Stories about Costa Rica
Costa Rican Blogger (Almost) Meets Obama
While Laura [Chinchilla] was talking, at one point he [Obama] turned and looked toward my direction. I took the opportunity and put on my best smile and raised my hat as a greeting. With my other hand I was holding his book over my chest. And you know what? He...
President Barack Obama visits Mexico and Costa Rica
U.S. President Barack Obama began his trip through Mexico and Costa Rica with the intention of addressing vitally important themes for the region that include the expansion of commerce and economic and energy cooperation, as well as issues of security, immigration, government and control of illegal drug trafficking.
#FLISOL 2013: Hundreds of Latin Americans Installing Free Software
From the Patagonia to Havana, hundreds of computer users across Latin America are choosing freedom over control by installing free software on their computers. On April 27th, groups of free software enthusiasts will be installing free software in dozens of cities across Latin America as part of FLISOL [es], the...
Developing Latin America: A Summary
Desarrollando América Latina (Developing Latin America) has published a video summary of the regional hackathon DAL 2012, where 400 participants and 70 social experts developed 80 applications. Here [es] you can see Global Voices’ coverage of the event.
Racism in Costa Rican Football
José Medrano in Carepicha Blog [es] speaks out against racism in football games and in society in general. I think that racist insults should be punished with a high fine or with community work, along with the obligation to attend courses where they are taught about history and ethics, everything...
Latin America Turns to iPhone App to Take Hammerhead Sharks Off the Chopping Block
Countries across Latin America are on a mission to get hammerheads onto the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites) list for protection. They’re armed with a new iPhone app that promises to make fin identification quick and easy. Listing the sharks would help fund financially strapped programs in Latin America and restrict global trade.
Costa Rica: Time of the Vanquished
In the post titled “Time of the vanquished” [es], the blog Furia raises profound reflections about what happens when quietness comes. It concludes its reflections by saying: “in order to conquer the silence of the serenity, the vanquished ones invent new ghosts that whisper in their ears. To win, to...
Regional Winners of Developing Latin America 2012
Finally we get to know the regional winners of hackathon Desarrollando América Latina 2012 (Developing Latin America 2012), chosen among 22 applications, in turn, winners of the hackathon in each country.
“Should Women Be Pretty?”
That's the question raised by Nathy2310 from Costa Rica on her blog post “Women, should they be pretty?” and writes [es]: Today I want to tell all those women who criticize other females’ bodies: THAT'S ENOUGH!!! Stop demanding women to have svelte bodies, magazine women bodies, stop watching them with...
Costa Rica: Of Mills and a New Year
There were days when I felt the mill go slowly, too slowly, desperately slowly. Other days, I felt the mill spinning vertiginously, so I couldn't take a breathe and just wanted to get off the mill and run away. Heidy, from Mi mundo mágico (My magic world) draws a parallel...
Access Innovation Prize 2012 Recognizes Costa Rican Facebook App
Access.org announced the winners of the 1st Annual Access Tech Innovation Prize Awards, a new initiative that awards ideas that use information technology to promote human rights and address issues that are important to communities from across the world. Costa Rican Facebook-integrated app FueraJustoOrozco.com ("out Justo Orozco") was announced as one of the winners.
Day 2 of Developing Latin America 2012
Last Sunday December 2 saw the completion of day 2 of the regional hackathon Developing Latin America 2012, organised by the Ciudadano Inteligente Foundation in eight Latin American countries. After 36 hours of intense and continuous work, the teams participating in the various headquarters began the presentations of their projects in order to later find out the jurys' decision. Here we present the winners from the different headquarters.
Winning Applications from Latin America's Biggest Hackathon
Desarrollando America Latina, a kind of World Cup for hackers in Latin America, took place this weekend in 8 countries in South and Central America. When technologists get in the room with open data and a mandate to address social problems, a lot can happen. Here are some of the winning ideas.
Day 1 of Developing Latin America 2012
December 1 saw the start of Developing Latin America 2012 (#DAL2012). The regional hackathon organised by the Ciudadano Inteligente Foundation is being carried out in 8 Latin American countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Mexico, Peru and Uruguay. Here we share some reports from the first day.
Developing Latin America Hackathon Draws Near!
We are only 2 days short of commencing the regional hackathon Developing Latin America 2012. Anca Matioc, who is in charge of organising the event, spoke with us about the preparations. She also answered some questions relating to the development of a hackathon like Developing Latin America.
Ibero-America: Free Software Assessment Report 2012
The recently released Free Software Assessment Report 2012 shows the opinion, assessment and preferences of more than 5,000 people from Spain and Latin America. The study published in its fourth edition is promoted by PortalProgramas and supported by a number of experts and collaborators [es]. The report aims to contribute...
Thousands March Against Repression in Costa Rica
On November 15, thousands of citizens participated in a march in response to the confrontations that occurred during a previous demonstration on November 8. In addition to renewing their protest in defense of the Costa Rican Social Security organization, the protesters also marched on behalf of the non-criminalization of social protest, rejection of political repression, and their objection to the new Cybercrime Law.
An Invitation to Discuss Reforms to Costa Rica's Cybercrime Law
Ticoblogger invites [es] netizens to discuss [es] proposed reforms to Costa Rica's Cybercrime Law. The site calls on bloggers, Twitter users and blog readers to analyze and report any errors in different proposals to reform the law. Participants can leave a comment on the site or send their posts to...
Costa Rica: Protest in Defense of Social Security Ends in Riots
Several groups throughout Costa Rica participated in a demonstration in San José last November 8, 2012, in defense of the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS). The demonstration ended in riots and violence between police and protesters. The police crackdown has sparked outrage among netizens.
Blogging Contest Focuses on Child Development
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has announced its first contest for bloggers, which will focus on issues related to child development.
Costa Rican Bloggers Speak Up for Freedom of Expression
Ticoblogger summarizes [es] the participation of bloggers, journalists, and activists in the forum “Online Anonymity, Pseudonyms and Freedom of Expression” held on Wednesday, October 24, 2012. The post links to presentations by Gustavo Araya [es, pdf], Julio Córdoba [es], and José Medrano [es].
