I've noticed recently that when I read CNN, the advertisements are directed at a UK audience and the spelling on the site is adjusted to UK style. I've been anticipating this, and it's quite interesting, at least from an advertiser's point of view. It's all made possible by a little program that figures out where you are based on your IP address.

Anyway, I was clicking around on someone's website and, trying to reach a page on the "Showtime" website, got this error: "Sorry: We at Showtime Online express our apologies; however, these pages are intended for access only from within the United States." [link here - might only show error if you're out of the US]

Now that really irritates me.

There must be a way to mask where I'm coming from. The anarchist in me wants to defeat this system, despite my appreciation of its utility.