What To Buy?

[Yoshi]

Hi everyone,

I am a scholar in the Netherlands, and I study Japanese. I am looking for a electronic dictionary. I looked around for a wordtank, but the only option for me is the Canon V80 Wordtank, because it is the only decent one on which you can use a touch screen to write Kanji on. I really want that.

When I looked some further, I found that PDA's can have nice Japanese dictionaries as well, and that a Zaurus is a good choice. So I am reading around about all the different models. I really like the design of the SL-C1000/3000/3100. I do have some question though, and I hope you can help me out here

1. I use Windows XP on my PC. I'm not new to computers, but I am a total Linux noob. Is the Sharp ROM usable if I know about nothing of Linux?

2. I also read about flashing different OS's on it. Especially Cacko seems to be popular, but I'm still not sure why it's better than the standard Sharp ROM. Can anyone explain why I should bother flashing it with Cacko?

3. Since above all, I want to use it to look up Kanji by writing them on the touch screen, I would like some conformation if this is possible. If I understood what I read, it is, but just want some extra conformation

4. Allthough I want to use it mainly for Kanji lookup, I do really like other features like browsing the internet and watching a movie. I know it doesn't have an internal WiFi-card. Can I just buy any WiFi-card that fits into the CF slot? And with it, can I use any WiFi-router which isn't password protected? Or are there any restrictions of some kind.

5. Is it possible to put a DivX movie via USB on the hard disc (or on a CF/SD card) and play it on the Zaurus?

6. Can I plug a USB stick with some Word document files (.doc) in it, and edit those files? I read something about the Zaurus not being a USB host, does this mean that you can't use USB sticks? And is there anything like open office or something that can edit .doc files?

7. Where did you guys buy it? On import shops the Zaurus is very expensive, like 800$ or something. I read about PriceJapan.com on this forum. Is it any good? Or are there any cheaper places? What about the ones on Yahoo Auctions? Has anyone experience with that?

8. And... which one to buy? I know that the C1000 doesn't have the 4GB hard disc. Where can you install applications? Just on SD or CF cards? Also, what exactly is the difference between the C3000 and the C3100, apart from a big amount of cash

I hope you can help me a little bit on the way! Thanks in advance!

[jfv]

Hi everyone,

I am a scholar in the Netherlands, and I study Japanese. I am looking for a electronic dictionary. I looked around for a wordtank, but the only option for me is the Canon V80 Wordtank, because it is the only decent one on which you can use a touch screen to write Kanji on. I really want that.

When I looked some further, I found that PDA's can have nice Japanese dictionaries as well, and that a Zaurus is a good choice. So I am reading around about all the different models. I really like the design of the SL-C1000/3000/3100. I do have some question though, and I hope you can help me out here

1. I use Windows XP on my PC. I'm not new to computers, but I am a total Linux noob. Is the Sharp ROM usable if I know about nothing of Linux?

Should be, but I'll let the noobs aswer that.

2. I also read about flashing different OS's on it. Especially Cacko seems to be popular, but I'm still not sure why it's better than the standard Sharp ROM. Can anyone explain why I should bother flashing it with Cacko?

There is no reason to flash the ROM, some people prefer other stuff. But I think you will lose all the Japanese stuff that comes with the Zaurus if you flash the ROM.

3. Since above all, I want to use it to look up Kanji by writing them on the touch screen, I would like some conformation if this is possible. If I understood what I read, it is, but just want some extra conformation

I believe that is correct, but I don't really know. I'll leave this one for others to answer.

4. Allthough I want to use it mainly for Kanji lookup, I do really like other features like browsing the internet and watching a movie. I know it doesn't have an internal WiFi-card. Can I just buy any WiFi-card that fits into the CF slot? And with it, can I use any WiFi-router which isn't password protected? Or are there any restrictions of some kind.

Most CF wifi cards work, a few don't, search around here for the answer. If you have a card that works you can use it with any wifi router and access point, even password protected (if you know the password).

