The Google blog makes a statement about its entry into the Chinese market. It’s very grown up.
Google users in China today struggle with a service that, to be blunt, isn’t very good. Google.com appears to be down around 10% of the time. Even when users can reach it, the website is slow, and sometimes produces results that when clicked on, stall out the user’s browser. Our Google News service is never available; Google Images is accessible only half the time. At Google we work hard to create a great experience for our users, and the level of service we’ve been able to provide in China is not something we’re proud of.
At the end of February we’re off on holiday to the Algarve. Having booked a villa last year we decided to do the same again. The description on the web site sounds rather nice.
‘Quinta do Mangueiral’ is 200m above sea level on a south facing hillside with stunning views of the coastal towns of the Algarve.
Situated in 10 hectares of garden with over 200 tropical plants and trees. There are three lakes and a natural spring fed swimming pool and the water is kept clear by the use of oxygenating plants in a separate section at one end. This secluded residence is well furnished and ideal for nature lovers. Closest beaches are Para and Portimao coast.’
By the way this is the most I saw of San Francisco.
Here’s a pic of the London whale as it went steaming past our flat on the Thames. There were a number of people out watching from the banks and on their balconies. I think there were more people out than I’ve seen for anything else. But then again only the HMS Ark Royal had a police escort and even then they didn’t have blanket TV coverage from Sky News and BBC News 24.
