Ever wondered how a Cell phone call works?

Here is a detailed look at how cell phone calls actually work.


Via: Cell Phones

Encrypt your USB flash drives

USB Safeguard is a portable program that encrypts files on your flash drive in case you lose it. It also stores your email or phone number or shreds files in case you lose it.

Just download the program and drag it to your flash drive. Launch it from there, and USB Safeguard will prompt you to create a password. Once you do, you can choose to encrypt your entire USB drive or specific files up to 2GB in size—which you can drag and drop into the interface. The app also features several options for what to do with your data if someone tries to access your files unsuccessfully. These actions include leaving the files alone, shredding the data, and more.

The app also has a virtual keyboard available for a little extra security when you're using an untrusted machine. You can also set an email or phone number using the app in case you lose your USB stick

USB Safeguard is freeware for Windows only.

RTGS coming soon in the Gambia

For the developing economies of Africa, the main benefit of an RTGS system is the reduction of settlement risk by ensuring finality of payment. A sound payment system leads to confidence in the system and improved business conditions, with the aim of attracting foreign investment. Payments that usually take several days to settle will only take less than a minute with the RTGS system.

Since the creation of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) in 1994 which is a group of eight West African countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Togo and Guinea-Bissau), which share a common currency, the "CFA Franc". The English speaking countries of West Africa came together and form the West African Monetary Zone (WAMZ) which consists of five countries - Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. WAMZ expects to launch a common currency, named "Eco", by 2015.

Large-value transfer systems supporting the interbank markets are the main arteries of a nation’s payment and financial system. They provide the ultimate settlement vehicle for important cross-border markets in multiple currencies, and are key infrastructural requirements for implementing a single monetary policy. They permit monetary policy impulses to be transferred quickly and widely throughout the union.
In a bid to launch a strong and stable Monetary Union, West African Monetary Institute (WAMI) in collaboration with the West African Monetary Zone (WAMZ) member countries on July 3, 2008, secured a grant of US$23 million from the African Development Fund (ADF) for the modernization of the payment systems in The Gambia, Guinea and Sierra Leone. This is not only to bring them to the same level as those in Ghana and Nigeria in order to facilitate the harmonization of the payment systems in all the five member countries, but also to develop an integrated payments system in the WAMZ for the implementation of a single monetary policy and cross-border funds transfer.

In collaboration with the commercial banks, the Central Bank of Ghana and Nigeria has set up a national switch to promote the usage of Electronic purse and network ATMs among the banks. The Gambia will follow suit hopefully by the end of the year 2010.
The contract for the implementation of The Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) system for the Gambia has been won by Unique Solutions and implementation of the project will start later this year. Unique Solutions is an IT Solution company that have just launched a groundbreaking Broadband Internet and Data services via a robust network infrastructure using the latest Motorola Broadband Wireless Technology. The network coverage is from Banjul all the way to Basse, which makes them the fist providers to bring internet and data connectivity to the rural areas meeting the Gambia’s universal service objectives in ensuring people in the hinterland have access to cheap and life changing technology in their daily lives.

Live From The Gambia: Independence Day

Live From The Gambia: Independence Day

3G arrives in the Gambia

There is a new mobile phone company coming to the Gambia called Qcell. It is the 4th GSM mobile phone service provider to join the likes of Africell, Comium and Gamcel.

It was issued with a licence on the 14th August, 2008 by the Gambia's department of communication and IT to be an operator for multi-media 3G mobile telephone services .

The company is owned by a Gambian named Mr. Muhammed Jah who also owns the QuantumNet Group.

Website www.qcell.gm

Show Hidden Files and Folders not working?

Sometimes due to a virus on you windows machine, the show hidden files and folder radio option refuses to work no matter how many times you select it.

There is a couple of tricks you can use to resolve this issue, both require you to make changes on your registry so please use extreme caution.

Method 1:

Go to registry editor by running regedit in the run box.
Go to this key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

In the right hand area, double click hidden and change the value to 1.

Now you’re all set to go. Check it in your tools menu if the changes have taken effect.

Method 2: (By Random Hajile)

1. Click “Start” -> “Run…” (or press Windows key + R)
2. Type “regedit” and click “Ok”.
3. Find the key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Advanced\Folder\Hidden\SHOWALL
4. Look at the “CheckedValue” key… This should be a DWORD key. If it isn’t, delete the key.
5. Create a new key called “CheckedValue” as a DWORD (hexadecimal) with a value of 1.
6. The “Show hidden files & folders” check box should now work normally. 

Enjoy!

How to choose a Web Designer/developer

Choosing an individual or company to design and develop you companys website can be tricky,  Follow these few basic steps to increase your odds of hiring a creative, technically savvy, and cost-effective designer.

1. Assess your needs. You can hire contractors to create, implement and maintain your site. If your site will serve only as an online brochure, consider outsourcing the creation and implementation, while handling future maintenance - like fixing broken links - in-house. Be realistic about your own goals and growth plans so you know whether to hire a long-term or a short-term contractor.

2. Research each candidate's work. It's essential that you research a Web developer's work so you can evaluate their potential. Once you've found a few developers you like - through recommendations, Web directories or competitors' sites - evaluate their online portfolios and fees. A site doesn't have to be flashy to do its job, but you must appreciate the developer's design sense. Also, consider hiring a firm familiar with your particular industry.

3. Evaluate their services. Decide if the developer meets your needs. If you want to sell your products online, look for proven e-commerce experience. If you're considering a one-person firm, does the developer have the skills necessary to create everything you need? On the other hand, will you get lost in the shuffle at a larger firm with lots of other clients? Determine what extras the firms offer, such as copywriting, marketing, and other services.

4. Meet face-to-face. Your Web design firm, whether a one-person shop or a multinational company, is going to present your Web persona to the world. You must be able to work collaboratively. Ask yourself these questions and rely on your gut reaction:

• Do they listen to my needs?
• Do they explain issues in ways I can understand?
• Do they know my industry?
• Do they share my vision for the site?

5. Check references. Browsing a company's work is helpful, but you also want to know how they work. A Web design firm can be the most creative in the world, but if it never finishes your site, it won't do you much good. Call past clients and ask if the design firm:

• Adhered to deadlines
• Met their requests
• Was responsive to suggestions and questions
• Fixed problems promptly
• Worked within the original budget

6. Think ahead. Over the past year, hundreds of Web design firms of all sizes have merged, cut back their operations, or simply closed. Although it's impossible to know for sure whether or not a firm will be around in the future, you have a right to ask questions if you expect to build a long-term relationship. You should also ask whether a design firm will accept payment in stages or whether they'll demand most of their payment up front. Firms that aren't willing to link payment to their own ability to deliver might not be worth the risk you'll take to deal with them.