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GHANA - RAPID GROWTH IN INTERNET USE DESPITE COST CONSTRAINTS

Ghana was amongst the first countries in Africa to get connected. Although it suffers from all the usual constraints on growth - especially the high costs of connectivity - it is estimated that around half a million people have access to the web in some form. Kwami Ahiabenu describes the development of Ghana's internet culture.

COMING SOON: THE INTERNET IN TOGO AND SELLING DIGITAL IMAGES OF AFRICA
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Ghana was amongst the first countries in Africa to get connected. Although
it suffers from all the usual constraints on growth - especially the high
costs of connectivity - it is estimated that around half a million people
have access to the web in some form. Kwami Ahiabenu describes the
development of Ghana's internet culture.

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URGENT ANNOUNCEMENT: We are attempting to identify a networking consultant
who can commission a wireless LAN for a mobile community telecentre that
will serve the staff of rural medical clinics in Kaduna State, Nigeria. The
system will include:
1.) 1x laptop configured as a mail, file and print server (Linux)
2.) 4x laptops connecting to the server via a wireless LAN (Win2k or W9x)
3.) A connection to the Internet for the LAN via the server (email and web
access)
4.) Software configuration (word processing, etc.)
in addition, the consultant will be asked to train 1-2 staff members with
some computer experience in system maintenance and troubleshooting.

At this time, we are seeking general advice or suggestions about
establishing such a network. We also need to prepare a budget for
fundraising purposes. If anyone is interested in submitting a quote or can
offer suggestions about creating and running such a network, especially if
you have direct experience with one, please reply to
.

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GHANA - RAPID GROWTH IN INTERNET USE DESPITE COST CONSTRAINTS
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The genesis of the internet in Ghana started in the early nineties(1989/90)
with the initiation of a pilot project by the Pan African Development
Information system (PADIS) and the International Development Centre (IDRC)
Fidonet network to connect the Ghana National Scientific and Technological
Information Network (GHASTINET), the Association of African
Universities(AAU) and the Technology Transfer Centre (TCC), to GreenNet in
London by dial-up.The service was limited to E-mail which was sent 3 times a
week at 2400bps. Later, AAU started using Unix to Unix Copy Protocol (UUCP)
while the Health institutions migrated to HealthNet. The HealthNet system
was based on Satellite technology at this time. Full commercial Internet
access went live in January 1995 with pioneering work done by Network
Computer Systems ­NCS. Majority of organisations, both private and public
were connected to the Internet in 1997 when Internet usage explored.

Internet usage in Ghana has taken off in an unprecedented way with
individuals and companies rushing to get access to the Internet. The
increase in the number of cyber cafes has been one important contributory
factor. Though cyber cafes are found in every part of the country majority
of them are located in the country's capital Accra. With the number of
Internet access centers (cafes, post offices, communication centers,
telecenters, etc.) mushrooming all over the city, it is estimated that the
city alone has over 100 Internet access centers with occupancy rates
reaching over 90% in most centers. Growth has also been particularly strong
in the private sector for whom the internet has become a very important tool
for business.

According to the National Communication Authority ­ NCA over 39 ISPs have
been licensed but there are currently 8 Internet providers operational in
Ghana : Network Computer Systems, premier followed by Africa Online and
Internet Ghana, Africa Express (Christian internet service providers)and
IDN. Three additional ISPs went live early this year namely WWWPLUS, ESS
LTD and Africanus.net as the latest ISP. Each ISP connects to the
International Internet links independently and there is no local Internet
Exchange or peering, meaning local internet exchange traffic has to reach
the international link before it drops to Ghana.

- ISPs MAINLY FOUND IN ACCRA

All the ISPs operate from Accra, the national capital hence majority of
users outside Accra, have to make a trunk call to get access to the
Internet. Though some ISPs provide Point of Presence - POP in other parts
of the country, the number is woefully inadequate. There is an urgent need
to provide more POP to ensure that the whole country has access to the
internet without making an expensive trunk call to Accra.

