Stories about Technology from December, 2011
Russia: Alexey Navalny Released From Jail
“Everyone's waiting for Navalny ) 5 more minutes! pic.twitter.com/3BRHiuGa,” tweeted [ru] @varlamov a short while ago, posting a picture of the crowd waiting outside a Moscow prison for activist Alexey Navalny‘s release. @plushev tweeted [ru]: “Absolutely fantastic numbers. In the middle of the night, some 5,000 people are viewing [the...
Arab World: Global Voices Bridges on Twitter
As a part of our end-of-year coverage we in the Middle East and North Africa region look back at some of the major events we covered during 2011. The following post highlights the role of the Global Voices Online community in spreading information on Twitter during the Tunisian and Egyptian revolutions.
Responses to the Death of North Korean Dictator, Kim Jong-il
Since North Korean dictator, Kim Jong-il's death on December 17 from a heart attack, the South Korean Twittersphere has lit up with numerous responses to the news. Lee Yoo Eun reports.
India: The INK Conference Concludes
The second INK (Innovation and Knowledge) conference was held during 8-12 December in Jaipur, India. BlogAdda posts a detailed roundup of the conference.
Vietnam: What’s New at Barcamp Saigon?
More than 550 people registered and participated in the fifth Barcamp Saigon last week in RMIT International University, Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. The attendance surpassed the record number of participants in the last Barcamp Saigon which was held just five months ago.
Live Stream of North Korean State TV is Down
The North Korea Tech blog reports the live stream of KCTV, North Korea's state television, has halted due to heavy web traffic.The blogger adds that his last week’s report on the live streaming service has brought the issue to the attention of the media.
Kyrgyzstan: “There Will Be No Winter”
Governments fall, parliamentary speakers come and go, and as one season fades another always begins. That, at least, was what Kyrgyz Internet users thought prior to former presidential candidate Arstanbek Abdylayev’s startling announcement that “there will be no winter”.
Haiti: Housing Still a Problem
“While over one million refugees suffered under tents following the January 12, 2010, earthquake, 128 newly constructed homes, finished in May, 2010, sat empty for 15 months,” reports Haiti Grassroots Watch, adding: “Today, the majority of these ‘social housing’ units are occupied, but mostly by illegal squatters…”
Brazil: “A new era of political activism?”
Global Voices author from Brazil, Raphael Tsavkko writes about A new era of political activism for the ESPAS Conference on ‘Global Trends 2030′, organized by the EU Institute for Security Studies (EUISS).
USA: Has NASA Discovered a Life-Friendly Planet?
NASA has announced the Kepler Space Telescope discovery of Kepler-22b, a planet within the right distance of its star for potentially having a habitable temperature. Science bloggers have reacted to the news with analysis and theories of their own.
How big is China’s social media and digital market?
The Ministry of Tofu picks up the infographic from a social media consultancy, We Are Social, to indicate the social media market in China.
Armenia: More Online Diplomacy
Following the recent Question & Answer session on Twitter with the UK's new Ambassador to Azerbaijan, his outgoing counterpart in neighboring Armenia, Charles Lonsdale, is due to answer questions on Facebook on Friday 16th December.
Slovakia: The Most Expensive Apple Computers
University of Economics in Bratislava (EUBA) has recently signed a contract to acquire electronics and software for its Faculty of National Economy for a total price of over 1.8 million euro. Many of the items are overpriced. Tibor Blazko reports.
Argentina: Justice System Orders Blockage of Series and Film Site Cuevana.tv
Few Argentinian websites have achieved the same success and impact as Cuevana, the Argentinian site for watching films and TV series online. The great popularity of the site, however, has also meant that it has been presented with lawsuits from the organisations that own the copyrights to the content shown on the site: Turner Argentina and HBO.
Russia: Gregory Shvedov on Braving the Putin Regime Online
The wave of popular, peaceful and nationwide protests in Russia has spread hopes of piecemeal reform. Gregory Shvedov, who heads the online news agency Caucasian Knot, is optimistic—but state pressure on his organization is far from easing.
Uzbekistan: Prime-minister's page on Facebook is also fake
Tomyris writes about a fuss around Facebook account of the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan that gave rise to political speculations among the observers. The page has proved to be not authentic though.
Uzbekistan: Forged Facebook story about post-interrogation suicide
Sarah Kendzior reports about the story of Gulsumoy Abdujalilova, an invented person with fake Facebook profile, who allegedly committed suicide after being interrogated by the Uzbek police.
Colombia: Professor's Resignation Sparks Debate on Writing
Colombian journalist and university professor Camilo Jiménez sparked an international debate on writing in the digital age, Colombia's higher education system and other related issues after he posted an entry in his blog explaining why he resigned from teaching an editing class after nine years.
Greece: TEDxAthens, The Art of Disruption
On Saturday 3 December, TEDxAthens 2011 took place in the Cultural Center of the Hellenic World; a 12 hour long, 23 speech marathon, it was organized and supported by 38 volunteers. This year's theme was 'The Art of Disruption'.
Puerto Rico: The Success of TEDx San Juan
Gil the Jenius had his reservations about TEDx San Juan, but is pleased to report that it was “a rousing success.” Dondequiera adds that it was a day “of wonderful stories, passionately told.”
Caucasus: Frozen Conflicts, Forgotten Lives?
Marginalized by society and deprived of a voice by the mainstream media, can new media offer an alternative to refugees and IDPs in the South Caucasus?