5. Is it possible to put a DivX movie via USB on the hard disc (or on a CF/SD card) and play it on the Zaurus?

Don't know

6. Can I plug a USB stick with some Word document files (.doc) in it, and edit those files? I read something about the Zaurus not being a USB host, does this mean that you can't use USB sticks? And is there anything like open office or something that can edit .doc files?

The C1000 and C3x00 do have USB host capability and you should be able to use a USB stick (you'll need a small adaptor). Hancom Word (which comes with the Zaurus) can open .doc files and edit them but does not have all the capabilities of Word.

7. Where did you guys buy it? On import shops the Zaurus is very expensive, like 800$ or something. I read about PriceJapan.com on this forum. Is it any good? Or are there any cheaper places? What about the ones on Yahoo Auctions? Has anyone experience with that?

Got mine in Japan, can't help here.

8. And... which one to buy? I know that the C1000 doesn't have the 4GB hard disc. Where can you install applications? Just on SD or CF cards? Also, what exactly is the difference between the C3000 and the C3100, apart from a big amount of cash

The C1000 and the C3100 have 128MB of flash storage and you can install apps and save files there too.

I hope you can help me a little bit on the way! Thanks in advance!
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Felipe

[brashley46]

Hi everyone,

I am a scholar in the Netherlands, and I study Japanese. I am looking for a electronic dictionary. I looked around for a wordtank, but the only option for me is the Canon V80 Wordtank, because it is the only decent one on which you can use a touch screen to write Kanji on. I really want that.

When I looked some further, I found that PDA's can have nice Japanese dictionaries as well, and that a Zaurus is a good choice. So I am reading around about all the different models. I really like the design of the SL-C1000/3000/3100. I do have some question though, and I hope you can help me out here

1. I use Windows XP on my PC. I'm not new to computers, but I am a total Linux noob. Is the Sharp ROM usable if I know about nothing of Linux?

2. I also read about flashing different OS's on it. Especially Cacko seems to be popular, but I'm still not sure why it's better than the standard Sharp ROM. Can anyone explain why I should bother flashing it with Cacko?

3. Since above all, I want to use it to look up Kanji by writing them on the touch screen, I would like some conformation if this is possible. If I understood what I read, it is, but just want some extra conformation

4. Allthough I want to use it mainly for Kanji lookup, I do really like other features like browsing the internet and watching a movie. I know it doesn't have an internal WiFi-card. Can I just buy any WiFi-card that fits into the CF slot? And with it, can I use any WiFi-router which isn't password protected? Or are there any restrictions of some kind.

5. Is it possible to put a DivX movie via USB on the hard disc (or on a CF/SD card) and play it on the Zaurus?

6. Can I plug a USB stick with some Word document files (.doc) in it, and edit those files? I read something about the Zaurus not being a USB host, does this mean that you can't use USB sticks? And is there anything like open office or something that can edit .doc files?

7. Where did you guys buy it? On import shops the Zaurus is very expensive, like 800$ or something. I read about PriceJapan.com on this forum. Is it any good? Or are there any cheaper places? What about the ones on Yahoo Auctions? Has anyone experience with that?

8. And... which one to buy? I know that the C1000 doesn't have the 4GB hard disc. Where can you install applications? Just on SD or CF cards? Also, what exactly is the difference between the C3000 and the C3100, apart from a big amount of cash

I hope you can help me a little bit on the way! Thanks in advance!
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You can buy from Trisoft [a href=\"http://www.trisoft.de/]http://www.trisoft.de/[/url] in Germany, Direct from Japan http://www.directfromjapan.net/ in France, Streamline CPUs in the US, conics.net in the US ... see their websites to get an idea of their prices and what you get for them.

Using the sharp ROMs can be a good introduction to working with LInux in general; that's how I got comfortable with the whole idea. On the other hand, if all you want to do with it is use it, most applications "just work".

I am not sure whether the media players available for the later Zaurii will play DivX movies or not ... the ones I've used on my 5500 would not.

Don't know about Yahoo Auctions, I use eBay. I see that most zaurii on eBay, if new, end up selling for about what they would retail for from those importers.

