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Kenyan Women Create Their Own 'Geek Culture'

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Re: Kenyan Women Create Their Own 'Geek Culture'

#21

Post by rweba »

noonespecial wrote: post #15
quit wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Bah, we routinely did this for our lan parties.

I'm guessing you didn't drive on dirt roads or carry all of the fuel for the trip with you in jugs, all while hoping you had enough bribe money for anyone who might turn up with a rusty AK-47 and a barricade to keep them from taking said computer from you along the way.

Not sure if you are kidding but I am pretty sure Kenya wasn't THAT bad. It's actually a fairly stable country, even with the high level corruption scandals and occasional election violence.

Re: Kenyan Women Create Their Own 'Geek Culture'

#22

Post by msbarnett »

noonespecial wrote: post #15
quit wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Bah, we routinely did this for our lan parties.

I'm guessing you didn't drive on dirt roads or carry all of the fuel for the trip with you in jugs, all while hoping you had enough bribe money for anyone who might turn up with a rusty AK-47 and a barricade to keep them from taking said computer from you along the way.

Dude, not every country in Africa is Somalia. Kenya is a moderately wealthy and largely-stable country. Paved roads are common and gas stations are plentiful, for christ sakes.

Re: Kenyan Women Create Their Own 'Geek Culture'

#23

Post by noonespecial »

rweba wrote: post #21
noonespecial wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm guessing you didn't drive on dirt roads or carry all of the fuel for the trip with you in jugs, all while hoping you had enough bribe money for anyone who might turn up with a rusty AK-47 and a barricade to keep them from taking said computer from you along the way.

Not sure if you are kidding but I am pretty sure Kenya wasn't THAT bad. It's actually a fairly stable country, even with the high level corruption scandals and occasional election violence.

This would likely have been around 10 years ago. Perhaps longer. Today's Kenya is less violent but according to the New York Times corruption index, its still one of the most corrupt nations on earth.

The point is that throwing your Alien-Ware in the back of your Volvo to go to a lan party across town is a ridiculous (to the point of being non sequitur) comparison.

Re: Kenyan Women Create Their Own 'Geek Culture'

#24

Post by msbarnett »

noonespecial wrote: post #23
rweba wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not sure if you are kidding but I am pretty sure Kenya wasn't THAT bad. It's actually a fairly stable country, even with the high level corruption scandals and occasional election violence.

This would likely have been around 10 years ago. Perhaps longer. Today's Kenya is less violent but according to the New York Times corruption index, its still one of the most corrupt nations on earth. The point is that throwing your Alien-Ware in the back of your Volvo to go to a lan party across town is a ridiculous (to the point of being non sequitur) comparison.

If anything the country was more peaceful ten years ago, not less.

Re: Kenyan Women Create Their Own 'Geek Culture'

#25

Post by 1123581321 »

Choppen5 wrote: post #13
ph0rque wrote: post #8

I so wish I could invest in some of these companies...

I agree - we need more oportunistas to invest in businesses in developing countries. I invested in this African company: http://unreasonableinstitute.org/profile/mwilkerson/ It was a little easier as the founder was from the US and I met him here, and then he returned to Africa to continue running the operation. Wish more African founders had the opportunity to raise money here.

If your sentiment is common, then there is an opportunity for someone to arrange introductions and bring African entrepreneurs to the United States for fundraising.

Re: Kenyan Women Create Their Own 'Geek Culture'

#26

Post by charleshaanel »

meric wrote: post #18
noonespecial wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm guessing you didn't drive on dirt roads or carry all of the fuel for the trip with you in jugs, all while hoping you had enough bribe money for anyone who might turn up with a rusty AK-47 and a barricade to keep them from taking said computer from you along the way.

Reading this article makes me think maybe Kenya isn't as backwards as I imagined.

What was the source of your prior beliefs about the country? It might proof enlightening to question those sources of information henceforth....

Re: Kenyan Women Create Their Own 'Geek Culture'

#27

Post by charleshaanel »

ph0rque wrote: post #8

I so wish I could invest in some of these companies...

You don't need to go to Africa to get involved. You would be surprised how many people in this community are African or women - or even both! It's just a case of not engaging in too many discussions where gender and/or ethnicity come up.....

Re: Kenyan Women Create Their Own 'Geek Culture'

#28

Post by aclimatt »

1123581321 wrote: post #25
Choppen5 wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I agree - we need more oportunistas to invest in businesses in developing countries. I invested in this African company: http://unreasonableinstitute.org/profile/mwilkerson/ It was a little easier as the founder was from the US and I met him here, and then he returned to Africa to continue running the operation. Wish more African founders had the opportunity to raise money here.

If your sentiment is common, then there is an opportunity for someone to arrange introductions and bring African entrepreneurs to the United States for fundraising.

I believe that instead, the opportunity is to guide US investors to invest in African companies. An organization to vouch for the reputability and asses the risks of these companies to allow for greater, less risky foreign investment.

I personally would love to start such an organization.

Re: Kenyan Women Create Their Own 'Geek Culture'

#29

Post by 1123581321 »

aclimatt wrote: post #28
1123581321 wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If your sentiment is common, then there is an opportunity for someone to arrange introductions and bring African entrepreneurs to the United States for fundraising.

I believe that instead, the opportunity is to guide US investors to invest in African companies. An organization to vouch for the reputability and asses the risks of these companies to allow for greater, less risky foreign investment. I personally would love to start such an organization.

I understand the difference. Either way, though, personal connections and legwork would have to be done both in the US and in Africa.

It's been on my mind since I made the comment; if you've interest I wouldn't mind discussing it with you if you'd like to e-mail me at the address in my profile.

Re: Kenyan Women Create Their Own 'Geek Culture'

#30

Post by mynameishere »

ph0rque wrote: post #8

I so wish I could invest in some of these companies...

Here ya go

http://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=nafax

I don't recommend investing in tiny enterprises in developing countries, because you're heading for shakedown street at that point. But if you think it's a growth sector, go for it.

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