Titbits On Technology, Internet Services & The Web In Ghana

Doing international business from certain parts of the world can be a real headache. It's characterized by systemic and systematic barriers to ensure there is enough frustration, jumping through hoops and fees and charges to cripple even the most determined entrepreneur.  While cryptocurrency may be slowly leveling the playing field as it gains more acceptance, until full global adoption, businesses in particularly third-world and disliked countries are simply frustrated out of the market. Now Wise (formerly Transferwise) which is a business that provides virtual bank accounts, payment and remittance pathways require that to make use of the platform, one must first make a deposit of funds through one of their options for this activity. If you are lucky to have a debit or credit card, you may be able to use it to make this initial deposit and in some cases even withdraw funds to the card.  Here is were it gets murky. Wise has a bunch of reasons not to accept certain payment opt...

The Importance of Renewing Your Business Domain  I recently experienced firsthand how stressful it can be when organizations lose their domain names due to oversight or changes in domain registration practices.  In my years of experience with web services and domain name management, I understood the typical domain name life cycle to be: 1. Registration - purchasing and securing the domain  2. Expiry/Renewal Grace Period - a window of time after expiration where the domain can still be renewed 3. Redemption Grace Period - an additional grace period where the domain can be recovered for a redemption fee 4. Availability for Re-Registration - when the domain returns to the open market for purchase  However, I learned the hard way that some top-level domain registrars are now hijacking expired domains and immediately passing them to new registrars for re-sale, without any redemption grace period. This practice of snapping up domains immediately after expiration is slyly l...

  To test a live wire using a voltage tester screwdriver, follow these steps: Make sure the tester screwdriver is properly rated for the voltage you are testing. Touch the metal tip of the screwdriver to the exposed wire you want to test. Place your thumb on the metal cap at the top of the screwdriver. If the neon light in the handle of the screwdriver lights up, the wire is live. If the light does not light up, the wire is not live. Important safety precautions: Always turn off the power source before testing any wires. Be careful not to touch any other wires or metal objects while testing the live wire. Use insulated gloves and tools to protect yourself from electrical shock. If you are not comfortable testing a live wire, please consult a qualified electrician. Here are some additional tips for using a tester screwdriver: If the screwdriver is not properly rated for the voltage you are testing, it could be damaged or even cause a fire. Make sure the metal tip of the sc...

  Photocells: The Magic of Automatic Lights Have you ever wondered how those fancy outdoor lights turn on and off automatically? It's all thanks to a little device called a photocell, or light sensor. Photocells are clever little gadgets that can detect changes in light levels and trigger an electrical switch accordingly. So, how do you connect a photocell to a power source and a light bulb to automate your lights? Here's a quick guide: Identify the wires. Photocells typically have three wires: a live wire (often black), a load wire (often red), and a neutral wire (often white). The live wire connects to the power source, the load wire connects to the light bulb, and the neutral wire connects to both the power source and the light bulb. Connect the live wire. Connect the live wire from the power source to the live wire on the photocell. Connect the load wire. Connect the load wire from the photocell to the live wire on the light bulb. Connect the neutral wire. Connect t...

TL;DR: If your smart electricity meter is intermittently cutting power to your home without a noticeable spark on the lines connecting from the grid, check your circuit breaker (cut-off switch) for a fault especially in the neutral wire. The Problem: My smart electricity meter randomly cut power to my residence. When the power cut off, a yellow (off) light would turn on at the front of the electricity meter and then go off after a while, and then repeat the cycle. The Drama: I had an electrician and the power company check my connection to the grid, but they all found nothing wrong. They concluded that the problem was with the electricity meter, but the power company's meter handling unit was difficult to get in touch with. After four days of trying and waiting, I decided to hire a second electrician. This electrician tested the junction boxes and observed the meter, and he also concluded that the fault was with the point of connection with the electric grid. I suspected that the p...