How to read Japanese I:Hardware and Software

  1. Free, but could be slow way.
    Go to Shodouka. You go to the site and punch in URL (http:// and so on) on the space given. Or click one of the sites pre-programmed.

  2. Apple computers
    Install Japanese Language Kit and it will take care of everything! You can purchase from Asia Soft.

    If you want to be cheap, there is a shareware called Pan Asia. It costs $20, but you can download and try it out. (Please pay if you use it.) I tried to use it, and we were successful in READING Web pages with this on Mac OS 8.x Priting was another story.

    If your printer gives you a POST SCRIPT ERROR and doesn't let you print, here is a secret. This saves the screen view as graphics, like photo or graphics (PICT file to be exact).

    Step 1: Use Command key (with an apple with wiggly picture) key, shift and 3 at the same time, you will hear a little click sound. That is a screen shot and it saves as a graphic file.
    Step 2: It will be stored in your hard drive (Under Picture 1, 2 and so forth), and you can click and open it in simple text and should be able to print it.
    Step 3: Apple, shift and 4 will give you a little cross and you can select the area you want to keep. I call it partial screen shot. Then follow step 2 to print.
    If you don't understand this, send me e-mail

  3. PC/IBM compatible computers
    I am not too versed in this area, but here are some suggestions.

    Free way to use Japanese on the Web page
    Download Twin Bridge Asian Viewer for free.
    DownlaodNJStar Internet Viewer
    Download JREADER
    If you want to write Japanese on Internet Explorer, download MS Global IME Japanese with Language Pack.


    If you want more solid, comprehensive system-like function.
    Kanji Kit from Pacific Software and Twin Bridge's Japanese Partner should do it.

    It is a little off-line from this topic, but NJ Star has a free wordprocessor.

    On-line free advice

    If your printer gives you a POST SCRIPT ERROR and doesn't let you print, here is a secret. This saves the screen view as graphics, like photo or graphics (BMP file to be exact). Since I am using IBM, I should be able to demonstrate this in the presentation.

    Step 1: If you want the whole screen shot, push Print screen key located right top area of the keyboard.
    Step 2: If you want only the open window (in our context most probably this because we are trying to print a Web page), press that Print screen key with Alt key .
    Step 3: Then open a new word processing (like Wordperfect or Word, Word Pad for that matter) or even MS Paint (a graphic program that comes in Windows 95/98. Located accessories from Start menu.)
    Step 4:Go to "Edit" menu of each program and "Paste" what you wanted to print.
    Step 5: Print from the software you opened.
    If you don't understand this, send me e-mail.