Long-time readers of this blog will know that it's possible to register .me.ss domain names - there are various other 3rd level domains you can buy.

But, from the 1st of August 2024, you'll be able to apply for a 2nd level. So you'll be able to grab example.ss.

Here's the official announcement.

As per normal for a new TLD, there will be a period where organisations with Trade Marks can register their domains. Then a period where anyone with sufficient cash can register their cool idea for a domain. Then it opens up to everyone.

So what will they cost? Afriregister provided these prices:

For comparison, their .me.ss domains are only €25.

Registrations will only be allowed in ASCII - which means no IDNs. The majority of the languages officially recognised in South Sudan appear to be written in the Latin script, so that shouldn't be a huge issue.

As is common with all other TLDs, there is a list of words which will not be allowed to be registered.

Applications will not be accepted for domain names appearing on the Second Level Domain (SLD) block list.

When I previously investigated this, there were lots of names which weren't available due to local politics. Although there is an archived version of the list of banned words (PDF), the modern SLD Block List appears to have vanished from the registry. I've asked them for an updated list which I'll link to once I get it.

I think it is fair to say that the .ss TLD has had a tumultuous history. There hasn't been much discussion of this change in policy since the announcement a few weeks ago - but I hope that this opening up will help South Sudanese people & businesses to establish their own distinct presence on the Internet.

The absolute highlight of the trip was being eaten by a lion!

If you're in Joburg, visit Lion Park - an amazing place.

Other highlights included....

I went up Table Mountain.

I saw Robbin Island from Signal Hill.

I visited the Apartheid Museum.

I used Untappd to check in to some great South African beers & ciders.

I discovered just how well used SMS is in South Africa.

Terence Eden is on Mastodon

@edent

Want to know how big SMS is in South Africa? twitpic.com/6bk1ns

---

As well as learning about Africa's mobile movie scene - including feature films shot entirely on mobile.

I found a phone / taser.

Terence Eden is on Mastodon

@edent

This "phone" is a multi-shock taser. Yours for ~60. Shocking! twitpic.com/6bfsga

---

And I saw some great hotel lighting UE.

Terence Eden is on Mastodon

@edent

Every single hotel room should have light switches like this #UI #UX #DesignOfEverydayThings twitpic.com/6awqx8

---

South Africa was an amazing place to visit. Friendly people, beautiful scenery, and great beer. I hope I can go back there on a proper holiday soon.

I was wondering what the rates are going to be for roaming. I could get a local SIM - but as I'm only there for a few days, it seems a bit pointless - no one will have the number & I'll lose any credit at the end of the trip.

So, how do the various roaming SIMs stack up against my Vodafone SIM?

TruPhone's list of prices is very simple

GiffGaff's list of prices now include data roaming. Again, a simple tariff.

MaxRoam's prices are slightly more complicated

Vodafone's price plans for roaming are very competitive.

Conclusion

Stone the crows! It looks like my domestic Vodafone SIM might just be the cheapest way to roam in Africa!

MaxRoam has some really innovative features - but the costs are insanely high.

TruSIM is good in UK, USA, and Australia, but not so good elsewhere. While the rates are marginally cheaper in Kenya and Nigeria, the data costs really are prohibitive.

The new MVNO GiffGaff has some great prices - and the cheapest SMS price.

But, overall, it has to be Vodafone. Not least because of the pricing model for data. A fiver for 25MB is much more generous than the other providers - and using email or GTalk will be much cheaper than SMS. While the costs are marginally higher in Kenya and Nigeria - I'll be spending the majority of my time in South Africa. Crucially, I get to keep my number - so I'm not out of contact.

Have I missed something? Are there any better roaming deals?

Four cities, three countries, two weeks, one massive continent. Africa.

I'm flying down with InMobi, my employers (this blog post is personal and doesn't reflect company policy etc). We'll be visiting all the local mobile developers and researchers and seeing how we can help them. I'll be posting work related stuff on the official InMobi blog - but I'll be posting on shkspr.mobi any personal thoughts, reflections, and fears.

FEAR!

Yes, I have the fear. I'm fairly well travelled, but I've never been to Africa. I'm excited, full of wanderlust, and a tiny bit terrified! Perhaps, gentle reader, you can help put my mind to rest over some of the concerns I have.

Vegetarian Food

Even in Western Europe and the USA, I can't always be guaranteed of getting a vegetarian meal in a restaurant. What's the situation like in South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria for vegetarians? I've been advised not to eat salads because they're often washed in tap water - should I just surrender my principles and eat a bit of meat while I'm out there?

