VAF viewing woes from China

Mike D · #1 06-14-2010, 07:57 PM

Not that there is anything we can do about this, but more of an FYI with the hope that there is one of our Asia based brothers that may have found a work around.

When in China, I cannot view anything posted to Youtube, Picassa, or similar other picture hosting sites. Darn Chinese firewall. Somehow it thinks our plane pictures are pornographic or not for China viewing consumption.

Kinda sucks cause when I miss something as good as the Pecan Plantation gathering, I want to at least see the pictures. Or maybe that is just torturing myself.

mculver · #2 06-15-2010, 07:36 AM

If you're there on business, usually just VPN into the corporate network. Then you are suddenly "based" in the US and good to go.

Unless the corporate gods have an anti-everything-relevant-and-fun policy...

Snowflake · #3 06-15-2010, 07:38 AM

When I was in China a few years ago I used the corporate VPN thing too. And I used TOR for browsing that I wanted to do "off-the-grid".

WAM120RV · #4 06-15-2010, 07:42 AM

Hi

It depends where you are in China, In Beijing and the bigger cities ita a no go.

In Sanya in the south I was able to access these sites. It sounds like the guys have given you a good way round it.

Jamie · #5 06-15-2010, 07:53 AM

You guys need to get nerdy and learn how to set up SSH and a SOCKS5 proxy at your house. It will then allow you to surf the Internet from anywhere in the world just like you're sitting at your house -- no corporate overlords to please. It's a good idea to do this anyway when you're using Wifi at an Internet cafe, etc. SOCKS communications is encrypted and keeps others on the Wifi network from seeing what you're doing.

I use Linux (yes, even on my laptop) to do this but you can set up a SOCK5 proxy with Putty on Windows as well.

Phil · #6 06-15-2010, 08:01 AM

Mike,

Welcome to the Chinese government. Sara and I host Chinese Exchange students and it is a real challenge for us to keep in touch. Nearly all of the social networking sites are blocked by the state.

We've tried sending videos and photos of the new baby, but the kids can never access them because of they are blocked. Sad.

You would think e-mail would be pretty easy too, but that doesn't workout in many situations either.

Phil

PS: When are you headed to China? Are you around for the 4th of July? Sara and I are working on a get out of town trip. I can send you the details.

Mike D · #7 06-15-2010, 08:11 AM

Thanks for all the replies. Good stuff.
I can?t get too nerdy due to time constraints. But seems like the VPN sort of works. Unfortunately it logs me into our China office.

Hi Phil. I am here now. I will head home on the 23rd. Can?t wait to get back home and some RV?ing. We are hoping to fly to my sisters on the 4th weekend. But I hope to get together soon.