BLACK AMPHI

Enstine Muki Musaga from Cameroon Stays Focused

Hey people!

We’re back again to Africa in Miniature. This time around, we are neither near Mount Fako nor on the grasslands but somewhere around the coast, in the economic capital.  While all commands come from Yaounde, I guess Douala is where all the money gets printed . Not really! But it is obvious that Business on this highly populated and busy town is at its peak. Talking of business, you know, of course, we can’t leave software and the web  development out of the ring. Who are we “investigating” now? There is a php/MySQL guru on the line.

Hello….. Anybody there?….. Echo…

Oh, here he comes. The first to be interviewed by us in his Region. As usual, per our tradition, we let him express himself because no one can possibly talk about him more than his very self.

What are your names?
My names are Enstine Muki Musaga.

Where do you live and work ?
Douala, Littoral Region of Cameroon

How did you get the skills in software development(university, professional school, online certifications, study from home, internet)?

I got into the digital world with screw-drivers lol … Well I got my first training as PC Technician far back in 2001 and my trip to software (web apps) sprung from an annoying experience I had while serving as computer operator in one construction company in Douala, 2003. My boss asked me to get someone to setup a website for the company so I called this guy who came and tabled a bill of 300,000fcfa and said he was to deliver in 2 weeks. Oh God! I said this guy’s slapping my face. He can not just come here and walk away with such a juicy sum so I told my boss I was going to do it (good enough he was not ready to pay that kind of money ‘just for a website’). Holy Cow! I was enraged and determined to break the hard wall so I laid my hands on html and put up my first website on geocities later in 2003 (about 2 weeks later). So by mid 2004, I was ‘eating’ html and could do some pretty good designs with fireworks 3. Not long, I picked up a piece of design job with a group of PHP developers in California USA and requested for PHP training as pay package. So these guys took me through online (principally using yahoo messenger, email and urls)

What are the tools you use in your daily activities (windows, WAMP, visual studio, dreamweaver, netbeans, eclipse, etc)?

My major tools are Internet, Dreamweaver and Fireworks. There are a couple of others but with these, I often produce satisfactory results and of course Windows OS and WAMP

How long have you been writing codes or doing any form of software engineering/development?

You can count the years from late 2004 lol

Can you give some examples of projects you have developed or you have been a part of the development?

I have quite a good number of works…but let me just highlight the most recent, most active and possibly most used…

CredFollow: Do you tweet? Well if you said yes, you should know what it means to get Twitter followers. I just put up CredFollow (http://credfollow.com) a twitter site aimed at bringing targeted twitter followers to its members. Based on Twitter’s Oauth API, authentication is 100% safe. No auto tweet in it please lol. so if you believe in the Twitter marketplace, hurry and grab your FREE account before I change my mind

NjangiHost: I am a co-founder Njangihost.com Feb 2008 and it’s today the No. 1 web hosting institution in Cameroon. Check it here [http://www.webhosting.info/webhosts/tophosts/Country/CM]

NoStress CMS: Have you ever heard of “NoStress CMS”? I started that far back in 2006 and it’s running on many sites already. Though I dropped it for other projects, it’s not dead. Watch for its return. It’s going to be open source

Some other web applications include:
Gesforet: A complete ajaxified application for companies doing forest exploitation… Ref: Cameroon United Forest (CUF) http://cufcm.com

CyberCash: Web based money transfer application plus instant SMS alert
Ref: UNICS http://unicspeedycash.com
TRANSAFREX: http://transafrex.com,

OPENSMS: A web based sms application with reseller account management. In fact, I give this to my clients under their brand name: ipwSMS, betaSMS, simpleSMS, njangiSMS

Some other sites include:

The first site to run NoStress SMS http://cameroon-business.com

http://cufcm.com

http://camarues.com

http://btp-djemo.com

http://cometal-superdoll.com

http://cemactours.com

http://carehealthprogram.org

http://gccint.org

http://neltatravel.com

Are you more into object oriented programming or structural/procedural programming, or something else like aspect oriented etc…?

Both are necessities depending on the weight of the project. For real projects, I do OOP but for some simple needs, structural programming will be quicker to implement.

While developing/engineering do you believe in KISS (Keep It Simple…) and Less is more ?

Every software developer strives to make his/her products friendly. You know as I do that the more complex a system is, the more it needs to deploy. Simple and useful apps sell faster except simplicity means weakness.

What are some of the software development design patterns you have used (eg MVC, Facade, Observer, front controller, singleton)?

MVC is what I have used and I like its implementation in CodeIgniter (CI) www.codeigniter.com

Do you find design patterns useful and do you think they help make codes orderly for teams to work together and future maintenance a breeze?

I think most development framework are based on these patterns. That further goes to project its importance. If I do a project using CI (MVC) any other developer using CI will go through the code crossing his legs

Do you work in a team environment? If so, what tools do you use for collaboration (eg collabtive, unfuddle, basecamp)?

