₦airaland Forum

I see what you mean. I believe distrowatch is merely counting "Page Hits" on its site. It doesn't mean that people are actually installing it. But I could be wrong.

I will recommend Ubuntu Linux. Its stable and now the most popular distro out there and the update method is excellent.

Ubuntu is more popular than fedora, debian, and suse? That's news to me.

I once installed RHEL 4 and received a kernel panic. Kernel panic is serious. In my case, it turned out to be a hardware failure, I changed the graphics card, and it was fine.

RH 9 is too old. If possible, try fedora core 3. FC 4 is the latest, but I generally don't mess with latest versions until all the bugs have been worked out of it.

Does the post by Angelo and Maxflame belong on this thread, or is it just a plug for Thunder i7522R (S5362-1U)?

Admin, what's with the spam?

Thanks sbucareer.  It's encouraging to know there are still people out there who know what is going on.

Everything in any nation revolves around its citizens.  In order to reform Nigeria, we first need to build a comprehensive database of Nigerians.  It's easy to build such a system with cheap commodity computers networked in a server farm.  No need to award another billion dollar contract for that.  LAMP is free.  Get experienced web application programmers to create a good database for this purpose.  It can be done in 6 months to a year.  Once it's online, it would be accessible nationwide via the net.  Everything would be secure, just use https protocol.

With such system in place, record keeping becomes very easy.  You would know who hasn't paid his taxes, who has committed crimes in the past, who deserves government benefits.  Court cases can be stored, government financial transactions can be documented, etc.  The issuing of national ID cards becomes easy and fraud-free.

To further combat fraud, you'd have several levels of overseers.  One level keeping an eye on the other's actions, as far as handling the database is concerned. 

Take America for example, the reason that America works is not because the people are honest.  It's because there are four branches of government, one keeping an eye on the others' actions.  Executive, legislative, judiciary, and the media.  The executive has veto power, elects the judiciary, etc.  The legislature can impeach the executive arm, and also makes laws. The judiciary rules whether laws made by the legislative arm is constitutional or unconstitutional.  Finally, the media keeps an eye on the Executive, legislative, judiciary, the media too.

A system without checks and balances does not work.

I can write a book on things Nigeria should be doing to move the nation forward.  But what is new?  Nigerian leaders do not have any interest in the progress of Nigeria.  Just as sbucareer said: we need a true leader.  That is all we need.  We have the money.  We're blessed with smart people.  We have all the resources.  All we need are leaders who have the interest of the nation at heart, and would like to see it move into the modern age.

It's a seriously flawed thought to think that Nigerians abroad returning home is the nations salvation.  NOOO!  The environment you live in determines how much you can do.  Unfortunately, the Nigerian environment today does not let you do much.

I used Thau's JavaScript Tutorial at http://hotwired.lycos.com/webmonkey/programming/javascript/tutorials/tutorial1.html to learn. I then picked up the book "Javascript" by David Flanagan, from O'reilly.

I'm not lazy at reading, so I managed to read that book cover to cover. It's hard work, but well worth every second.

Similar topic...
https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-6540.0.html

Basic is a powerful tool for the novice programmer.  However, as long as the emphasis is on the techniques of programming and problem solving, I really believe you should consider something useful today.  How about Javascript?  It's easy, has tremendous reach, and it only requires a browser to run. 

With javascript, you can graduate to dhtml, ajax, smil, dom, etc, and you'd be ready for grabbing the bull by the horn as far as learning real programming languages is concerned.  Just my opinion.

On the other hand, you probably have a reason for wanting to learn basic.

Government have tried their own best, then it is ours time to help ourself not even the government.

No. The government hasn't tried its best. I don't see the good roads. I don't see modern hospitals, banks, research institutions, easy import/export policies, good schools, law enforcement, etc. I don't see salaries being paid on time.

Do you seriously believe a mere mortal abroad who returns home can provide himself with these things? Or are those the government's job, which it has failed at?

You're lying to yourself, if you fail to see these things.

“Our country is that spot to which our heart is bound” (Voltaire).
After 25 years of living in the United States a friend of mine finally retuned home. His desire to return has been in the works for almost five years; but as much as he tried, he couldn’t bring himself to doing so as he couldn’t get past the issue of basic infrastructures like NEPA, clean potable water, waste disposal, and other aspects of human security. To think that what most other societies take for granted -- law & order, abundant food supply, clean environment, first-rate schools, health care and other factors that contribute to ones quality of life -- is a luxury in Nigeria is simply heart-broken. It is because it isn’t as though Nigeria does not have the resources to provide these basic needs.

