I am home. Specifically, here:
Blog
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My Chinese System
I think it is worth talking a little about the technology I use, on a day to day basis, to learn Chinese. Some of it definitely does not work, some of it I think is very effective, and some is just fun. Also, after a while, I begin to forget what the actual systems are that I use when people ask, so writing this I hope could be useful!
Mobile
Hardware:
I have been using Palms for the last two and a half years or so, and this is certainly my main centre of learning Chinese. Starting with a Sony Clié PEG-SJ35, and moving on to a Palm Tungsten T3, I am now using a Palm Treo 680 that is able to do everything I think I need, day to day.
Software:
Chinese IME: CKJOS
This is the system that allows the Palm to view and write Chinese. I can type using PinYin or ZhuYin or write with the stylus, but it does lack some of the predictive text capabilities of PalmDragon that I had installed on the Clié.Dictionary: Dr. Eye
I use this everyday and this is one of the most important pieces of software that I own. With it, I can translate from English to Chinese, or vice versa. It only does one word at a time, so it is a little inconvenient, and it seems to be missing words quite often. Sometimes, things like copy and paste are a little esoteric, but on the whole it seems to work.Flash Cards: Supermemo
This is the most used piece of software in my arsenal of Chinese learning tools. It drives me up the wall, is completely inflexible, but I have so much invested in it now that there is no turning back – and being honest I really enjoy it, treating learning cards more like a computer game. Using the intelligent flash cards each day, it ends up that it only ever tests me on the characters that I find really difficult – the way it should be, of course, but why not flatter me a little more?! On average, I get about 75 cards a day from a total pool of 3700 at the moment.Other software: I have tried loads of other pieces of software over the years and in almost all cases I have been unimpressed. Please let me know if you have any more additions to the pile because I would be delighted to learn more!
Computer
Mac Software
Chinese IME: QIM
This seems to be much slicker than the standard PinYin input mechanism that comes as standard with OSX. You don’t need to be so accurate with your tones, which is great some of the time, and completely infuriating the rest of the time when you are trying to learn. It’s pretty decent, overall, and allows you to look at nice, big, smoothly rendered characters.Dictionary: WenLin
I have yet to completely get to grips with this monster of a program, but I have been assured by several people that this is the way to go. I’ll probably do another entry, specifically on that, when I do get around to learning it properly.Dictionary: Wordlookup
This is a nice, simple dictionary that Markus showed me, and I use this most of the time for quickly looking up things. I like the way that returns the results, compared to some of the other products out there like Atomix Dojam (horrid).Dictionary: TranslateIt
I tried this for a little while, but in the end I went back to the simpler Wordlookup, while waiting to get moving on WenLin. Seems okay though.There is also an excellent summary of Mac software (along with some others) at the Yale University Council for East Asian Studies.
PC Software:
Chinese IME: Google PinYin
I love this. It’s the best input system so far that I have found. I am pretty sure it is constantly checking with a server online to make sure the sentence is in context, and it really allows me to write entire swathes of text without needing to select a character from the list. It sometimes seems to be missing the most basic characters, though, hiding them deep within the selection list. Very impressive, overall.Dictionary: Dr Eye
I have not used this in a while, due to the annoying little popup menu, but this is certainly the most popular system for Taiwanese people. I should reinstall it, really, and give it another chance.Firefox Plug-Ins and Online
Dictionary: ChinesePera-Kun
I just installed this today and I am quite impressed so far. The basic idea is that it displays a wee little popup when you hover over a Chinese character on a website. There seem to be some neat featured, such as export.Online Dictionary: Systran
I have not used this site in a while, because sometimes it bugs me to register, but it’s not bad for those times when you need to brutally translate an e-mail or section of text.Dictionary: Google Toolbar
There is an auto-translate function in here, but it only seems to go English-Chinese, so I got bored and disabled it today when I got ChinesePera-Kun up and running. Google being Google, I am pretty sure they will get it all up and running soon enough, and tie it all in with the IME – here’s hoping. -
Out of Breath
Well, here I am in Hong Kong, waiting for my connection onwards to London. The last few weeks have been a little too much, and I am really looking forward to unwinding a little.
I am intrigued to see England in the summer time – it’s the first time in a few years, which is quite sad to say, isn’t it?
I am looking out of the window right now looking at the pretty amazing view of the Hong Kong mountains, and I am pretty sure I have never seen them as clear as this – rather wonderful. I really think that there are worse places than HK airport to be stuck for an hour or so.