I do not work in a team environment for now. May be for future projects

How important are deadlines in your work?

Holy Cow! They are as important as the check. You don’t deliver your projects on time and if you are the cause of the delay, know that you are drifting far off your next projects.

Are you into software outsourcing and do you think it will help enrich and empower Africans?

If Africans can deliver critical projects, they may grab projects from Indian developers. There are lots of projects in the market. Whether they are given us or sent to India depends on results. The best developers eat the fattest bones.

What do you think about software development frameworks like Kohanaphp, codeigniter, hibernate, django, castle monorails, .NET frameworks, J2EE frameworks?

There is no doubt that frameworks go a long way to enhance team work, facilitate the development process and of course step up productivity. These are all great tools depending on the choice of technology.

Do you think those frameworks will help African developers easily adhere to software development best practices?

African developers should adhere to these best practices whether on frameworks or not

Which do you prefer more: php, python, java, CSharp, ruby, etc?

I do not do other languages apart from PHP so I prefer what I know to what I do not

What do you think about open source vs proprietary technologies?

I think the Internet is growing this fast thanks to Open Source technology which has a bigger community. In the Open Source kingdom, there is more room for scalability as every user is free to contribute to its growth. In a nutshell, I think the Open Source tech offers more to users.

what are some of the challenges you face as a software developer in Africa ?

The main challenge here is the client. Most of the people don’t know what they want. Sometimes, they want everything for free or little pay. A lot is still to be done.

What do you think could be done to get rid of these challenges ?

Nothing other than information! Information on how things should be done should be circulated. In short, Training is the right word.

What word do you have for other aspiring software developers in Africa?

All I have for them is that everything there need is available on the Internet ( Professional training, study materials, certification, fame, jobs,etc). All they need is Internet signal and probably some guiding steps. In addition, there is a big virgin market.

How can people interested in working with you get to contact you?

All my contacts are available on http://enstine.net though I need to update it…
You can also follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/enstine
If you use CredFollow, watch out for updates: http://twitter.com/credfollow

Thanks for your time, Mr Enstine Muki. I equally thank all those watching out for what we have to offer. Black Amphi is always at your service.

Popularity: 2% [?]

You are invited to Join the Discussion

This post has 2 comments already, CLICK HERE TO POST A COMMENT

Revealing Ucheugo – A Top Nigerian Graphics Designer

I love to refer to what Black Amphi is doing right now as “Entrepreneur Hopping“. We are jumping from Entrepreneur to Entrepreneur and have no plans of leaving any Afro Born Entrepreneur out of the loop. We started with the AfroVisioN CEO (my humble self) in Cameroon, and to my good friend and partner, Francis .O. Oghuma of Naija Born, Nigeria. We navigated south to South Africa where we met Vinny and Justin of  the Silicon Cape Initiative. We are giving you the best of what we can about these shots and from time to time, we won’t hesitate posting updates about them.

Now, we are back again in Nigeria to meet the great Ugo Uchechukwu (UCHEUGO) of Ucheugo Interactive. Since he is right here in the Black Amphitheatre with us, let’s get the story from the horse’s mouth.

[BA]What are your names?

Ugo Uchechukwu (UCHEUGO)

[BA]Where do you live and work ?

I live in Lagos/Nigeria and I juggle gigs as an ART DIRECTOR in one of the top advertising agency in Nigeria.

[BA]How did you get the skills in graphics design (university, professional school, online certifications, study from home, internet)

My skill in graphic design is just a self taught thing..really I just love colours and all that. I did computer science and you must know that studying computer science, its either you end up been software developer or just the normal computer engineer you find around.

When i was little younger, I did some drawings but my mum had to stop me because she felt I was not going to make anything out of it. That was then but now in Nigeria, ART is more worthwhile. That can be seen from the fact that people do motion design and related stuff.

Now I think it is lucrative.

[BA]What are the tools you use in your daily activities (Windows/Mac/Linux, Photoshop, Fireworks, Illustrator, Frontpage, Dreamweaver, FLASH,etc)

Well for my graphic jobs, I shuffle between Photoshop and Illustrator depending on the task given to me.

For website design, I just use Fireworks and Dreamweaver, Flash. Also it depends on the task ahead. Sometimes I just use Photoshop instead of Fireworks.

[BA]What do you use more? Fireworks or Photoshop? Do you find any more suitable only for a particular or specific purpose?

Well you see people don’t really understand their software. Fireworks is really meant to be use for WEB. It all boils down to your ability using it. All those stuff you see that people do using Photoshop on the web can also be achievable using fireworks as I said earlier on, it all boils down to your capability of the software. You need to study the software very very well before jumping into another software.

Photoshop is pretty good for PRINT JOBS and photo enhancement but also It can also be use for the web but the layers is not helping matters..

[BA]How long have you been doing graphics design or any form of design jobs ??

Well in music, you will find people saying I started as professional singer some years back lol but in my case 7 years now , but I started as commercial designer earning good bucks 4years ago.

