Hi everyone -
I will be visiting end of June/early July for a couple of weeks. I am a heavy Google user, relying on Gmail, AdSenses, Analytics, Blogger, etc. What exactly is the current status with Google in Shanghai?

Is it just the search engine that is blocked?

What if I use Google Custom Search Engines on my websites - will I be able to access those while there?

Sorry for all the questions, but I am pretty confused about this whole issue and can't seem to find the exact answers anywhere.

I am wondering if I will need to configure my Mail app and use that while there? (I am Mac user and have used nothing but Gmail for about 4 years now...).

Last one - how hot is it going to be in June and July?

Thanks -

Anthony

You can access Gmail, Google searches, etc. No Blogger. If have access to a computer that has a VPN subscription, you get everything.

It is very hot and humid in June and July. Lots of rain, temperatures range from 85-100F, but it seems hotter because of the 90+% humidity.

Yikes! I am not great in the heat - thanks for that info. Stinks about blogger too - figures I just started one for this trip there...

So - in your opinion, if I have blogs set up on my own server, should I/would I have any issues do you think?

Do you have any web based VPNs to recommend?

Thanks for the help - I appreciate it!

Web-based VPN's are slow and unreliable. Just setup an account on unblockvpn.com It's only $5/month, then cancel it when your trip is over.

http://www.google.com/prc/report.html that'll tell you what's up and down with Google in China. Things change all the time here.

For vpn, I'm using witopia vpn currently. Been working quite well, even better if you know how to configure your dns to theirs. A lot of people can attest to their service here.