Abuja to Lokoja in 8hrs

I decided to take a road trip from Abuja to Lagos, instead of flying.

My bus left Abuja by 09.15WAT, and the journey proceed well. Just after crossing River Niger, at 12.00, we met a traffic hold (aka go-slow). It fast went to jam!

Google Maps says its under 3hrs! :(

After waiting for any movement and decided to walk ahead to investigate the problem.

Found out that there was a multi vehicle collision, involving 3 Trucks, and a bus. Even though the road has been cleared by 10.00 today, a massive traffic was caused by Impatience of drivers.

I have noticed that its the main problem on Nigeria roads, impatient on the roads. Turning a single lane into triple or quad lane!

Windows PC as a Wireless Hotspot

If you have been in a situation, where you have access to the internet for your computer but wants an access to your smartphones or tablet (or even another computer), there is a solution available. Example is your office (internet access to your computer, but nothing else) and Hotel rooms.

You can turn you PC into a Wifi Hotspot and share you internet with your handheld devices or another PC!

Follow the steps below.

1. Download winhotspot software. Its a freeware
2. Activate your .NET package is not enabled. It comes pre-packaged on Windows OS (XP/7/8)
3. Run the winhotspot software.
4. Connect your devices

GPS antenna installation

GPS and GLONASS

http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/28/how-to-add-your-own-external-gps-antenna/

Obituary

"Nobody can teach me who I am. 

You can describe parts of me, 

but who I am - and what I need - is something I have to find out myself."

Prof Chinua Achebe

1930-2013

A Great Umuahian, A great Nigerian

Installing Django Framework using pip

The recommended way to install Django is with pip. pip is a tool for installing and managing Python packages.
Before installing Django, you need to install pip!


1. Install python
First things first – get Python! You can get the Python 2.7.3 (the current Python 2.x version as of this writing) 32-bit installer from http://python.org/download/.
C:\>python
Python 2.7.3 (default, Apr 10 2012, 23:24:47) [MSC v.1500 64 bit (AMD64)] on win32
Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.
>>>
Type quit() to close the python interpreter
>>>
>>> quit()

NB: Before punning the command, remember to add the python on the windows environment PATH

2. Install Distribute. Distribute is a pre-requisite for pip
Download the distribute_setup.py file to you computer. Click on the file to install Distribute, or run from the command prompt.
C:\>python distribute_setup.py
Extracting in c:\users\amache~1\appdata\local\temp\tmpbjtb6b
Now working in c:\users\amache~1\appdata\local\temp\tmpbjtb6b\distribute-0.6.36
Installing Distribute
Before install bootstrap.
Scanning installed packages
Setuptools installation detected at c:\python27\lib\site-packages
Non-egg installation
Moving elements out of the way...
Already patched.
..

Python as language of development

Yes, I choose Python as the main language of development, instead of PHP. Ruby doesn't count in Nigeria (at least mow).

In summary, Why?

• A general purpose language
• Clean and elegant syntax
• Has extensive libraries
• Extensive documentation
• Mature run-time environment
• Syntax makes heavy use of whitespace, unlike C/C++, PHP, etc. which use { } to enclose blocks of code.
• Support for standard technologies

Python is far more powerful than PHP in many aspect. PHP maybe easier for  the most programmers, but it encourages bad programming habits, with affect the project in the long run.

PHP also have more programmers available, but i dont intend to recruit from current pool, but will create and develop from schools. As a matter of fact, CcHub encourages and teaches python more than any other language!
And by the way, I am in very good company.

