#Dubai's Alerts Updates Aug 24, 2000, Dubai, U.A.E.

Alert Updates Aug 24, 2000
Press the RELOAD button on your Browser to see the latest Updates. Last updated 30 September 2000

A series of key words are being blocked by EIM if they occur anywhere in a URL you are trying to access. At present the following words are blocked in some way or another: *xxx* penis lesbian *adult* *pussy* whore hardcore Assuming of course some outraged responses, the flak is yet to hit the newspapers. Quite odd, unless people have realized how easy it is to evade this block. Will this kind of absurdity cease?	One way to sometimes get your "legitimate" search through is to enclose the word in "quotes" Another way is to simply, wherever possible - capitalize any letter in the offensive word and the searches will be successful - except it seems when the word is in the Domain part of the URL. In that case do a DNS resolve of the domain name and use the IP URL. In case you have the urge to send an email giving your opinion of this pathetic and absurdly ludicrous method of blocking objectionable sites - these are the people that decide - and un-decide - watch@emirates.net.ae. (24/Aug/00) updated (25/Aug/00) Note:- Different proxies give different results. Some ban some keywords, some ban them all, some don't ban any. (30/Sep/00)

Noticed the addition of the word "penis" so no searching for things like "care of the uncircumcised penis" which is a medical site. Also re-introduced in the proxy bans are "lesbian" and "adult" and "pussy" and "whore" and "hardcore" Also check out the news on Banned Ads being blocked. (28/Sep/00) Emirates Internet is getting a bit too absurd now in their keyword blocking of sites. Here are some of the latest types of blocks. Altavista Search ( or any other search for that matter) for ...	NOW REMOVED/MODIFIED ---> (26/Aug/00) ---> Update on Proxy Blocks by Keyword: the "xx" proxy block was removed today (26/8) morning after numerous complaints. The "adult" keyword block has been removed today (26/8) evening unless it is the only word in the keysearch. Others below were found removed when rechecked on 11/Sep.

"xxx user's guide" by UNIX System Labs - the word xxx is blocked. Then the book "The f#$%-up" by Arthur Nersesian" the word f#$% is blocked. NOW REMOVED ---> (26/Aug/00) ---> "The 1996 Pushcart Prize xx" by Bill Henderson - any instance of xx including the roman numerals is blocked. Even worse searching for +mexx +dubai looking for the clothing store - and that includes any mexx store anywhere such as Mexx Canada. Of Course don't even bother trying to open the Holland based company's web page at mexx.com AGAIN REPLACED --> (24/Sep/00) NOW MODIFIED ---> (26/Aug/00) ---> "adult pampers" - the word adult is blocked! This would include of course words like "adulthood" & "adulterate" & adulterer" & "adultery" & "pre-adulthood" etc.	AGAIN REPLACED --> (24/Sep/00) NOW REMOVED ---> (11/Sep/00) ---> The Nursery rhyme book "Owls & pussycats" by Lewis Carroll - the word pussy is blocked. NOW REMOVED ---> (11/Sep/00) ---> Look for the very good and humorous - non offensive book "A Self-Help Guide for Recovering assholes--And Their Victims" by Xavier Crement - the word asshole is blocked. AGAIN REPLACED --> (24/Sep/00) NOW REMOVED ---> (11/Sep/00) ---> Then the book "Accepting your gay or lesbian Child" by John Panel - the word lesbian is blocked. AGAIN REPLACED --> (24/Sep/00) NOW REMOVED ---> (11/Sep/00) ---> Search for "hardcore bodybuilding : A Scientific Approach" by Tom Platz or "hardcore wrestling" - the book - the word hardcore is blocked. AGAIN REPLACED --> (24/Sep/00) NOW REMOVED ---> (11/Sep/00) ---> This play written in 1633 "Tis Pity She's a whore" by John Ford - the word whore is blocked.