Readings (4th week of March 2010)
Google left China “中国政府表示拒绝政治化的Google，Google拒绝了一个政治化的互联网”
Google published the blog entry “A new approach to China: an update”. Then google.cn are rerouted to Hong Kong domain. After google quits, Wikipedia founder praised Google over China decision and called on other major U.S. companies, including Microsoft and Facebook, to follow. Some domain name registrars stops registering .cn domain names, this comes after the Chinese government has demanded that the registrar provide photo identification, business identification and physically signed registrar for all .cn domains.
Some blog posts in China about Google left China had been either deleted or the site entirely blocked by the Great Fire Wall.
The reactions of Chinese government: China defends censorship, plays down Google harm on US ties.
The Chinese official press: Google breaks promise, totally wrong to stop censoring .
Opinion: Google’s China decision ignores conventional wisdom.
Mean while, a new so called “sacred creature” has been created in the Chinese internet 古鸽, which follows 草泥马.
Apple/Mac
If you’re a firefox user, but envy the elegant and clean interface of safari, you can use this GrApple, which is a firefox extension to make it more “Safari-look”.
If you really need the audio or video chat in MSN and you are using a Mac. Now Microsoft Messenger for Mac 8 beta adds A/V chats.
Personally, I don’t like Apple’s newly introduced iPad. At least there is no use for me. But when will Apple update the MacBook Pros? one MacRumors reader emailed Steve Jobs directly about concerns about how long he’s had to wait for the new MacBook Pro updates. Jobs responded with a short replay that simply said “Not to worry“.
Ubuntu and Open Source
Switched from Ubuntu to Mac some time ago. I still miss a lot of features Ubuntu offer. This looks promising: Hands-on: Ubuntu One music store will rock in Lucid Lynx.
Education
Harvard puts lectures, podcasts and more on iTunes U — I really love iTunes U. Not only Harvard, but many top Universities (e.g. Stanford University) have put their lectures online for FREE!
Other
A Real Boston Duck Tour — This is cute and funny.
Arena Patio Furniture — Would you like to seat on the Bird’s Nest Statium?
PHD Comics: The Box — PhD candidates may found this fun.
Something in China
“通海大地震亲历记” 1970 年云南省通海县发生7.8级大地震，史称“通海大地震”，这是新中国成立以来首次死亡人数超过万人的大地震。“通海大地震”隐匿了三十余年，“云南大旱灾”只隐匿了三个季度，我们的社会在进步么？From Twitter: “RT @王冉: 一个星期前，如果那位云南省委宣传部的明星伍部长利用自己的微博影响力帮助家乡更多的人喝上纯净水，而不是沉浸在与好莱坞合作成一个电影项目的喜悦里，我会更敬重他。//伍皓啊伍皓，你还真是和章子怡有一拼”。
郑渊洁：我从1995年起就不信任疫苗。我小时候好像也打过不少奇怪的疫苗，很庆幸活到了现在。小学的确是一个能捞钱的地方，老师和校方说什么，家长基本上都唯命是从。正像郑昀说得：“生养一个孩子不容易”。