Currently it is estimated that over 15,000 users have direct connection to
the internet, whilst it is estimated that over 500,000 users have access
through shared Internet connections- homes, offices, through friends and
cyber cafes.

The government of Ghana does not have a specific policy on the use of
internet. However it has not been hostile to its implementation in the
country, though in recent past the National Communication Authority- NCA
shut down one ISP ­ InterCom Data Network ­ IDN and some telecomms operators
for operating Voice Over IP (VOIP) technology. IDN is now back in business
and because of its flagship as the best ISP in Ghana it was able to get over
90% of its clients back on its network. Though commercial voice over the
internet is not permitted in Ghana, a lot of internet users tend to use this
technology especially to call relatives and friends outside Ghana.

Most service providers offer full internet services, including value added
services. Interestingly some ISPs do not offer a dial up e-mail account only
option. Thus a user is left with no option than to subscribe to full
Internet services. Furthermore, most ISPs also tend to provide web
designing and traditional web hosting services. There is a sharp increase in
the number of companies providing specialised web content development and
hosting in response to the rising demand for such services.

E-mail remains the "killer internet application" in Ghana: the ordinary
person likes the fact that he or she can be reached by a click of the button
through their inbox. Web browsing follows closely as the most popular
applications with most users visiting websites with content produced outside
Ghana. This is largely due to the fact they do not have a lot of websites to
visit with content local to Ghana. Unfortunately this situation makes the
Internet very foreign and irrelevant to some people.

- COMPANY EMPLOYERS LACK ACCESS TO E-MAIL

Though majority of private companies rely on the internet a lot, there are
strong indications that a significant number of their employees do not have
access to the internet and other services. It is common to see pile of
e-mail printed out for people to read because they do not have access to the
internet to read such mails. Over 53.1% of the companies do not provide full
internet access to their employees. Usually access is provided to IT
department personnel and top level management and with the rest of the
employees having shared access or no access at all.

Furthermore, most companies tend to have only one e-mail and internet access
point thus you find employees waiting for their turn to use this account
primarily to check their free web based accounts. But this trend is rapidly
changing with most companies making investment in systems which provide each
employee with a personal Internet account.

For the majority of subscribers in Ghana having a fast and reliable service,
is a dream which is yet to come true. A dial-up subscriber must be prepared
to dial for an average of 40 times before establishing a connection. The
average telephone line to subscriber ratio in Ghana from ISP is 20/1.Most
ISP receive data on average at a speed of 2Mbits/sec and run it to
subscribers at an average speed of less than 1Kbit/Sec.To add more agony for
subscribers, support for users is nothing to write home about, with some
ISPs having no support at all for their clients. The lack of good quality
skills especially qualified engineers is adversely affecting the operations
of ISPs with attendant negative effect on quality of services. Furthermore,
the few qualified engineers available are leaving the country each passing
day to Europe and USA.

- HOW DO PEOPLE GET CONNECTED ?

Dial Up Access is the most popular backbone options for internet
connectivity, using basically the services of Ghana Telecom. The second
national operator, Westel does not support data in a efficient way.

Secondly, most corporate users tend to use leased line from Ghana
Telecomm,while some corporate users use wireless connection such as radio
links, satellite and broadband access. It is not uncommon these days to see
some users browsing the Internet using their GSM mobile phones as a
communication backbone.

- USER FEES

A typical web user currently has to pay a subscription fee of an average of
US$35 unlimited access of web browsing, one e-mail account etc plus
telephone usage rate of 200 cedis( 0.03cents) per minute.

The cost of having dedicated access to the internet is prohibitive and this
cost goes even higher when you add the cost of a PC, the most popular mode
of connection now costs an average of US$1,000. The majority of prospective
users of dedicated access are faced with the problem of cost. It is
important to find a creative way of providing a uniform tariff regime which
will include the cost of telephone charges plus the urgent need to reduce
subscription charges.

