On Fri, 24 Sep 2004 09:47:58 -0700, Ray Saintonge <saintonge(a)telus.net> wrote:
Certainly, but dealing with the PRC is dealing with
bureaucracy more
than dealing with "communism". Bureaucrats tend not to consider what
others are doing as part of their job description. They tend to uphold
the law based on their own narrow views of what that law means, and what
they feel will please their superiors.. This results in very
conservative decisions. They would do Dilbert proud.
The present crisis, like the last one of the kind, will probably be
solved by our colleagues in China, who have experience in approaching
Kafka's Castle. Those of us on the outside need to be patient, and
avoid compromising the situation that our colleagues find themselves in.
Ec
You are absolutely right. Sometimes it is not the government's will to
block certain sites: the government usually only give guide lines. It
is in the hands of those bureaucrats who determine the fate of
Wikipedia. In fact I am not so worried if this ban can be lifted, but
rather I am worrying about this kind of periodical blocking might have
adverse effects on the development of Chinese Wikipedia: we will not
be able to sustain our growth for long before another block disrupts.
Every blocking takes at least three months to recover.
So that was the rationale behind my suggestions in June, when we were
first blocked. To take legal actions, or broadcast to worldwide media,
so that the top officials notice us, and might give explicit
instructions not to block Wikipedia. I believe that is what happens to
google few years ago: the top rank governors of the country noticed
the event, and an order was given. However this could be a dangerous
move too: if we really angers someone on top then we will forever be
blocked.
formulax