₦airaland Forum

afam4eva:
The website is not opening so i don't know exactly what you want. Is it a static website or a dynamic one? Pls be lucid with your description and i will be willing to take the job and give you a nop notch web design service.

My Name is Afam, call me on 07031917897 or send an email to afam4eva@gmail.com

Are you aware that your website is offline and that it is reported that your domain name has expired?

baby4u2:
I know i am attaching myself to this page. But guys seriously i need a programmers help asap. I dont know how to go about creating an online business idea i have. I need someone to let me know what to do. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE email me so that i cant let you know what i want or if u like please drop your email and i can follow up. Mine is ladimint@yahoo.com

You may send an email to afam@justwebservices.com and I will advice accordingly. Basically, there is not business process or idea that you want to turn into software or online application that I cannot do. All that is required is for you to be clear on the requirements, features and functionality.

chidichris:
the most shameful things here is that an ordinary woman brought him down.
what ribadu could not do, farida has done with a pinch of salt.
farida, you have entered your name in the good and great women's of nigeria and africa as a whole.
at least, we have the okonjos and the ettehs so nigerian women can be wonderful in their various areas of endeavours.

Who indicted Bode George? EFCC under Ribadu or Farida?

It seems you are not at home with facts anything you make crazy comments on this forum.

Jakumo:
Thank you for the information on inverters that you have provided here Afam.  I am saving the above post for study and future reference, though I will likely still have a question or two before long.

Much appreciated.

No wahala. Enjoy!

Jakumo:
Oga Afam, may I ask for a few details on inverter battery backup electrical power.  There are so many varieties of these devices sold on the internet, with such a bewildering array of categories, specifications and applications, that it is difficult to tell which system works best to simply provide electrical power at night after being charged up by a generator during the day.

From your experience using inverter backup systems in Nigeria, which brand name and specification of inverter and deep-cycle battery would you consider to be the best and most reliable on the market for Third World use ?   Considering a residential or business concern operating entirely off the national electricity grid, what sort of a setup would in your opinion provide stable electrical power around the clock, by alternating between the inverter/battery system at night, and a 100KVA generator that would charge the system batteries during daylight hours ?

Thanks for any advice you can offer.

Hi Jakumo,

Thanks for your post.

1. The inverter technology is pretty a mature technology with different topologies and implementations hence the variety you see out there. The main problem is with the battery chargers where the charging rates are usually either too high (kills the battery bank faster) or too low (cheaper to produce but still kills the battery bank at a slower rate). This means that the battery charging amps must be designed to charge a given battery voltage and amps properly. This would also mean that the manufacturer must have information about the typical battery Ah that will be used with any capacity inverter (with an integrated charger) instead of the one size fits all scenario we have today with mass produced inverters.

2. Another problem is that some design assumptions made by inverter manufacturers outside Nigeria work well in their countries while they don't here because they don't have the type of embarrassing power problem we have down here. That is where some inverters come with very small charging amps with the basic assumption that these inverters are used for say emergencies and should have more than enough time and power to recharge the battery bank when depleted. You know that in Nigeria here you can barely guarantee 8 hrs in a day.

3. Then the components matter. The same way the average Nigerian wire is termed the most reliable and expensive in the market is the same way the transformer coils that are assessed locally are more reliable than most imported transformers with aluminium rather than copper as the choice. The choice of transistors again has a huge impact as some transistors perform better in certain scenarios based on what features you prefer. Management of any heat generated is another issue that if not handled properly can damage the components.

So, there are a lot of issues why you have a varying degree of reliability of inverters out there.

We build modified sine wave inverters and you can't use these inverters for any sensitive medical equipment, laser copiers, laser printers but works ok with over 95% of electrical or electronic appliances out there. True or pure sine wave inverters are the best in terms of wave output but generally cost more.

Now to the questions

1. It is difficult to state the best inverter because I have not tried many, in fact I have been able to install just one imported true sine wave inverter in about 6 years and after that experience I decided not to do so again because in the cause of diagnosing the problem that came up in the 11th month of usage I found out that the charger was just 6 amps for a 5KVA 180VDC inverter that provided more than 4 days backup until the problem came to the fore. Obviously, the battery bank had never seen full charge since installation date and was able to hold out for that long because the batteries used were the best I have seen and used myself. Power safe brand of Enersys batteries is the brand.

But these batteries are really expensive. To give you an idea of how expensive it is, a typical good 12V 200Ah deep cycle battery hovers around N50,000.00 but the landing cost of the Power safe brand with the same 12V 200Ah comes to about N125,000.00. Batteries from USA or Europe generally are more reliable because they use virgin lead in the battery manufacturing process whereas in Asia the use of recycled lead is common and basically an acceptable standard. You still need to beware of American battery makers that have manufacturing plants in Asia because the plants in Asia may as well build these batteries with recycled lead and probably ship them to Africa or other countries that don't pay attention to standards or insist on certain standards.