- CYBER CAFES

Cyber cafes are the most important and popular options for internet
connectivity for majority of internet users, since individuals and some
organisations can not afford dedicated access and have to use shared access.

Two main types of cafes, Africaonline e-touch where only e-mail access is
provided and other cyber cafes providing almost all internet services plus
other services such as printing, scanning services.Average charge for
Internet usage is US $0.02 per minute of usage.

Currrently there are over 150 cyber cafes in Ghana with 90% of these cafes
found in the national Capital Accra, generally the trend is to find majority
of cities and big towns well endowed with IT resources meaning a Œdigital
divide¹ is found in Ghana with the cities and big towns on the have¹s side
of this Œdivide¹ and the rural areas finding themselves on the Œhave
nots¹side of the coin.

All universities and polytechnics in Ghana are hooked to the Internet, with
some access for all teaching staff. Though graduate students have access to
the internet, majority of undergraduates level have to use privately run
cyber cafes dotted all over their campuses.

At lower levels,only few secondary schools have access to the Internet and
majority of Junior Secondary and Primary Schools do not have access to the
Internet for both teachers and students. IT as a whole and Internet as a
subject is not generally taught as a compulsory subject in schools at all
levels in Ghana, though plans are underway to introduce IT courses in
Schools.

Majority of internet courses such as internet appreciation, web site
development and related courses are taught in private IT schools found in
almost every part of the country.There is a rapid increase in the number of
homes in Ghana getting connected to the internet and this is contributing to
the development of an internet culture in Ghana.

Next issue: Special feature on Ghanaian web sites

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NEWS ROUND-UP AND SNIPPETS
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* SOFTWARE PIRACY SOARS IN ALGERIA

Software piracy in Algeria is a national pastime. It has soared to
record levels of 90% and was the prime reason behind Microsoft's decision
eight months ago to open an office in the country as part of the Business
Software Alliance.

There are around a million computers in use in organisations and homes and
the software business is estimated to be worth well over US$130 million.
Black marketeering affects everything from games to TV channels.

Abdelkader Bouattou, a systems engineer who switched from the public to the
private sector, runs Microsoft's Algerian office. He believes that the first
step in the fight against piracy is to raise public awareness.

"We send out emails and hold seminars to try to explain that everybody loses
out," he says. "The state loses tax revenue and people lose out because
fewer jobs are created."Microsoft also plans to tackle retailers and major
accounts, like Sonatrach, that use unlicensed software. It believes that
since they can afford to buy it legally, they should not be using illicit
copies.

The Algerian Justice Ministry is also in breach of its own comprehensive
copyright legislation. "The legal provisions are in place," says Bouattou.
"The problem is enforcing them."

Algeria's copyright watchdog, ONDA, is empowered to make spot checks in
companies and retail outlets. But Amin, a software vendor whose shop is
crammed with counterfeit goods at unbeatable prices, is not worried: "The
ONDA don't even glance at the software, they're much more interested in
imported music."

The core of the piracy problem is cost. After all, how many Algerians can
afford $2,000 software? Says Abdelkader Bouattou: "Microsoft is willing to
cut its retail prices in countries where purchasing power is low."

It is unlikely to be able to compete with pirate vendors, though. Says Amin:
"I do the licensed Microsoft Office pack at $1,000." He then motions to a
pile of cardboard boxes. "The ones over there, though, I sell at six".
(source: Algeria Interface via DigAfrica )

* KPMG SURVEY REVEALS EXTENT OF E-FRAUD

South African company executives, like their global counterparts, are
ill-equipped to counter threats to their network systems, and underestimate
the internal threat they could face, according to a survey carried out by
KPMG.
(source: http://www.digitalplanet.co.za/dp/news/red.asp?ID=11198 )

* EGYPTIAN MUSEUM USES WEB FOR FUNDRAISING

The Egyptian Museum in Cairo is going online to find people to adopt
mummified pets. People who adopt cats, snakes, crocodiles of even the
extinct sacred ibis bird, get an information pack on their adopted animal.
Under the scheme, people can co-parent a mummified snake for 35, or be the
sole adopter of a crocodile for 560.

