Monthly Archives: September 2011

WINDOWS 8 | Microsoft launches Windows 8

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On Tuesday, Microsoft launched its next-generation operating system, at its Build Conference in Anaheim, California. The new operating system, which is a complete rebuild of Microsoft’s flagship product, is designed to work with both tablets and PCs.

Each attendee at the conference received a Samsung tablet, preloaded with the developers’ preview version of Windows 8, with the intention of exciting the developers, and perhaps, persuading  them to write applications for the new OS. “The tablets are part of Microsoft’s attempt to get developers excited and on board with Windows 8 … It’s the first Windows version designed from the beginning to work on both tablets and PCs.” The Seattle Times reported. Rob Sanfilippo, a research vice president at the Kirkland-based Directions on Microsoft was reported saying, “He’s a fan of the new user interface (UI), dubbed “Metro,” which looks unlike any other Windows version.” “The Metro UI is based on tiles that, when tapped or clicked on, go directly to an application,” The Seattle Times. httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0Hr9-C8WhE  Looking back at its predecessor, Windows 7, the president of Microsoft’s Windows division announced that, “Windows 7 is now (finally) being used by more people than Windows XP.” Windows 7 has sold 450 million copies worldwide. Recent statistics also show that Windows 7 consumer usage is greater than Windows XP, and about 542 million people are signing into Windows Live services. In addition, Microsoft had launched Windows 7 in Swahili earlier in the year, a move that was intended to allow over 150 million Kiswahili speakers in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and parts of the Horn of Africa, Great Lakes, Malawi, Mozambique and the Indian Ocean region, access a broader range of its programs. This followed Windows 7 debut in Kenya on 28th October, 2009. The growth of Windows operating systems since the unpleasant Windows Vista, has undoubtedly, been delightful to Microsoft executives.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntSdfGzF60M
Whether Windows 8 will develop in the same trend, is an issue on the balance. Here is a url to the download page for the developer preview. It comes in three versions. Download the appropriate and get on with it! Tip the balance!

What’s Your Say?

References:

Microsoft aims to get developers excited about Windows 8 The Seattle Times September 13, 2011

Windows 7 Launched in Country allAfrica.com October 28, 2009

Microsoft Windows 7 launched in Swahili Telecentre.org February 17, 2011

Microsoft Launches Windows 8 Mashable Tech September 14, 2011

 

 

EDUCATION | Boarding schools in Kenya should strive to be friendlier.

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Most Kenyans have been to a boarding school either for their primary or secondary level education. To most, their experience in these institutions is an ordeal they would rather not talk about. This is because, with the intent of ensuring academic excellence, they tend to be too stern on their students. Therefore they acquire the opposite results. Some schools even go to the extent of banning their students from talking to their parents or relatives when they come to school, it is still indefinite why they put in place such restrictions while students get relieved and motivated when they are able to talk to their relatives when they come to school, because it is viewed as a relief from the routine. So when they are denied with this opportunity they end up being distracted and bitter. Hence automatically making them less productive in school.

Most of the schools where the administration is strict to students, mostly do not yield positive results at the end of the day and also there is usually misbehaving at the slightest exposure to “freedom”. Also, many pupils end up sneaking from school and thus exposing them to danger. The reasons why boarding schools should be friendlier is because students are more motivated to study. Also, most schools forbid their students from carrying additional food stuff to school. The food offered in school may not be enough to satisfy them. Hence they end up having low concentration levels in class or become fruitless due to hunger. Others even resolve to sneak out of school to seek for food exposing them to many risks. For instance, recently a student of Koelel High school met his death after sneaking school in search for food. Most of these institutions also deny leave out permits to their students. A student might be seriously sick and most schools lack proper medication amenities. They deny their students permission and hence the health of the patients deteriorate and therefore leading to deaths in school.

In conclusion, boarding facilities in Kenya for secondary and primary education should provide for their students a sociable environment. Being strict does not equal to performance. Instead it leaves the students frustrated and stressed. Therefore do not perform to their full academic potential. Some of the rules are bizarre, for instance in most schools scholars are not allowed to greet their relatives leave alone speaking to them when they come to school for whatever the reasons. This is very baseless. Therefore such institutions should consider loosening up a little when it comes to their rules. If they are really in pursuit of academic excellence, as hostility only makes them deter academically.

http://www.sikizwa.com/life in a Kenyan boarding school

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE | Arsene Wenger splashes the cash

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After the  8 -2 drubbing at the hands of bitter rivals Manchester united, Arsenal was the busiest English premier league club, as the transfer window closed. The arrival of the new signings, goes along with  Arsene Wenger’s, long held philosophy, of buying young, little-known players, and developing them to world class football icons.