So, when it comes to installing inverters the only ones I can guarantee the workability and offer 1 year warranty where repairs or outright replacements are done at zero cost to the owner are the ones we build ourselves because we have 100% control in the building process from the components selection to the setup even though the building process is not automated so cannot produce them in large quantities and only do so based on orders.

2. Any generator system that runs during the day can support a reliable inverter backup system at night, in fact this hybrid system will be more reliable than a typical PHCN/Inverter system because PHCN does not provide power everyday.

However, unless the items in questions are listed (with their power ratings) no one can give you any reasonable information as regards the inverter capacity, number of battery banks required and their associated costs. Doing so would amount to going into a war with a blindfold.

Even at that an energy efficiency program may be implemented to crash the loads. It is always cheaper to replace some items and build a reliable inverter backup system than it is to build an inverter backup system to support any current load that are not energy efficient. For example, an inverter backup system that will provide 24 hrs backup for a desktop computer would provide between 72 hrs and 96 hrs for a laptop computer. Same with other loads with more energy efficient alternatives.

Sorry for the long post but needed to clear up some issues that have been misleading or misunderstood in the power inverter area.

You may read more articles @ justalternativepower.com/articles.php

Please, address me as Afam, just Afam.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend.

AjanleKoko:
It just came to me. You build web sites for a living!
Can't believe I've been arguing with a guy who builds websites for a living. You guys are all over Ikeja, man!
Keep on ranting and raving.

Yes, I build web applications and develop custom software when I am not designing and installing reliable inverter backup systems and I am very proud of what I do.

However, I served in the same Mobil Producing Nigeria 2 years before you attempted the interview as a youth corper and failed woefully. Just limiting this to one issue at a time. As you bring up more issues I will respond accordingly and trust me by the time you are done you would have realized that in terms of work experience and value of projects handled you may never be able to come close regardless of your many claims to work in a GSM company.

Enjoy the rest of the day.

Vavavoom:
No, I don't. You are not suggesting cos you have none Only generic theories, common sense knowledge and roadside_{ikoku solution}. So you should know, materials on alternative energy and its applicability are prepondorant, all over the internet and at a snap. Currently have someone installing a safe-mode switch system that can shut out my ''power hungry loads''_{tanx for this term sha} when PHCN goes out while keeping the manageable loads afloat. My discussion with you was to see if you could profer a better option than am currently installing_{apparently not} . Oh by the way my batteries are German_{3, 180Amps}. All this is possible because I can afford it, the many 75%_{chappies/folks below the $1 mark} can't. That is the crux of the matter, the many who need it for their saloons, shops, and petty trading businesses! You can keep your N10.00 analogy now, mr facts.

Thank God you have summoned the courage to ask the question. I have no business with your capability as regards being able to afford anything because as long as you cannot offer to pay hundreds of millions that I roundly rejected based on professional integrity what you think you have as regards money remains minute.

However, I will not be providing you with the answer you desperately need until you learn to ask questions like a normal human being.

Vavavoom:
No offense, my home energy needs are greater than the only-inverter and roadside battery solution you have profered. I can't imagine not being able to recharge my batteries beacuse PHCN is out for some days and I am left handicapped by the non-installation of solar panels nor a gen set to ease up charging. Thank you for all the trouble, I prefer a full-option service that's why I listed my home items so we could be practical instead of theorizing with pure water satchet and helical energy bulbs.

It seems you have what I call a comprehension limited problem? Who is suggesting a solution to you? Keep deluding yourself unless of course the total value of your items is N10.00 as used in the example. You should be capable of understanding basic issues instead of hiding under the banner of the example does not apply to you because I have made it clear that I am not interesting in providing the answers you are desperate to get.

Thanks for raising other issues now that common sense has prevailed on issues you have been confusing yourself with. However, I won't be responding to them considering the fact that you don't deserve to know the answers.

I made it clear then that the law makers handling the power probe were playing to the gallery as they did not understand what EPC contracts entails.

Anyone that understands the nature of these contracts would know that it is possible to spend 70% of both time and money for the project without seeing anything on ground as they were screaming then.

And these are the people responsible for making laws for us.

Beaf:


I think our problems lie there.
The govt is so corrupt that practically the only way to survive is by imbibing the same greed, wickedness and and kleptomania.
I am wondering, is there any way that citizens can pull together to avoid this loop to nowhere? Perhaps, forming coorperatives with strict rules might do the trick; but only for a start. The great positive in banding together, is that people would increasingly begin to speak with a single voice and in time, could force the govt along the path to change.

What I have come to realize is that the average Nigerian does not know his rights and majority of those that even know their rights are never ready to enforce those rights out of fear.

