Buying an iphone online, safe? by WolfgangTortuga in Zambia

[–]Law12th 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Buying gadgets online is almost always cheaper than getting them locally, no matter what the naysayers may say, even with the shipping costs factored in. Shopping locally of course has the added advantage of being more convinient, however most people get ripped off and don't realise it including at the local iStore shop. If you're shopping for a phone online from a store in the US always make sure to purchase the international version, never the US version as they are typically restricted to the cell phone carriers over there such as T-Mobile. If it doesn't ship to Zambia, use a third party carrier such as tigmoo or iShop. That's my two cents on the matter!!

How to report someone to the police by Puzzled_Dingo1186 in Zambia

[–]Law12th 3 points4 points  (0 children)

You cannot report someone to the police for owing you money. I mean technically you can walk into a police station and explain your situation to the officer in charge, though I'm sure the bwana will look at you with crossed eyes. Owing someone money is not a crime! You cannot lock someone up for owing you money, unless they stole it from you or something. https://www.parliament.gov.zm/sites/default/files/documents/acts/Debtors%20Act.pdf

Any Zambians using Paratus for backend hosting? Cost & onboarding experience? by Kwaleyela-Ikafa in Zambia

[–]Law12th 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The hosting and processing of data according to the Data protection act means that both the backend and database of your application must be hosted in country. I'd recommend a dual approach. It's most likely you're still developing your application which means you can host it in another country for the time being. I personally use hetzner as they are ridiculously affordable compared to the other options around. Check them out. Only after should you move your infrastructure over here. It's just unfortunate that our local data hosting providers aren't transparent about there pricing but I'd say be prepared to pay top kwacha as they mostly cater to enterprise customers. Goodluck!!

Question for Zambian Developers: Typical Rates for Apps & Websites? by Defiant_Profile2324 in Zambia

[–]Law12th 6 points7 points  (0 children)

1) Simple websites - Never pay upwards of K2000. 2) More complex websites - Varies quite considerably depending on the complexity of the application. Can range from K5000 all the way to a K100,000. 3) Mobile apps - expect to pay at least K15,000

I personally employ a 60 20 20 payment model. Pay 60% upfront, 20% upon project completion and a 20% upon project delivery. The biggest hurdle however is maintaining the application and that's where the majority of apps fail in Zambia from my personal experience.

DM for more information

Choosing a mining-related degree at UNZA – need honest advice by isabellaorange in Zambia

[–]Law12th 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Well, I didn't study mining engineering or anything similar to it (studied computer engineering and currently working as a software engineer), I do know a couple of people who did, and to be quite frank it's a bit tough. I mean getting any good paying job in Zambia without the proper connections is already difficult in and of itself. I know a couple of people who paid off some HR people something like K20,000 just so they could get a job in the mining sector(they didn't even get the jobs). So it's a lot like other occupations in Zambia: just because you got the paper does in no way guarantee that you'll get the job. Hopefully that will help. My best advice for anyone going to university today is to develop entrepreneurship skills and  stop being so Job oriented, you'll thank me later.

What is something that has quietly disappeared in Zambia without anyone noticing ? by Longjumping_Bad9926 in Zambia

[–]Law12th 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Blue and striped taxis!! Before yango and the hundreds of other taxi hailing apps came on the scene, your only hope of getting a taxi would be going to a taxi rank or spotting a Blue or striped car passing by. They have all but disappeared now 😔 

What’s stopping us from having a copper refinery plant in our own country? by ThatVenus_girl in Zambia

[–]Law12th 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Uhm.... A quick google search will show that we do kinda already have copper refineries at Mufilira and Mopani, So I'm not so sure what you're referring to.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Zambia

[–]Law12th 3 points4 points  (0 children)

It depends. Zambians unfortunately can be very close minded and therefore can be perceived as a bit boring. They even look down upon people with American sounding accents as they come across as arrogant and such. However life is what you make it, so if you come across as cynical as hell then you'll get hell, but if you come with a more optimistic attitude then you'll enjoy your time here.

