Thank You!

Time goes by so first!
It’s December 1, and the holiday is coming. How many CPS 100 class are there? 1 and the final exam (Noooooo).
In fact, I learned many things in this class. Blog (as you see), home page, hard ware and so on. The class really helped me.
But, if there were still a few month before the holiday, I would like to learn about JAVA script.

The only thing I know about it is the fact that Java script is one of the web script and it is everywhere around computer. For example, I saw the Java mark when I opened cell phone game, in a composer, and even on the desktop.
I don’t know well about it, though it is around me!!!
It’s not comfortable.
So, if there were enough time, I would like to know what it is and try to use it for my web page.

Well…it was good experience that I took this class. Thank you classmates, and thank you so much Mr. Poza!

See you every one! Have a nice holiday!!

Nengajyo

I think I had written about Nengajyo in this blog. Today, I’m going to write more about it. Yes, I made it today with new soft.
Until last year, I had used Fudeoh, but this year I used Fudemame. There are several negajyo-soft and Fudemame is the most popular one (Nikkei Research). What are the advantages of the soft?

Compared with Fudeoh,

1,It is easy to use pictures taken by our own digital camera.
2,It has lots of pictures variety.
3,It is easy to arrange the photo or pictures.
4,It has good help menu.

One thing I was really surprise is “navigation function”.
When I crick an icon, for example, “background”. Help menu will appeared and explain the procedure to create background. Then, if you don’t follow the explanation soon, the cursor will move automatically, then the computer will do the first steps to do the task. The program navigates for you!

One purpose Japanese people try to buy a computer, especially house wives and elder people, is to create nengajyo (Canon). In most case, they buy the computer very before they start making nengajyo. It is natural that they will be panic during the “complex” task because they are very beginner of computer (actually, we can make nengajyo only with click, copy and paste).
Fudemame’s navigation function will help such a beginner well.

Nengajyo-soft is the most common introduction to computer for Japanese. Companies know the fact well and make it easier to control year by year. Because of their effort, I could make three deferent patterns of Nengajyo within one hour. I have to thank the companies’ effort as a one of the people who have got panic. (It is a forgettable memory of 2000, winter.)

Liquid?

All hardware is getting smaller and smaller, lighter and lighter. Isn’t it natural to think that computers will lose their “shape” someday?
Well, in my idea, computer will be liquid someday.
It may sound crazy. But, think about nano-technology’s possibilities and cyborg technology. Even today, it is said that stomach camera will be past, and instead of it, the tiny, tiny, tiny, tiny,…, tiny robots will check our body. Some scientists are researching the way to inject these robots with special liquid. If we can make it, isn’t it possible to use this idea not only for camera, but also for computer function. And if, the liquid has some function like cyborg system, we can connect our physical function with computer. For example, eyes are for monitor, hands are for keyboard, etc.
Some people will hate this idea because it may sound this technology makes human-beings be robots. But in recent research, scientists are developing that technology as new artificial body parts. They don’t plan to make Terminator. Let’s think about the new computer like wooden artificial arms and foots. Nobody will think the wooden body parts users as Pinocchio. If you don’t like is you can take it off or turn the battery off.
I don’t know how long will the technology take to invent. 50? 60? Or more? But some day, in the future, the computer shops will became like drug store…

Am I Beautiful?～ Mt.Fuji

"Mt. Fuji is a symbol of Japan."
This is a common idea in Japan. In fact, GHQ which researched well about Japan during the World War II banned to use the pictures of Mt. Fuji in public when they govern the country because it reminded Japanese nationalism.
However, I had never seen the symbol until November 4 and didn’t think it is such an important thing. Maybe a novel of Osamu Dazai also affected me. He said it was not beautiful at all but ugly.
Last day, I went to Yamanashi prefecture in the school trip, and as last saw the “Japan”.
Yeah…it wan not very beautiful mountain as Dazai said. It is the biggest thing I’ve ever seen but it is not the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.
however it seemed to have some feelings. Clouds, wind, sunshine…every thing around the mountain are elements of “Mt. Fuji”. I feel something special in the shape of clouds, how to blew wind, and the shadow on the mountain. It was a strange experience.
Perhaps, this was the evidence that I have a Japanese feeling.
Ummmmm…Mt. Fuji. How strange and wonderful mountain is. Ugly but beautiful mountain…
oh, I almost forget to mention to computer! Since I don't have my own desital camera, google image serch is really helpful. I alway use it when I create new blog. Thank you, technology!

