KENYA HACKERS CAUSE "ERROR 403" ON IWRITER.COM
Iwriter.com Packs up from Kenya
I have been freelancing on
iwriter.com. I had even made an ecourse to guide friends who wanted to try their hands on online freelancing. I had a rude shock yesterday (July 10th) when I tried to
log in to my account. I could not access the login page from the internet. I
was getting an “Error 403” message instead. It read, "Forbidden, you don't have permission to access/ on this server" I switched off and restarted my
computer at least twice and ran an unscheduled full virus scan. Results,
nothing. I then went on to bradcallen.com, the site that offers support for
iwriter and sent an inquiry via their ticketing system. I asked whether the
problem was general or particular to me. After a few hours, I learnt that they had shut down Kenya because there were attempts to hack the Iwriter money management system on their website. I asked whether the ban was scheduled for a season,
but I was duly informed that it permanent. There goes my free “making moneywith iwriter ecourse”!
This is one of the reasons why every freelancer needs to diversify their portfolio. it demonstrates the fragility of e-commerce and exports something very bad about Kenya. This one move will affect the income of quite a number of Kenyans. Granted, Iwriter pays very little, but its a site you can literally make money within an hour of registering. It was very attractive for that reason. It had no hangups, no elaborate registration procedures and was really a good entry level site to online freelancing. Unless something changes, the milk is spilt so just I am going quit whining and move move on to the next gig.
MIGINGO, KENYA'S PRIDE AT STAKE
migingo at this point is more than a rocky outcrop to kenyans, its a symbol of national pride and kenyans are desirous to salvage it from the rough shod Ugandans who are taking advantage of every opportunity we accord them to further entrench themselves into it. lets examine the implications of the row to our national stature.
Fist of all, we are seeing an increase in public hatred towards Ugandans and this could hurt trade. the youth in Kibera who uprooted the railaway that passes throught the sprawling slum could simply be a taste of things to come. while they may have had other issues to deal with, the particular move to express their anger towards the Migingo issues by uprooting the railway that forms the connection between these two countries leaves alot to be desired. Kenyans are generally likely to become more suspicious of ugandans and lesc cordiality will be extended to them in general issues. We may see acts of surbotage in the border towns connecting the two countries and even vandalism of property belonging to Ugandans within the Kenyan borders. So long as kenyans feel their government is not in control, they will in one way or another begin to take the law into their hands.
Secondly, all our neighbours are watching closely how we are dealing with this situation and they will be careful to note that we are not aggresive at all in defending our soil. This potends many issues especially when we know that we have a long border with such a nation such as somalia. The Ethiopians have not been very cordial too on cross border issues. The Oromo Liberation Front has been accused of crossing over into the country and harrasing Kenyans from the north Eastern sections of the country. We are likely to see a growth in cross border invasions into our territory since we are not keen on protecting what we own
The third implication is a loss of pride of place in the graeter east african region. Kenyans will be perceived as weak and as push overs especially those livng in the wider East African Region. This will result in compensatory actions to dispel the notion. Such actions may include greater agression in issues within the region and in our dealings with foreigners. we could end up as a dangerous lot driven by an induced lower national self esteem. It may cause us to seek to 'prove ourselves' which may not be very healthy.
Kenyans have alsways thought they are the power house in East Africa with superior economic and military capabilities. The Migingo issues is doing alot to undermine this feeling of national pride and should be settled fast and convincingly.
ODM-PNU Feud, Now is the time for the Church
Over the weekend, the two principals and their lieutenants marched off to some game resort to square out grand issues partaining to the running of the grand government, and to our shock and dismay theyve returned with both guns out, barells blazing. The politicians have started hurling insults and epithets at one another and issueing ultimatums on this and that. You get the feeling that we are in poorly maintained matatu under the control of a drunken driver overspeeding on a badly potholed road - real bumpy. If the current wave of discontent runs on for another week or two, we will get involved. Not as kenyans, but as kalenjins, as kambas, as Luhyas... coz thats the paradigm politicians use to settle their scores, and its only a matter of days before they begin playing the ethnic card.
Its my opinion that this country cannot be entrusted to the political class alone to determine its course. It leaves us at their mercy and we are very exposed to their misjudgements and shortsightedness. granted, not all of them are necessarily decadent, but one way or another they all have party loyalties and will be bound to the positions of their sponsoring parties which eventually becomes ethnic.
