Steve

Another way of measuring success is to have a trial that will allow people to demonstrate how they would get around the filter.

Conroy states: "However, this trial did not address all of the technical questions that need consideration prior to the introduction of ISP filtering. In particular, the results of the laboratory trial may differ in a real-world environment. This is why the Government is proceeding with a further, real-world 'live' pilot."

It would be a remarkably good idea for the minister for censorship to set up a single page in the .gov domain and have it blocked by his trial filter. This filtered site could be publicized allowing people who are filtered to try to get it. I'm sure that there will be many ways it could and would be done. It would help demonstrate the effectiveness of the filter against people who actually want to circumvent it (i.e. most school children) and may indicate what could be done to strengthen it. It might also show that it's not effective, but that's the risk you have to take if you set up a trial correctly.

I suspect that the minister will not allow this to be done as it will just add another layer of egg on his face as people find numerous ways around the filter.