[BA]Can you give some examples of things or products you have designed or you have been a part of the design team.(screen shots if offline)

I can’t start mentioning because i have hundreds of them but I can say am part of the success of some interesting design both offline and online. Below are just 4 out of hundreds I can remember lol. If you want some creative design you can email me at info@ucheugo.net I can zip them for you from Art directions, to still design, to motion design jobs.

SMS NAIJA (http://www.smsnaija.com/): I did their interface design and the programming was handled by the team.

NAIJA BORN (http://www.naijaborn.com/): I was actually honored to be their associate interface designer. After d mock-up of the Naija Born T-shirt, I got a lot of buzz! On the shirt and my phone keeps ringing for enquiries.

THE NEXT MOVIE STAR AFRICA (http://www.thenextmoviestarafrica.tv/): This is a Reality TV Show that depends on me for most of their branding jobs and website.

Excite OnTV (http://www.excitetv.tv): handle some branding design and working on their website.

[BA]Are you more into web design, print, branding or Multimedia design(adverts, TV, Music videos, commercials)?

Well am more into anything that has to do with Design and Music but my Specialty is Branding, Advertising, Print, Web Design.

[BA]How often do you apply the color theory

Everyday, because I am really meticulous about it.. clients don’t want see how much noise you can make on their brand but how good you can interpret their brand colours to their creative jobs. And that has really affected the way I dress lol, because when I wear black, i wear sneakers black, sunshades black to compliment my dressing I don’t wear colouriot that’s the popular saying in Nigeria when you wear off colour dressing.

[BA]How much do you consider usability principles in your work.

Well it’s very useful, when am working on a web job for instance, I make sure its load faster because in Nigeria we still have poor ISP around and client might get frustrated waiting for web to do download.

[BA]How is aesthetics important to your work

100% important

[BA]Do you consider accessibility as a strong influence in your designs ?

Well it’s very useful, when am working on a web job for instance, I make sure its load faster because in Nigeria we still have poor ISP around and client might get frustrated waiting for web to do download.

[BA]Do you believe in KISS(Keep It Simple….) best practise and LESS IS MORE when you do your designs ?

I don’t make too much noise.. what is the essence? When u make noise and your job is kinda clumsy ? I make noise with my simple design and clients never complain about it.. so I believe in keep it simple

[BA]Do you use more of CSS or you just slice and dice from photoshop or fireworks into dreamweaver ???

I use both of them. Depending on the job

[BA]Do you use any web design (html+css) frameworks like YAML(http://builder.yaml.de/) and the others out there

It’s just like asking me if I get Pre-made template out there.. well Capital N.O I build design from scrash.

[BA]Do you find these css+html frameworks helpfull in your work if so how?

Yah they make my work easier and they load faster on the internet.

[BA]Do you work in a team environment if so what tools do you use for collaboration (eg collabtive, unfuddle, basecamp)

We use Adobe Tools.

[BA]How important are deadlines in your work?

100% important.

[BA]Are you into outsourcing and do you think it will help enrich and empower Africans

Well I believe in outsourcing because one person can’t do the job alone.. but in Nigeria you find the stingy ones who believe they can handles everything from Video, Web, Advertising, Multimedia, e.t.c

For instance I can do some fantastic drawings but I just outsource it to someone else and concentrate on other things.

[BA]Which do you prefer more: photoshop, fireworks, GIMP or ????

Photoshop and Fireworks

[BA]What do you think about open source vs proprietory software packages.

Open source are the best software that has ever happen to me.

[BA]what are some of the challenges you face as a Graphics designer in Africa?

A lot of challenges, when someone condemn your job, making you feel useless, inferior..

Another one is that people don’t really appreciate what we do well. And beside we don’t have a body that governs us in Nigeria… Over there in US, they have an association for graphic designers, website designer. And also Copyright is not really helping matters at all. Someone can just jack-up your designs and tweak it and he/she doesn’t gives you credit.

[BA]What do you think could be done to get rid of these challenges ?

I think when we have an association and people who don’t just feel that the graphic industry is just for making money, but having passion for it… Some people just design for the money and no passion.

[BA]What word do you have for other aspiring Graphics designers in Africa ?

They should be focused and be the best they can be, because if you are good, money will look for you.

[BA]How can people interested in working with you get to contact you ?

I can be contacted via email: info@ucheugo.net my face book is: UCHE UGO

And also I can be followed on twitter:  http://twitter.com/ucheugo

[BA]Thanks for your time and please give us some closing words

I’m very honored to have you guys, you guys are the best, and great work!

On behalf of the Black Amphi Team, I will like to thank Ucheugo very much for honoring us with this interview.

Letting the cat out of the bag, our next guest here will be Minang Suh Franklin, from within the four walls of the AfroVisioN Group Lab.

Popularity: 2% [?]

You are invited to Join the Discussion

This post has 12 comments already, CLICK HERE TO POST A COMMENT