Today I'd like to share two more great resources, one new and one old (that I forgot to add earlier- sorry!).

First up is StarDict, which is an open source dictionary that supports all human languages, and has a couple of dozen dictionaries for Japanese. It also supports wildcard queries, which is a real lifesaver. And it runs on Linux, Windows, and the Mac.

Find out more on the dictionaries page-
http://www.nihongoperapera.com/japanese-english-dictionary-software.php

And as for the new bit, I recently found a nice list of Japanese radio programs here:
http://www.multilingualbooks.com/online-radio-japanese.html

Enjoy!
Kaeru

This week, by reader request, I am adding a mini-review on Japanese OCR (Optical Character Recognition) software.

http://www.nihongoperapera.com/software/ocr.html

It's been awhile since I had a need for OCR, so if any of you readers have any recommendations please let me know.

Also, if you have any requests for future articles, just add a comment to this page.

Cheers,
Kaeru

Recently I've been very busy, but I've been thinking a lot about the limits of self study as it applies to Japanese.

You can find my thoughts here-
http://www.nihongoperapera.com/limits-of-self-study.html

I will update the 1kyuu section soon, but as I am also searching for a job I am a bit pressed for time at the moment.

Cheers,
Kaeru

Today, one year and one week ago, I started Nihongo Pera Pera. I'm happy that the site is still kicking, and I hope I can continue this for several more years at least. If you want to support the site, please consider making your purchases from Amazon Japan using one of the many links on these pages (if you click one of the links, even if you don't purchase the item on that page, I will make a small commission at no additional cost to you).

I'm also happy to report that I passed the 1kyuu, and can now move on to studying even more Japanese. I'll be updating the 1kyuu area shortly, in a comprehensive and (what I hope is) exciting way.

I also have one new article for you today, on my opinions of the relative merits of the current major Linux distributions and their Japanese support. If you're not a (prospective) Linux user, you can safely skip this one.
http://www.nihongoperapera.com/japanese-linux.html

Take care!
Kaeru

While I wait for my 1kyuu results, I knocked out a page on Japanese PS3 games that might improve your Japanese a little. In any case, I like to play video games when I need to relax, but if I can relax and continue working on my Japanese it's even better. Of course, for language purposes, some games are much better than others; that's why I wrote up a few mini-reviews here:

http://www.nihongoperapera.com/videogames/ps3-japanese.html

Cheers,
Kaeru

If you read this site, you probably know how much I like Mnemosyne, the open source software that lets you create flashcards and schedules them for your benefit.

Well, since it's been almost a year since I wrote my first review, and the review continues to be one of the most popular pages on the site, I decided to update it with a postscript detailing my impressions after a year of use. In short: I'm still tremendously satisfied with the software. I use it every day. It works.

I have a new article, "Why Take the JLPT?", which explores what the test can help you do and what it can't. I also evaluate which levels of the test are useful. In summary: it's good for helping you get a job or get into school, and for that you should take the 1kyuu, or at the lowest the 2kyuu; you can safely ignore the other levels of the test. You can find the article here:
http://www.nihongoperapera.com/jlpt/why-take-the-jlpt.html

Greetings! I'm sorry for the lack of updates over the past six weeks, but I decided to take a break after a year of studying for the 1kyuu. However, now I'm back and I should be updating every couple of weeks or so.

Today I added an article for those just starting out in Japanese, titled "Reality Check":
http://www.nihongoperapera.com/reality-check.html

I'd appreciate if those of you who are already fairly advanced in your Japanese studies would read it and tell me what you think, and offer any additional suggestions you might have. You can comment at the bottom of the article.

I know there haven't been many updates on the site as of late, but that's because I've been busy preparing in the home stretch for the 1kyuu. After I take the test this Sunday, I'll make a few updates over the next few weeks to the site; I have some ideas and more tips to share but I just haven't had any time recently to do updates. Also, if I pass the 1kyuu-- which of course, I'm hoping-- then I will fully update my 1kyuu preparation guide to bring it in line with the 2kyuu strategy.

I've updated the 1kyuu pages with a mini-review of the UNICOM books here:
http://www.nihongoperapera.com/reviews/unicom-1kyuu-series.html

I also took an 1kyuu practice test recently and nearly passed. Since I did it under less than ideal conditions (in half of the alloted time, with people talking around me, etc.), I think that I'm in good shape for December.

Here's wishing all of you the best of luck as well!