The Internet Archive ( http://www.archive.org/ ) is one of those web site that one should know about; the founders of the web site are trying to build an Internet Library which will provide free access to digital information (books, video, audio files etc) to everyone...
"The Internet Archive is working to prevent the Internet - a new medium with major historical significance - and other "born-digital" materials from disappearing into the past. "
Very ambitious and very noble idea. Since YiLongWei.com is a web site which is primarily focused on independent, budget travelers to China any free source of information is more than valuable.
To search for China related material at The Internet Archive type this: China site:archive.org into Google search box or click on this link:
http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&sourc ... =&aq=f&oq=
For example one very interesting video recording that can be found at that web site is called "China: Presenting River Elegy" which deals with the tv series first broadcast in China in 1988 and which drew huge attention ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Elegy ) this video can be seen/downloaded here: http://www.archive.org/details/ddtv_40_ ... iver_elegy
Added on October 20, 2009:
"The Internet Archive has just unveiled their ambitious project called BookServer, which will allow users to find, buy, or borrow digital books from sources all across the web. The system, built on an open architecture and using open book formats, promises that the books housed there will work on any device whether that's a laptop, PC, smartphone, game console, or one of the myriad of e-Readers like Amazon's Kindle.
The project's lofty goal is to essentially create an open web of books where anyone can publish their books and make their content available via search."
BookServer: http://www.archive.org/bookserver
Search free books on China: http://www.archive.org/bookserver/catal ... ch?q=China