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Showing posts from December, 2012

Solving DSTV Drifta "Cannot Initialize Display" and "service scrambled" Errors

The Drifta is a handy device for catching up with a number of DSTv channels on the go. The good thing with the mobile dongle is that you can offer it as a gift to someone, and link it to your DSTv account such that they don't have to pay subscription. Image quality may not be brilliant, but it isn't one can't stomach. However, setting up the device, though simple, can be quite a task for many as I found out. First, if you are call DSTv to connect your Drifta to a Premium or Plus bouquet, you may get "service scrambled" error, even when DSTv insist that they have activated the service for you. This can be solved by pressing the reset button (read the manual for how to) which is usually next to the charging port. You'll need a pen or something with a slim point and use it to press the depression, usually next to the charging port to reset the Drifta. Resetting the Drifta may solve your "service scrambled" error (if subscribed), but may lead to

RE: Appointment as Ambassador of the Republic of Kenya to The United States of America

Image: South African marriage courtesy The Telegraph ( http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/southafrica/6237922/South-African-man-marries-4-women-at-same-ceremony.html  ) Dennis Kioko, Address Pending. President to-be-elect, Republic of Kenya, Address Pending, Again. Dear Sirs/Madams, RE: Appointment as Ambassador of the Republic of Kenya to The United States of America  I would like to draw your attention to news reported across various sections of the press (way behind your daily portraits on the front page) that several Missions to the country are equivalently vacant with the duty of appointed high commissioners having expired. This includes Kenya's High Commission to the United States of America. Among your first duties, having assumed duty as Kenya's president, duly elected or otherwise, will be to appoint commissioners to these missions. It is in this regard that I highly invoke you to consider me as a likely appointment to the

8 Types of Press Releases From Hell

Image: Flickr 37Signals' stream Working in a media house, press releases make up quite a lot of what a journalist reads and works with. That explains why quite a number of us end up with poor grammar - it is so easy to pick up language usage from what we read. Press releases are meant to pass relevant information to the reader, sand should be targeted. The keyword here is relevant. Sadly, press releases are not meant your companies feel good, they can pee on themselves for that warm feeling. Releases thus are of no value if the targeted reader doesn’t get much value from them, which means that your client is failing in delivering value. Press releases also account for many the hardships journalists face. If you don’t believe me, below is a collection of characteristics exhibited in press releases send in from hell. The title is longer than this paragraph. Such press releases look as if someone converted the first paragraph into a title. I mean, there is nothing wrong with a 2

Why Nairobi doesn't need Syokimaus

Delhi's Bus Rapid Transit system showing bus lanes against traffic in other lanes (image: http://blog.propertynice.com )  On 13th November, 2012, Kenya opened its first railway station, as we get to celebrate 49 years since Independence. In a move hailed by many far and wide, Kenya also announced that it had finally broken the curse and built a two kilometre track to the newly opened Syokimau. It is said that this is the first time the railway had seen any action in more than 50 years. To some, this was the equivalent of Kenya putting a man on the moon. It would bring lots of pride to millions of Kenya, just as the hundreds of millions of Indians see their chest swell with pride when their country launches a rocket into space, or successfully does a nuclear bomb test. I even saw a few Ugandans, where the presidential motorcade is said to occasionally tag along a Howitzer (Google images), wonder where their country got left off in such remarkable feats. H

Dennis Kioko first Kenyan to offer a lift

For immediate release Buses parked on Moi Avenue during the strike which saw Kioko become the first Kenya to offer a lift. Integrated Kenyan National Dennis Kioko has become the first Kenyan to offer a lift in his car to another deserving Kenyan. The remarkable act of humanity happened on Thursday evening when Kioko spotted a number of stranded Kenyans as he drove crawled home in his car, also known as a contraption in some circles. The deserving Kenyans were rendered with no means of commuting home after clueless matatu drivers boycotted their nation destruction duty. Huddled at a nondescript bus stop along Uhuru Highway declared illegal by the City Council, and with dark quickly approaching, Kioko was able to spot them and pull over. Three passengers from various tribes then hopped in and were offered a lift, free of charge, to Kioko's neighbourhood. The drivers are up in arms against new rules that will see them either driving like sane humans or parting with huge sums