Credit Card Numbers Stolen from Japan Foundation LA
Written by Jeshii on 2010.09.21 – 05:30 -
Crap. Looks like the Japan Foundation, Los Angeles got hacked recently. From an email set to JLPT registrants:
To all 2009 and 2010 JLPT registrants:
We are sending this message because the Japan Foundation, Los Angeles’ web and mail servers were unlawfully attacked. There is a possibility that your personal information including credit card number and date of birth were stolen.
The Japan Foundation and our web developer, Hampstead USA, are closely investigating this case right now. In the meanwhile, we recommend that you contact your credit card company immediately to inform them of this case and follow their suggestions in order to prevent any fraudulent charges on your credit card.
We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause.
So call your bank folks. I’m personally having trouble remembering which card I put it on.
If you are trying to register for this year’s test, their website says the following:
Important Message from the Japan Foundation, Los Angeles
Our website is temporarily unavailable. The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles, is working together with our Web Developer, Hampstead USA, to quickly restore access to our website. We understand that this is a critical time during the year, especially for those trying to register for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test and we sincerely apologize for the inconvenience.Please check back later, thank you.
Let’s hope it gets fixed by the deadline. However, this makes me not want to give them my credit card number again. What are they doing keeping the credit card numbers on the webserver anyway?
I may have failed last year’s test (1級 >ω<;), but looks like they fail at web security.
Tags: credit cards, crime, hacking, Japan Foundation, Japanese, Japanese language, Japanese language proficiency test, jlpt, Los Angeles, nihongo nouryoku shiken, 日本語, 日本語能力試験
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Japanese iPhone app hits 2.0!
Written by Jeshii on 2009.09.11 – 01:47 -
After a long wait, the iPhone/iPod Touch app simply called “Japanese” has finally hit 2.0. The 1.0 version was fantastic and fully replaced my 電子辞書 (denshijisho, we often called them our “gaijin cards“).
The 1.0 version had a lot of good features for searching, even by ローマ字 (romaji) or 部首 (bushu), but the new one has multiple radical search (they call it “By Component” search) and even search by conjugated form. I think my favorite new feature is the ability to use the by component entry system to look up things in the main dictionary. Brilliant.
In addition, they are challenging Anki mobile with their own flashcard system and a JLPT study list that also has how many days until the next test! I wonder if they account for the fact that the test is done twice in Japan per year, but only once overseas…
The animations showing you how to draw the 漢字 (kanji) are back. That was really one thing that set 1.0 out and above everything else.
Anyway, it is normally $20, but was on sale until 2.0 was released… which seems like it was today. The app store description and website aren’t updated yet, so go get it NOW while it is still cheap! Even at $20, you get the functionality of a $300 piece of equipment. After breaking 3 electronic dictionaries over the years, I’m glad to have this all in 1 app. Go convergence! (More screen shots after the jump.)
Read more »
Tags: anki, Anki Mobile, Apple, code from tokyo, iPhone, iPod Touch, Japanese, jlpt, kanji, nihongo, 日本語, 日本語能力試験, 漢字
Posted in language | 2 Comments »
Lang-8, a bittersweet way to learn
Written by Jeshii on 2008.10.23 – 16:45 -
Ever since Tofugu‘s EXCELLENT entry on free ways to learn Japanese (which did not include Anki BTW ><;), I have been hooked on Lang-8. Basically, it is a social networking site designed for people learning other languages.
The way it works is that you choose a language you are trying to learn. Then you write entries in that language, and native speakers will come along and correct it. The BEST thing about it is that people really do come along and correct your entries. Withing 2 minutes of my first posting, someone had make some corrections.
While that is the sweet part, it is also bitter. You sit there and really see how much you SUCK at the language you are trying to learn. This is not a site for people who can’t take constructive criticism. You just have to swallow your pride and learn. That’s what’s so awesome about it.
And then, you can also go and correct others entries. When you make corrections, you can cross out, make bold, or change the color to blue or red to emphasize your points.
Another AMAZING feature on the site that I noticed is that is has the same functionality as rikaichan built in! I don’t know how many languages this works for, but at least Japanese has it.
I already have 3 friends. Yay! I think the funniest part is that the OLs correct my Japanese differently that the サラリーマン (sarariiman) do. The OLs seems to just do little mistakes, where as the サラリーマン seems to cross out my simple Japanese and add 漢字 (kanji) compounds.
Anyway, I’m in love with this site. This is now my Japanese blog of choice.
Go ready my Lang-8 blog!
Tags: blogs, Internet, Japanese language, learning, sns, social networking, study, 勉強, 日本語
Posted in blogs, language | 1 Comment »
Keep going until you cry Anki!
Written by Jeshii on 2008.10.11 – 21:09 -Some people ask me, “Jeshii, how do I learn Japanese?” I then hold back the urge to scream, “MOVE TO JAPAN!!!” and give them the following advice:
1. Download firefox and rikai-chan. Use firefox to visit Japanese pages that interest you.
2. Download Anki. It’s a fantastic flashcard program that will automatically add ふりがな.
3. Everytime you use Rikai-chan to look up a word you don’t know, hit “c” on the keyboard. This copies it to the clipboard.
4. Go in to Anki and paste it in a card.
Voilà, you are now building an extremely relevant flashcard library!
Tags: anki, firefox, flashcards, Japanese, language, learning, rikai-chan, rikaichan, software, study, 勉強, 日本語
Posted in language | 1 Comment »
Today is the JLPT Deadline
Written by Jeshii on 2008.09.26 – 07:00 -
You have until 5pm today (PDT) to register for the JLPT if you live in the United States! If you live elsewhere, please check the international site for your deadline (may have passed already ><;).
I’m taking 1級 (ikkyu) in LA. The test is on Sunday, Dec. 7th! If you are interested in studying, leave a comment! XD
Tags: jlpt, language, test, urgent
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Rikai-chan
Written by Jeshii on 2008.08.30 – 18:42 -
Are you using rikai-chan? This excellent firefox extension is made by the folk(s) over at polarcloud.com. I love this program. Basically, you install it, install a dictionary, and then toggle it in firefox. Then, when you mouse over some Japanese, the dictionary will do its best to find the reading and a translation of the word you are mousing over.
Seriously, this program is a life saver for 漢字 (kanji) impaired people like myself. Give it a shot and then go try and read the perfume blog! 
Tags: language, nihongo, software, technology
Posted in language, technology | 3 Comments »
JLPT Registration
Written by Jeshii on 2008.08.27 – 00:00 -
It’s that time again! Time to register for the 2008 日本語能力試験 (nihongo nouryoku shiken), aka the Japanese Language Proficiency Test. Registration is until September 26 at 5:00 PM (PDT) in the US (And you can register online!). One month left! If you are taking it elsewhere, check out the official site for more info.
I have registered to take level 1 again. I have level 2 already, but level 1 defeated me last year. So, I try again. Maybe if I pass, I can beat out the coming changes that are going to make level 1 even harder.
Also, if you are in the greater Los Angeles area and want to study for 1級 or 2級, gimme a holler in the comments!
Tags: education, jlpt, language, nihongo, test
Posted in language | No Comments »
