Without the 'Net, Life Goes On

The world instantly shrank when a young businesswoman we'll call Cindy found herself staring at a permanent "page not found" computer screen. It happened when Internet access for Cindy and the rest of Xinjiang, China's westernmost region, was cut in July. Since then, Cindy has had to run a small business without email, browsing or e-commerce.

Cindy is a Hong Kongese who relocated to Xinjiang. She's also living proof that a 20-something can survive outside of cyberspace. Moreover, she's still in business.