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Unblock Google Cache in China
An anonymous reader writes "A new feature in CustomizeGoogle (Firefox extension) modifies the Google Cache urls so that they are no longer blocked by the Chinese firewall. This feature is only available in CustomizeGoogle zh-CN, found here.
This is how it works: All links to Google Cache, from the Google search result, are slightly modified. The Chinese Great Firewall doesn't recognize the new links as Google Cache links, and therefore they are accessible for everyone."
because that will probably give the everpresent "them" the tip the need to block it.
Petyr Rahl
"The Chinese Great Firewall doesn't recognize the new links as Google Cache links"
After this article, I bet the firewall WILL recognize the
new links.
A more useful solution would be one that kills the bastards who ordered and set up the censorship in the first place.
Isn't this just an elaborate game of Catch-Up? Meaning, now that there is a way around the firewall, the Chinese Government will just find the loophole and block it? And then there will be another loophole, and the same pattern of catch-up will continue?
Also, reporting about this kind of ruins the whole Cloak & Dagger feel.
It's an interesting idea... but is slashdot or information the feature itself blocked by their Cisco-backed filter?
but this isn't google doing it.. it is someone else.. if google was doing it i am sure that they would be in very hot water right now over there.
'...if only "Jumping to a Conclusion" was an event in the Olympics.'
You could say that with just about anything:
I wonder how big [INSERT COUNTRY NAME] will have to get before they realize that it's hopeless to control [INSERT ISSUE].
I wonder how big the United States will have to get before they realize that it's hopeless to control marijuana.
I wonder how big the United States will have to get before they realize that it's hopeless to control the world.
Unfortunately, many high-tech companies are all to eager to do business with a regime that has killed 80 million people. Western companies' equipment, software, and expertise are what allow China's 30,000+ full-time internet censors to block this kind of breakthrough soon after they're discovered. They couldn't have built such a system without our help.
"It's funny you should say that, I have a problem with overcensorship, which is a large problem in China"
No, not really. "Overcensorship" inmplies that there is some correct amount of censorship, and while there might be an amount that satisfies you, that amount is purely subjective.
Chinese law, however, is not.
It probably now should read...
therefore they were accessible for everyone
It is called responsibility. I know it can be confusing, but the fact that I can buy baseball bats does not mean I walk around crushing everybodie's head. No need for government nannies.
On se Internetz nobody noes your German.
BUT we need to send repeating signals that information should not be restricted. The reason for that is the unfortunate ability of homo sapiens sapiens to adapt to almost any environment. May this be extreme climate, sparse resources, or supressive political regimes. I bet you that a great majority of Internet surfers in China were probably upset when they first learned about those restrictions - but over time they probably accepted this as 'normal' and happily made due with the information that is presented to them. In some ways we are doing the same here in the U.S. and I make it a point to watch news shows from Europe to counter-balance the often one-sided and myopic reporting I mostly witness on most U.S. news stations/channels.
So, if this can shake up some complacency and re-instill the hunger for freedom to all information, then this is a great little work-around. We all need to get a kick in the keester to sometimes not simply seek a position of maximum comfort and non-conflict. Remember the old expression: If working towards freedom, prepare for war. I'm not quoting this expression to be taken literal here - I'm saying that it's always dangerous to accept the status quo.
Sorry for the rant - I'm getting off the soap box now...
growing US apathy about non-domestic issues
Growing? Do you know how long we ignored various world wars before getting involved? Constant would be a better choice.
Because I don't like encouraging people to break the law.
Legal writ does not equate to morality.
That's a problem for people who ascribe morality to legality. Just because something is legal does not make it moral. Just because something is illegal does not make it immoral. Morality exist apart from law.
Tech, life, family, faith: Give me a visit
Come on.
m0nstr42.blogspot.com
"Forcing American ideals of free speech on foreign countries"? Are you high? They're not "forcing American ideals" on anyone (as if free speech is somehow a product of the eeevil Amerikkka). What they are doing, is aiding and abetting an opressive nation in it's opression.
A lot of Americans are glad that Rosa Parks was willing to break the law.
Slow down, cowboy! It has been 4 hours since you last posted. You must wait another few hours.
Ah, but saying, "I have a problem with encouraging the breaking of a law" implies you have a moral or ethical objection to it. Do you? If one has a moral objection to breaking a law, it is foolish to ignore the morality of that law.
Tech, life, family, faith: Give me a visit
I wonder how big the United States will get before they realize it's hopeless to control rape.
Wow, this is fun!
Hey, [insert country name] is a variable, right? So why didn't you use another country? It wouldn't be because you are a hopeless troll, is it?
Gamingmuseum.com: Give your 3D accelerator a rest.
It is indeed unfortunate that some governments find it necessary to limit access to what amounts to free speech (Classified, Criminal, and other obviously dangerous information not withstanding) and that the same corporations that enable access to this speech are falling over themselves to assist those governments in their repression. The Chinese experience has shown that restricting access to information via technical measures is very effective against the significant majority of their Internet using population. There will always be some savvy people who are able to get through, but we must acknowledge the effectiveness of their filters even though most Slashdoters disagree vehemently with those governments' policies...know your enemy. As for apathy, that is probably the default state for human beings. Consider that even here in the United States people frequently do not exercise their right to vote because they are "too busy" or "it doesn't matter". Apathy does not exist because of repression, although repression probably reinforces it, but rather in spite of it. So would you regard a policy that is, for the most part, extremely effective as hopeless? If we want to discourage the Chinese from perusing a policy of technical repression then we will have find much better ways of degrading the effectiveness of their methods before they will even consider throwing in the towel.
If China wants to block Firefox, go ahead. "The more you tighten your grip..."
On a totally unrelated topic, I think I'll start embedding hidden "Falun Gong" references in all my web pages. I'd like to get blocked, too.
Well, you said you had a "problem" with it - what kind of problem would that be? Usually, when someone says they have a problem with something philosophical, they are referring to a problem that has to do with right and wrong (i.e. I interpretted what you said to be "I have a moral problem with helping others break the law."). Even assigning a judgement to the action (i.e "I have a problem with helping others break the law because I think it is wrong.") ties it in with morals since a moral system is the only system under which you can determine right and wrong.
In short, I don't think GP was off-base in addressing the disambiguation of morality and legality. Which brings me to the next question:
If the connection between legality and morality is "irrelevant", under what reasoning do you have a problem with helping someone break the law? It can't be moral, because you said the connection was irrelevant, and it can't be legal, since Chinese laws don't apply here (in the United States). If they did, then it might be a practical problem, because you don't want to be arrested. =)
"I wonder how big China will have to get before they realize that it's hopeless to control information."
The Chinese government does a pretty good job controlling information, because they have no compunction about imprisoning and killing people who spread information that they don't like.
"I don't think human biology will allow for that apathy about the world though."
You apparently aren't living on planet earth, where nations around the world pitched in to help the United States preemptively attack Iraq based on Iraqi weapons that didn't exist. Or where recent genocide in the Sudan lead to hundreds of thousands of murders because other nations didn't want to deal with diplomatic flack from China, which supplies weapons to both sides in most African conflicts.
Knowing the chinese:
Those responsible have been sacked.
Those responsible for sacking the people who have just been sacked have been sacked.
Those responsible for not sacking everyone who needed to be sacked before this happened have been shot.
"There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy."
I don't think they ban by IP, it's by URL or by hostname. If you want to cut through the red tape, just burn a bunch of CDs with the mirror, fly to China, and start handing them out at internet cafes. The government might even be willing to pick up the cost of your stay.
Shutting down free speech with violence isn't fighting fascism. It IS fascism!