Latest posts by GV Contributor

Nicaragua: Experiences of Online Citizen Participation

  9 April 2011

The web in Nicaragua is increasingly active, with projects for social events or small businesses finding niche markets to serve online. In order to learn a little more about these practices, Rodrigo Peñalba presents five videos considering the topics of tourism and the web, the social integration of migrants and people with limited resources, gender and sexual diversity and initiatives from the free software community in Nicaragua.

Nicaragua-Costa Rica Conflict, Revisited: Part II

  13 December 2010

This is the second part of a walk-through of the Nicaraguan and Costa Rican blogospheres discussing the recent border dispute between the countries. The conflict, which started November 2nd, has become more complex. In this second part, we cover three parts of the crisis: Nationalism in the media, "the X word", and self-assessment and analysis from Nicaragua.

The Nicaragua-Costa Rica Conflict, Revisited: Part I

  17 November 2010

In a prior post, Global Voices began to cover a border dispute between Nicaragua and Costa Rica. The situation has become more complex. In this first part we review two moments of this crisis as seen from Nicaraguan and Costa Rican blogs: "Google's error", and the role of Edén Pastora, the presidential delegate for the dredging of the Rio San Juan, as a main character in the conflict.

Nicaragua: 2.0 Meeting of Blogs and New Media in Managua

  31 July 2010

On August 12 and 13 the event 2.0 Meeting of Blogs and New Media (2.0 Encuentro de Blogs & Nuevos Medios) will take place in Managua, with the participation of communication and new media experts from various countries in the region, including some Global Voices authors.

Nicaragua: Refusal of Entry to Club and Allegations of Racism

  3 April 2009

An Afro-Nicaraguan woman was denied entry at a nightclub in the capital city of Managua. The club states that she was not allowed to enter because of their right to refuse admission, but she alleges racism. Bloggers reflect on the case and about the presence of racism and discrimination in the country, but others think that it was an isolated incident and just part of the nightclub scene where bouncers decide who enters based on how one is dressed and other arbitrary reasons.

Nicaragua: Open Source Software in Public Institutions

  18 July 2008

A local Nicaraguan blogger has been working with public institutions in the city of Jalapa to take full advantage of open source software. Some of the projects involve the digitalization of public records and cashier counters that use Linux-based computers.

Nicaragua: A New Telecom Monopoly

  10 July 2008

Carlos Slim, the wealthiest man alive, bought the biggest suscription TV provider in Nicaragua. That company, ESTESA, was already a de facto monopoly in its market, and now is part of the telecom empire Slim has built in Nicaragua and includes wireless, conventional phone lines, and broadband internet service. However, service is also being seen to suffer as noted by local bloggers.

Nicaragua: Protesters Pay Visit to Former President

  8 July 2008

Protestors in Nicaragua often gather to pay personal "visits" to well-known politicians, including a recent surprise encounter with former president Arnoldo Alemán, who had been convicted of corruption charges and had been dining with his family at a local restaurant. One local blogger documented these encounters on his blog and Flickr page.

Nicaragua: Twittnic and the Expanding Blogosphere

  6 June 2008

New additions to the Nicaraguan blogosphere have recently emerged and have added to the conversation within the country. Others from the Nicaraguan Twitter community have come together to create a site dedicated to this phenomenon. The result is called Twittnic, a new project created and maintained by four local users of Twitter.

Nicaragua: Software Freedom Day Group Wins Award

  18 November 2007

Organizers of the Software Freedom Day in Managua, Nicaragua received some good news. Their event is similar to other events held around the world designed to introduce and discuss the use of Free and Open Source software. They were one of the top three places worldwide to receive a recognition for their collaborative work from the Software Freedom Day organization and the activists hope to continue the activities in Nicaragua.

Nicaragua: Back to Plaza de la Revolución, Again.

  14 June 2007

During recent changes in power, the ruling party often sought to cover or erase signs of the previous regimes. This included the removal of murals or renaming of famous plazas. In this case, the current Sandanista government continues the trend by renaming the main plaza back to Revolution Plaza, which is what it was called during the FSLN's first administration.

Nicaragua: Where's the Blogosphere?

  4 June 2007

Upon first glance, it may not appear that Nicaragua has a thriving blogosphere. However, as one digs deeper and looks across borders, there is proof that Nicaraguans in the disapora are blogging, which has allowed themselves to feel closer to their homeland.

Nicaragua: Open Source Software, Machisimo in the Park, and an Immigration Rally

  9 May 2007

Members of the Ubuntu Group in Nicaragua recently provided a free interactive workshop on the use of open source software. Even though the event did not touch on all of the subjects that it could have, many applauded the effort as the first of its kind in Nicaragua. Other blogs discussed shameful machisimo attitudes, the use of bio-fuels, and a firsthand account of an immigration rally in the United States, where the police used excessive force.

Nicaragua: Justice Crosses Borders With Social Media

  10 April 2007

This, beyond the verity of facts, or the innocence of the involved parties, is a battle of Nicaragua's traditional media (La Prensa, El Nuevo Diario, and TV news programs), against the social media pressure of the blogosphere, a new medium of journalism and collective information based on social relations made over the internet.