Some engage in the same corruption they criticize without any shame.

Working together would be great but as they say - would two people work together unless they agree?

The rate at which people are ready to go to war instead of admitting mistakes worries me a great deal and this is even common with the educated ones that should know better.

I try to sanitize my own space by insisting on what is right at all times, saying NO to corruption at all times and encouraging others to do same.

You don't pray at night for God to protect you from armed robbers and then leave all the doors and windows open.

So, we should not expect the government to change overnight as most powerful and rich people in Nigeria today can only thrive in the current corruption ridden system. That is why they are ready to do everything possible to get into power and once they get in they are ready to do anything to remain there.

Vavavoom:
The guilty, in your court and by whose judgement?
I hardly have insulted you, at best been sarcastic While alternative energy is good and pays for itself in the long run_{in a country alien to manufacturing and producing save oil}  What you are advocating makes relatively little economic sense_blabbing to the many poor in Nigeria who look for the little 300-750 Naira to refuel their ''I pass my neighbour'' and keep a shade of light at night. For any one to totally rid themselves of PHCN and instal required inverter-solar panel-cum battery system will require huge capital outlay. That's why I advocated for banks to come in and make it work by offering monthly EMIs so that chaps can do_{pss, pay small small} without bearing the huge capital brunt.

And you think it's all about winning an arguement? kai!
Pls, Judge Afam, free me abeg

Who is talking of ridding one's self from PHCN? Did I ever make a statement like that? It seems you have finally gone round the bend and you keep manufacturing one lie after another.

The same way someone who buys a bag of pure water will spend less when compared to another that buys the same number of sachets that you have in a bag one at a time.

Don't go far with your manufacturing of lies, stick to the facts stated.

I develop software and bought the same small generator (I pass my neighbor) for N13,500.00 in 2003 and after one year I did an estimate of the cost of running that generator and it came to about N125,000.00 and this is even an office.

In 5 years, I would have spent about N1M because the cost of fuel has changed from what it used to be in 2003 now.

However, I chose to go the alternative energy route and even though I had to start with a regular trailer battery (because I didn't have enough information on the suitability or otherwise in backup systems) the total cost of the inverter and the new battery bank is still less than N200,000.00.

This comes to about N40,000.00 per year and could go to about just N20,000.00 per year if the battery bank remains ok in the coming years.

You cannot eat you cake and have it. Of course, buying a N13,500.00 generator seems cheaper to any inverter let alone the battery but I am a practical person. I am not interested in sentiments as I have respect for facts, hard facts.

You may raise the issue of the banks financing anything with banks as I don't own nor run any.

nex:
So our Honourable Speaker should be acquainted with such people as Mo Ibrahim. I only got to know Mo because I was a Celtel subscriber.

In fact, na for internet I even see information about the man even though I don dey use Zain since I never get any information about the man from either Zain, Celtel, Econet etc.

Let the law makers concentrate on making laws that will make Nigeria better as that is what they are supposed to be doing.

Beaf:
Can an employer ever weep for their employees in Nigeria? Can our govt ever weep for an individual Nigerian?

Maybe, for the wrong reasons sha. Maybe when they cannot cheat them at will without any consequences.

One good thing that will come out of difficult times is innovation.

When there is no free money to spend (from the government to the individual) then we begin to question our spending habits, the quality of products and services, projects that may not be viable etc.

I can understand difficulty due to things outside our control but for corruption induced difficulties only execution would do to help in that regard.

Development cannot be about personal wealth because a rich man in the midst of poor people is inherently poor because the problems of the poor by extension becomes your problems too when they have to come to you for help.

Security nko? You get to build a house that looks like a prison yard, spend money installing security gadgets and hiring armed body guards and police men.

So, in my opinion collective development is 100% better than personal wealth.

Vavavoom:
Ego: '' your sense of your own value and importance, "psychologically. it is also the part of the mind that is responsible for your sense of who you are, hmmm!

As predicted the guilty will always go down the same route - initiate insults and when responded to in kind begin to complain.

This is one claim that no one can dispute about my comments and disagreements with people.

Why would I turn to insults when I have things to say to back up my positions?

Only those that run out of ideas resort to insults when losing out in any argument.

However, the right to respond to any insult in kind is a fundamental right which I intend to exercise till tomorrow so that idiots like you who think you can insult people just to hide your ignorance would be put where they belong.

Keep shifting the goal post. From no cost effective solution to solar panels and the inability of Nigerians to pay for the inverter system even though you agree it is cheaper than running generator. Learn to be consistent.

I never talked about solar panel so it may be you that is not at home with reality.

I have never used a generator in my office for over 5 years - this is practical, not buzzword or marketing gimmick or even false claims.

I hardly use a generator at home - this is practical.