Money raised will help to pay for a climate controlled room, special
conservation cases for the mummies and fund research. Experts say the
mummified pets offer important information about ordinary life in ancient
Egypt as well as the environment, flora and fauna, reports the Independent.
The animals can be adopted on the Animal Mummies website. "Animal mummies
have been neglected for a long time and they're deteriorating particularly
quickly now because of climate change and pollution," said Salima Ikram,
co-director of the Animal Mummy Project.
(source: Annanova via DigAFrica)

* B2B E-COMMERCE MARKET GOES LIVE

Standard Bank's business-to-business e-commerce marketplace,
thetradestandard, has gone live, with 21 buyers and seven suppliers now
trading online. This comes after a two-month pilot with external customers
to ensure system stability, fine-tune processes and make functional
improvements based on customer feedback.
(source: http://www.boot.co.za/news/apr01/stdbank2.htm )

* WOMEN DOMINATE SA WEB USE

Fifty-one percent of South African internet users are women, up from 38
percent in March 1999, according to new survey data from Webchek. Two thirds
of net users in South Africa have English as their home language and 56
percent have a third-level education. Most users tend to have high incomes,
but the number of users with lower monthly household incomes is increasing.
(source: Saartjie http://www.saartjie.co.za/april01/internet6.asp )

* ICANN REVISES VERISIGN ACCORD ON .ORG, .NET, .COM

The revised agreements, which are subject to ratification by the U.S.
Department of Justice, would separate each of the three top-level domains
under VeriSign's control into individual terms.
(Source: IDG.net http://www.idg.net/go.cgi?id=452106 )

* MIT TAKES ITS COURSE MATERIALS OPEN SOURCE

MIT will put almost all its courses online for free. Professors won't be
forced to participate, and surfers can't earn credits this way, but MIT's
"OpenCourseWare" is still a big project. The school wants to put all the
materials - lecture notes, assignments, sample problems, reading lists - for
500 courses online in the next two years, adding 1,500 more courses over the
next decade.
(source: http://www.wbz.com/now/story/0,1597,283966-364,00.shtml )

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ON THE MONEY
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* M-WEB FEELS THE HEAT AS ABSA SUBS CONTINUE TO CLIMB

ICL, the South African business solutions company providing the
infrastructure for Absa's free internet offering, announced that the number
of subscribers for the service has now reached 136,621. (source:
http://www.boot.co.za/news/apr01/absa4.htm )

In response to this news, M-Web's parent company Naspers is seeking to
delist the company and is continuing to "restructure". Translation, cutting
costs wherever it can.

Local e-tailer Kalahari.net has just bought M-Web's online IT product retail
venture JellyBean Interactive Pty Ltd. Both parties describe the move as
meeting their business objectives.
(source: Boot http://www.boot.co.za/news/apr01/jellybean2.htm )

Naspers is considering de-listing M-Web, citing negative market conditions.
It is expected that M-Web investors will be offered Naspers shares in a
share swap deal. Delisting means that its progress to profit or elsewhere
will be much less open to scrutiny but it does protect its future value in
what is slumping market.
(source: http://www.itweb.co.za/sections/financial/2001/0104061620.asp )

* ESKOM PROFITS JUMP, LOOKS TO DIVERSIFY INTO ICT MARKETS

State-owned power utility Eskom unveiled a 51% jump in 2000 pre-tax profits
on Thursday, and said that it will diversify into the telecommunications and
information technology market.
(source: http://www.woza.co.za/reuters/apr01/eskom6.asp )

* JOHNNIC CEO CLAIMS THERE IS LIFE AFTER THE DOT-COM MELTDOWN

The dot-com meltdown has had the positive effect of sweeping a great deal of
"rubbish" aside, allowing the serious business to start, says Johnnic
e-Ventures CEO Neil Jacobsohn.
(source: http://www.itweb.co.za/sections/financial/2001/0103260630.asp )

