Compiling various stories about Google's exit of China (cont.)

• Google and China: Silicon Valley Is No Longer King
• Analysis on why internet companies having troubles surviving in China

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Compiling various stories about Google's exit of China

Various stories/rumors on why Google leaves China.

• "Official" message from Google Blog:
  
• It is mainly about censorship and internet attacks; 
• theft of intellectual property from Google
• gmail accounts of "human rights activists".
  
• Microsoft claims attacks happen everyday and no plan to quit.
  
• Interesting fact: a vulnerability in Internet Explorer was used in the attack
  
• Who's email account was attacked?
• Seems to be a Stanford student and Tibetan activist, "the Indian-born daughter of Tibetan refugees".
  
• Some old news (1, 2) on Google's conforming local laws
• Seems sometimes it is difficult to draw the line between evil or not
  
• CCP spies stole Gmail source code? The original website has been shutdown, but there may be forwarded posts such as here or here.
  
• a guy took Gmail's core source code and disappeared?
  
• Singapore newspaper: it's not about politics or conscience.
• Most western internet companies failed in China, and Google's no exception. So what should it tell its investors?
  
• Censorship existed before Google entered Chinese market.

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Nobel peace prize?

It's almost always been controversial. But this year it's really a joke. Well, I guess US presidents are automatically qualified, b/c they control the biggest arsenal in the world... and their doing nothing should be appreciated -- considering the damage to peace they could have done otherwise :)

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2008广州毽王争霸赛

见大洋网消息。要是我在广州也可以去试试单踢。当年在学校踢过2分钟比赛，当时有限高（触毽时不能低于膝盖），所以大概成绩只有两百多。目前大赛第一名是1分钟157次。

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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Testimonial

Ole made his last appearance as a player today at Old Trafford. During his career in Manchester United, the Norwegian scored 126 goals, including the gorgeous last-minute winner in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich in 1999.

He is such a great finisher that he would have been a starter in any top football club. Yet he chose to stay with the Red Devils and became a "super-sub" -- he would probably be best remembered for coming into matches late as a substitute and scoring goals. But he also showed his versatility when he replaced David Beckham as a starting right midfielder, after the latter joined Real Madrid. He played so well until injures took him out of the squad. He tried to come back and even scored again, but after several surgeries he could not fully recover and eventually decided to retire.


Fans love him for his efficiency and loyalty. They sing songs such as "You are my Solskjaer". As he wore number 20 for United, fans have made banner reading: "20LEGEND".

And yes, he is a legend.

Farewell, Ole Gunnar Solskjær.

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FW: a pledge letter to send to your American friends

An alumni forwarded this letter written by a local American friend, Steve McIntosh, a residence of Westford.

 

 

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We still feel deep pain for the children, spouses and friends of the 3,000 people who died in the World Trade Center disaster.

This week, the children, wives, husbands, parents and friends of nearly 50,000 killed, buried or missing victims of the Sechuan, China, earthquake were thrust deeply into the same world of pain. Children went to school like every other day and in seconds lost their home and their parents. Parents went to work and in seconds lost their beloved children under the tons of concrete of collapsed schools.

As NPR reports, one mother will have to find a way to live on with the last words of her son ringing in her ears: "Mommy, please don't leave me." Rescuers uncovered him from the rubble of his home. He was found curled up, dead, in the frozen embrace of his deceased grandfather's arms.

Like the horror of the World Trade Center on 9/11, this unimaginable tragedy, the death and the pain cannot be reversed.  But you can help. You can give the survivors a helping hand with a donation, a gift that provides food, clothing, bedding, medicine and sanctuary to those suffering the horrendous physical and emotional wounds this earthquake has inflicted. The children, suddenly homeless and alone in a terrifying world, especially need your help. Please give.

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Trapped student called for help after 90 hours of earthquake

The rescue is still on. According to a correspondent at Beichuan Middle School via live broadcast from CCTV4 just now, the voice was heard an hour ago and now PLA and the rescue team are digging the debris to save her. Let's hope she could make it!

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