I provide information to people and write articles to push the same information out anything I get too many questions on any issue concerning alternative energy. So, I don't have any problems providing answers at all but not to people who would label your comments as nonsense and yet expect you to help them provide answers they desperately need.

It is rather disturbing that you fail to understand what cost effectiveness means, for the benefit of others I will delve into it so as to get you out of your ignorance.

If you have N10.00 worth of items and need N90.00 to provide power using generator for say 5 years then your total cost will be put at N100.00.

If you have to spend N20.00 to replace your items that would crash your energy need which in turn would require a must lower capacity generator or inverter backup for say N40.00 then in the same amount of time you would have spent N60.00 as against N100.00 and that represents at least 40% reduction in cost.

I still maintain that the average educated Nigeria lacks what it takes to analyze issues without unnecessary sentiments. Add intellectual stubbornness to the equation and you get complete disaster.

Handle your inconsistencies and leave the other guy alone because he has enough on his hands as his confusion is coming to the fore for all to see. Not that I expect you to understand anyway.

AjanleKoko:
I'm would rather ignore all your insults, and still focus on your article.
What do you mean by web-based withdrawal? Are you aware that banks impose a limit on Internet and POS transactions, same as ATM?
What stops me as an insider from tagging a fictitious transaction with an indicator that it was done via the web, via POS, or from an ATM? Right here on Nairaland, someone posted a link to a story of ATM fraud in Kogi state, where a bank insider debited his branch float and credited the ATM float, and went around withdrawing the money from various ATMs. Logically the accounts would balance, but the fraud will eventually be noticed during a reconciliation exercise. That's whyit is impossible for you to withdraw physically 1 million in one day from any ATM, or group of ATMs.

And regarding your forensic exercises of digging through my posts. . . most of those people who made all those comments, maybe you have neglected to dig deeper and read their indirect apologies for all those comments. Comments that were made, just like you're making all manner of comments just because someone challenged your article. But because this is a web forum and you don't know who I am, you're free to rant and rail as it pleases you, as it doesn't take anything away from me.

And what's this about 'intelligent people'? On a web forum? Are you a child?

1. The insider angle you are harping on remains one out of many reasons for the ATM card fraud so no need repeating the obvious. I stated that much in the article so don't make it sound like you are bringing up something new.

2. You are desperate to shift all the blame to the banks and none to the current technology and implementation of the technology. This is embarrassing for an engineer who should always challenge technology and make it better, safer and cost effective. It seems we are on 2 parallel lines here as it is obvious you don't understand my position due to your own mindset.

3. I am currently doing some email correspondences with a client and the bank handling the payment gateway implementation. Basic programming knowledge is lacking on the part of both the bank and the payment gateway provider and I have been able to demonstrate (with proof and evidence) where the problem is just because they are finding it difficult to change a return parameter to something the program wants instead of generating new transaction ids as regards the default implementation.

So, don't even go there as I have my hands full on implementation of technologies from software programming to e-commerce solutions with 100% flexibility in the codes and features requested.

I have had to discuss with and help develop security based software for people that were even FBI trained so while I don't intend to give you my CV I must tell you that I never dabble into what I don't have a good understanding about.

MrCrackles:
Chei wetin una dey turn this thread into naw

I am really sorry for this but one thing I will always do is respond to posts in kind. The idea of ignoring people who throw insults or try to question other peoples credibility don't seem the best to me as failure to address issues may lead to misunderstandings.

I have never insulted anyone and will not do so but when and if insulted just because I hold a different view by anyone I will always respond in kind and on time too.

Vavavoom:
I did sense it too, very elementary indeed!

It seems I touched on something that hurt you real bad.

You are confused -

You agreed with my take on inverter backup (as being cheaper than running generator) but claimed the initial capital outlay is high and yet you want us to believe that there is no cost effective solution for your items.

You are a hypocrite - You replaced your bulbs with energy saving bulbs (according to you) but claim that talk about energy efficiency program is nonsense.

You have ego problem - You want me to help advice on energy efficient alternatives for your items and inverter backup but pride would not allow you ask as any reasonable person would.

Conclusion - You are simply too daft for me to engage you in any issue based on technology.

AjanleKoko:
@Afam,

That post you quoted, did you read it through before you decided to quote it? The transaction did go through; it was reversed when they found out the issuing address was from Nigeria. But the transaction went through.
Besides, your article talked about card payment systems from Nigeria. As I have said more than once, the bulk of ATM card fraud is not even tied to the card at all; it's insider fraud from the banks. It's technically impossible, for example, to withdraw 1 million naira from an ATM in one day. But that is what has happened to a lot of these customers. Then, the other; some customers unknowingly give up their card details on phoney websites. That's more particular to Interswitch.

