lucky" on the home page.

"A lot of rural farmers are coming all the way into town to access these computers and the internet," said Alan Govender, manager of a communications centre in KwaDukuza. "Cash crops like sugar cane are very big here, and these farmers use computers to learn the ways and means of delivering these cash crops, even with drought."

Govender says the Zulu-language technology is drawing more rural and elderly people; since the centre installed the software in 2006, its membership base has climbed by 30 percent.

Economic empowerment

Throughout Africa and elsewhere in the developing world, micro-business is conducted in indigenous languages. Local-language technology tends to increase the productivity of these enterprises by allowing owners to use spreadsheets to track their inventory, or create invoices for clients.

It could also make health care and education systems more efficient. "I use the internet to search for job opportunities," said Brian Dlamini, a high school teacher looking for work as an accountant.

Sipho Mkhize is studying small-business management. Although he has used personal computers in English for years, he said he preferred to use a Zulu-language operating system and search engine.

"I know English and have studied at a dual-medium school [in both English and Zulu], but there are some things I will only know in Zulu," he said. "For example, I know immediately that imibhala yami means 'my documents' or the place where I put all my work, because I don't have to translate it in my head."

Advocates promoting local languages and cultures agree. "Technology using indigenous languages is important because then you are dealing with something you know, whereas in translation you lose a lot. Your mind is liberated to bring your own innovation and ideas," said Gaboile Tiro, deputy director of policy at the National Indigenous Knowledge Systems division of South Africa's Department of Science and Technology.

Language preservation and development

The Zulu-language options at KwaDukuza's resource centre have created a buzz in townships as well as rural areas. Some credit the technology companies for recognising their community, and creating a space for their language in the digital age. "For us, we see it as a great honour – because this is our mother tongue," said Thando Mzimela, a facilitator at the centre's computer lab.

Not everyone feels the same way. The Mapuche, an indigenous community in Chile, made headlines in 2006 when it accused Microsoft of intellectual piracy for developing Windows in their language, Mapudungún. Representatives of an estimated 400,000 Mapuche reportedly said the government of Chile and the software giant went ahead with the technology without consulting them adequately.

Experts say that is true of other linguistic minorities, who fear their language or knowledge will be appropriated by multinational corporations.

"There's a kind of negative response by those who feel either not consulted or not protected in the sense of their social and cultural capital, largely because of the world regime around intellectual property rights," said Prof Peter Austin, director of the Endangered Language Academic Programme at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London.

This sentiment is not shared by the South Africans using the computer lab in KwaDukuza, where many say the use of Zulu has enhanced the language by creating new technical and scientific terms.

"This is about developing the language," said Dee Gumede, a high school teacher who uses a computer to draw up schedules and lesson plans. "We are seeing that we are also being accepted as far as computers are concerned. It's not for English people only."

IRIN

The cybercafé industry: Still booming?

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 09:52:56 GMT

Friday, October 17, 2008

About a decade ago, a very few Gambians knew of or used the internet. Then Gambians woke up to the reality of the information superhighway and a new industry was born. With the dawn of the 21st century, the budding industry began to grow with cybercafés sprouting all across the place, especially in the Greater Banjul Area.

With more and more people logging onto the internet, internet cafes were seen as good business. Some of the cafes grew from very small centres of less than five computers to large establishments employing a large number of people, with some even opening additional branches. One example of this is the Sweet Planet cybercafé in Bakau, which started with a handful of computers but now has eleven computers.

Due to certain developments however, some analysts have expressed the view that cybercafés are no longer good business, with an increasing number of people reluctant to invest in the sector. The factors that drive this belief include the increased availability of internet access in homes, offices and schools.

Electricity is another problem that confronts cybercafé owners. In the past, the problem was that the electricity supply was erratic. Cybercafés either had standby generators or risked losing much needed revenue. With the stabilising of the electricity supply, however, another problem regarding electricity came to the fore. This is the high cost of electricity which threatens to cripple many centres.

Another problem is the increased competition. Not only are commercial cafes threatened by the increased level of internet service in offices, schools, and homes, as mentioned earlier, they are also faced with the mushrooming of competitors within the same vicinity.

These and a myriad of other problems are the challenges that confront internet café owners. But is the industry really dying as some people have posited? The answer surprisingly, and in view of the above problems which plague the industry, is an empathic NO!

In fact, many business cafes are doing quite well, and the outlook for the industry as a whole is strongly positive. Recent investigations conducted by the Business and Finance crew have shown that contrary to general belief, the market base of the industry is not contracting but expanding.