Web Startup 101 Courses :D

Windows 8

I ordered for a new laptop (Dell Inspiron 13z) from Amazon, delivered via circuitatlantic, (Amazon still doesn't deliver in Lagos.. yet)
My sister came around and took my 14 months old beloved Asus eeepc B1215. Declaring that at 12inch, its the right size for the laptop she wants to replace her faulty laptop. I gave up after constant badgering and 40,000 naira, promise
But that left me without any laptop for the first time in years. I went a laptop shopping at Computer Village, Otigba, seems like ultra-laptop is scarce or very priced. I turned my attention to Online stores, and making little head way, despite the sun flogging me like an errant child.
Jumia and Konga did not have ones of the right fit (size and price), so i went to stores broad. Amazon has the best fit and at  price less than $500, Walmart, not right-priced :)

I didn't really have a good look at the OS, until it arrived. Lo and behold, not the beloved Windows 7, but Windows 8 in her "tiles" of glory and no Start button. The reviews got me more scared.
Maybe that is why i took some time to read the Getting Started with Windows 8 by Dell, which i do not bother with normally!

But after using it, i can positively say that am not missing the Stat button that much, if at all. The keyboard start button is adequate and faster! You also launch the programs by taking your mouse to the lower left corner, (location for old start button).
So far, i have not gone to the Windows Store, and is actually replacing the app with my normal software. All Win7 programs have been working excellently.

Quick Shortcuts/Tricks below.

• ALT+F4 to close App or Hover the mouse at the upper right-hand corner.
• To get the Desktop, click the Desktop Tile, or press Win Key+D.
• To switch App/Programs ALT+WIN or ALT+TAB
• To get to All App/Program, right click anywhere in the Start Screen and Click the All apps, at the lower right corner.
• To open the Charms menu. hover the mouse at the topmost/or lower right corners. The Charms contain, Search, Share, Start Button (again!), Devices and settings.

In general I am finding Windows 8, to be a Windows 7 with mobile skin :)

Forking a Repo

In my last blog, I concluded that I may have to pick up coding again. While contemplating the coding problem, I got an request to show a demo for a mobile app. Now I doubt I can outsource that at all (Its just a demo!). So the coding decision is becoming a reality.

Even the realization didn't make it easier. I need to build a prototype and fast. Do I have time to learn python and/or java fast enough to produce a MVP to satisfy our requirements.

Well, I seem to have stumbled into a solution, Forking a Repo!, aided by the donglegate saga ;-)
Forking a repo is a legitimate techie term.

It means to take a copy of another person or group's software (repository) so as to continue development independently. There may be the intention of contributing your changes back at a later date, or the fork may represent a split or schism in the developer community, with different aims.

This will help get up to learn and get up to date faster than developing from scratch.

First of all, I have to find a good repository and one that is probably free. The most popular ones are Github and Bitbucket.
The differences between Github and Bitbucket is like choosing which Linux distro is best. And will probably not end.

First major difference is that Bitbucket offers some free private repository, while Github offers only public repository free of charge.
In term of real source management DVCS  (Distributed Version Control System), BitBucket uses Mercurial, while Github uses Git. The differences are subtle and mostly academic. git is very popular among OSS community thank to Linux Torvalds.

I am currently using both of them. Github seems more popular among open source project, (so easier to find project to fork), while I love the private repo and team collaboration efforts in BitBucket.

Both offer detailed description of the forking process. And you can also import project from either host.

MVP and Programming

A minimum viable product (MVP) is the core step in Learn Startup methodology. Eric Ries defines MVP as “…that version of a new product which allows a team to collect the maximum amount of validated learning about customers with the least effort.”
Actually, its the first step, in the build-measure-learn feedback loop

As a disciple of the Lean Startup process, I take that to the heart. I have been trying to build a prototype of my startup. After days of days of mining the internet and visiting Quora, i decided to use Python the language platform (well, that deserves another post of its own).
The problem becomes who to do the actual coding. Except for the odd Unix/Linux scripts and Database script, I have not coded in 10years now. My co-founder who used to love coding somehow has been transitioned into Integration leaving his skills behind.
We decided to find a programmer from freelancer. The responses we got seems a bit higher than the budget, but that can be overlooked if we felt the responses will match the skill we wanted.
The whole experience is pushing our creativity limit. We are exploring options of actually using Nigerian developers, or even training some CS students like in NYSC/SIWES.
But that will mean we will be more hands on, and may finally have to take up the code at least on some level.
Hmm, after years of avoiding coding, still have to go there. Its seems its virtually impossible for an entrepreneur to build without coding!