The largest population is most definitely nearby countries like Vietnam, and Korea. I hope the next gokunming update has threaded forums... definitely needs it.

Windows 7 Professional has a built-in XP emulator. If you don't want to buy Professional you can just run VirtualBox, or do a dual boot install of Windows XP and 7.

I've never seen a computer sold in Kunming with a legal English copy of Windows 7. Your best bet would be to call Dell China, Lenovo, Samsung, or whoever and order it directly. You can also purchase Windows 7 online at Microsoft's website and download it from there.

If you really want to be geeky you can buy an Apple computer, install Windows 7 and Linux using boot camp... yeah. Then when you hear a bunch of geeks arguing about Windows 7, Linux, and OS X you can just say.. who gives a shit mate? I can run all 3... even Apple computers are relatively cheap these days :P

Also Apple no longer manufactures computers(not that they ever have for a long long time), but since they switched to Intel CPUs the components in Apple computers and "PC" computers are nearly the same. In fact it's not too hard to install OS X on a non-apple computer.

The only thing people generally have problems with these days are graphics card drivers if they play the latest games, and shitty software "PC" brands(*stares at Dell*) pre-load on their computer to make a quick buck.

Here's a tour guide that I know of in Lijiang that could help. I lived in Lijiang for 2 years, but honestly except for Tiger Leaping Gorge there wasn't any other place that I felt was all that great. One night at the old town, one day or two at Tiger Leaping Gorge, and a day at Shangrila should be more than plenty for 3 days. The old town looks best at sunset when they turn on all the lanterns.

business1969@126.com
Phone: 13769003345

Saying goodbye to google.cn seems likely, but there will always be google.com, google.hk or whatever. The difference is it will be slower and you will be mysteriously blocked more often. In the end there is always VPN or similar proxy services. They can't effectively block all VPN without blocking banking and commercial access, unless they somehow convince banks and businesses to do away with encrypted connections... hah

I think one also must make a distinction between what their program actually is. Many so-called "college/school" programs are nothing more than the school giving the teacher a worthless textbook and telling them to teach. Many English schools are often run this way too, except many times they don't even provide a textbook for the foreign teacher.