2. Japanese computer programs You can find more information on Ken Lunde's japan.inf (Electronic Handling of Japanese Text) file. There will be a new release soon, and there is a book (also by Ken Lunde) that will cover all of it more deeply. - see 5.7.2 for details This file is on FTP sites: - 2.7.1, directory /pub/nihongo, file japan.inf - 2.7.2, directory /doc/japan.inf, files japan?.inf.Z (?) - 2.7.7, directory ??? These are some basic descriptions of programs and utilities, specially for learning tools, displaying Japanese and Japanese word processing: =============================================================================== 2.1 for DOS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.1.1 Moke - Mark's Own Kanji Editor - Shareware Japanese Text editor Version 1.1 is shareware, can be obtained from FTP site 2.7.1, directory /pub/nihongo, files mk11*.*. Version 2.1 is commercial, Us$ 69.95+5s&h (10 s&h outside USA and Canada). KiCompWare, P.O.Box 536, Appleton, WI 54912. USA Tel. 612-773-8621 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.1.2 NJStar - Shareware Japanese Text editor Version 2.1 is shareware, can be obtained from FTP site 2.7.1, directory /pub/nihongo, file njj210.zip, maybe some more. The same version with drivers for printing can be ordered by Us$49+10s&h from: Hongbo Data Systems - Tel 61+2-399-9876, PO box 866, Kensington NSW 2033, Australia ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.1.3 Jim Breen's Edict - Freeware Electronic J-E E-J dictionary There are always new versions, the latest one (V.93-002) have 40000+ entries. Can be obtained from FTP site 2.7.1, directory /pub/nihongo, file jdic21.zoo, kinfo.zoo, edict.zoo, jis16.zoo, maybe more. DOS compiled (.EXE) programs and fonts, needs zoo to unpack. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.1.4 HTERM A communication program for MS-DOS which will display ASCII, JASCII, JIS1, and JIS2 - can be obtained from FTP sites 2.7.2 (directory fj/hterm2.6.0.0), 2.7.3 (directory JAPAN/hterm/hterm2.6.0.0, 2.7.4 (directory hterm/hterm2.6.0.0). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.1.5 KD (Kanji Driver) by Izumi Ohzawa Kanji viewer/ front-end-processor for Kermit. Can be obtained from: FTP site 2.7.1, directory /pub/nihongo, archive kd100.arc, FTP site 2.7.5, directory /pub/kanji, archive file kd100.arc ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.1.6 Mark Edward's Kanji Guess Kanji quizzes program, shareware, can be found in FTP site 2.7.1, directory /pub/nihongo, files kg101*.*, maybe more. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.1.7 Kanji Flashcard Package For the first 204 kanji. From FTP site 2.7.1, directory /pub/nihongo, files kanji?.lzh. Display and information only. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.1.8 Gakusei Gakusei, from Barham Software, is a DOS-based elementary Japanese grammar tutorial. It is well-suited for low-end or older PCs with minimal hardware. From the lesson browser choose one of fifteen lessons. In the exercises following the lessons you can type responses using Kana keyboards. Use the built-in dictionary to find forgotten words and view conjugated forms. From Lesson 1, you will view Roomaji and Kana characters. You can make screen prints on compatible printers. Gakusei won't replace your teacher, but it can help you master beginning Japanese at your own pace. Avaliable in FTP site 2.7.1, directory /pub/nihongo, file gaku10.exe ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.1.9 Ambassador - Commercial Bilingual Document System Allows you to compose letters in Japanese, English, Spanish, French without knowing the target language. Requires DOS/V. Versions in English/Japanese, English/French, English/Spanish, French/Japanese. Call 617-489-4000, Fax 617-489-3850 Language Engineering Corporation, 385 Concorde Ave. Belmont, MA 02178, USA. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.1.10 Japanese I for DOS Basic self-study course for oral, written and grammar, includes reading vocabulary and oral quizzes. Sound. Covers hiragana, katakana and 38 basic kanji. Us$ 41.95, contact Conrad Haller, Educational Tutorial Software, 10811 Ashton Ave, Suite 209, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA tel. 213-470-6205. Review in Mangajin #8. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.1.11 Verb Conjugation v.1.0 Verb conjugation. Us$20+s&h, contact Language Learning Lab, 707 S. Mathews G-70, For. Lang. Bldg., Univ. of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801, USA. Review in Mangajin #8. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.1.12 Smart Characters for Students Word processor, vocabulary tutor and font editor for Asian languages, text display includes furigana for all kanji, includes radical/stroke dictionary for reading, Us$ 79.95, contact Frank Kaupman, Apropos Inc. 8 Belknap St. Arlington MA 02174, Tel. 617-648-2041. Review in Mangajin #8. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.1.13 Eastword Hiragana/katakana tutor with menu-driven interface, kanji are large and easy to read, includes stroke order and mnemonics. Us$ 99.95, contact Pacific Rim Connections, 3030 Atwater Drive, Burlingame, CA 94010, USA, tel. 800-745-0911. Review in Mangajin #8. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.1.14 Gambare-kun Kanji/compound exercise package featuring stunning color graphics (requires VGA and HD) sophisticated learning environment (skill-level tracking, score-keeping and reporting). We don't know the price. Contact Hilary Eastwick-Field Lingotek 56 Rauhuia Crescent, Titirangi-parau, Auckland, New Zealand. Review in Mangajin #8. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.1.15 Kanji-flash V.0.97 Kanji flashcards keyed to the book "Basic Technical Japanese", thorough approach to exercises, several learning modes. We dont know the price. Contact Craig VanDegrift, 9605 Barkston Court, Potomac, MD 20850, USA tel. 301-279-2678. Review in Mangajin #8. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.1.16 Verb Explorer J Computerized system for analyzing and practicing verb and adjective constructions, drills by verb type. Us$ 225. Contact Larry Cross, Japan-America Institute of Mgt. Science, 6660 Hawaii Kai Drive, Honolulu, HI 96825 USA, tel. 800-54-JAIMS. Review in Mangajin #8. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.1.17 Kintaro Sensei Interactive language exercises + culture, four levels of instruction, romaji, katakana, hiragana, several hundred kanji. Us$ 600+. Requires hardware Voice Production Unit. Contact Jack Walraven, Pacific Educational Sys., 915 Woodhall Drive, Victoria, BC Canada V8X 3L7 tel. 604-727-6668. Review in Mangajin #8. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.1.18 Let's learn Nihongo Comprehensive package to learn grammar, kanji with sound, uses a computer-controlled tape player and hand-writing recognizer. Needs 2 empty slots on the PC. Us$ 3900. Contact Richard Kurtzman, Seikosha America Inc., 10 Industrial Ave, Mahwah, NJ 07430, USA tel. 201-327-7227. Review in Mangajin #8. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.1.19 DOS/V DOS/V allows non-Japanese PCs (i.e. PCs that does not have the Kanji fonts in ROM) to display and enter Japanese. The fonts and conversion tools are all software. The main caveat is: you cannot enter/display Japanese in applications that were not designed for working with DOS/V (like non-Japanese Lotus, Word, etc.) unless they can use ANSI.SYS to display the characters. English-based applications must run on the English environment - there is a command to change between them. Other caveat: software designed for Japanese PCs, like NECs, will not run on DOS/V. There seems to be also a problem with the printing - Japanese will not work for printers that does not have the Kanji fonts in their own ROMs too. The last version is J5.02/V. You need also a VGA or better and at least 2 Mb of memory to run it. Price is about 17.000 yen. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.1.20 JLateX There are two freeware versions from LaTex available in some FTPs - I tried to install one and it was very hard to make it work, I don't even remember the steps ! Somebody that made this, please tell me how ! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.1.21 Demacs - Japanese Emacs for MSDOS Now sources are part of Mule, q.v. Binaries available at FTP site 2.7.15 (directory /systems/ibmpc/msdos/simtel20/demacs). =============================================================================== 2.2 for Windows ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.2.1 JWP - Stephen Chung's Japanese Word Processor Version 1.1 is freeware and can be obtained from anonymous FTP from FTP site 2.7.6, directory /pub/misc, files jwp*.*. Includes access to edict. Very good, and free. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.2.2 Power Japanese Features digital sounds, animation, drills, dictionary, flashcards. BayWare Inc., 1-800-538-8867 or 415-312-0980, FAX 415-578-1884 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.2.3 Understanding Spoken Japanese Interactive video (?), requires IBM Info Windows Structure or M-Motion card + laser disc player. We dont know the price. Contact Ms. Sally Vito, Intellimation Inc., P.O.Box 1922, Santa barbara, CA 93116, USA tel. 805-968-2291. Review in Mangajin #8. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.2.4 Kanji Exercises Toolbox version of kanji flashcards, interactive approach includes reading exercises, animated character generation and quizzes, uses kunrei romanization. Us$ 65. Requires Runtime Toolbook (?). Contact Annonae Software, P.O.Box 7629, Berkeley, CA 94707, USA. Tel. 415-527-8006. Review in Mangajin #8. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.2.5 Windows 3.1/J There is a version of Windows that can run under DOS/V. You will need a 80386SX or better, 27+ Mb of hard disk, MS-DOS 5.0/V or IBM DOS J5.02/V. The Kanji fonts are TrueType. The drivers are only for Japanese made printers, but if you have drivers for non-Japanese printers you can install them and they will print OK. Non-Japanese versions of programs seem to work OK under Win31J. Win31J can coexist with English Win31. They should be installed in seperate directories, changing the path environment variable changes which version is run. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.2.6 Word for Windows 5.0/J =============================================================================== 2.3 for Unix, X-Windows, etc. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.3.1 Jim Breen's Edict - Freeware Electronic J-E E-J dictionary There are always new versions, the latest one (V.93-002) have 40000+ entries. Can be obtained from FTP site 2.7.1,, directory /pub/nihongo, files xjdic.tar.Z, edict, kanjidic, maybe more. Sources included, you have to compile them for your machine, which should be running kterm in order to display the kanjis. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.3.2 Kterm - Kanji terminal for X Predecessor of exterm. Sources so you have to compile it for your machine. Last version, 5.1.0 works fine here but some people reported bugs. Version 4.1.2 is OK. Can be found in FTP site 2.7.8 on the directory /Japanese/kterm-4.1.2.tar.Z. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.3.3 Mule - MUltiLingual Enhancement to GNU Emacs Mule is a modification of GNU Emacs to do Japanese display, entry, and henkan (conversion to kanji). It also does Chinese and other languages. Can be obtained in FTP sites 2.7.10 (directory /pub/mule), 2.7.11 (directory /JAPAN/mule/mule-0.9.7) or 2.7.12 (directory /pub/gnu/emacs/mule). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.3.4 Wnn - "Watashi No Namae" A library that performs kanji conversion by connecting to a dictionary server (see jserver); Wnn also has routines to manage dictionary files. Requires a front end, such as xwnmo or Mule. Version 4.108 can be found in FTP site 2.7.11 (directory /JAPAN/mule/mule-0.9.8/contrib). An internationalized version called Xsi is bundled with the X11R5 distribution, e.g. at FTP site 2.7.14 (directory /pub/R5untarred/contrib/im/Xsi). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.3.5 Xwnmo A Japanese input client. It displays kana/kanji, and uses Wnn to do the work of henkan and dictionary management. It is bundled with Wnn; see Wnn for ftp sites. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.3.6 Jserver A kanji conversion server. Comes with Wnn, q.v. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.3.7 Nemacs The precursor to Mule: GNU Emacs 18.55 plus Japanese input/ conversion/display. Smaller than Mule, less functionality. Version 3.3.1 is in the FTP site 2.7.13. Version 3.3.2 is in the FTP site 2.7.7. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.3.8 SKK A newer, more efficient Japanese input/conversion method, that does not do grammatical analysis but lets the user specify the starting point of okurigana. Can be used with Mule. Version 6.7 is at FTP site 2.7.8, directory /src/Japanese, and at site 2.7.11 in /JAPAN/mule/mule-0.9.7/contrib. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.3.9 exterm - internationalized xterm for X Terminal that can display or input international text, including Japanese. Requires an input client such as xwnmo, egim, etc. Comes with X11R5, e.g. on ftp site 2.7.14 in the directory /pub/R5untarred/contrib/clients/exterm. =============================================================================== 2.4 for Macintosh ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.4.1 Jim Breen's Edict - Freeware Electronic J-E E-J dictionary There are always new versions, the latest one (V.93-002) have 40000+ entries. Can be obtained from FTP site 2.7.1, directory /pub/nihongo, files MacJDic1.0.sit.hqx, maybe more. Ported to Macintosh by Dan Crevier. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.4.2 Ambassador - Commercial Bilingual Document System Allows you to compose letters in Japanese, English, Spanish, French without knowing the target language. Requires KanjiTalk. Versions in English/Japanese, English/French, English/Spanish, French/Japanese. Call 617-489-4000, Fax 617-489-3850 Language Engineering Corporation, 385 Concorde Ave. Belmont, MA 02178, USA. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.4.3 Kanji Exercises and Hiragana/Katakana Exercises Toolbox version of kanji flashcards, interactive approach includes reading exercises, animated character generation and quizzes, uses kunrei romanization. Us$ 65 (kanji), Us$45 (kana). Requires Hypercard. Contact Annonae Software, P.O.Box 7629, Berkeley, CA 94707, USA. Tel. 415-527-8006. Review in Mangajin #8. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.4.4 HyperKanji v.0.86 Hypercard-based Kanji dictionary tool, 1600 knaji+6000 compounds, on the right track for on-line dictionary, user can add own entries. Us$ 75, requires KanjiTalk >= 6.0.4, works best with Hypercard 1.2-J (Japanese version). Contact Lew Clapp, International Comp.Res., P.O.Box 2389, Cambridge, MA 02238-2389, USA tel. 617-876-5566. Review in Mangajin #8. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.4.5 MacSunrise B-100 (beginning level) HyperCard-based kanji reference and learning system,100 basic kanji with readings and sound, include stroke order, pronunciation and meaning. Us$ 99, contact Peter Goodman, Stone Bridge Press, P.O.Box 8208, Berkeley, CA 94707, USA, tel. 415-524-8732. Review in Mangajin #8. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.4.6 JapanEase HyperCard-based learning tool for katakana gairaigo ("borrowed words") and daily expressions (time, date, counting, etc.) Us$ 99.95, requires Hypercard V2.0. Contact Ayumi Software/Qualitas Trading Co. 6907 Norfolk Road, Berkeley, CA 94705 USA. tel. 415-848-8080. Review in Mangajin #8. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.4.7 KanjiMaster / EasyKana Kanji (KM) / Kana (EK) flashcards with sound, uses kunrei romanization. Us$ 149, requires HyperCard. Contact HyperGlot Software, 505 Forest Hills Blvd, Knoxville, TN 37919, USA Tel. 800-726-5087. Review in Mangajin #8. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.4.8 KanjiSama Kanji reference tool for reading; stand-alone application, fast dictionary look-up, general and technical dictionaries provided, more dictionaries under development. Us$ 149, requires KanjiTalk >=6.0.4, RAM>2M. Contact Steve Belinski, SANBI software Co., 3594 Crowell Avenue, Riverside CA 92504, USA tel. 714-352-0276. Review in Mangajin #8. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.4.9 Japanese CAI - Hiragana V1.0 Katakana V1.0 Hiragana, katakana exercise. Us$ 150+5s&h, demo version Us$20+5s&h, contact Yamazaki Intercom Corp. 42-204 Shimizu-ga-oka, Yatomicho, Mizuho, Nagoya, Aichi 467 Japan. Review in Mangajin #8. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.4.10 ? (seems that they dont know the name :-) HyperCard-based CD-ROM, includes 100 basic kanji with readings sound. Us$ 450. Requires CD-ROM player. Contact Prof. Kazuko Nakajima, Dept. of East Asians Stud., University of Toronto, Toronto ON M5S 1A5 Canada. Tel. 416-978-3302. Review in Mangajin #8. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.4.11 Kanji Compounds HyperCard-based kanji exercise program keyed to the book "Newspaper compounds - the 1000 Most Important in order of Frequency". We dont know the price. Requires KanjiTalk>=6.0.4 and installation of custom English fonts (included). Contact Danyll Wills, Kaminokuchi-sagaru, Daiku-cho 487, Dotemachi-dori, Shimogyo-ku Kyoto 600, Japan. Tel 075-343-3641. Review in Mangajin #8. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.4.12 Japanese for Everyone CD-ROM based Hypercard application for practical spoken Japanese. Requires CD-ROM player. Us$ 449. Contact Butler Consulting, 2199 S. Broadway, Grand Junction, CO 81503, USA. Tel. 303-245-5462. Review in Mangajin #8. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.4.13 NihongoWare 1 HyperCard-based CD-ROM program for practical spoke business Japanese. We dont know the price. Requires CD-Rom player. Contact Mitsuru Hosobe, Ariadne Language Link, Shinjuku Center Bldg, 39F. Nishi Shinjuku 1-25-1 Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 163, Japan. Tel. 03-3344-1221. Review in Mangajin #8. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.4.14 Understanding Written Japanese HyperCard-based system for technical Japanese. We dont know the price. Contact Ms. Contact Ms. Sally Vito, Intellimation Inc., P.O.Box 1922, Santa barbara, CA 93116, USA tel. 805-968-2291. Review in Mangajin #8. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.4.15 Nihongo Tutorial System Intelligent tutorial system to assist scientists and engineers in developing reading competence in technical Japanese, features performance tracking. We dont know the price. Contact Tony Maciejewski, Electrical Eng. Dept., Purdue university, West Lafayette, IN 47907 USA. Tel. 317-494-9855. Review in Mangajin #8. =============================================================================== 2.5 Other computers ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.5.1 Japanese I for Amiga Basic self-study course for oral, written and grammar, includes reading vocabulary and oral quizzes. Covers hiragana, katakana and 38 basic kanjis. Us$ 41.95, contact Conrad Haller, Educational Tutorial Software, 10811 Ashton Ave, Suite 209, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA tel. 213-470-6205. Review in Mangajin #8. =============================================================================== 2.6 Other Related topics (files, etc.) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.6.1 Kanji of the Day files Kanji of the Day are contributions from Mr. Kurt Stueber that presents one kanji with descriptions on its radicals, code information (JIS, Nelson, etc.), On- and Kun- readings, mnemonics, compounds, lots of interesting data for those learning Kanji. Usually are posted to the listserver, and goes to the sci.lang.japan newsgroup. Back issues of "Kanji of the Day" can be found at the FTP site 2.7.9, directory /pub/Japanese/KanjiOfTheDay. The files are ASCII, the kanjis are represented in a big 24x24 *-matrix. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.6.2 KanaSheet KanaSheet is a nice free PostScript program that gives you plenty of practice pages for hiragana and katakana, by Harald Kucharek. You can get the version 2.1 of KanaSheet on the FTP site 2.7.9 in the directory /pub/Japanese/kanjiPrinter.letter =============================================================================== 2.7 List of anonymous FTP sites ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.7.1 AUSTRALIA: monu6.cc.monash.edu.au [130.194.1.106] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.7.2 JAPAN: utsun.is.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp [133.11.11.11] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.7.3 JAPAN: ftp.cs.titech.ac.jp [131.112.16.39] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.7.4 JAPAN: azabu.tkl.iis.u-tokyo.ac.jp [130.69.16.7] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.7.5 USA: mindseye.berkeley.edu [128.32.232.19] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.7.6 USA: kilroy.Jpl.Nasa.Gov ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.7.7 USA: crl.nmsu.edu [128.123.1.18] or [128.123.1.14] ? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.7.8 USA: world.std.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.7.9 USA: ftp.uwtc.washington.edu [128.95.202.40] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.7.10 JAPAN: etlport.etl.go.jp [192.31.197.99] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.7.11 JAPAN: sh.wide.ad.jp [133.4.11.11] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.7.12 FINLAND: ftp.funet.fi [128.214.6.100] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.7.13 USA: clover.ucdavis.edu [128.120.57.1] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.7.14 USA: export.lcs.mit.edu ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.7.15 ???: ftp.uu.net =============================================================================== 2.8 Information for developers This section just points to some files of interest for those that wants to develop programs related to Japanese Language. Basically, are pointers on where to get bitmaps, dictionary files, references etc. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.8.1 Jim Breen's EDICT and KANJIDIC files These files provides lots of information on kanjis, codes, readings, meanings (KANJIDIC) and Japanese-English correspondence (EDICT). Format is available on some read-me files. Can be found in the same FTP sites that carry the JDIC program ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.8.2 Japanese (Kanji) bitmap fonts You can find a large collection of Japanese fonts for X (bdf format) in FTP site 2.7.7, directory /pub/japanese/fonts. Read the README.jfonts file for more information. =============================================================================== 2.9 People to contact (authors, etc.) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.9.1 Jim Breen is jwb@capek.rdt.monash.edu.au ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.9.2 Stephen Chung is ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.9.3 Izumi Ohzawa is izumi@violet.berkeley.edu ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.9.4 Kurt Stueber is stueber@vax.mpiz-koeln.mpg.dbp.de ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.9.5 Ken Lunde is lunde@mv.us.adobe.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.9.6 Tom Gally is tomgally@twics.co.jp ===============================================================================