As kenyans there are two things we must do at this time if we are to nip this upcoming crisis in the bud. The first step is personal and will call for every one to determine it in their souls who they really are, tribe first or kenya first. If all of us determine that we will not allow the political class to sway us into 'tribal cocuns', then they will be forced to seek an alternative paradigm from which to settle their scores. The Unity and well being of this country lies in the hands of every well meaning Kenyan who will refuse to look at a fellow kenyan as a memeber of this tribe or the other, but as someone with whom he has a common destiny, a shared future and God given brotherhood. It starts with you and me.
Secondly, the church (especially the leadership) was accused of not being there for the country when the country was burninig, that churches got swayed by the political views and machinations of 'their sons' so much so that it had no voice or influence in the ensuing melee. I believe that this is a second opportunity for the church to arise and unite the country. The ODM-PNU feud has been with us longer than the coalition government has been, and we have no guarantee that it will end soon. In fact, the open daggers now drawn by none other than the principals themselves leaves you with a spine chilling effect suggesting that it is about to enter into some climax of sorts. "It is coming out clearly that we have two centres of power and Kenyans need to brace for hard times," said Khalwale who is the Ikolomani MP{Quote from The Standard}. There may be political issues to settle but at this point we need a guardian to look after us- after the unity of this country, as our 'parents' sort out their mariage. Beyond the verdict of a moribund presidency and an ineffectual primiership, what alternatives does the church have for us? Will the church and especially its leadership arise?
KU, why we must be quick to,listen and slow to judge
Granted, ugly things happened in KU last sunday. I feel a personal loss now that an office I worked from for three years is now a shell. The KUCU office went up in flames as all the other offices sharing the building with former KUSA offices.
I realise most guys removed from the happenings at KU (and probarbly in all these institutions of higher learning) will see what they are shown usually by the press. I mean the ghastly sight of buildings going up in flames, students injured, tear gas, screams, stones and the all too farmiliar war cry, 'comrades power!'. For a full view of the standard public response to student strikes see the second paragraph in Odegle Nyang's blog on this link ''odeglenyanginv.blogspot.com''
There are three questions we must ask ourselves before we decide that the students were indeed out of order to behave like they did. This is not in any way to excuse the wanton distruction of property but simply to see what we can learn from all these. Who knows,a future VC might just be among you guys.
First, in the last seven years ( the ones i can confidently talk about) there was never a strike where students damaged university property to the magnitude witnessed on sunday. Why?
Secondly, there was never a time when students went on strike and the university closed indefinately twice in a record two weeks. Why
And thirdly, there was never a strike held at night. This one was. Why?
The publics reaction to student strikes is always one of outrage, one of wondering what the matter is with the students for them to engage in such thoughtless acts and malicious damage of property. Im sure that evryone who has been in a public university knows the drill- An issue comes up, authorities are slow to respond, students are 'incited', a group goes to the nearest public road, the rest of the students panic, riot police show up and the rest is history.
Back to KU,students destroying university property bespeaks a deep sense of detachment from the institution. They clearly have no sense of ownership and therefore do not feel the pain of destroying this property. Has something happened (or failed to happen) to cause KU students to feel less about KU compared to what students in the previous times have felt? UASU was quoted in the media (KTN prime) as having said the fines the students paid were 'hefty'. could they have then have felt justified to destroy university propoerty to use up the said fine?
For students to strike twice within two weeks is indeed a record of sorts. In the first instance the students affected by the registration issues couldnt have comprised a majority but their course seem to have won popular support. Suspension of student leaders now touched on every student and there was open pain -not remorse- by those who were able to raise the fine, and also a feeling of disgust among the students at the stringent method the university employed to receive them back. Many felt harrased right from the gate and movement between hostels was said to have been restricted hampering normal student habits. One couldnt get into a hostel without a yellow form now dubbed 'yellow card'. with this kind of pressure and exams due to start the very next day after the last group reported, some form of release valve had to be found.
The time for dialogue is usually before things get out of hand. At that point it is usually one of the options. After things have gone wrong its not just an option but a necessity. We can only hope that this is the direction the KU wagon will take. KU is an ISO certified University (the first public university to get there) and also the best performing state corporation on performance contacting, two years in a row.Its conflict management system doesnt seem to measure up.
It needs to be noted that the entire time Prof Standa was VC of KU, there was never a university closure as a result of students strike where their grivances were directly against a university policy position. The only time the university had to be closed was when the lecturers went on strike and coincidentally during the same period the students felt the need to protest the arrest of some of their colleagues after a culture week grand finale who attempted to hijack a bus. Prof Standa listened.