As more people in the country become book literate and subsequently computer literate, the market base of the industry will continue to expand. In fact, as at now, the market has been barely tapped as many investors have only focussed their attention on the Greater Banjul Area. Expansion into new areas, will provide more customers and revenue.

With regards to electricity, the recent declaration made by the president concerning the reduction of electricity tariffs in 2009 show that there is light at the end of the tunnel. It is hoped that this development will help more cafes to grow and develop.

The continued and sustained growth of this industry is vital as cybercafés served an growing number of citizens and non-citizens. They also help in the promotion of good governance through the facilitation of communication and the flow of information. That is why the news that the development of the industry is still on track is such good news for the country.

Author: by Kojo

Rain causes havoc in Bakau Farokono

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 05:29:13 GMT

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Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Residents of Bakau Farokono are currently in dire straits after a heavy flood hit the area last Sunday.

The flood led to the destruction of many fences and structures, including some newly constructed buildings in the area as well as the massive loss of properties such as refrigerators, fans, televisions, computers, school uniforms and a number of books.

Abdoulie Sarr, one of the victims who walked into the Daily Observer bare footed, said that the disaster has led to the loss of virtually all his properties. "The rain has washed away all my materials," Mr Sarr lamented.

Pa Modou Gaye alias DJ Eye, who helped the affected families said: “The rules for the gutters are not respected”, a situation which he described as contributing to the situation.

According to him, people keep rubbish in their houses until it rains and then throw them into the gutters. He thus urged the responsible authorities to look into the issue as more rainfall is expected.

Aja Isatou Drammeh, another victim, said that they have been encountering such problems in the previous years but this is the worst that they have ever experienced since they transferred to Farokono ten years ago. She then revealed that she has lost over sixty thousand dalasis as a result of the flood.

She appealed to the management of KMC and others to come to their aid. Alhagie Amadou Camara, Abdourahman Trawally, Aja Tako Jallow and Fatou Joof, all victims of the flood, expressed frustration and called on the government and others to come to their aid.

Author: by Nfamara Drammeh

Police get SCB’s boost

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 05:01:02 GMT

Monday, June 02, 2008

The Gambia Police Force (GPF) on Wednesday benefited from a donation of eight brand new executive chairs, four computers and a refrigerator from Standard Chartered Bank (SCB).

Speaking at a presentation ceremony held at the Police Headquarters in Banjul, Kumba Semega Janneh, Head of Legal and Compliance at Standard Chartered Bank, said SCB as a Global company operating in The Gambia is adapting to change to its stakeholders changing requirements, adding that SCB have been successfully doing that in Africa for over 114 years.

At SCB, we aim to provide responsive, innovative and creative solutions to all our customers, staff, communities, investors, regulators and the media” she revealed.

According to her, SCB has from 2005 to date, contributed over 17 million dalasis towards the improvement of the health, education and youths sectors in The Gambia. She added that Standard Chartered Bank had contributed towards the renovation of the Fraud Squad Unit of The Gambia Police Force in Banjul.

“The Gambia Police Force in general and the Fraud Squad Unit in particular have been valued partners to SCB in the goal of complementing our regulators’ efforts to eradicate fraud and money laundering in The Gambia,” she remarked.

For his part, Momodou Gaye, deputy Inspector General of Police, described the donation as timely, adding that it was not a surprise to them as they have had a longstanding relationship with Standard Chartered Bank.

Deputy IGP Gaye said the materials will be very useful to the police, especially when the Police Financial Intelligence Unit is established this year. He commended Standard Chartered Bank for their support to the police and assured them that the materials would be used wisely.

The ceremony was attended by senior officials of Standard Chartered Bank and The Gambia Police Force.

Jatta Baldeh, Police Commissioner of Administration, chaired the ceremony.

Author: by Assan Sallah

Do You Want To Create Fun Kid Websites?

Tue, 30 Oct 2007 03:53:23 GMT

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

The internet is here to stay. The internet has become so accessible you don't even need a computer to go online. You can go down to your local library and surf the internet to your hearts desire. I'm always amazed at today’s kids in the elementary school level about their knowledge of the internet. The creation of fun kids’ websites seems to be the order of the day. Kids understand what is going on and are quick to teach parents a thing or two about what you can or cannot do on the internet. If there is a way to show you how to create fun kid websites without a learning curve that will take you through a semester long course at college, would you be interested? If you were interested in knowing how to create fun kid websites quickly, would you be interested?

If you are then you probably would be considered the neatest parent in the neighbourhood that you are able to create fun kid websites that kids and parents can enjoy reading. You would be able to create funny websites, kid's websites, and any type of websites that you want.