This fear, this reality discouraged my friend -- just as it has discouraged some seventy percent or more of Diasporan Nigerians from returning home. Life for most Nigerians abroad is a double edged sword: despised at home and unwanted abroad. Our government does not know what to do with us. Some of us are too educated, too expensive or too worldly to be absorbed by the economy or by the political space. Others have roots so deep within the American system that any attempt to uproot would cause grave pain and agony. And for a few others, the shame of a wasted sojourn abroad does not allow for a permanent return. For most therefore, returning home can be a difficult, expensive or impossible proposition. At the very least, it can be a complicated undertaking.

But more than the aforesaid, here is the real pain and regret: people like me have wasted and continue to waste away our time and talent in this and other countries -- helping to develop our host countries while our ancestral homes continues to rot and rut. We have spent our golden years in a land that is not ours. Most don’t even know where and how to begin. The laws are not clear on any given matter. And most of us are not even sure if there are processes and procedures in place for reintegrating into the Nigerian political and economic space. For instance, to what office do I apply for authorization if I wanted to establish a private secondary school? What if I wanted to establish an insurance or investment company? To whom or to what office do I report if I feel aggrieved? The cost of doing business or reverse migration is simply too expensive and cantankerous.

My friend has business plans. He is going to be self-employed. But he wife was a teacher in a community college. Almost five months since their arrival in the country, she has not been able to find a job in any of the universities. However, before my friend left he (1) built two houses -- one for his use and the other for rent; (2) exported two medium size power generators to counter NEPA’s inefficiencies; (3) exported three cars -- one for himself, the other for his wife and the third for sale and for extra cash; (4) asked to be introduced to a couple of military and police officers in case he needed extra help. He paid “soft landing fees” for this service; and (5) he did not completely disengage from the United States just in case things go wrong in Nigeria and they needed to return. Sad, but those are the steps he took. But why? Why Nigeria?

Nigeria is not an easy country to live in. And more so for those who have spent considerable amount of time in the western world. Most of us have family members who are steeped in poverty. Such people become ones responsibility. There are school and hospital bills to be paid; debts to help repay; bribes to give; and family support to render. Because of the culture, one is forced or “forced” to be ones brother’s keeper and in the process constraining or stunting ones economic and social growth. Family members aside, there are the constant bribing of government officials if one wants to get anything done. You bribe the police and security services, the examining and admissions officers, the phone and light company personnel, the folks at the banks and the court clerks. Everybody take and gives bribes. Not even our religious and spiritual guides are immune from this scourge. Not to give or take bribe is generally considered impolite.

In spite of all the negativities and fear, Nigerians like me would like to return home. But where do one start? Would I fit into the Nigerian economic and political space? Would the government see me as a threat to her shenanigans and selfish interests? Would my local peers see me as an outsider and as someone to frustrate out of the system? Would my children and wife feel welcome and in place? Is the atmosphere conducive for personal growth and development? Would my ideas be considered and or tolerated? Is my safety and that of my family guaranteed? Would the government affirm my human rights and if abridged, can the courts restore it and the restoration obeyed by the executive branch? I wonder. And others wonder, too.

In spite of all these, there is something about Nigeria that grips ones heart and soul. The irony is that Nigeria is not even a country that cares about the vast majority of her citizens; it is not even a country that brings out the best in her citizens; yet, Nigerians love her. They love and adore her. They dream about her and have fond memories of her. There is something about Nigeria that makes Nigerians teary-eyed when they speak about their land. It must be love. It must be love because even in their moment of melancholy and utter disgust, they can't help but kiss and hug their land. How unfortunate that Nigeria is incapable of reciprocal love. Perhaps with the right leadership, viable institutions and a populace that was willing to fight for and take their countries back, socio-economic progress would be made and human development achieved.