P.S. Dazai thought it is a beautiful and heeling mountain in the novel at last.

Blog, Blog, Blog...and Blog.

Wow, everyone in the class is becoming Mac. fan…Anyway, I’ve just read all classmates’ blog. We are writing about the same topic, but each person has different view and curiosity. That’s interesting.
Every article has interesting point. But I like Satomi’s article about new Windows OS best. She told me just what I want to know, the difference between today’s and new one.
I found it is difficult to use colors effectively. Too much color makes reading difficult. And less color also make the same situation. I think Nanako’s way to use color is easy to read and stylish.
Even if the content of article were great, it is difficult to imagine what they say completely when the content is about unfamiliar topic for me. So, pictures are taking big part. From this view, I like Yushi's blog. If he didn’t attach the picture of the birds, I couldn’t understand well how these birds are beautiful though he mention strongly.
Thank you all! I can have a nice Saturday night with your blog!

Simulation Shopping

To do list:　Imagine and make a situation.
　　　　　　　 Go to Yodobashi-Camera (Since I have a members card.)

Pretend as if I were a customer choosing new computer.
Find a sales person looks bored.
Get information I want.
Let him or her make an estimate.
Left there as soon as possible.

Those are what I’ve done in 30 minutes. I had to be a college student who is planning to buy a new portable laptop. The laptop has to be at least lighter than 2kg, and has to have more than 12 inch monitor. These are essential factors for my body conditions. Oh! I forget about a big problem. Hopefully, it costs less than 200,000 yen. I am a student. Comparatively, poor student…
Unfortunately, sales person didn’t pay attention to me at first though there are less customers or people just looking than usual. The only advantage of this situation is to try to use computers as much as I want. It was amazing! They are getting much lighter. I tried to lift up almost all small laptop. The lightest one was Sony’s Vaio T. Its weight is only 1.25 kg. It is also the thinnest one (4.5mm). Port arrangement was also good to me. The only problem is the monitor size. It has only 11.1 inch.
After I enjoyed lifting, I checked the kind of CPU, the amount of the RAM. Almost all business types (extremely light and a little smaller than the others) have 256MB. If I bought another 512MB, it will cost 14, 800 yen. Sony and Toshiba seem to have more 512MB type. From the view of the quality of CPU, Toshiba has better quality. They use Pentium M 753. On the other hand, Sony is adopting Celeron M.
I finally caught a sales person. First of all, I asked him about maintenance service in the U.S. He said Toshiba has the finest service there. We can call and ask about the problem in Japanese. It might be helpful if the computer get a trouble when I wouldn’t get used to the life in the U.S. This is good information. (However, in real life, I am using Sony’s Vaio!) He also mentioned to the security function of dynabook. They have finger print censer and TPM security tip. It might be great but I am just a student. There will no information I want to hide. However, their material strengths are attractive. They have protective rubber for TFT and water block structure. The sales person may be a Toshiba geek. His favorite is dynabook SS MX. Its most attractive point is 7.1 hours battery. Its monitor size (12.1 inch) and weight (1.68kg) also pass the condition.
He was keeping recommending the advantages of Toshiba. I also getting want the computer and confusing. Both Vaio T and MX have the same wireless function (IEEE 802. 11b/g) and hard disk drive. MX is a little bit predominance in my requirement. What should I do ( I almost forget it is not real problem.)? At last, I made my choice. Toshiba geek salesperson wrote an estimate of Vaio T for me. The biggest point is its price. I need extra RAM. Thus, it will cost 169,800 plus 14,800 yen. It will within my debt though its monitor is a little bit smaller than my hope. In addition, weight is also good for me. I AM a student so I don’t need and can’t afford over 230,000 yen personal computer even it might help me in a foreign country! People become in desperation in a poor situation. I will treat the PC like diamond, and I will improve my English. People can get growth through a shopping.