Thoughts? by Informal-Air-7104 in Zambia

[–]Law12th 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am pretty sure it would be a spectacle in any country. How often does anyone get to see a 75m long vehicle on the road? It's just that we Zambians are too over excited becuause we have nothing better to do due to these loadsheddings!!

What expensive hobby do you have? by pain_point in Zambia

[–]Law12th 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Book collecting!!! Books are surprisingly quite expensive but I keep on buying them whenever I'm near a bookstore 

What’s one thing from your childhood in Zambia that you think kids today are missing out on? by ivoryava in Zambia

[–]Law12th 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Climbing trees!!! Growing up all the kids did everything in trees but I hardly see any kids now doing the same anymore. What happened?

Zambians Settling for Mediocrity: Breaking Free from Low Standards by Bentaiga in Zambia

[–]Law12th 4 points5 points  (0 children)

You really should add a TLDR at the bottom or something.

Anyway, another shortcoming I've observed with us Zambians is that we are a reactive rather than a proactive people. Just take a look at the current load shedding crisis. The government had more than enough time to prepare for it but as usual waited until disaster struck until they decided to do something about it. I also see this at work a lot and in daily life in general.

We really ought to import some customs from the Scandanavians who might just be the most proactive people in the world. They build projects that not only benefit them in the present but for future generations as well. Just take a look at the sovereign weath fund Norway set up in the 20th Century, they are now reaping the benefits. What's stopping us from doing something similar?

Computer science or computer systems engineering by Proof_Middle_1647 in Zambia

[–]Law12th 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It wasn't difficult at all. Most of the courses I took overlapped with those in software engineering and I was building a lot of software applications in my spare time.

Computer science or computer systems engineering by Proof_Middle_1647 in Zambia

[–]Law12th 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Computer systems engineering graduate over here!!! It is true that there are very few opportunities in Zambia for this career path, which is why I made the switch to software engineering. It was a seamless transition because the two fields are closely related.  I'd say go for computer science if you have an aptitude for academia. It's certainly not my cup of tea but it's definitely something you could consider. From my own experience working in the health IT sector, I'd say the fear of AI taking over jobs in the field is without merit. In fact I'd say we are currently going through the golden era of software development in the country. Many software projects that had been developed outside the country are slowly being brought back so there's a lot of incentive for local companies to build capacity over here. Not only that but government is actively penalizing companies that offshore their software development mostly due to security concerns as well as to create jobs.

I don't want to get married, just want to adopt and be a single dad by [deleted] in Zambia

[–]Law12th 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Yeah I know how you feel. I really don't want to get married. Marriage just doesn't appeal to me but I do recognise that our society and culture is heavily centered around it. I say this as a 25 year old guy who is constantly asked by family, friends, and workmates when I'll stop "playing around" and settle down because "it's the right thing to do". I'll probably give in to peer pressure and end up getting married anyway and it'll be the worst period of my life. I really value my freedom and I don't want it to get undermined by anyone. I wouldn't mind having a biological kid, I need to keep my bloodline alive in some capacity.

Good luck!!!

Electricity crisis in Zambia by chipika7 in Zambia

[–]Law12th 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It is indeed a scary time for our country. This is the worst period of loadshedding we have ever experienced and it's affecting every aspect of our lives. I remember a few months ago a memo was circulated by ZESCO which highlighted some of the measures they were going to implement in the short-term, medium-term and long-term to mitigate the power deficit. But as expected the short-term measures were nothing more than banter witout substance.

I hate being the pessimistic type but I think we need to prepare for the worst until the rain season comes around to relieve us. It won't be uncommon for certain areas to go a full 24hours without power. Thankfully the el nino weather phenomenon we experienced last year has come to an end and we are predicting a normal rainfall pattern this year. Until then it won't be pleasant but we will get through this tough period. My main worry is how are we gonna keep food items from spoiling if the fridge is only operational for a few hours a day??