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Speaking of versus...

This looks like a professional heavyweight cousin of Left-Right.us, a relatively simple Google hack I posted some weeks back. Very cool.

(though I still like seeing the results side-by-side.)

Yes and no. I value restricted search engines when I know I want to focus more on something and I generally understand the parameters of the search engine. E.g. if you want politically-filtered Google results, try Left-Right, which I developed recently as a personal tool. But I'm clear about the sources so you can decide for yourself if it is useful to you.

Additionally: if people refuse to use mainstream search engines, and avoid the Internet as a result... and then one of these religiously-topical search engines gets them back online... I sincerely hope that they will stumble across Google or other sources in their online searching. In terms of cyberspace, these people were shut-ins, but now at least they're getting outside to go to church. Maybe they'll notice that nice restaurant or bookshop on the way, or something else of interest.

Yes and no. I value restricted search engines when I know I want to focus more on something and I generally understand the parameters of the search engine. E.g. if you want politically-filtered Google results, try Left-Right, which I developed recently as a personal tool. But I'm clear about the sources so you can decide for yourself if it is useful to you.

Additionally: if people refuse to use mainstream search engines, and avoid the Internet as a result... and then one of these religiously-topical search engines gets them back online... I sincerely hope that they will stumble across Google or other sources in their online searching. In terms of cyberspace, these people were shut-ins, but now at least they're getting outside to go to church. Maybe they'll notice that nice restaurant or bookshop on the way, or something else of interest.

Media Matters is a media watchdog that is certainly politically motivated but frequently includes actual facts in their analysis. So it's a valid reference, and we can hope that readers will be intelligent enough to make up their own minds. I'll be nonpartisan and note that Newsbusters does the same thing, just from the other end of America's political spectrum.

Given the possible political angle, it is interesting to see what the different sides are saying about Righthaven.

Well, while we are at it... link.

Just visit the google.cn page will ya? The whole thing's a bit button that takes you to an uncensored site.

Seriously. It's not even hidden: it says "google.com.hk" in enormous letters right on it. The only other links go to the music, translation, and product links.

But, this is Slashdot, where it is rare to RTFA or, heaven forbid, try to experience the thing.

Aside: it's kind of funny to read the various headlines about this. Some say that China "approved" the Google request; others say China "compromised"; others say the two "make nice" with each other; others call it a "miracle"; still others say Google blew it. A crazy range of opinion there.