Since it is easy to identify web users living in China, its possible to tailor web pages for that subset of users. Why not work out a way to insert modify web pages that are sent to China so that a header is inserted containing opinions from people in China?
Such a header could use AJAX, which allows contact with a server, so opinions could be refreshed and folks from China can submit opinions. SSL encryption would be nice too.
If enough web sites adopted such a scheme, it would be very difficult for the Chinese authorities to block them all without a big negative impact on access to valuable information. And some of them would always get through.
Of course, the problem is that each site has to go to the expense of doing this and that is probably why it won't happen.
Googling this topic, I see there's already a lot of thinking being done about various approaches.
Saturday, March 11, 2006
Monday, March 06, 2006
Arnold wants to put you deep in debt -
According to http://www.brillig.com/debt_clock/, each citizen's share of the US national debt is $27,703.
Now Arnold wants California taxpayers to approve the borrowing of $222 billion, which is $6,554 for every one of California's 33,871,648 residents. That's one third of California's share of the national debt on one ballot initiative. Somehow I do not think it will pass.
I'm so glad the Republicans have given up on that whole smaller government idea. I guess if you can't get your idea of reform through, you open the flood gates of government spending and hope that gets you re-elected.
Now Arnold wants California taxpayers to approve the borrowing of $222 billion, which is $6,554 for every one of California's 33,871,648 residents. That's one third of California's share of the national debt on one ballot initiative. Somehow I do not think it will pass.
I'm so glad the Republicans have given up on that whole smaller government idea. I guess if you can't get your idea of reform through, you open the flood gates of government spending and hope that gets you re-elected.
Thursday, March 02, 2006
Blocking Cell Phone Signals
Newsday article about paint that can block cell phone signals. Note how the Wireless Association spokesman is opposed to the idea.
He does make some valid points. Doctors will not get emergency calls. But people do have the right to control their own property.
I think the thing to do is enhance cell phones so that they recognize where they are and what rules the property owner wants respected.
GPS is being added to phones anyway. The company could look up the rules before ringing the phone and, if the rules prohibit all non-emergency calls, ask the caller if it is an emergency. That would cut down on the number of calls. The property owner could register the rules with the county which keeps track of who owns what land.
He does make some valid points. Doctors will not get emergency calls. But people do have the right to control their own property.
I think the thing to do is enhance cell phones so that they recognize where they are and what rules the property owner wants respected.
GPS is being added to phones anyway. The company could look up the rules before ringing the phone and, if the rules prohibit all non-emergency calls, ask the caller if it is an emergency. That would cut down on the number of calls. The property owner could register the rules with the county which keeps track of who owns what land.