Monthly Archives: January 2009

On having nothing good to say.

By theresa | Published: January 27, 2009
A client just told Bertrand and I that he’s moving to Ghana because Benin is dysfunctional. Corruption, la jalousie, and the day-to-day difficulties of doing business seem to be chasing entrepreneurs to Accra and Paris. He couldn’t understand why we stay, why I’d agree to immigrate here, and how we manage to stay [...]
Posted in Day-to-Day | Leave a comment

On mobile tech, and laptops, and technology in Africa

By theresa | Published: January 27, 2009
Everybody’s talking mobile! Will mobile phones with keyboards replace laptops? Was the OLPC doomed from the start? Why don’t any of these ICT4D projects seem to be run by Africans, anyway? Ushahidi! Web 2.0! Durable products built by Africans for Africans! Who the fuck cares? Miquel touches on this in an article on his Maneno blog. [...]
Posted in IT in Africa | 3 Comments

I’m a winner!

By theresa | Published: January 15, 2009
A few weeks ago, Afrigator launched the second round of their Afigreater competition. For the month of December, they asked their users to talk about things that make them crazy about the service. It was a brave move. A lot of people complained about basic usability issues. I complained about [...]
Posted in African Media | 2 Comments

How to make sure you don’t get invited back to Theresa’s place

By theresa | Published: January 14, 2009
Sometimes, expats really get to me. Remember how I ranted about how I hate the bizarre hierarchies in development communities? Well, here’s the NUMBER ONE WAY to make sure you get scratched off my guest list: Be a jerk to the “locals” when we go out to eat.* Maybe it’s because I waited tables all [...]
Posted in Day-to-Day, Development | Leave a comment