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Guatemala: Technology and Web Topics in 120 Second Videocast

Categories: Latin America, Guatemala, Arts & Culture, Citizen Media, Humor, Technology
120 seconds logo [1]

120 seconds logo

120 Segundos [2] is one of the newest projects by the Maestros del Web [3] community. The name for the community comes from a literal Spanish translation to the term Webmaster and consists of a technology, programming and design related website  as well as one of the most active Spanish speaking forums [4].  A year ago they started producing video content for the web,  condensing online content to make 120 second information pods in Spanish.

For example this one [5], made back in December, features members of the Foros del [4] Web.  Here, the forum members tell anecdotes, funny and strange stories of things that have happened to them through the forums, for example, a member from Argentina speaks about how he was threatened by a forum user, who would denounce him for spreading viruses unless he helped him out with his problem. Another helpful forum member answered to someone's request for help in designing a logo: he did so, but then the person just changed a color and now it is the company's logo, and no thanks or payment in return. A Spanish member also tells of the risks of participating in the forum: it has made him a halfway willing cheese and ham smuggler.

120 Segundos: algunas anécdotas de Foros del Web [6] from 120 Segundos [7] on Vimeo [8].

This next one [9]is of a more serious nature: in it, Stephanie Falla [10], who hosts the webshow, tells of how the Webmaster for the community, Christian Van Der Henst S [11]. was victim of online identity theft back in February 2009, when someone hacked his website managing accounts, and from there was able to block access to other important sites such as email services and social networks. This is the background used to present some tips on how to protect oneself from such risks: not to access important websites from insecure networks, changing passwords and using good passwords to begin with among other recommendations.

120 Segundos: experimentando el robo de identidad en carne propia [12] from 120 Segundos [7] on Vimeo [8].

This last one [13] focuses on how to work productively from home. It talks about some of the advantages that come from working from home, such as the savings that come from not having to commute, eat out for lunch and not having to purchase clothes specifically for work, but also some of the pitfalls: how the lack of structure could result in low productivity, not leaving time for personal activities unrelated to work and wasting time. Some of the tips include, setting a schedule, using online tools to track assignments and reminders, separating an area at home as an office space where one goes to work, and also making time for oneself: taking care of health such as exercising and eating healthy.

120segundos: trabajar desde casa productivamente [14] from 120 Segundos [7] on Vimeo [8].