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The SAOUG provides a forum for the exchange of information on current
developments, applications and opportunities in the expanding field of online
information in the broadest sense.

You are cordially invited to Southern African Online User Group (SAOUG) AGM meeting / talk

Date: Wednesday, 10 September 2008

Venue:
CSIR Information Services – Building 22, Meiring Naude Road, Pretoria

Visitors should proceed to the CSIR's North entrance (Gate 3) on Meiring Naude Road and report to Visitors Reception. Please note an ID will be required. From Reception they will be directed to the venue in Building 22. It is recommended that people report to Reception at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the meeting.

Time: 12:30-15:30

Cost: R50 for paid-up members; R100 for non-members
(Payable at registration)

Programme:

12:30-13:00 Registration

13:00-13:45 Lunch

13:45-14:15 AGM meeting

14:15-15:15 Wireless Africa / talk by Kobus Roux

15:15-15:30 Questions

Wireless Africa is about researching ways and means to develop sustainable information and communication technology in developing countries. The focus is to address the challenges of closing the digital divide that exists within and between developing countries.
Research within Wireless Africa follows two distinct but related tracks. The first component is social research which is investigating how a number of projects in communities around South Africa, Angola and Mozambique are able to create community owned wireless infrastructure that is sustainable.
The second component of wireless Africa is looking at ways in which technology barriers can be removed or minimized to enable bottom-up creation of wireless access infrastructure. The group is performing research in the areas of mesh networking, low cost voice/messaging devices, low cost access points and antennas, and network security. Mesh networking research is particularly interesting in that a community can grow a wireless network in an ad-hoc manner without the need for large capital investment in radio masts. Two experimental test bed mesh networks have been installed in Pretoria and Mpumalanga and are continually increasing in size to understand issues such as scalability and quality of service.
Kobus is an electronics engineer with 10+years’ experience in the conceptualisation, research and development of wireless systems, network architectures and protocols, and information systems. His current interest is in applying technology through innovative business models. He has extensive experience and understanding of working in rural parts of Africa with bottom-of-the-pyramid and grassroots approaches.

Please RSVP by Wednesday, 3 September 2008 to: Christa Fourie
E-mail: christaf@saonlineinfo.co.za
Telephone: 083 980 3087

Please indicate dietary requirements