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USEFUL WEB SITES AND DISCUSSION LISTS
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* SOUTH AFRICAN COMPETITION LAW WEBSITE LAUNCHED

Webber Wentzel Bowens has announced that its Competition Law website has
gone live. This is claimed to be the first site in South Africa to focus
exclusively on Competition Law. It contains all the latest statutory
information including the Competition Law Act, associated rules and
regulations, the Government Gazettes plus up-to-date news and developments
in Competition Law practice.
(source: http://www.boot.co.za/news/apr01/webber5.htm )

* SELLING WILDLIFE AND ITS SURVIVAL VIA THE WEB

Wildlife site AfriCam says it is moving into broadcast television through
deals with the BBC and SABC, with the proceeds to be used in funding live
streaming. But not everything is free, and a subscription service promises
revenue.
(source: http://www.itweb.co.za/sections/internet/2001/0103271336.asp )

Virunga, an animal protection and conservation portal, is hosting a virtual
online animal expo from today until Saturday in the hopes of teaching
surfers about animal conservation.
(source: http://www.itweb.co.za/sections/internet/2001/0103291016.asp )

* CRAZY ABOUT EGYPTIAN SOCCER?

If you are interested in Egyptian Soccer, there is site providing good
coverage:
http://www.eldawry.com
(source: Africadaily list)

* WEB PORTAL FOCUSED ON THE CONGO

http://www.wenze.com is offering what it describes as "a digital market open
to all Africans (the Congo in particular) with a product to sell or a vision
to impart." For more information mail [email protected] or visit the site
itself.

* DIGITAL GOVERNANCE WEB SITE

DigitalGovernance.org has been identifying and documenting actual
e-Practices in the South which enable transparent, efficient, and
accountable governance mechanisms based on "Information Democratisation" to
ones which catalyse "Interactive Governance Processes" that are Inclusionary
in natures.

DigitalGovernance.org functions on the continuous learning model. It will
issue updates on its research in this area. You may subscribe to these
updates by sending a blank email to:
[email protected]

* WORLD OF THE WACKY: SAUDI ARABIA BANS POKEMON

Saudi Arabia's highest religious authority has declared a fatwa, or
religious edict, against the little guys, saying that they have "possessed"
childrens minds.
(Source: TT extract from CNet, news.com, Mar 27, 2001
http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1006-200-5282535.html?tag=owv )

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DIGITAL TOOLBOX
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* VIRUS INFECTING BOTH WINDOWS AND LINUX DISCOVERED

A computer virus, W32.Winux, infecting both the Linux and Windows operating
systems has been discovered by anti-virus companies.
(source: http://www.itweb.co.za/sections/computing/2001/0103280922.asp )

* 3D WEB TOOL CREATES ATMOSPHERE

Adobe Systems has announced its Atmosphere solution which enables the
creation and interactive use of three-dimensional Web sites.
(source: http://www.itweb.co.za/sections/internet/2001/0103270922.asp )

* OPEN SOURCE FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

http://www.opensource.org is community of people, mostly from Europe, North
America, and some from Asia and Latin America, who believe that the use of
open source software in healthcare is inevitable and highly beneficial.
Software is distributed with source code and licenses that permit
modification, enhancement, and redistribution of copies without additional
license fees. Major examples of software in this category are the Linux
operating system the Apache web server, and key infrastructure of the
Internet.

It believes that the use of open source in health related IT is "an
incredible opportunity for developing countries. It makes health care IT
solutions affordable and allows the adaptation to local needs. This seems
an great opportunity to increase the quality of health care. Also, the
success on the open source market depends purely on merit and is independent
of capital, it also gives a great opportunity for development of a
healthcare IT industry".

