Days before a deadline abruptly imposed by China, computer makers are scrambling to comply with an order to supply Web-filtering software with PCs amid concerns about what it might do to their reputations, according to AP. Dell Inc., Hewlett-Packard Inc. and Taiwan's Acer Inc. _ the top three global producers _ are asking regulators for details of the order that takes effect July 1 to provide Green Dam Youth Escort software with every laptop and desktop PC sold in China. The conflict reflects the clash between the authoritarian government's efforts to control information and China's high-tech ambitions. China is important to PC suppliers both as a major manufacturing site and a fast-growing market. It accounts for up to 80 percent of world production and sales that state media say rose to 147 billion yuan ($21 billion), up 12.8 percent from 2007.