Sony? Apple?

“We’re super excited about this,” Apple computer Inc. CEO Steve Jobs said in Tokyo where he announced that Apple will open online music store, iTunes Music Store (iTunes) in Japan on August 4, 2005. To most of Japanese, CD stores and rental CD/DVD stores are still popular ways to buy music and downloading is not as common as in the U.S. where iTunes has a big share. By meeting iTunes, Japanese music scene may change dynamically.
What are the strengths of iTunes? There are three main points. First, iTunes has a great amount of music stock. As a first step, iTunes Japan prepared 1million songs. In the world, over 500million songs have been sold through iTunes. The service in Japan is expanding day by day. Second, iTunes provides fine cost performance. Only 10% songs cost 200yen per each song which all major Japanese downloading services such as Sony and Yahoo! Japan cost. 90% songs cost 150 yen. It is a surprise for Japanese companies though 150 yen is higher than 99 cent in the U.S. Third is Apple’s MP3 player, iPod has large share in Japan. There are over 21.8million iPod users all over the world and this number is 70% of MP3 players all over the world. In the U.S., the largest market, 82 % of legal music download has done through iTunes. Now, iPod’s Japanese share is only 36%. However, the number is increasing because of its good price and stylish design. If iPod share in Japan increased more, needs of iTunes will get up.
Japanese companies start to make strategies to Apple. Yahoo! Japan and Sony Corp. said they would cut the price to 150 yen per each song. Sony would be the strongest rival of Apple. Sony’s MP3 players share 22% of Japanese market. Their competition has already started and it is intense. In fact Sony users can’t use iTunes since the argument between two companies couldn’t bear the fruit. No one can tell the truth, and there is no guarantee which will win the game. The only thing we, consumers can do is hope that this competition will affect food way to us in price and the quality of services.
iTunes is changing Japanese music scene. Its price, design, services are attracting Japanese. Domestic company start to change their principles and it is nice to us. Japan seems to stand on the start line of new music age.

The Japan Times: Aug. 5, 2005

Running Laser Printer

In Japanese calendar, December is called Shiwasu, the “running priest” since priests were busy to have ceremony in each house at the end of a year. Now, things changed. Priests have their cars, and less people ask them to have the ceremony. Therefore, they no longer have to run in December. Instead of them, something related with computer is getting busy year by year in Japan. It is the laser printer.
Japan Posts and Telecommunications public corporation announced that they will print about 435,000,000 new year postcards (“nengajyo”) this year. As you can see easily from this number, nengajyo is very popular Japanese custom. We wrote these cads with thanks message and pictures. It is fun to get these cards. However, it is very boring and sometimes very painful task to write almost 50 or more over cards. Thus, many people asked print company to print out some pictures and addresses.
About 15 years ago, “nengajyo” soft was becoming popular. They can remember huge amount of addresses, and it can make original pictures easily. As these soft is getting popular, the laser printer’s status also getting rise. According to a research, 86,1% families answered that the one often printed by using laser printer is "nengajyo".
After I bought my computer, our family’s nengajyo became more colorful and beautiful because of a negajyo soft. Before that, writing every card took huge time however, now we need just for a few hours! No one has to do boring and bother task. At least, we, human being members thought so. On the other hand, the laser printer which I still use didn’t think so. December is kind of horror to it. It had to work 5 times more than usually like the ancient priest. So, the printer didn’t work well every busiest moment. I usually use soft voice and tried to convince it, then flatter. Sometimes my printer changed the feeling and work well, but almost all cases, it doesn’t. Another funny thing is that whenever it prints one of my friend since junior high school, and another friend from the first year of high school, it stops working. Usually, I don’t believe that machines could have feeling but only in December I cannot stop wondering machine could have it.