Regarding security, any card can be cloned, whether mag-stripe, or EMV-Compliant Chipcards. You can even learn how to clone a card on the Internet. But it's not about the card. In Nigeria, ATMs work within closed networks, between the banks, ATMs and the card issuer or switch. User data can only be phished or stolen by insiders. Which is where your article went south, by citing address verification etc as an indication of lack of secure environment. I'm sure you know people who work in financial institutions. Why not discuss with them?

And that's an awfully long response to my comments about your article. Why not stay with the article, and steer clear of attacks on my persona (who you don't know anyway). I find it's a common trait with Nairaland users to dig up comments made by perceived protagonists, and try to twist them out of context. You wouldn't be the first to do that to me here, so enjoy the game. For me, I have no idea who you are, we have obviously never met professionally, as your name doesn't ring a bell.

It is obvious you are definitely not understanding the issue. When in doubt ask questions.

You believe the insiders in the banks are responsible for ATM card fraud and you believe phishing sites are the second problem.

This may be convenient to you because you are interested in limiting what you know to what you were presented or asked to work on.

I am talking about how to mitigate against the sharp practices. If you could pay attention to details then you would understand why address verification for online transactions will reduce the incidence of ATM card fraud.

There are documented instances of web based withdrawals running into over N500,000.00. I know of one so this is not about may be. Would the person have been able to do this is all he had were card number, pin number and expiry date if the system required address verification?

I am not surprised at your take because you come across as someone who is intellectually stubborn and believes he understands everything.

Yes, I normally check comments of people I disagree with so as to understand the level of intelligence and comprehension. You don't expect me to argue issues with everyone that comes around as doing so may be a waste of time if the person cannot comprehend basic issues.

The content below was from your posts and I am happy other intelligent people told you to your face what your problems were.

539   Forums / Career / Re: Engineering Vs Medicine "which Is More Challenging?" on: February 17, 2009, 10:44 PM
E be like say this yarn pain these pickins ooo!!!! in fact I be real agbaya sha,

Quote from: oyb on February 17, 2009, 04:30 PM
and the guy claims to be a big oga at a telecomms company

perhaps its the roadside techniciansat his company that are designing the fibre optic backbone for the networks ( i no be telecom guy oh in case i got the terminology wrong )

Quote from: debosky on February 17, 2009, 03:46 PM
How can someone who is sane and claims to be an engineer say

 

This is sheer idiocy at it's highest level, not to talk of blatant stupidity.

Have you not heard of mandatory continuous professional development (CPD)? There is NO field of learning or endeavour that can remove itself from lifelong learning.

If you said YOUR practice of engineering is 'just applications' then I would understand. Sadly you have shown you have no grasp or any meaningful understanding of what engineering involves. Please keep your ignorance to yourself.

Quote from: oyb on February 17, 2009, 03:24 PM
please, you are obviously another of the frauds that runs around nairaland spouting rubbish . bloody secondary school leaver coming to misyarn

you claim to have been an engineer for ten years, that means you have not learnt anything new in those ten years? what are you - retarded?

you say engineer contract work out to road side technicians. no engineer would talk like that - unless of course, you are one of those 'engineers'(drafter, technician, roadside electrician)

the funniest thing is that so much of what you are blathering abouit is based on TV shows- entertainment TV shows - maybe if you watched more extreme engineering on discovery channel


go here dumb olodo

https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-108071.64.html

Young ones,
Make una take am easy. But thanks for all the hailing. Finally I don get some popularity for this forum.
E se gaan. But come o. Una dey pay to post? This una raking too serious o. At least, I be secondary school leaver, marketer, or roadside engineer. Una no fit leave me be? Why kicking a bruda when he down? awwww,

Cheers guys. Make una no vex, I take God beg una.

And yet you claim to have 11 years experience even when you sat for a basic corpers interview in 1998 and claimed to have abandoned youth service to get a job somewhere?

In an organised setting you won't even have to opportunity to wear any organisation's ID card.

I don't have patience for people who do not know and would not be bold enough to accept such fact.

The 2 problems you listed I believe were mentioned in the article and unless you are hell bent on twisting issues they are very clear.

I don't need to work with the banks or the payment gateway providers to understand what it takes to build a secure transaction channel because I go beyond what is usually obvious as I am well aware of the guiding principles, standards and protocols guiding e-commerce including credit card payments.

By the way being an "insider" (as claimed by you) should give you better understanding of the working of the ATM and allow you to accept criticisms that are logical which is supposed to enable you provide better services for the customers.

I will ignore the part about listing the e-commerce websites I have setup as I am not allowed to do so based on non disclosure agreements so you won't be getting any names from me.

This is the typical problem with Nigerians, you punch your keyboards without thinking through just because you are in a hurry to criticize.

For all the noise and claims you made you ended up listing 2 out of the problems I listed and you insist that they are the only problems while leaving it the area you may have been involved in - typical Nigerian, blames every other person but himself/herself.