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Taipei Times – Back Up
Latest Article in the Taipei Times, this time talking about different back up hardware. Enjoy!
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Hand-Painted Movie Posters in Tainan
Both Jade an I have had quite a lot on our plates in the last few weeks, in one way or another. I think we expected that things would calm down after we returned from China, but how wrong we could be!
I wanted to accompany Jade down to Tainan so she could see her Grandmother, and I was hoping for a nice relaxing time. Sadly, work kept rearing its ugly head, so I rarely completely detached, sadly. But none the less, we managed to ride the ‘GaoTie’ or High Speed Rail down to the south of the island, cutting the journey time from several weeks down to a more respectable two hours or so. Never have I been anywhere in the world that feels so monstrously big, but in actual fact is so small – all because of Taiwan’s horrendous;y busy roads and public transport.
It was really good to see the HSR – I am really pleased that the place has a way now to link up the major cities to the south. I am positive that it will make the island much more competitive, as well as making a weekend break in the Tropics a reality – busing was always a hassle, and flying – well, it’s all a bit antisocial, I guess.
My main aim, apart from chillin’ with the lady, was to hunt down a propah, traditional lantern for my Grandmother – something I have been looking for for three years. But of course they close on Sundays. Of course they do. So… the hunt continues!
High Speed Rail – not quite up to Japan…
… but actually I was somehow quite taken with the municipal bus seating, rather than the budget airline style you find in Japan – more egalitarian, perhaps?
Swim little fishies … kids street games
It’s almost worth doing a whole post on road side boxes in Taiwan – I just love how they hire a local artist to paint these scenes… that I am pretty sure do not exist anywhere on the island!Tainan movie posters! I have only really seen these in my Chinese books from, like, ten years ago – real hand painted hoardings that go up outside the movie theatre. I would dearly love to buy one, but we enquired and they are not for sale. Makes me think that there must be one old guy painting these scenes, and when he dies, this art dies with him. I mean, what really is the price of printing out one poster on to tarpaulin? Hiring an artist to do it costs less? Or is it just copyright?
The Fantastic Four – “JingQi Si Chao Ren” – or … The Amazing Four Super People
Pirates of the Caribbean 3 – “Shen Gui Qi Fang – Shi Jie de Jin Tou” – Spirit Ghost Boat – The End of the World”
Spiderman 3 – “Zhi Zhu Ren 3” – Just the same! -
Our Apartment for Rent!
George and I are finally coming to the end of our two year affair, and the time has come to move out and go our separate ways. It’s sad (in a way) but I am also looking forward to moving into my new place which is SUPER downtown – right at the intersection of Dunhua and Zhongxiao, for those that are interested.
So, if you fancy a nice rooftop (two careful designer owners) drop us a mail and we’ll see what we can do!
… and it also gives me an excuse to post some photos of the place for my family, who have been bugging me for two years to do a proper job.
Pics:
Our delightful garden
The expansive living room
… and again from the reverse angle
Our chef centre
Georg’s master bedroom
The kids’ room
The VIP room
The Thomas CrapperDetails here:
Tealit
Taiwanted (Forumosa)Location:
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Typhoon Update
It was supposed to be the biggest Typhoon in a year, and apart from some plant pots being blown over I am rather disappointed. I say disappointed, and that is probably because I have picked up, somewhat, on the excitement of the locals to having a big Typhoon hit the island; “it’s going to be a big one!”.
It’s probably what I needed though – to be locked inside all day with a pile of DVDs. Clearly, Domino’s Pizza has far more accurate meteorological data than the government, because when we called up we had absolutely no problem ordering. I then bravely stepped out into the light drizzle lashing down and fought my way through the desolate streets, to the busy Dominos, picking up some more drinks and crisps on the way.
In all seriousness, I think it hit the centre/south of the island, so we in leafy Taipei were spared. It looks like China is battening down the hatched though, as even the mighty BBC is reporting it. You can check the news here: “South China bracing for typhoon”
Time to crack another Heineken.
That was a close one! -
Typhoon Sepat
I am in great need of a weekend, so it is a bit galling to have the largest Typhoon in a year careering towards the island. Typhoon Sepat, damn you!
Still, we have a pile of DVDs, biscuits flown in from the UK, and loads of cheese, so we should survive. Still a little annoying when we have had great weather this week!
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Two Years in DEM
Against all odds, I just passed my two year mark with DEM – the craziest darn hoot’n shoot’n design bureau in the East!