If I were to return to Nigeria, where do I go? I have fond memory of Ilorin and Jos. Besides Lagos State where I was born to Ijaw parents, Ilorin and Jos are my second and third homes. Government Secondary School, Ilorin, is where I spent some of the best part of my formative years. It is a school and a city that is etched deeply into my soul. And Jos. Ha, how could I forget Jos: her gentle and peace loving people; and the magnificent landscape and soothing weather. Is it possible for me to return to a Nigeria that once was, the Nigeria of my youth or am I a stranger to be denied my rightful stakes? I wonder.

And if instead of Jos and Ilorin, would Port Harcourt and Lagos welcome me? After all, my umbilical cord was cut in Eko and the soil still holds my blood. And my soul knows Port Harcourt too. Or perhaps, the only place I now have a right to is deep in the groove of the Niger Delta, in Ijawland -- the land of my ancestors. But, what does it mean for a Nigerian like me to return to Nigeria? What does it really means; and how do I know what it means?

Sabidde@yahoo.com
Washington DC 20001
http://www.nigeriaworld.com/board/viewtopic.php?t=3046

Thanks,
But the insult is uncalled for. Who's crying? sbucareer, I'll get back to you soon, maybe I'll even mail the mail the objectives to you. I'll serach out php forums who give real custom code, real time, don't ask for money and don't mind where you reside.

Cheers.

You see, you're doing it again. You're whinning because you can't get your way. Trust me, I'm more help to you than anybody who would hand you a code. Teach a man to fish...

What php forums give custom code without money? There are free php scripts everywhere, but those aren't custom code.

The above descibes how I feel. I thought I could get a solution to my problem from Nigerians, little did i know that I'd start a thread of argument not necessarily related to my plight. Anyways since the moderator has spoken, I guess I'll find my solution in a proper php forum, most likely a foreign one.

SBUCAREER, joftech and other respondents, thanks anyway.

Cheers

You're crying like a baby. Go learn how to code. Nobody is beholden to you here. We're just trying to help.

I would like to see any forum on the net that'd provide you with full code based on your lukewarm explanation of the problem. We've given you good ideas, use them to develop your coding skills. You'd never learn otherwise.

If you take our ideas and start coding, we would then be able to help you further.

It shouldn't matter what hardware you get, as long as there are drivers available for it.

What app are you trying to install?

Why don't you make some phone calls to inquire about availability and prices? Also, any reputable computer retailer should have a website. http://www.onlinenigeria.com/business/Default22.asp?CategoryID=42

I don't have an answer for you since I don't live in Nigeria.  But I'm just curious as to why you need specific name brands.

Why xeon instead of amd?
Why Realtek NIC in particular?

Forget scsi or ide.  Get SATA/SATA2.

Here are specs I've purchased for servers in the past:

Motherboard: Epox.  Phew! Very good motherboard, rock solid - $105 for EP-9NPA+Ultra

NIC: Epox motherboard often comes with Gigabit ethernet card.

SATA Hard drives: Seagate or WD - $90 for 160 gb

RAM: OCZ, Kingston Technology, Corsair.  Get 4x1 gb sticks - usually $80 per gb

CPU: AMD Athlon 64.  Incredible speed! Badass processor. - $233

There are tons of brands out there, but the list above are what I've used over and over successfully.

You see naija is not the kind of country one can die for, if you do have just wasted a resource.

I agree totally with joftech.

I don't know what it is.  But Nigerians at home don't get it.  I often hear pleas for people abroad to return home.  Return to what?  The reason that somebody abroad is doing well is that basic needs are met.  Such basic needs are beyond a common man's ability to provide.  I'm speaking of: roads, electricity, freedom of trade, hospitals, telecommunication, personal safety, health, law and order, freedom of speech, government funding for R&, etc.  Without these things, a pro abroad cannot apply his knowledge efficiently, if at all.  You cannot get blood out of a stone.

Our government is blessed with easy $1 billion a week oil money.  It all gets stolen.  Yet you expect me to pick up the pieces?  No way jose.  Direct your energy toward eradicating corruption, and you'd soon see people returning home.

I know a doctor (MD) who went home to do feasibility studies.  He returned with no doubt in his mind that he's staying in America.  Why?  Because he was met with a serious culture shock in Nigeria.  The gap is just too wide.  Hospitals barely have beds, let alone sophisticated equipments.  Yes, he could return home, but nobody would be able to afford his services after he spends hundreds of millions of $$ acquiring medical equipments.