The content below was written by you barely 3 months ago. Why would a well implemented card payment system be in place and even mastercards and visa cards domiciled in Nigeria can't be used outside?

Nigeria is in a sorry state because people like you want to think for others instead of providing factual information and letting the reading public comprehend the facts provided.

119 Forums / Career / Re: Welcome To My Office on: August 10, 2009, 05:11 PM
How una dey, my people?
Me I am just lying low till weekend, when I zap out on vacation. Regarding office work I'm basically on autopilot, nothing dey happen this week!.

Na wa for online payment in this country sha. Dem just dey reject payments from Nigeria-domiciled Mastercard/Visa cards, left right and center. I wonder the point of getting these cards if you can't even use them outside the country. I've had a few nasty experiences in the last couple of days: monies deducted and transactions frozen, airlines/train bookings made and cancelled, once they discover the card used is from naija, wire transfers hanging between banks anywhere from Lagos to London. I just tire.

Oh, and were we once blasting Nigerians on Nairaland wrt poor customer service? I take it all back. When you call these online travel agents etc, they are so daft and so rude it is unbelievable. 'Specially once they hear one is calling from Africa. An online travel agent took my cash, cancelled the transaction cos it was coming from naija, and rudely informed me that I would get my money back whenever. Meanwhile I called the Lagos office of a global airline to correct a mistake I made with my son's name, and they did it without any surcharge!
Omo, let's love ourselves in Naija, cos guaranteed, the rest of the world hates us.

You should be bold enough to accept responsibility of what you know and what you don't know. There is an on-going Class suit based on ATM card frauds. Nigerians are losing their money everyday without understanding why. Cards are being cloned and used to access accounts and you tell me there is nothing unsafe about that?

I implore you to understand the technology and see how easy it is to mitigate against the current problems instead of trying to defend the indefensible.

By the way I am not upset. I have come across people who brag like you even when they may never know as much as they claim to know in reality.

MrCrackles:
Exactly. . . .We need hard facts!

It seems you have forgotten that Nigerians prefer rumors, gossips and conspiracy theories to facts and truth.

AjanleKoko:
@Afam,
I read your post on Technology Times.
Your knowledge of card technology, ATMs, and eCommerce, at best is elementary.
Won't delve into the details on Nairaland though.

I believe card technology, ATMs and e-commerce are supposed to work together to make buying and selling easy regardless of any physical boundaries.

Any combination of these that make the processes unsafe for even people who do not care about e-commerce but still have to see their funds withdrawn from their bank accounts without their consents does not make sense.

Elementary knowledge of anything based on facts that cannot be disputed is 100% better than what you think you know that you may want to discuss with people you may want to rip off.

In any case, I know a lot about card technology, how cards are programmed, how card readers work, how ATMs are just computers with note counters and printers and what e-commerce entails because I develop e-commerce websites from scratch and implement custom coupon based payment gateways that are not only safe but running flawlessly as I write this.

Do not question my elementary knowledge, question the facts provided and counter them with logic, facts, relevant knowledge and common sense if any.

I am sick and tired of people who do nothing but criticize others even when they will not state any reasonable thing on the issue at stake.

People who have never used the internet to make payments with their ATM cards or given out their card details to anyone are losing their money without any end in sight and all you do is brag about filling different shipping addresses while card processors decline some of them and you still claim you were not doing anything illegal (read the post that was flagged off as spam).

Vavavoom:
Mr Afam, I no dey yarn rhetoric. It was quite easy for you to harp on energy bulb like it was something new, and I ask to be educated from a pro like you lisiting my household items as an example in this beautiful concept of energy efficiency of yours and you choose to talk about office and rhetoric when the real issue is how people can meet the huge capital outlay and rid themselves of the ineffective monopoly that is PHCN.
It is no shame to say you don't have a solution to my list other than me replacing my items with more recent items that have been designed to be energy efficient. But to just come here and give an example about energy bulbs as the all-in-all in eneryg effeciency and power alternative gives me an impression I would have missed my way if i made the mistakeof locating your office in Lagos or wherever. You strike a big man pose with your dismissal and it is funny  . I mean for someone who serves the public and walks them out because they try to find extensively what knowledge the specialist holds is baffling. See mr name caller, am a coring engineer*not that it is important*, an aspect of drilling that has to do with formation evaluation. We have a system where I work called the Soft-Catch, and if some client comes around and throws a poser beyond the common knowledge of the ability of the device to handle the specified stated capacity, It is an opportunity for me to expound beyond what is known commonly and keep him interested in what I think he doesn't know. Every good salesman does that because (s)he takes advantage to sell off their products when challenged to do so.