Already, there are several open source healthcare software solutions freely
downloadable over the internet. Some of these can be sourced via a European
project "SPIRIT" (http://www.euspirit.org) that is attempting to increase
the number of open source healthcare software programmes available. Also
see the Open Source Health Care Alliance (OSHCA,http://www.oshca.org).
(source: Bud P.Bruegger, Sistema (http://www.sistema.it)

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JOBS AND OPPORTUNITIES
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* NEW WEB SITE OFFERS FREELANCE OPPORTUNITIES

http://elance.com is a web site offering itself as a a market
place for services. Those who are programmers can make their presence known
and look for work opportunities. Sounds like a good idea. We would look
forward to hearing feedback about how well it works...
(source: Chinedu Echeruo, Africadaily list)

* BIKO SCHOLARSHIPS FOR JOURNALISTS

Applications are now invited from suitable candidates for consideration
for one of the 2001 Steve Biko scholarships.

Three categories of scholarship are available:

1.. for South African journalists:
- attend a week-long course at the IAJ;
- be seconded to a newsroom either in South Africa or in the region
for a week;
- attend courses at other media training institutions in South Africa
for a final week.

2.. for external candidates: journalists from countries outside South
Africa who will undergo all of the three-part programme in South Africa as
listed above.

3.. for overseas training: the scheme offers a small contribution to
assist candidates in taking up media studies outside South Africa.
Priority will be given to those applicants who satisfy the basic criteria
for these awards:
- the applicant is a working journalist, with a proven record in
quality journalism, in any media discipline;
- the applicant is committed to participating in media training;
- the applicant's organisation is prepared to support their
participation in this scheme.
Closing date: 2 May 2001

Application forms are available from Leela Parbhoo email: [email protected].
(source: SANGONeT list via WOUGNET).

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EVENTS
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* 5TH AITEC WEST AFRICA CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION 2001 TO OPEN IN ACCRA

The fifth West Africa Computing, Telecommunications and Broadcasting
Exhibition and Conference, AITEC West Africa 2001 commences on Thursday, 17
May 2001 with an opening ceremony expected to be performed by the President
of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency Mr J.A. Kuffuor with the assistance
of the Minister of Communications, The Hon Felix Owusu Agyapong.

The AITEC 2001 Conference will comprise strategic briefings to government
and private sector delegates by ICT professionals from both inside and
outside Ghana on subjects including e-governance, the Internet, e-commerce,
networking, third generation mobile telephony and the telecommunications
regulatory framework in West Africa. These will include practical sessions
to advance the skills of all the participants at the Conference.

AITEC West Africa 2001, which is co-hosted by the Ministry of
Communications, starts on Thursday 17 May 2001 at the Accra International
Conference Centre, Ghana. For more information, contact [email protected]

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BACK NUMBERS: AFRICA'S INTERNET CONTENT PROVIDERS
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51. Cape Town Special: A creative city in the making?
http://www.balancingact-africa.com/news/back/balancing-act51.html

50. Africa Online vs M-Web - Continent-wide content providers slug it out
http://www.balancingact-africa.com/news/back/balancing-act50.html

39. Zimbabwe's MDC uses the web to fight the government
http://www.balancingact-africa.com/news/back/balancing-act39.html

37. Uganda's Life in Africa Foundation - Expanding the art of the
possible
http://www.balancingact-africa.com/news/back/balancing-act37.html

33. Africa's e-press for ICT professionals
http://www.balancingact-africa.com/news/back/balancing-act33.html

29. Kenya:Busting corruption using the internet
http://www.balancingact-africa.com/news/back/balancing-act29.html

19. WOZA: Building a content-rich site
http://www.balancingact-africa.com/news/back/balancing-act19.html

14. Speaking in Tongues? A Shona language web site
http://www.balancingact-africa.com/news/back/balancing-act14.html

8. The All-African portal - A new contender enters the field
http://www.balancingact-africa.com/news/back/balancing-act8.html

7. Sierre Leone's leading independent newspaper on the internet
http://www.balancingact-africa.com/news/back/balancing-act7.html

You can read and download these at http://www.balancingact-africa.com . If
you have difficulties accessing the web, mail us on
[email protected].

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