Puerto Rican blogger, entrepreneur, and designer. Co-Founder of EyeTour.com, an award-winning online video guide to Puerto Rico's greatest attractions; Editor of PuertoRicoIndie.com, a blog championing independent thought, artistic integrity, and creative vision; iPhone app developer; member of #EnProfundo podcast.
Latest posts by Alfredo Richner
Puerto Rican Tech Startup ‘Blimp’ is Changing the Project Management Game
Blimp, a new and surprising contender in the highly contested software niche of project management, is winning over a loyal group of supporters with its openess and accessibility towards its clients. Alfredo Richner spoke with one of Blimp's founders about the startup, working in Puerto Rico, and keeping the company free of outside financing.
A Puerto Rican Musician Follows His Muse to Instagram
Fernando Samalot is, among other things, a gifted musician from Puerto Rico's independent music scene, known for his participation in the experimental group tachdé. Through his Instagram profile, Fernando began exploring his passion for photography while sharing the results -a collection of genuinely inspiring photos, filled with adventure, spirituality, and plenty of heart- with the rest of the world.
Puerto Rico: Another Way to Look Up
Puerto Rican street artist and photographer Enrique Arce, known as Aslan, has been posting photographs of airplanes on his Instagram account for over six months now as part of his "#parriba" (upwards) series. Global Voices author Alfredo Richner presents his favorite #parriba airplane photographs.
Puerto Rico: Journalism Called Into Question
Former President of the Association of Puerto Rican Journalists (ASPPRO), Wilda Rodríguez, wrote a scathing column [es] on the current state of journalism in Puerto Rico for local blog 80grados.net. In it, she asks for what she refers to as “simply the basics”: journalism that is informed, honest, and sensible,...
Puerto Rico: In Conversation with Calle 13's “Residente” René Pérez
It's hard to imagine anyone betting on Calle 13‘s success back in 2005, as the popular Puerto Rican group prepared to release their eponymous debut. Back then, reggaeton was still very much the rage on – and off – the island, and René Pérez Joglar (“Residente” – the group's lyricist...
Puerto Rico: Blogger's Book Doesn't Shy Away From a Good Brawl
"Reyerta TV" (Brawl TV) is a short story collection written by Puerto Rican writer and blogger Juanluis Ramos. It is a wonderful collection of grainy, technicolored, pop-culture inspired windows into fully realized worlds that revel in television's classic tropes.
Puerto Rico: It's a Bird… It's a Plane… It's Aslan!
Aslan is one of Puerto Rico's most innovative street artists. Using an iPhone and the photo application Instagram, his series of airplane photographs, #parriba (upwards), is perhaps his most ambitious & engaging project yet.
Puerto Rico: Concerns About Wind Energy Proposal
“Don Quijote felt he needed to defend himself from giants. I need to protect my family from these giants that are being installed in a densely populated area. Not only are they feet away from [our] homes but they are in fertile grounds used for agriculture,” wrote Puerto Rican blogger...
Puerto Rico: Student Detained After Performance Deemed “Indecent”
Charlene Jane González de Jesús, a student at the University of Puerto Rico, was detained by state police last Thursday, April 19 at the institution's Río Piedras campus after taking her top off in public as part of a performance art piece in protest of gender inequality. The case has ignited intense debate on blogs and social media networks.
Puerto Rico: Journalist Adds Volume to His Voice on Twitter
One of Puerto Rico's most well-known journalist, Rafael Lenín López, has made his career on local television and radio news programming. Rafael has also become an important voice on the Internet using social media in innovative ways to communicate with his audience and amplify his journalistic coverage.
Puerto Rico: Calle 13 Reach New Heights with Music Video
With more than two million views since being uploaded to Youtube a week ago, Calle 13's new video "Latinoamérica" has found widespread acclaim online and around the world. The video captures the diversity and resistance of Latin America and its people.
Puerto Rico: Tuning In to a New Voice For Political Satire
En Serio is a new political satire program broadcast on TV and through the web. It’s inspired mainly by successful American political satire shows, and the team of hosts and producers have adapted those influences for a young Puerto Rican audience.
Puerto Rico: Resident Sends Message to Mayor Through Blog
A polarizing figure in Puerto Rican politics, Jorge Santini is currently serving his third term as Mayor of San Juan. Blogger Giancarlo González - born and raised in the capital city San Juan, and currently residing in the historic district of Old San Juan, runs JorgeSantini.com, dedicated to improving the life of sanjuaneros by reporting on the particular issues that affect him and his neighbors, as well as those who visit the district.
Puerto Rico: Uproar Over Blogger's Story
An anonymous blogger's post narrating how she was insulted by a public official spread through the Puerto Rican blogosphere and social media, and made waves in the mainstream media. The incident has been confirmed. Here is "Yuyu's" story and reactions from netizens.
Puerto Rico: A Student's Life Broadcast Through Youtube
Christian Ortega published the first episode of his regular web series "La Cabeza de Christian" back in the summer of 2009. Through LCC, as it is known for short, Christian generally speaks his mind about Puerto Rican politics, headline news, and his life on the island for seven to nine minutes at a time each week. Alfredo Richner interviews Christian about his online success, Puerto Rico's blogosphere, and the student strike at the University of Puerto Rico, among other topics.
Puerto Rico: Triumph Over Television, The Comedy of Esoez.com
@Nerdote and @Fetoso have developed a loyal following within Puerto Rico's blogosphere, racking up over 800,000 video views on their YouTube channel, and welcoming thousands of visitors a month to their blog Esoez.com. Global Voices interviews the duo about their scathing humor,their character "Fico Fronte," the media and the Puerto Rican blogosphere.
Puerto Rico: A Charming Podcast with Plenty of Bite
The members of the podcast Kitty Kitty Dinosaur come from all walks of life. The team tries to take some time off their busy schedules every two weeks or so to talk about the current media climate and state of affairs in Puerto Rico. Global Voices interviewed them about the Puerto Rican blogosphere, social media networks, online freedom of expression, mainstream media and gender.
Puerto Rico: Tense Prelude to the Student Strike
A 48-hour blockade organized by students from the state-run University of Puerto Rico in protest against a proposed $800 annual fee got off to a tense and violent start early Tuesday morning, as students raising barricades around the Río Piedras campus clashed with private security guards hired by the administration.
Puerto Rico: Artist Collective Paints Pixel By Pixel
The blog UNDOdigital has become a unique space in which digital artists can interact with the broader online community, share their creations, promote their exhibits, and expose their readers to all types of art related news, interviews, and works. Global Voices interviews one of the creators and editor of the website.
Puerto Rico: Indie Rockers Inspired by Internet Culture
Since entering Puerto Rico's buoyant independent music scene in late 2008, Los Niños Estelares have been known for their unique brand of socially-conscious, self-referential folk-pop sing-a-longs both online and off. They share their thoughts with Global Voices about Puerto Rico's online community and the local "memes" created through social services and the blogosphere.
Puerto Rico: Reclaiming Public Space One Song at a Time
Frecuencias Alternas has covered Puerto Rico’s independent music scene for the past decade through its radio show, and more recently, its website. The newest addition to their site is the video series "Música Realenga" – realenga [es] meaning ‘without an owner.’ Each episode introduces the audience to a particular ‘indie’ artist or band through a couple of live performances filmed in public spaces such as parks, plazas, and sidewalks.
Alfredo Richner's space