A Gift

Choosing presents is fun. Now, I’m planning to buy a gift for my parents. Thier marriage memorial anniversary is getting close! There are some candidates, but today I’m talking about one thing related with computers.
As I wrote before, my parents are using the laptop which I used to use. They are not good at using it. Recently, they mastered the basic use of e-mail at last. However, the computer is still like an alien to them. They are even afraid of it a little. So, I want them to like the computer. If they could like to use it, their learning would be much easier and less painful. There are many kinds of goods related with computer. Which product is appropriate to the mission?
I chose a digital camera for this mission. First, a “camera” is familiar to them. There is less possibility that they will afraid of a digital camera because it is related with the fearful computer. Second, my father likes to take pictures but unfortunately, he isn’t good at it. Today’s digital cameras have many kinds of function such as shake prevention and easy light control. They are easy to use. In addition, the photographs are easily to arrange on computer. It might be a little bit complicated to him but after he saw the fine result, he would be like it. Finally, I hope that the digital camera could give them a common pastime. Their child, me, won’t stay the house like before any more. Parenting has almost finished, so I want them to find a new pleasure. They can travel with the camera and arrange the poor original photographs together. The camera can make their another life enjoyable. Also, it can break their bad feeling to computer. It can kill two birds with one stone as a Japanese proverb says.
The digital camera…it seems to be the best one. However, there is one problem. I can’t afford it! NIC’s librarian cannot be the richest part time job in the world. Perhaps, the camera would be a Christmas present or next year’s Christmas present. Choosing a present is wonderful experience. However, buying it is a completely different problem.

my hisory...with computers

I was a strange child. I didn’t need toys because I loved to play with kitchen tools and laundry net rather than dolls. I didn’t need sweets because I loved vegetables that my grand mother made rather than candies.
One day, my father brought a machine to type a business document. He called it “word processor”. I didn’t know what it was, but I liked the sound of typing. Since then, he often brought that machine and I often interrupted to touch and make the comfortable sound by my self. Of course he was hard on me, so I displeased. “To make that sound until I’m satisfied” was my little dream.
Years passed, I was in fourth grade. “Word processor” was being past. Everyone, including my father, started to use desk top. Needless to say, there are few people bringing it to home. I typed a calculator instead of the “word processor”, but it didn’t sounds as well as that machine. I knew the personal computer could make nice sounds. So, one day I said to my father, “Dad, I want my personal computer when I become a junior high school student. I know we can’t afford it, but you can save money if you stop drinking beer for two years. It would be good for your health and me.” He promised since my speech was so good.
I wonder why human beings break their words. He broke the promise. Perhaps he loved beer better than his child. As a result, I decided not to speak to him for a while and to buy my own computer by myself.
My precious lap top came to my home on a sunny day in 2000. I enjoyed typing so much. There seemed to be no problem. Unfortunately, there was. I couldn’t do anything except typing, internet and making nenga-jyo. Therefore, after I couldn’t find any pleasure to type, my lap top was becoming to be a just expensive box. Ironically, it was the most expensive “toy” I had ever had.
　　　　　When I recognized the importance of personal computer itself was last year, when I took the entrance examination of NIC. In Japanese universities, students don’t need the computer so much except ones taking scientific major, but American universities don’t. My poor experience and knowledge wasn’t enough to study abroad. After the exam, I started to learn the basic way to use Word and Excel. The school really helped me lacking the basic knowledge of computer. I apologized to my computer and began to start it often.
　　　　　In this April, I bought new lap top which I’m using now. The first one stays parent’s house, waiting for my homecoming. If I didn’t come to NIC, the first one would be a just expensive box, and “my blog” would have never existed. I have to say thank you to NIC and the nice sound which keyboard make. Without them, I might not have been interested in computer…