Flags

And now? A Japanese flag.
And I am still in Xi'an, China.
There is a simple explanation which I will reveal on my return to Australia on 18th Sept.;)
 
And now? A Japanese flag.
And I am still in Xi'an, China.
There is a simple explanation which I will reveal on my return to Australia on 18th Sept.;)
Having just spent the best part of yesterday and today flying from Xi,an via Shanghai and Sydney to Melbourne I can reveal that the reason my flag changed from China to USA and then to Japan was because I was using a VPN (virtual private network) to access the web in China. Using VPN means you can select the host country based on their level of traffic - ie use USA when they are asleep - to get the fastest possible web service. Using VPN also means that sites blocked by the authorities (and there are many) in China can be accessed - eg Facebook and Google.
My Chinese friends who helped me access the VPN were quick to point out not to search for what might be considered by the Chinese authorities radical sites.
My flag has now changed back to Australia..........
 
VPN can be very useful for all the reasons mentioned. It can have drawbacks, for instance if you live in the UK and put you location, using VPN, in another continent then Amazon will politely tell you that the product you want cannot be delivered there. :D
 
VPN can be very useful for all the reasons mentioned. It can have drawbacks, for instance if you live in the UK and put you location, using VPN, in another continent then Amazon will politely tell you that the product you want cannot be delivered there. :D
Well, now that I am home, I will have no need for VPN's. Also, I can get back to train modelling/hobby activities.
 
I thought VPNs were also usefull for viewing material - like YouTube videos and films - that may be blocked in some countries due to copyright and royalty issues?
 
I thought VPNs were also usefull for viewing material - like YouTube videos and films - that may be blocked in some countries due to copyright and royalty issues?

Yes, though there main use is to provide a secure route into a company network from a remote (small) office, or from individuals' PC's at home..
 
YAAAAAY!!! - my flag has finally reverted to the Union one - I won't change my sig. line just yet though, in case it's not permenantly fixed ..... :wondering:

PS - to our American friends - it's not the flag that's annoying - I :h: America, especially your railroads! - it's just when the flag appears in the wrong place .... :)
 
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As has been explained before - It is not broken.
As has been explained before - it is your ISP that is in the USA.
So you can fix it yourself if it annoys you that much..
 
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