I don't recall asking you to calculate the energy saving ratios for the energy bulbs, yet you did to elaborate your point to a perceived novice. Now the bar was raised and I said show a ''limited knowledge'' me how the same rule can be applied to my list to make me more energy efficient, and you disappoint me with your bravado by not walking the talk and harping on how you'd walk me out of your office_{as if na wetin go put food for my table} . Please nobody is an embodiment of knowledge and you shouldn't feel like you are exempt. NL is a buyers-and-sellers online market and if you genuinely have any thing to sell beyond what is common knowledge you will need to go beyond just talking and start walking. Energy efficiency application beyond energy bulb is my interest, especially that which will save me lots of cash without much capital outlay. If you get am offer am, not to dey blow hot air

I am not a sales man and I don't run after clients. I choose them and provide reliable backup solutions for those that are serious. I do not believe that the customer is always right and I have written an article on this.

So, when you refer to comments as nonsense and in the same post ask for answers to questions you clearly do not have answers to I see it as a non starter and trust me I have rejected projects running into hundreds of millions by banks based on professional integrity.

I have designed and implemented up to 1 week back up for people including 1HP A/C just as I have installed systems for ISPs that have minimum of 3 days backup for all essential components of their business.

However, I will opt to allow you to continue wallowing in your ignorance not because I don't have the right answers to your questions but because you don't deserve the right to know based on your own attitude.

I provide information freely to Nigerians that will benefit from them and I don't believe I know everything but for those things I know trust me I owe no one any apology for knowing them.

Keep going round and round in cycles. Maybe, people around you tolerate your attitude but I am not under any obligation to do the same, sorry.

Bishopking:
my own take on the issue is that we can convert our problems or challenges to significant advantages.

Now, if we want to solve the problem, who do we call eventually? in all honesty, the technical know-how must come from outside the country! This simply means we will just buy technology or in another word, we will buy machines and equipment as well as the services of the expartrates, Hmmm. What if we, FOR THE FIRST TIME seriosly look how we can develop (or adapt or modify) the necessary technology (or technologies) for a long term effect so that we can float companies that can do same all over Africa and developing countries. Challenges should lead to prosperity. Nigerians, can we think along this line?

This is the "Can do" spirit we need to imbibe. I don't believe in buying technology if you don't understand it. This is the very reason why a lot of Nigerians are losing their money in different banks due to poor implementation of ATMs by the banks and the payment gateway providers.

Did a piece on this some days ago - http://www.technologytimesng.com/post/the-real-problems-with-atm-card-fraud-in-nigeria

Vavavoom:
Pure comedy gold! I listed my household items that serves my comfort and convenience*Vavavoom looks at his list to see if there was any 60W bulb and and you said I should go energy efficient by replacing those items, I was hoping you'd make your at least 50% assertion reduction on the listed items by pointing and showing me how, instead you pick to lecture me on energy bulbs an item that isn't on my list! I would accept if you need to research more instead of this energy bulb bravado you are trying to pass as on. Energy bulbs are easily replaceable and aren't capital intensive Mr. Facts man. It is not my worry as all of the bulbs in my house are energy bulbs. You will get me dancing on the floor if you can get beyond the small fries without my needing huge capital outlay.

Maybe you get information from people with your rhetorics but trust me I walk people like you out of my office because you find it difficult to even accept responsibility of what you don't know.

Good enough you are using energy saving bulbs but do not know about energy saving alternatives for the items you listed and I believe you want someone to advice you accordingly yet you term energy efficiency "baldderdash" even when you implemented same based on your limited knowledge.

Is this not unadulterated hypocrisy?

You can be on this all day but I would rather you continued to wallow in clearly avoidable ignorance.

Vavavoom:
.

We are talking huge capital outlay and you are saying I should first replace my energy hungry loads?<no b money be dat again> I know it sounds good to be techiee savvy, to buzzword about energy efficency program and hungry loads baldderdash but the resulting systems from such switch will still require INITIAL OUTLAY which is prohibitive for the most people in Nigeria. And by the way I didn't see your recommended energy efficeint alternatives to my listed ones. E go good of you fit point me in that direction. Please while you are at it factor in my convenience and comfort in your energy program.

I would want to assume you are educated enough to learn more on issues you want to learn more about especially as regards the energy efficiency program which by the way is common sense and not buzz word considering the fact that 15 nos 60W incandescent bulbs would take about 900W every hour whereas 15 nos 5W energy saving bulbs would take just 75W every hour. This is a reduction in energy requirement of 12:1 which means you get to pay 12 times more to PHCN if you are using the old bulbs, spent a lot more to get a generator, burn more fuel to get the power out and if considering a backup system you will definitely spent a whole lot more.

It is not my duty to point you to all the available alternatives in the market especially when you see the comments as "baldderdash". Why seek for information on something you consider "baldderdash"?

