StatusNet, the open source microblogging script is rolling on and every release some tweaks that are worth a mention. Hopefully, if the devs behind the script continue with this trend , who knows, may be the script would be the WordPress.com of the microblogging world. Since the 0.9.2 release (that is when I started using the script), some changes have been made to the script: the current release is 0.9.9. These changes are noticeable even on the cloud service offered by the StatusNet company. Each release is quietly slipped into the service and only a regular user of the service can and will notice these changes.
The technical discussions of the changes that have been implemented can really put off the less technical persons amongst us. Additionally, some of the changes may be passed off in one general statement under such subjects as "New Themes Introduced!" and this may not help to bring them into light. I'll only focus on the most notable changes here without getting into the technicalities of the changes in the code running under the hood. You can get the latest updates on the script's development on the StatusNet blog.

Private Timelines

If you have ever used a StatusNet-powered site like Nairobi-stique, you must be aware of the feed of all posts of you (the user), and your subscriptions on the site. If you are a member of a group, you'll also see the stream of messages/notices by other group members in this timeline. This is your private timeline. The Public Timeline, on the other hand, streams all the posts of all the users on the site. This feature is similar to the "Home" page once you log into Twitter.
In the older releases, you could access this timeline right from your profile even without logging into the site. But with the current release, you can only view this stream when you log into the site. This is via the link, "Home", that has been added to the navigation bar. In the previous releases, you could access this timeline through the "You and Friends" tab/link on the navigation bar. You can also access this timeline by clicking on the site's log when you log into the site: in previous releases clicking on the site logo pointed to site's homepage only, so, this is one little change too!.

Groups Management

This is one area where important improvements have been made especially when it comes to administration. Groups are the major feature that distinguish StatusNet sites from Twitter. In the older releases, the super-admin had to dig in right into the site's structure just to delete a group, but with the latest release, starting from 0.9.6 , the super-admin can easily delete any group by clicking the "Delete" button right next to the group's name.

Accounts Settings

This is one change that can go unnoticed really, since it is very rare that any user ever changes their account information (an exception: if you always change your avatar, this may not be the case).If you go to your account's settings page (click on the "Settings" link on the navigation bar), you'll actually see 3 little buttons with the options for deleting, deactivating and recovering your account. These buttons were not there in the older releases of the script.

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Another digression from all the blogging on microblogging! But still this article has some sprinkling of social media trends here and there. Read on, buddy. Christian radio seems to be one tough business. Even though 80% of Kenyans say that they are Christians, very few ever follow up on issues to do with their faith. Now, what proportion of these group can be said to be loyal fans of Christian radio stations? I believe it is just a very small group. I know many do not even know any of the popular Christian radio presenters. More so, do they care a hoot about what is aired on the stations really?
I am one big fan of a particular Christian station that is really into CCM bandwagon. I was getting a little bit concerned of the high turnover of presenters on the station. Why were many of the presenters not staying for longer periods there? Presently, stations alone do not hog the limelight alone because of the coverage or their enticing programs. Presenters too, are working on their fame/careers. Check this out. Even as media houses have Facebook pages and Twitter profiles, their presenters have these social media accounts too. Christian radio stations have not been left behind in this. So, our presenters can get their fans/followers aside from their employer(s). Now just imagine if the presenter leaves one media house for another. I believe there is a slight negative impact on the stations audience. May be some of the station's fans would switch to the other station. Assuming Christian radio stations have very small audiences , then if a presenter leaves such a station the number of fans might decline.
And where do these stations get their financial support from? If they are affiliated to a particular denomination or church, they can easily get support through monies from tithes and offerings. OK, some churches do have some commercial interests that can bring in some revenue, so, well, it might not be solely through the 10 percent or the 20 bob coins we place in the offering baskets every Sunday. But if you look around you'll notice that some of the stations depend on donations from well wishers. And what about their workforce- read presenters? May be some employ members of their church or members of the clergy to play these roles so as to cut costs(?). Since media houses, like web publishers, earn their money from advertising, you wonder how much do Christian radio stations earn from the few adverts they run.
In short, Christian radio seems it ain't a cash-minting business in any way. If you want to start one, you'll have to get into it to further the Lord's Kingdom rather than to make money. I hope you remember that gospel station that was converted by its owners into a reggae station after only being on air for a few months.
P.S: I wonder what Christians would think if @SafaricomLtd were to run a Kenya Live (Kenya Live's Facebook Page) advert on any of the local Christian radio stations here yet it has some secular catz on its lineup. :-|

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Who is using this? Its adverts are everywhere. The "hook" of the adverts is in the part where they stress on the updating of Twitter and Facebook using it. And its price is quite good. The adverts actually show a phone with a red exterior but who cares about the outer color. Additionally, the phone has Email (OVI mail to be specific), FM radio, Camera, Music Player and Memory Card support. And this reminds me of the C3 that was being advertised some time early this year. The C3 is a bit dearer than the X201. Sounds sweet, hmmmm.

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It's now around 2 weeks after this incident. Old news is still news, aye. A tragic end to one illustrious tack career. A record-breaker, a famous runner with riches to boot. That was Samuel Wanjiru Kamau. If we were to adopt a moral standpoint and analyse his life, well, he could as well have to make bones for all his deeds. But there is one thing we can't deny: he was extraordinary. At 24, he was way ahead of his age-mates. The assault charges that were brought on him early this year gave the BBC something to report about. That was proof enough that he wasn't just another runner from Kenya. And after his death, #SamuelWanjiru became the trending topic on Twitter. R.I.P.

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