Every professional needs tools to work.  Nigeria does not provide those tools.  Therefore, returning home would not have the desired effect.

1. "Contact us" page should have a form on it.  Too much hassle to write, or email.

2. Logo is ok to me.  You just need to correct the typo, ebussiness.

3. Green color is a bit harsh.  Softer would be better.

4. Dead link http://www.ffwebbusiness.com/50naija.htm

5. Logo should link to the homepage.

6. Why angle brackets on http://www.ffwebbusiness.com/webdesign.htm?

7. http://ffwebbusiness.com/graphicdesign.htm

Our Services includes the followings

Corporate Identity
Logos
Letterhead
Brochures
e.t.c


Should be:

Our Services include the following

Corporate Identity
Logos
Letterhead
Brochures
etc

8. No META description, No META keywords.  Site does not pass html validation.  Yet you're trying to sell SEO?

9. Blank http://www.ffwebbusiness.com/webpromo.htm

10. Not listed on: google, yahoo, msn, or dmoz.

u guys sha! a beautiful site might not have big graphics. if i get a good interface designer, i could implement a nicer design with faster download.

Action speaks louder than words.

boys, do u know u could compress your html code before streaming them to the client side?

Yes we know that. Unfortunately, images don't compress well, and compression only happens on the server if the client headers shows that the browser can uncompress it. I believe it only works in http 1.1, i.e. newer browsers.

Nigerians!

What is wrong with you guys that you just love to argue unnecessarily?

This is one of the reasons Nigeria is backward.  Everybody is always claiming to know everything, and nobody can tell them jack.  A typical technician abroad may know more than a PhD holder in Nigeria.  Why?  Because Nigerians love to waste time arguing about theories, even when practical facts are staring them in the face.  There is such a thing as pragmatism.

To answer your question about how I got the 0.0024 seconds value, I used phpMyAdmin.

Let's see the site, and we'd be able to offer advice. Otherwise, you're just wasting your time asking for help.

Please any site that is largely commercial like this one does not need beutifying.
See yahoo,hotmail,google these site there is notin like banner there it's just simple HTML and JAVA,thats what we want here.

Thank you mike.

I personally value quick delivery over pretty-looking slow graphics.

I thought the forum was there to enable us share ideas and help each other. Afterall I didnt pay to register. Why ask me for money now when I need a few lines of code to complete a task.

Listen buddy, in the world of programming, it's unfair to ask somebody to write you a code.  The standard practice would be for you to write the code yourself, then ask somebody to help debug it.

If you don't know how to proceed on an idea, then rather than ask for the code, ask for ideas instead.  Those ideas you get would help you develop critical thinking skills of turning thought into php code.  After all, you do want to learn don't you?

@oasis, sorry if I am being histronic, but the requirement would not digest well with DB, in my opinion at least.

Yes, that's you opinion, but you're wrong.

Yea! can you educate me on what u meant by

SELECT * FROM `replies` LIMIT 0 , 50  And here's the answer I received:Showing rows 0 - 49 (42832 total, Query took 0.0024 sec)?

No pun intended, but If you don't understand the above query, then you shouldn't be taking part in any db-related discussion, let alone argue against its use.

Basically, the above query shows that I pulled 50 records from a database containing 42,832 records, and the result was returned in 0.0024 seconds. 

The fact that it took such minuscule amount of time demonstrates that the connection time is not a problem as you claimed.

Could you explain more on this?  Coud you also tell us how you come about google using DB to store all their Web-Map i.e websites?

I can't tell you, because I don't know the answer.  However, by deductive logic, I can say that the map data would be almost impossible to manipulate without a database.

You don't appear to know much about databases, am I correct?

Strange. It works perfectly for me.

Firefox I know blocks popups by default. Did you then allow popups?

Also, Do you have real player installed?

Let me hear your thoughts about this app.

http://www.oasisoflove.com/3/african.music.php

Database application naturally suffer for connection problems.

c'mon sbucareer, aren't you being a bit melodramatic here?

Db connection is not a problem at all unless you're google that gets 500 million hits per day.

Look at the following:

I issued this query:

SELECT * FROM `replies` LIMIT 0 , 50

And here's the answer I received:

Showing rows 0 - 49 (42832 total, Query took 0.0024 sec)

How long did that query take, including the connection you're worried about?