There are two sides to every conflict and looking at the students acts alone apart from the other university stakeholders actions is no better than to order a six month old baby to shut up when it cries to have its diapers changed.these issues have acontext each time and its this context that we must first understand before we jump into condeming actions by students. Our society has become increasingly voilent and paradoxically more open at the same time and there is need for seroius instituional reforms to include all parties in the major decisions since kenyans from all walks have learnt a new two word national anthem,'haki yetu'.whenever they feel infringed upon or excluded. Did you follow the Visa Oshwal story? these were prymo kids!
God bless KU!
I realise most guys removed from the happenings at KU (and probarbly in all these institutions of higher learning) will see what they are shown usually by the press. I mean the ghastly sight of buildings going up in flames, students injured, tear gas, screams, stones and the all too farmiliar war cry, 'comrades power!'. For a full view of the standard public response to student strikes see the second paragraph in Odegle Nyang's blog on this link ''odeglenyanginv.blogspot.
There are three questions we must ask ourselves before we decide that the students were indeed out of order to behave like they did. This is not in any way to excuse the wanton distruction of property but simply to see what we can learn from all these. Who knows,a future VC might just be among you guys.
First, in the last seven years ( the ones i can confidently talk about) there was never a strike where students damaged university property to the magnitude witnessed on sunday. Why?
Secondly, there was never a time when students went on strike and the university closed indefinately twice in a record two weeks. Why
And thirdly, there was never a strike held at night. This one was. Why?
The publics reaction to student strikes is always one of outrage, one of wondering what the matter is with the students for them to engage in such thoughtless acts and malicious damage of property. Im sure that evryone who has been in a public university knows the drill- An issue comes up, authorities are slow to respond, students are 'incited', a group goes to the nearest public road, the rest of the students panic, riot police show up and the rest is history.
Back to KU,students destroying university property bespeaks a deep sense of detachment from the institution. They clearly have no sense of ownership and therefore do not feel the pain of destroying this property. Has something happened (or failed to happen) to cause KU students to feel less about KU compared to what students in the previous times have felt? UASU was quoted in the media (KTN prime) as having said the fines the students paid were 'hefty'. could they have then have felt justified to destroy university propoerty to use up the said fine?
For students to strike twice within two weeks is indeed a record of sorts. In the first instance the students affected by the registration issues couldnt have comprised a majority but their course seem to have won popular support. Suspension of student leaders now touched on every student and there was open pain -not remorse- by those who were able to raise the fine, and also a feeling of disgust among the students at the stringent method the university employed to receive them back. Many felt harrased right from the gate and movement between hostels was said to have been restricted hampering normal student habits. One couldnt get into a hostel without a yellow form now dubbed 'yellow card'. with this kind of pressure and exams due to start the very next day after the last group reported, some form of release valve had to be found.
The time for dialogue is usually before things get out of hand. At that point it is usually one of the options. After things have gone wrong its not just an option but a necessity. We can only hope that this is the direction the KU wagon will take. KU is an ISO certified University (the first public university to get there) and also the best performing state corporation on performance contacting, two years in a row.Its conflict management system doesnt seem to measure up.
It needs to be noted that the entire time Prof Standa was VC of KU, there was never a university closure as a result of students strike where their grivances were directly against a university policy position. The only time the university had to be closed was when the lecturers went on strike and coincidentally during the same period the students felt the need to protest the arrest of some of their colleagues after a culture week grand finale who attempted to hijack a bus. Prof Standa listened.
There are two sides to every conflict and looking at the students acts alone apart from the other university stakeholders actions is no better than to order a six month old baby to shut up when it cries to have its diapers changed.these issues have acontext each time and its this context that we must first understand before we jump into condeming actions by students. Our society has become increasingly voilent and paradoxically more open at the same time and there is need for seroius instituional reforms to include all parties in the major decisions since kenyans from all walks have learnt a new two word national anthem,'haki yetu'.whenever they feel infringed upon or excluded. Did you follow the Visa Oshwal story? these were prymo kids!
God bless KU!
thermo- cooking
did you know you can cook using a normal -off the shelf- thermos, the kind used for retaining tea at a hot temparature? i presented the same at the engineering students exhibition and also at the national energy conference. saves you upto 80 % of the heat you would otherwise use to cook the grains. hot stuff.
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