internet - Brownie points for Google

Well, we had our five-minute moment of indignation after Google decided to join the Chinese censor. Now, with the help of Rebecca, we look for some light in these dark days. Indeed, unlike its competition Google tells the users they are being censored. So, you know you have to look for other ways. As long as they do not push you into localized servers (as they do in other parts of the world) many Chinese users would end up in their global search engine anyway.
It looks like Google is not putting up any content at its China servers that is potentially forcing them into teaming up with China's judicial authorities, like gmail or blogger.com for email and blogging services. That would be an important lesson they learned from Yahoo.
In the end they might have found a typical Chinese compromise. The censors can turn to their bosses and claim another victory over a US company. And the Chinese users have enough possibilities to go around this highly symbolic barrier. But we do have to watch what is really happening.

Update: Bingfeng Teahouse introduces the "Axis of 'minor' evil".