This article will show you how to create fun kid websites in record time. You don't need a degree in internet terminology to understand how to do it either. You need to want to create a website with a learning attitude and some time on your hands. Do you have 3 hours to spare to create a website? No, neither do I. How about 2 hours? How about less than 30 minutes? If you can spare 30 minutes in your life online then there is a tool that will help you create fun kid websites at will.

This article will show you about the most developed website creation tool that is now being used by webmasters of all levels. Even talking about creating a website sounds like a foreign language to most people but what if creating a website was easy? What if you didn't have to know what html meant? What if you didn't have to know how to ftp your site? Site Rubix is here to save the day.

Site Rubix can be used to create your fun kids websites at will. You can create SEO websites or promotional websites, whatever you want. Once you comprehend and figure out how this neat tool works you will understand how important a tool this will be for you and how fun it can be to create websites in record time.

Site Rubix will allow you to drag and drop graphics to your website page without worry about resizing the graphic image to make sure it fits properly. You will be knowledgeable to fit any type template that you want and upload it to your host. It may sound complicated but it isn't because explaining it may sound complex but this tool is very user friendly.

There are still a lot more features with this tool that I haven't even touched upon because you have to make a decision if you really are interested in creating fun kid websites. If you are then you owe it to yourself to see what all the buzz is about. Be the first on the block to promote your website, show your kid a thing or too and be cool at the same time.

If you know that creating fun kid websites can actually be easy and enjoyable would you want more information? If you ever tried to build a bookcase without a hammer then you can understand how it is to build a website without the proper tools. Site Rubix can help you create any type of website quickly and easily. The decision is up to you.

Article Source: http://www.myarticlemall.com

If you have had a secret desire on how to create websites but either you don't have enough time in the day to learn all that you need to know or it's just plain too hard to do. Then times have progressed, you finally have an opportunity to create fun kid websites easily.

Author: By: Charlie Stelfox

Source: myarticlemall.com

Hazardous substances reduced but not eliminated from laptops, says Greenpeace

Fri, 26 Oct 2007 04:22:15 GMT

Friday, October 26, 2007

A Greenpeace investigation into hazardous materials in laptop computers shows that manufacturers have phased out use of some of the most toxic materials over the past year but still have a long way to go in eliminating others, such as PVC and brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and phthalates.(1)

Greenpeace purchased 18 laptops representing six different brands in 14 countries in Europe, in North and South America and Asia and sent them for analysis by an independent laboratory in Denmark and at the Greenpeace Research Laboratories at Exeter University, in the UK. (2)

The results of the analysis, contained in the report, “Toxic chemicals in computers – Reloaded”, (1) show bromine being present in over 40 per cent of the components tested, at concentrations of up to 10 per cent by weight. Of the components tested, Sony laptops were found to have the lowest number containing bromine, Dell laptops had the highest number. PVC was found in 44 per cent of all plastic coating of internal wires and external cables that were tested. Phthalates were found in the power cables supplied with all laptops, with the highest levels in those of Acer and HP laptops. (3)

“While levels of certain toxic chemicals in the laptop components tested do not exceed current European standards, other hazardous chemicals found in laptops are not yet covered by European regulations,” said Zeina Alhajj, Greenpeace International toxics campaigner. “Greenpeace’s goal is for computer manufacturers to eliminate the use of toxic materials completely.”

The new report follows up on a similar Greenpeace investigation into toxics in laptops sold in Europe in 2006, prior to the introduction of European legislation on hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment, known as RoHS (4).

With the implementation of RoHS, computer manufacturers have significantly reduced their use of lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium and certain brominated flame retardants. These changes have been implemented by all companies and not only for the European market.

“The results demonstrate that legislation in one region can have an influence even in countries where it does not yet apply. However, even where they do exist, current laws fail to regulate all hazardous chemicals in laptops, or in other electrical equipment, “said Dr. Kevin Brigden from the Greenpeace Research Laboratories who oversaw the sampling analyses and produced the report. “Laws which aim to protect human health and the environment must ultimately address all hazardous substances,” he added.

The analysis shows that, for almost every component found to contain either bromine or plastic PVC, an equivalent component free of these chemicals can be found in another laptop.

“In theory, by combining components from different machines, the industry could already almost produce the first toxic-free computer,” said al-Hajj. “The question is, which company is going to be the first to go the whole way.”

