Posted by tom_eric on May 12, 2016 at 11:01pm
Hi
My name is Tom Erickson, and I am the CEO of Acquia. I partnered with Drupal creator Dries Buytaert to start Acquia in 2007/2008.
I noticed that the Drupal group in Kenya is very quiet, and that the government sites are built in Joomla. I am curious if there is any particular reason for this. Is there a way to make the Drupal community stronger?
I will be visiting Kenya in June on a family holiday, thus the curiosity.
Cheers
Tom
Comments
Drupal in Kenya
@tom_eric there are some staunch Drupal Developers and designers in Kenya, for those of us who understand the strength, robustness and versatility of the drupal system, we attempt to incorporate it in our organizations and the people we work for. In some cases the decision making process is usually simple but most of cases the person responsible for the decision making is usually some "old guy" or some "overqualified" IT practitioner who doesn't Know, understand or even comprehend web development trends and is in most cases fixated on some technology he heard about when he was steel a teen.
For the case of the government websites that's a tall order, I cannot recall the number of times those websites have been hacked and deface its countless. The major hindrance to decision making on whether to switch the current(ugly) look/cms to a more modern well supported one, would mostly lie in the technological orientation of the person(s) involved, availability of funds and the transparency of the tendering process(politics and corruption goes here)
It would be great having you around, from my point of view, this is a great motivation for the drupal community in Kenya
Drupal in Kenya
I agree with what you said in terms of government websites. They were also built long ago when everyone in town was getting a Joomla CMS and I doubt they have been reviewed or ever maintained.
How do you think we can make the Drupal community in Kenya stronger though? I agree with @tom_eric that it is very quiet and mostly inactive.
Participation and finance
Over the last year I can recall a number of times where we've organized "Drupal meetups" and the plot seems to fail when we cant find a location to host the event... It costs Money to host this event, which then translates to charging attendees, and if it is not well organized no one is willing to give a dime towards funding the event. To some extend our "Acquia allegiance", our ambassadors at the Ihub have failed us. Its not just enough to post Acquia and Drupal stickers at the IHub, they need to come through when we are organizing this meets, Because as it stands you can only book a conference room, or make notification of a conference only if you are a member at the IHub.
In my opinion what would help is if we had a clear "organizational" structure in place, as in, administration, finance, public relations, that sort of thing. It wouldn't pay much or anything at all, but we do what what we do because we love what we do and are trying to make the world a better place. A good reporting structure is key in my opinion, not saying that "these guys" will have power over others but it does help. With this in place we would be able to find funding, organize events and the Drupal community would have a much stronger foothold on the Kenyan market, and who knows maybe this might influence key players in the industry to pick up a copy of Drupal.
If members of the group find this suitable then I guess the only thing left is discussing the specifics and coming up with a strategy.
Great observation
@tom_eric nice to hear that you will be in Kenya! As a drupal enthusiast, my challenge is turning my drupal knowledge and skills to business.
I will appreciate your business advice and we can replicate here in Kenya.
I was working on a project analyzing Kenya county websites. Through the analysis most of them are wanting. Such reports if shared strategically can change the mindset of government web designs and create more business for us.
Otherwise, I will be so excited to meet you and have a chat. Hope you will visit Maasai Mara. That is my area- based in Narok Town.
Elizaphan
Just love drupal.
Meetup
@tom_eric,
It would be great to meet you. You are welcome here in Kenya.
@All
We have on a number of occasions organized meetups, but people don't show up at all. @miamitops, I do disagree with you on the issue of the venue. I am close to iHub and the amount that they charge for a meetup is not too high that we can't afford. My proximity to iHub can also be an advantage, as I work closely with them.
In my view, I feel that there is general complacency on our part as Druplers in Kenya to meet as a team and make things happen.
@kimarudg I bring your
@kimarudg
I bring your attention to the previous attempt to hold a Drupal meetup
https://groups.drupal.org/node/475633#comment-1128658
If this event ever did happen, the details were NOT shared with the community.
Please also note that the charge is 50,000 or 100,000 as quoted by yourself, It could do better but its relatively modest, don't you think? To the best of my knowledge this did flop.
You are in the loop with regard to IHub "Drupal" related events, by virtue or by choice it would be nice if you informed the community whenever these events are afoot. This is why our Drupal ambassadors at the IHUb have failed us.
Meet & greet and way forward
There was a small meetup sometime in 2013 where like some 6 chaps showed up myself included. My thoughts logging on to this forum sometimes can be kidogo out of the way why don't you PM me your numbers and we form a whatsapp group or better yet a telegram group where we can be in touch almost on a daily basis. All we need is to communicate and we shall have a central base to refer any Kenyan Drupal Enthusiast or Developer to meet..
Think on the opportunities we are missing out. I'm willing to champion the integration of the drupal community long before we reach kina iHub etc..
Your thoughts on this will be highly appreciated.
Let's get building.
1 CORINTHIANS 4:2 - MOREOVER, IT IS [ESSENTIALLY] REQUIRED OF STEWARDS
THAT A MAN SHOULD BE FOUND FAITHFUL [PROVING HIMSELF WORTHY OF TRUST].
- AMPLIFIED BIBLE (AMP)
On board
I am on board with this idea. If possible It would also be great if the same could be replicated on the Drupal Developers In Kenya FB group
Hi All
All, let me know for any way to connect with you guys and if there is a whatsapp or any other group chat that can connect us.
Drupal in Kenya
Hi all,
What's the current state of use of Drupal in Kenya? Have there been any meetups or will there be a future one? I work for Acquia as Technical Account Manager (based in the Netherlands) and will be in Kenya end of May/beginning of June. I would love to meet Drupalists! @Elizaphan, I might go to Maasai Mara
Cheers,
Henk
Welcome to Kenya
Dear Henkit,
We have been meeting online.
I just love the Acquia business model. It will be great to have a chat with you on your way to Maasai Mara. @henkit You are most welcome to Kenya. You can get me on this email: elizaphan@gmail.com
Cheers
Elizaphan Ogechi
Just love drupal.