Stories from Quick Reads from April, 2008
Brazil: WordPress attorney blogs about the blocking
Marcel Leonardi [pt], the Brazilian attorney who is representing WordPress in the case of a possible ban on the platform in the country, blogs: “In the motion filled by the Automattic Inc. [on Monday], among other pieces of information, it has been highlighted the tremendous damage that the blanket ban...
Kenya: Mobile TV
Mobile TV arrives in Kenya: “Safaricom has partner with DSTV to provide Mobile TV to their subscribers. Mobile TV is a technology that allows people to view regular live television content on their mobile phones or other mobile devices that they get through traditional cable or pay TV subscriptions at...
Africa: Sleeping giants
Bankelele wonders whether Africa has to reform or develop: “Rwanda is on the fast path to being an ICT powerhouse. They may get there, but we have the beach, undersea cable etc. – all we have to do is wait to benefit from them. Uganda and Sudan have oil –...
South Africa: Announcing Tech Leader
The South African Mail&Guardian launches Tech Leader: “The Thought Leader concept is expanding over the next few months and the first incarnation is Tech Leader. Tech Leader is an edited group blog aimed at thinkers in the South African technology industry.”
Hong Kong: Shit, the Holy Torch is Coming to Town!
Mo bu yen from inmediahk.net wrote a citizen report about the government's preparation for the coming of Olympic torch – Shit, the Holy torch is coming to town [zh].
China: We Made the World Hate Us
Zhou kou dian ren from china week pointed out that the Chinese government has failed to improve its public image with the Olympic torch relay, on the contrary the Chinese government and people have made the world hate us with the protest.
South Africa: Serious blogging arrives
Serious blogging has arrived in South Africa: “The key moments for blogging included the launches of Afrigator, the continent’s first blogging aggregator; Amatomu, the first comprehensive tracking service for blogs and bloggers in South Africa; My Digital Life by ITWeb, which put solid commercial resources and interests behind blogging; and...
Sudan: Coffee ceremony in Al Meganis
Andrew writes about coffee culture in Al Meganis, Sudan: “It is almost as complicated as an Ethiopian coffee ceremony – look at all those pots, including the glue tin containing the final brew. But the end result is harsher and sweeter. Not that that is necessarily a bad thing on...
South Africa: Ideas for Muti 2.0
Wogan's ideas for Muti 2.0: “About a week ago, the ability to downvote articles on muti.co.za was removed. Apparently, responses were mixed, but most were in favour of not allowing people to forcibly bury articles. Now, someone’s gone and raised the question of whether or not downvoting should be brought...
Tanzania: Perils of an IT Geek
Jesp visits hardware geeks in Tanzania: “I then consult Dennis, a hardware geek of the kind that never even puts the cover on his computer because his head is more often inside the cabinet than in front of the screen. “It is not the graphic card” Dennis says “The RAM...
Zimbabwe: Pay Day Facts
Pay day in Zimbabwe: “Today is pay day. I received a gross wage of just under $860 million. I also received benefits being $400 million dollars as a transport allowance and $67 million as a housing allowance. These benefits were awarded by the government as some sort of assistance towards...
South Africa: Jacob Zuma – marketer of the year
Jacob Zuma's marketing strategy works: “But there has been a noticeable shift in attitude amongst (mostly) white, middle class South Africans to a man who used to be famous for kangas, baby oil and homophobia. Jacob Zuma is making one of the most impressive comebacks in South African political history....
Special report on Vietnam censored
Saigon Blues writes that the current issue of The Economist which has a special report on Vietnam has been subjected to censorship in Vietnam.
Thailand: Boycott Tesco Lotus campaign
British company Tesco Lotus has sued three Thai journalists in just one month for writing about the “aggressive” operations of the global retailer in Thailand. As a protest, Fable supports a worldwide boycott campaign of Tesco Lotus.
Vietnam ends adoption program with U.S.
American couple and bloggers Robert and Lesa went to Vietnam 16 months ago to adopt a girl. Imagine their disappointment as Vietnam ends its adoption program with the United States
Malaysia: Parliament begins session
My Life My Stories comments on the opening session of Malaysia's Parliament: “Parliament is like a wet market. Shouting everywhere, speaking without raising hand to get approval and of course calling each other nickname.”
Indonesia: Praying and shopping
Indonesia Matters reports that people in West Java are flocking to shopping malls in order to pray.
South Africa: Should South Africans boycott Chinese products?
Sarah asks, So, could South Africans boycott Chinese products with any justification?: “Consumer boycotts have long been a means for ordinary consumers to express their anger with a country and hit regimes where it hurts most, in their wallets – even if only indirectly.”
Philippines: Civilian supremacy in Cabinet
A Filipino lawmaker-blogger hopes that the next defense chief of the Philippines will still come from the civilian sector.
Zimbabwe: Election humour on YouTube
Ethan writes “Dark humor about Zimbabwe”: “You might have missed it, because I buried it at the bottom of the last (long) post. What follows below is a very funny radio segment from a South African morning comedy show.”
Ethiopia: Teddy Afro denied bail
Nazret links to an article about the Ethiopian musician Teddy Afro: “The Federal High Court of Ethiopia has this morning denied bail for the release of Tewodros Kassahun (Teddy Afro). The 30-year-old sensational singer, who is accused of a hit and run homicide, will spend the duration of his trial...
