tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413166059304552489.post2541576760623432667..comments2018-08-15T19:38:19.498+01:00Comments on A Shimmin Abroad: End-of-trip reflectionsShimmin Beghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10350037986748679919noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413166059304552489.post-10319787131462105152015-10-21T08:32:08.616+01:002015-10-21T08:32:08.616+01:00I don't know if you're still reading, but ...I don't know if you're still reading, but did you go? I'd love an update.Shimmin Beghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10350037986748679919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413166059304552489.post-54287240863830202992015-01-19T13:18:58.495+00:002015-01-19T13:18:58.495+00:00Will do, thanks!Will do, thanks!Arielnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413166059304552489.post-46419334545909839402015-01-17T22:03:04.821+00:002015-01-17T22:03:04.821+00:00I use 8.1 myself. I was very reluctant to change,...I use 8.1 myself. I was very reluctant to change, though! What I actually have is 8.1, but with the Classic Shell fix. That lets me use it like normal, instead of the default app-based interface that's really designed for touchscreens.<br /><br />Always happy to help! Seriously, if there's anything you want to know about that I haven't mentioned, before or during the trip, just ask. If I don't know myself, one of my friends likely will.Shimmin Beghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10350037986748679919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413166059304552489.post-31466988786163900412015-01-16T21:20:18.401+00:002015-01-16T21:20:18.401+00:00Glad to hear it! That makes things easier. My curr...Glad to hear it! That makes things easier. My current OS is vista, but I'm way overdue for a new one, and the one I've been looking at has Windows 8.1.<br />I hadn't thought about practicing using the Japanese input, so I'm glad you mentioned it. It's crazy how much there is to consider when moving to another country!Arielnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413166059304552489.post-91025513530416431622015-01-16T15:10:25.723+00:002015-01-16T15:10:25.723+00:00There wasn't any computer work. Assignments a...There wasn't any computer work. Assignments are usually from the textbooks. Most people just write the answers into the book by hand. I write mine out in a notebook instead, as typically we just discuss the answers rather than handing them in for marking. When work is getting marked, the teachers usually give out a worksheet for us to fill in. There might have been one or two cases of more extended writing, but I honestly can't remember! In any case, I don't think I printed out a single piece of work. Computers are in the lounge for checking email, maps, news and so on during your free time. People also use them for printing tickets and important documents.<br /><br />If you need to use a Japanese computer, they are a bit different. Keyboard is the main thing. Take a look at the typical layout (just google it) and you'll find some keys aren't where you expect. The menus etc. are also in Japanese.<br /><br />I definitely recommend getting a Japanese input for your computer. A bit of practice would be a good idea. What OS are you using? I use the Japanese IME for Windows (amongst others) and it's usually fine. In my case, Alt-Shift switches between languages, or I can click on the language icon on the bottom menu bar. Again, good practice for if you're trying to do that on a Japanese computer.<br /><br />There's no massive difference between Japanese and English computers that I know of, so nothing to worry about there.Shimmin Beghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10350037986748679919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413166059304552489.post-91148692426183926042015-01-16T14:12:09.371+00:002015-01-16T14:12:09.371+00:00That's all really good to know, thanks! I hadn...That's all really good to know, thanks! I hadn't considered the battery problem, so those tips are really helpful.<br />I don't know if GenkiJACS has any computer work in their lessons or homework, but would there be any difference or difficulty in use of an English computer if they did? I know it's possible to download a program to type Japanese, so does that pretty much equal them out?Arielnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413166059304552489.post-24168756246246515122015-01-15T20:07:25.342+00:002015-01-15T20:07:25.342+00:00An actual visitor! Awesome. Hi Ariel!
The link ...An actual visitor! Awesome. Hi Ariel!<br /><br />The link from the GenkiJACS website is direct, and that G-Call page doesn't offer navigation, but you can drop back a bit to get a look at the actual phone: <a href="http://www.g-call.com/aff/dom/" rel="nofollow">right here</a>. As you can see, it's a simple handset with basic internet function. It's also really quite faffy to use, in my experience.<br /><br />There are a few companies that will rent you either a local SIM or a smartphone; SoftBank is a pretty major one and doesn't seem too extortionate: <a href="http://www.softbank-rental.jp/e/rental-plan-ib02.php" rel="nofollow">here</a>. Note the description of their data plan is actually wrong; checking the Japanese, it's 0.32Y per packet, capped at 1550Y/day, as the chart describes.<br /><br />While it's definitely not crippling, I'd really recommend getting a smartphone if you can. Having access to maps makes a huge difference in your confidence getting around the city (let alone on trips out of town), and paper tourist maps may not cover the area where you live! Also, maps can't tell you where you are right now. I also found my phone very useful socially once I'd made some friends, even though I don't typically it much at home. There's also dictionary apps and stuff that other people used all the time.<br /><br />What sort of issues were you thinking of? I didn't notice any particular problems with my computer, but I'm happy to get more specific. <br /><br />One thing worth noting, it's <b>extremely</b> rare that anywhere in Japan will let you plug in a laptop, or even a phone, so running out of battery is a constant problem. Unlike the UK, even chain cafes don't like you using their power. It also seemed like fewer places offered wi-fi. Here's a strange tip: Starbucks tends to have wi-fi, but Doutor (another chain) tends to have sockets. In a few places, I found myself moving from one to another; I'd work and email in Starbucks, move to Doutor to charge while I read or did flashcards, then shift back to Starbucks!<br /><br />Also worth noting, I found the laptop power supplies at the school would fit my laptop. So I could avoid hauling my own supply-plus-adaptor over to the school, and just recharge it over lunch using the school's, then use it in a cafe or the park.Shimmin Beghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10350037986748679919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1413166059304552489.post-19397830598645305882015-01-15T17:20:27.543+00:002015-01-15T17:20:27.543+00:00Hey Shimmin! I found your blog in November and hav...Hey Shimmin! I found your blog in November and have been following since because I intend to attend GenkiJACS starting in October. Could you perhaps clarify a little on the differences of the G-Call handset? I'm assuming they don't have a smartphone available?<br />Also, I was wondering if you had any issues using your own non-Japanese computer?Arielnoreply@blogger.com