JohnKaranja.com @ Barcamp Nairobi 2010
So I spent the better part of the day not blowing my Vuvuzela endlessly (like i did yesterday) but listening and interacting with some of the techiest minds in Kenya.
Here are my rough notes on what happened throughout the day.
I would summarize the Camp as having been one which laid an emphasis on the Openness and Transparency of data access from the myriad of web and mobile platforms that exist in Kenya and in Africa today.
It was also nice to see Government and Web operators singing the same song for once.
THE SONG:Transperancy and Openess
Tariq did a useful demonstration of data use and how governments in the UK were and are providing their Aid data on open platforms for citizens to track how their taxes where being used to in other countries.
Thuo spoke about outsourcing governments simple functions using a framework to know what to outsource. The end result i smaller government with better processes and using subcontractors.
Paul Kukubo in defence of government talked about increased Government transparency and activeness through programs such as subsidized bandwidth in Universities.
Digital Villages and Grants for innovative content for government (worth $10,000 and $50,000) for building Government applications and digitization of Government records.
I had a chance to talk to Kaburo who is running the grants program applications are made online on their platform to enhance transparency (Apply Here).
End Result: You will be able to search for company records in minutes that means government is your laptop.
Other examples
- Influence both laws and projects.
- Cisco teleconferencing for Judges.
Paul lamented that connectivity and innovation doesn’t see response from the techie activists on the web. Being good at technology doesn’t mean good at business.
Therefore greater response to government tenders is needed.
Tariq came back with another live demo i.e. opengovernance.info
Alex Gakuru raised issues on openness and governance and the negative effects of crony capitalism in Kenya.
Interoperability of Government Data
Surprisingly government has an inclination towards open source and is supporting local applications.
Infact Government bills on Data Privacy and Protection are already tabled in parliament. We need to turn our attention to these issues .
Tariq indicated that XML is a useful tool in open data this we find to be true as our mobile platforms are both using and sharing XML data (see here).
Final word from Paul is you need to protect your ideas and knock doors for partnerships.
OPEN STREET MAP and GEOTUBE
Mike Maron talked about mapping Kibera using GPS units and walking papers with QR Code. Access to Open data is the motivation of building this GEOMAP
Voice of Kibera talked about their Ushahidi install http://www.kibera.ushahidi.com you can contact them to help at contact@mapkibera.org
Issues that came up is Geo-Location is not precise as opposed to Geo Mapping. GEOTube is doing Geo mapping in USA and collecting Geo spatial data. The application is built in WebFlex and has a set of Widget and Console containers.
Total registered members at #barcampnairobi was 600+ today!
intellectual property question from a developer to Mike Micharia at #barcampnairobi. How is this addressed in Kenya?
Sevenseas have set up innovation lab to develop skills in market. Very fwd thinking #barcampnairobi
calling kenya devs! tweet @lkamau if u have experience working w @ushahidi code or skilled in php. putting together dev list #barcampnairobi
Cool! RT @butterflyworks: iKatiba.com Kenya’s 1st Mobile App store http://bit.ly/dix7YE #BarCampNairobi via @afrineurs @afrinnovator
So looks like won’t talk about the tandaa grants today afterall. Time run out. Talk moved to tmrw 11am. #barcampnairobi
IKATIBA MULTILINGUAL VERNACULAR MOBILE APPS
On day 2 I will be showcasing to anyone who is interested our Mobile Application for Kenyans, including 9 vernacular languages. We want to collect as many views as possible so we will be there till they kick us out.
The Mobile APP store is at http://www.ikatiba.com
The Web platform is at http://www.whive.com
Do come back on Monday Evening for a fully updated post.
