After changing your Twitter settings, consider set up a censor-defying proxy server.

A proxy server is a way to get around some of the simpler, but effective, internet censoring techniques. If the Iranian government is forcing their internet service providers to block direct access to twitter, by setting up a proxy server on your computer here in the US that can access twitter, an Iranian protester could connect to your computer instead (getting around the censoring) and then to twitter.

There is a constant need for new proxies, as the sensors can go around and cut off access to each new one that pops up.

The Austin Heap blog has directions for setting up a proxy on Redhat/Fedora Linux or Windows. (UPDATED: Here are directions for a Mac.)

A heartbreaking comment from this blog tells you how important this is:

i’m in tehran. i’ve been combing the net for the past 24 hrs trying to find some proxies that are still open with no luck. i’m the sales rep for a major canadian satellite networking equipment company and until yesterday had unfiltered internet over an illegal VSAT terminal that i was sharing with a bunch of people here. the client providing me with the terminal got scared and pulled the plug. we really do need these proxies to get free access to info - keeping in mind satellite tv signals are blocked by massive rf noise generated by goverment at great financial and health costs. only if those morons operating these noise stations knew what they’re doing to themselves…
i’ll post the proxy addresses on some farsi sites for the people who really need them. sincere thanks to all of you, not only for the effective help you’re providing, but most importantly: for not looking the other way.

If this doesn't make a lick of sense to you, you probably aren't the right person to be setting up a proxy. But, to the IT professionals who read slog: This is a way to use your nerdy skills for good.