Source: Greenpeace

Supercomputing for a New Generation

Mon, 15 Oct 2007 06:03:40 GMT

Monday, October 15, 2007

Over the past few years, I have been very interested in new technology and the future advancements it may bring to business owners & their industries. The most surprising project I have come across is from a technology group located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This ‘technology think-tank’ group, known as Fireseed, collaborating with other techs in the Wisconsin area, plans to build a Supercomputer. In fact, this Supercomputer will be one of the top 500 in the world. Its conceptual name is the FS3 Obsidian, which sounds rather cool.

The FS3 Obsidian project will offer the business industries much, in terms of being able to do research involving complicated mathematical computations and simulations that can not be done by conventional means. What that means to us is faster, safer, newer, and better technology to be used for such things as important medical breakthroughs, nuclear physics, or even film studios. Who wouldn’t want to see a faster cure for cancer or the ultimate connection speed for internet use?

The neat thing is that this Supercomputer will use GPUs, which to those of us who are not tech savy, are graphics cards. This allows the Supercomputer to become much more powerful for a fraction of the price. Conventional computers all use CPUs. Think about the power of your home computer times a thousand. That’s the processing power of just one of these cards!

The premise of the FS3 Obsidian project is that the power of the Supercomputer will be available not only to businesses, for the obvious advantages, but also to University students who want to excel in the direction where new technology is going. They will be trained and educated in the use and benefits of the Supercomputer.

The FS3 project resulted from discussions about needed high performance computing resources among tech community members in Wisconsin, primarily the Milwaukee area. One of the main projects which require the supercomputer resources is a nuclear fusion reactor simulator project being worked on by a Milwaukee member of the Fireseed group.

The project’s short term goal is to finalize the hardware design of the streaming supercomputer, assemble it and develop the programming needed to use the FS3 for its initial computational work. That work is targeted to be completed within twelve months of receiving project funding. The FS3 Obsidian project will be managed by a non-profit organization.

I, along with numerous other I.T. professionals know what tremendous potential a Supercomputer of this magnitude can do to usher businesses into the next era in future technology. If important research can be done in 3 days versus 60 days, think of the advantages this Supercomputer could bring to fields like the medical community. I, for one cannot wait to see the end results.

Some of the companies working towards this goal are Fireseed: http://fireseedgroup.net/ , Mydigitechnician: http://mydigitechnician.com , & Elite IT: http://www.eliteitpc.com - you can find additional resources at these sites.

About the author:
I am a computer professional interested in new technology, new innovations, and great ideas

Author: By Nishan Kumaraperu

Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com

Keeping Your Children Safe Online

Fri, 12 Oct 2007 07:23:27 GMT

Friday, October 12, 2007

Parents are constantly struggling with ways to keep their children safe online. The Internet has a global reach and at this point no bounds, or limitations. Outside of installing filtering software children should be educated in order to protect themselves to this virtual monster. We've put together a collection of ten tips that should be observed while surfing online. At the very least these tips will prompt family discussions regarding safety.

1.) When on the internet personal information should be kept private. Just because someone asks doesn't mean you need to tell them. When someone asks for personal information, consider how they might use that information and whether it is necessary for them to have it.

2.) If you are conversing with someone online, don't assume that they are being honest with you. Just because they say they're 16 doesn't mean they are.

3.) Do not release your password to anyone, even if they say they are from your online provider.

4.) Overall it is best not to respond to unsolicited e-mail (SPAM), if there is something flagrant or inappropriate in the e-mail, consider reporting the sender to their Internet Service Provider (ISP).

5.) Do not give out or post identifying information, including address or telephone numbers.

6.) You may want to create a nickname for a screen name in chat rooms.

7.) Keep in mind when posting in chat rooms or newsgroups, that there may be lurkers (people who read but do not post). Your information can be read and seen by all.

8.) Keep an open dialogue with children surfing the Internet, remember if they come to you with a problem, your first reaction should not be to take away the Internet. Applaud child's confidence in confiding in you and work together to find a solution.

9.) Overall it is not a good idea to post or exchange pictures over the Internet

10.) Try to keep in mind the Internet is global and is *not* governed by any entity. This means that there are no limitations or checks on the information posted and accessible to Internet users.

Additional Resources: The following resources will assist in staying safe online.

Collection of Internet Access and Filtering Software - http://www.monitoring-software.net/access-monitoring.htm Contract for Safe Surfing - http://www.911paging.com/internetsafety/internetcontract.htm

About the Author : Sharon Housley manages marketing for NotePage, Inc. http://www.notepage.net a company specializing in alphanumeric paging, SMS and wireless messaging software solutions. Other sites by Sharon can be found at http://www.softwaremarketingresource.com . Additional articles can be found at http://www.small-business-software.net/free-website-content.htm

Author: By Sharon Housley

Source: getmyarticles.com