Mobile Technology

All the countries I'm visiting have good GSM coverage - that's partly why I'm going! I'll be taking along my Android phone, and probably a backup device. But what about roaming costs? Should I buy a local SIM while I'm out there - or will I get better rates with Truphone or Maxroam? I'm only going to be a few days in each country - are there any pan-African solutions? Solar chargers and emergency batteries are also a good idea - any tips on which ones are good?

Health

I've just received all the vaccines I'll need, plus anti-maleria tablets. Any recommendations for lotions, potions, or pills to prevent getting sick while I'm out there?

Anything Else?

Like I said, this will be my first time in Africa. Are there any other bits of advice you can give this nervous traveller?

I woke up on Saturday morning after a long and difficult week at work. The last thing I felt like doing was making the trek into the office. I just couldn't face spending half of my precious weekend trapped within the same walls I look at every day.

I figured that I'd make the effort, show up for an hour or so and then slope off home.

How glad I am that I stayed for the whole day - it was one of the most unusual, inspiring, fun and education BarCamps I have ever attended.

Talks

The majority of the talks were streamed and recorded for posterity.  You can view all the BarCamp Africa UK videos at TweetCam.  This is definitely something that other BarCamps should do.  Not only does it capture interesting talks, it also means that if there is a clash between two talks, you can go to one safe in the knowledge you can catch the other one later.

The sessions board

I tweeted some of the more interesting snippets of the talks and tagged the #bcAfricaUK09.  Here are the highlights...

Africa's Development Priorities

A bunch of us sat around and created a paper Wiki while we discussed what we thought the leading social, technological and developmental priorities were for Africa.

Smart Buildings

You know when people say "that literally blew my mind" and that snide part of you thinks "stop abusing the word 'literally' or I'll literally give you a slap"?

After Rachel Armstrong's talk I was left with smoke coming out of my ears as I struggled to comprehend what I'd just seen. Inexpensive table-top chemistry showing how you could create self repairing buildings, carbon capturing bacteria, re-floating Venice.

The possibilities seem endless. I think everyone in the room was left reeling with the possibilities this technology opens up.

OLPC

This was a chance for Professor Cornelia Boldyreff to discuss the work she and her students are doing with the One Laptop Per Child project.  Specifically talking about how you can download Sugar on a Stick and start developing for OLPC whether you're on Linux, PC or Mac.

Digital Language Preservation

Can we use technology to preserve language which are in danger of disappearing, Some very interesting ideas about how tools like AudioBoo can preserve indigenous languages, but also help teach the next generation the language of their ancestors.

Innovators and Entrepreneurs

What are the challenges facing the upcoming generation of talented business-people and inventors?

Logistics

Curiously, everyone was given a printed sheet with details of all the proposed talks. While somewhat against the spirit of the three word rule, it gave presenters a chance to expand on their themes which, in turn, helped participants work out which talks they wanted to attend.

Proposed Talks

There was a sign up sheet by every talk so organisers could assign rooms. This prevented the social awkwardness which ensues when a presenter books a cavernous room, only to have a few people turn up - it also prevents overcrowding at popular talks.

The organisers came round to let presenters know when they had 5 minutes left. They also turned up at the end of each session to let us know where the next talks were taking place.  This really aided the smooth flow of the day.

Despite the meticulous planning, the day ended up running around 20-40 minutes late. I was reliably informed that this was because we were running on Kenyan time!

Nevertheless, the day went off without a hitch.

Lunch

Two words. Hummus Brothers.

Mmmmmm

This made such a delicious change from the normal BarCamp fare of sandwiches and pizza. There was a great mix of vegetarian, vegan and carnivore topped hummus as well as salads, falafel, and fresh vegetables. There was also a smattering of African snacks; plantain sweet potato chips and the like.

A great communal lunch lead to loads of interesting conversations - not all about how yummy the food was! - and produced a really fun atmosphere. I wish every day at work could be this enjoyable.

Spirit

This was one of the most fun BarCamps I have ever been to.  There was a real sense of unity and purpose. It was an honour and a privilege to have played even a small role in its organisation.  The mixture of people from all over the planet, the joy and exuberance, the stunning talks and awe inspiring participants made this a truly memorable BarCamp - I can't wait for next year!

Bonus!

I was given this shockingly yellow T-Shirt This may be one of the few images of me where I'm not dressed entirely in black!