[rokugo]

1. I use Windows XP on my PC. I'm not new to computers, but I am a total Linux noob. Is the Sharp ROM usable if I know about nothing of Linux?

Yes. Its just like any other PDA.

2. I also read about flashing different OS's on it. Especially Cacko seems to be popular, but I'm still not sure why it's better than the standard Sharp ROM. Can anyone explain why I should bother flashing it with Cacko?

Since youre buying the Zaurus for its Japanese environment, its best to stick with the default ROM. However there are certain advantages with the Cacko ROM, as I mentioned in this post https://www.oesf.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=16808

3. Since above all, I want to use it to look up Kanji by writing them on the touch screen, I would like some conformation if this is possible. If I understood what I read, it is, but just want some extra conformation

Of course possible. But you need to know the principle of stroke order. The handwriting recognition in Zaurus can be very unforgiving with wrong stroke order. (it doesn't come close to the fantastic Decuma Japanese input found in Sony Clies, which doesn't seem to care how you write the kanji)

4. Allthough I want to use it mainly for Kanji lookup, I do really like other features like browsing the internet and watching a movie. I know it doesn't have an internal WiFi-card. Can I just buy any WiFi-card that fits into the CF slot? And with it, can I use any WiFi-router which isn't password protected? Or are there any restrictions of some kind.

As others have mentioned, you will need to search for compatible cards.

5. Is it possible to put a DivX movie via USB on the hard disc (or on a CF/SD card) and play it on the Zaurus?

Yes, but not with the default movie player. You need to install MPlayer and Kino2 (which comes standard in the Cacko ROM)

6. Can I plug a USB stick with some Word document files (.doc) in it, and edit those files? I read something about the Zaurus not being a USB host, does this mean that you can't use USB sticks? And is there anything like open office or something that can edit .doc files?

The Cxx00 all have usb host capability.

7. Where did you guys buy it? On import shops the Zaurus is very expensive, like 800$ or something. I read about PriceJapan.com on this forum. Is it any good? Or are there any cheaper places? What about the ones on Yahoo Auctions? Has anyone experience with that?

PriceJapan is the cheapest means to get one outside of Japan. AFAIK, should you need to send your Zaurus for servicing (under warranty), you ship it back to them, and they send it to Sharp. And you bear all shipment costs.
Other import shops handle the warranty/support issue diferently(?) which may (or may not) explain their higher pricing. Best to ask each of them exactly what you'll be getting.

8. And... which one to buy? I know that the C1000 doesn't have the 4GB hard disc. Where can you install applications? Just on SD or CF cards? Also, what exactly is the difference between the C3000 and the C3100, apart from a big amount of cash

With the C3xxx, you get a 4GB microdrive and 2 built-in dictionaries, the Kojien and Genius. They are nice to look at and listen to, but they are aimed for native Japanese. So you might find that the Kojien(JP/JP) entries are not very easy to understand and sometime use archaic  terms and examples, and the Genius(JP/Eng) entries are too brief and lacking example sentences. You will need to supplement them with other dictionaries.
Personally I tailor-made my own set of dictionaries with a combination of commercial software and freeware.

[Yoshi]

Thanks for all the elaborate answers!

I think I don't have to worry about Linux anymore. A good opportiunity to learn it  According to rokugo's other topic, Cacko seems interesting. I don't want to convert it to Japanese though. I like my applications in English (like all the menu options in Hancom word for example), but want to be able to visit Japanese website and entering kana/kanji. And of course the dictionary  If I understand correctly, you can always reset your Zaurus to factory default settings? So if you screw up installing Cacko for some reason, you can just push some buttons and it's back to the original Zaurus rom?

It's good to know that it can act a USB host, and can edit Word files. Then I can work on some schoolwork in the train

About the dictionary: is it software where you can just install a new dictionary file for, or do you need to install a whole new dictionary application if you're not satisfied with the ones on it now? And is the picky stroke order recognition due to the Zaurus, or to the dictionary software? I guess the last one. I am familiar though with stroke orders, so in most cases it probably won't be a problem. (Is it also possible to use the touchscreen to enter Kanji in a web form for example? Or only in the dictionary?)