Vavavoom:
I agree with you but how many can afford the start-up capital, the outlay for starters is restrictive to those who'd like to power their homes with what you are prescribing. If it weren't so most would have switched. I tell you something, if banks are sincere enough and can grant repayable EMIs then your system will work effectively. This is what is in my house:

3000 Watts ring boiler
• Bath Water heater
• 1.4KW Vacuum Cleaner
• 2.4KW Micro wave Oven
• 1.5KW Electric Cooker
• Fridge
• 1.4KW Pressing Iron
• One 1.5hp LG AC
• One 1.0 hp Panasonic AC
• 37” LCD TV
• DVD player
• 3 ceiling fans

An inverter system that wil power these like my 12 KVA Gen requires a capital outlay that I can hardly gather at a time without disturbances in my other financial affairs. Take this down to people at the lower rung then you get similar outlay problems. Perhaps it is easier for you to fork out that much but the alternative forgone is not so easy for every other person and so they resort to quick but temporary fix. If I can find the ready capital, mr. Afam, you wont be the one to educate me on inverter-solar panel and battery systems. A lot is at play, scalability, technical know-how, which folks are acquiring(wind, geothermal systems) are all possible but the greatest obstacle remains the short term cost to acquiring the system.

Consider an energy efficiency program first. You cannot be talking about an alternative energy system without reducing your load requirements. Sometimes, it is much cheaper to replace your energy hungry loads with energy efficient alternatives than to build a backup system that will support the energy hungry loads. You could achieve up to 50% reduction in your current load to begin with.

Vavavoom:
yes, cost effective in the long run but how many Nigerians currently in the dark can afford the start-up capital for an inveter that can power their homes? An alternative that can cost as much as the I pass my neighbour and with equivalent service charge is am afraid non-existent. You rightly pointed out we could bouycot the cartel's product by looking and using available alternatives but comparatively how competitive are those alternatives? Keep in mind the aim is power for the non-affluent.

My emphasis is on facts. It is easy and looks cheaper to buy a generator for N13,500.00 and then spend about N150,000.00 every year to run it than to get an inverter backup for the same loads (with energy efficiency though) at say N200,000.00 or N300,000.00 that could last for at least 5 years.

So, it is not about sentiments it is about facts. Facts that cannot change.

Do the most conservative estimate of running generator in Nigeria year in year out and I will tell you why a well designed inverter backup system will always be cost effective.

That is why I say that the average Nigerian finds it very difficult to analyze issues and seek ways to free himself/herself from the shackles of these corrupt Nigerians.

After spending just N125,000.00 in a year to run a small generator I bought for only N13,500.00 I knew generator would certainly not be the way forward if I intend to run my business properly otherwise I will be working for the petrol station guys and their owners.

This made me to look for alternatives and I ended up doing a lot of research on alternative energy, six months later I settled for a locally built inverter backup system and for over 5 years now I have not used a generator and the total amount spent on the backup including changing of the battery bank for these years is still about N200,000.00 which translates to about N40,000.00 per year and it seems I will still see another 3 or 4 years from my inverter backup system before the battery bank begins to get tired.

And, I cannot work without electricity considering the fact that I am a software developer so this guarantees steady power supply even when I would have spent over N1M running generator in my office.

If Nigerians seek for alternatives the cartel will not force anyone to buy generator, fuel or diesel.

While I agree that the best way forward is for PHCN to generate power instead of turning typical Nigerians into alternative energy people the most cost effective solution for now remains a well designed inverter backup system.

dababex:
afan nnaji, i find your post very educative, i would really like to meet with you cos i have been carrying out research in having your own webhost business, the truth is this foreign based webhost really give suberb webhost and other interesting features, i have been using one for 3years now and they are very reliable, but i would want to have mine and offer all they offered me with same price, like unlimited bandwidth,unlimited email accounts etc

You can't offer unlimited bandwidth or unlimited email accounts on the cheap because bandwidth costs a lot of money.

Now, as regards running a regular web hosting business in Nigeria I won't advice that since no single ISP is reliable regardless of their claims. By reliable I mean 99% not even 99.99% and the customer service support of even the most popular ISPs don't measure up.

If I can get a reliable ISP I will run a successful web hosting business here in Nigeria and throw in a full 30 days inverter backup system to guarantee steady power supply.

The level of power supply in Nigeria generally is enough to guarantee steady power supply for those who use well designed inverter backup systems.

For over 5 years now I have never used a generator in my office and I can guarantee steady power for 3 1/2 days without power at all.

My point is that though power supply is poor it is not a good reason to shut down businesses or refuse to make progress.

The fact remains that Nigerians find it difficult to analyze issues based on facts and it is common to see people spend 20 times more on generator and diesel/fuel than they would spend on inverter backup systems for the same power provided. I call this madness.

We should look at the distributed power generation and distribution model. Currently, we have a monster that is way too big to be efficient.