Re: Another Boring Technology Thread

From: Curt Fischer (crf3_at_po.cwru.edu)
Date: 07/06/04 

Date: Tue, 6 Jul 2004 16:41:04 -0400

Charles Eicher wrote:
> In article <2ktpc0F6affkU1@uni-berlin.de>, Curt Fischer says...
>>
>> Group:
>>
>> I want to buy a new PDA that is Japanese-capable, has handwriting
>> recognition, will allow me to install my own dictionaries, and
>> hopefully has programs available for kanji drilling. Are the
>> Linux-running zauruses a good way to go?
>>
>> http://ezaurus.com/lineup/sl/compare_spec.html
>>
>> Is the SL-A300 my best bet? It's light, has good handwriting
>> recognition and low power consumption, but would require an
>> accessory to be able to add memory via a Compact Flash Card. How
>> much power does this accessory (CE-JC1) suck up? I have no
>> experience using Linux and only minimal experience using anyting
>> Unix flavored. Will that be a problem?
>
> The A300 is probably too low-end for what you want. Looking at the
> specs, it says the A300 dictionary is sold separately. The lowest end
> model with the built-in dict is SL760. So the A300 seems cheaper but
> you still have to buy the accessory dictionaries you want. Or you
> could use Jim's EJDICT which will require compilation and
> installation of linux software modules. I've never tried that, I
> don't think you'll get away totally free with EJDICT either, I think
> it requires a big memory card. The Zaurus models are very easy to
> use, as long as you don't have a problem with all-Japanese menus. I
> never tried to compile software
> on the Zaurus (my older model doesn't run Linux) but there are some
> web pages I've seen that will walk you through the process. It could
> be a bit difficult for Unix novices, but it's not impossibly
> difficult.

Thanks for the advice. I've had great experiences with my old Zaurus, and I
want to get a new one. I really liked the smaller size of the A300, but it
seems like to get EDict to run on it I'll need an accessory, which according
to http://www.amy.hi-ho.ne.jp/cgi-bin/user/maki-t/wiki.cgi?CE-JC1, this
negates the size advantage. How ridiculous would it be to carry an SL760 in
your pocket?

>> Are there Linux-compatible drilling programs out there that people
>> recommend? I looked at the sample pages for "Kanji Nirvana" and it
>> seemed to be rudimentary in its quizzing/drilling capabilities.
>
> Don't know, but consider that these Zaurus models run Java too. And
> they can surf the web, even wirelessly if you have a WiFi card and a
> local access point. There are plenty of resources available, depending
> on how much you want to spend. These little gadgets are pretty pricey
> and it all adds up quickly. But I never regretted spending way too
> much on Zaurus toys, even in their earlier, more primitive versions.

I can spend up to $1500 on this. I _have_ to spend the money, or else it
reverts back to being Uncle Sam's cash. I would also like to buy a cheapo
multimedia projector in addition to my Zaurus toys, but we will see about
that.

As far as a Kanji drilling program goes, I love KanjiLab my Collin McCulley.
If only it were available for Linux or Java! What about a Linux Stackz or a
Linux Supermemo? Or, is there a tegaki PDA running Japanese Windows CE that
I could get all this stuff on? 

-- 
Curt Fischer

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