The departure of sensational captain Cesc Fabregas sounded the first warning of a falling empire which Wenger had tirelessly and tenaciously set out to build. Six trophy-less seasons were too much to bear for some of the talented players, who had spent much of  their entire senior careers at the Emirates. Despite Wenger’s re-assuring statements (Imagine the worst situation: We lose Fabregas and Nasri, you cannot convince people you are ambitious after that),  the duo left. However, Wenger was quick to answer critics, and heeded the call to sign more established players rather than dwell solely on his youth system approach. With the arrival of Per Martesacker, the gunners can now boast of having a 6 foot plus defender in their squad. Another acquisition is Brazil’s current left back Andre Santos. This creates a solid backline; with Sagna and Vermaleen completing the other two slots. Mikel Arteta was a late but key inclusion into the Wenger’s squad and should be the  ideal player to take on Fabregas’s role. Yosi Benayoun and South Korea captain Park Chu-Young, bring along to Arsenal, lots of experience, considering that  both were key players in their former clubs. httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yZOY8yEShs

These signings should be a big boost for the Londoners, and will be tasked upon to turn around what looked set to be a nightmare season for Arsenal.

References

Official: Arsenal complete deal to sign South Korea Captain Park Chu-Young from Monaco Goal.com August 30, 2011

Arsenal’s new boys Arsenal.com Septermber 1, 2011

 

AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS QUALIFIER | Oliech gives the Stars a glimmer of hope

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Dennis Oliech scored a wonder goal 2 minutes into injury time to restore Kenya’s slim chances of qualifying for the Africa Cup of nations. The stars  went into the match knowing that only a win would ensure they remain in the race for the 2012 tournament.  The stars dominated early possession but the Western African side-Guinea Bissau, who beat them in the first leg by a solitary goal, defended well to deny the stars an early goal.

Coach Zedekiah Otieno made a double attacking substitution bringing in the exciting striker Stephen Waruru and AFC Leopards forward Mike Barasa. The substitution made an immediate impact as Barasa netted in the opener in the 55th minute to send the home fans into a frenzy. The stars continued to dominate the match and looked set for a slim victory until a defensive mistake allowed the visitors to restore parity within nine minutes of normal time left. The goal silenced the home fans, some leaving the stadium in disappointment.  Auxere striker, Dennis Oliech, however, had other ideas! He salvaged the home side by delivering a screamer following  poor clearance by the visitors from a corner kick, sending the home fans into wild cheers. httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGHZu0lbTiY

Despite the result, Kenya’s chances of qualification remain slim. The only chance they have of qualifying is hoping Uganda loses to Angola by a huge margin and hope Guinea beats Angola. Statistically,  it is  possible for the stars to progress. This means beating Uganda on their home-soil  by more than 6 goals,  to top the group on goal difference.

References
Kenya 2-1 Guinea Bissau: Denise Oliech’s last gasp screamer saves Harambee Stars Goal.com September 3, 2011

Kenya must thrash Guinea, Uganda then wait for ‘Lady luck’ Kenya Premier League August 30, 2011

It’s seventh heaven for team Kenya

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Abel Kiprop defended his world marathon title to bag Kenya her seventh gold medal of the world athletics championship in Daegu South Korea. Kiprop completed the race in a time of 2 hours 7 minutes and 38 seconds way ahead of compatriot Vincent Kipruto who finished in 2:10:06 to complete another 1,2 finish for the Kenyan team on the penultimate day of the championship. Kenya has finished third in the championship behind the United States and Russia with seven gold medals six silver and 4 bronze.

The highlight of these impressive results has to be Vivian Cheruiyot’s remarkable double in the 10,000 and 5,000 meters becoming the first ever Kenyan to do so. She was also the only athlete in Daegu to bag double individual gold after the favourite to do so Usain bolt from Jamaica was sensationally disqualified in the final of the 100 meters. Edna Kiplagat led a clean sweep on the opening day of the championship to set the stage for what would be a remarkable outing especially for the women’s team. Asbel Kiprop made up for his error in the Berlin championship where he sat back and could not match the kick of the eventual champion Yusuf Saad Kamel finishing a disappointing fourth. This time though he stayed with the front park and dashed for the finish with about three hundred meters to the finish line.

Ezekiel Kemboi bagged the gold in what has come to be a preserve for Kenyans the 3,000 meters steeplechase finishing ahead of compatriot Brimin Kipruto who set the second fastest ever time in the distance a month ago. David Lekuta Rudisha proved to the world he is the king of middle distance running comfortably winning the 800 meters race ahead of Sudan’s Abubakar Kaki.

With less than 350 days left to the London Olympics all the team can do is work on getting medals in the other events such as the elusive 5,000 meter men as well as the 10,000 meters event. Overall the Kenyan team produced a brilliant performance and we shall be hoping to get a repeat of Daegu at the biggest stage of them all, the Olympics.

References

Kenyan runner snatches first gold at Daegu worlds in women’s marathon

http://daegu2011.iaaf.org