I think I prefer the C3x00's above the C1000 because of there microdrive. I am still wondering about two things though. Should I buy a 3000 or a 3100? The latter has more flash ram, of which applications will probably run faster than of the microdrive. But I like the light color of the 3000 more  Anyone that upgraded from a 3000 to a 3100 and can convince me to go for the 3100 and not the 3000?  

Also, how about the quality of these devices? I read everywhere that it looks nice, feels nice and everything. But does it die soon? Do many Zaurii suffer from dead pixels? I am a bit worried, since it's not a matter of just walking to the shop next door when it's broke if I import it. Again, I hope you can help me out!

[Meanie]

Thanks for all the elaborate answers!

I think I don't have to worry about Linux anymore. A good opportiunity to learn it  According to rokugo's other topic, Cacko seems interesting. I don't want to convert it to Japanese though. I like my applications in English (like all the menu options in Hancom word for example), but want to be able to visit Japanese website and entering kana/kanji. And of course the dictionary  If I understand correctly, you can always reset your Zaurus to factory default settings? So if you screw up installing Cacko for some reason, you can just push some buttons and it's back to the original Zaurus rom?

It's good to know that it can act a USB host, and can edit Word files. Then I can work on some schoolwork in the train

About the dictionary: is it software where you can just install a new dictionary file for, or do you need to install a whole new dictionary application if you're not satisfied with the ones on it now? And is the picky stroke order recognition due to the Zaurus, or to the dictionary software? I guess the last one. I am familiar though with stroke orders, so in most cases it probably won't be a problem. (Is it also possible to use the touchscreen to enter Kanji in a web form for example? Or only in the dictionary?)

I think I prefer the C3x00's above the C1000 because of there microdrive. I am still wondering about two things though. Should I buy a 3000 or a 3100? The latter has more flash ram, of which applications will probably run faster than of the microdrive. But I like the light color of the 3000 more  Anyone that upgraded from a 3000 to a 3100 and can convince me to go for the 3100 and not the 3000?  

Also, how about the quality of these devices? I read everywhere that it looks nice, feels nice and everything. But does it die soon? Do many Zaurii suffer from dead pixels? I am a bit worried, since it's not a matter of just walking to the shop next door when it's broke if I import it. Again, I hope you can help me out!
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I have both, the C3000 and C3100 andno dead pixels on either of them. If you ask me, go for the C3100, it is much better. The few megs of flash does make a big difference.

Have a look at my website to see what else the Zaurus can do and the difference between those two [a href=\"http://www.users.on.net/~hluc/myZaurus/]http://www.users.on.net/~hluc/myZaurus/[/url]

[Yoshi]

Okay, I have another (probably stupid) question. I played with a dictionary on a friends PDA yesterday. This raised a question. If I shut down his PDA while being in the dictionary and press the power button again, the PDA immediately (well, after 1 second or so) shows the dictionary again at the point where I was playing when I shut down the PDA.

My question is: is this the same with the Zaurus? Or do I have to boot the system again every time I shut it down, waiting 20 seconds for it to power up, and then power up the dictionary?

[DoTheDog]

Yes, you can suspend the z and when you turn it back on it will come back just the way you left it. The cool thing is you can have multiple apps open at the same time too.

As for the kana/kanji recognition, I use it all the time. It can be a bit picky especially with kanji with a lot of strokes but for me it is very helpful and useable. I'm pretty fluent speaking Japanese but my writing isn't as good so I use it alot with webforms, email, etc. And yes, there is an input method called crim that you basically write what you want and input it anywhere you want.

As for doing English menus in apps but still being able to input Japanese, check out meanies' site. He has an ipk that will give you bilingual capabilities. Look for the jaen ipk.

As far as advice on which one to buy take meanie's advice. Believe me he knows what he's talking about. Check out his site and you will be amazed at how far you can take the z all with very clear instructions from meanie.

[Yoshi]

Yes, you can suspend the z and when you turn it back on it will come back just the way you left it. The cool thing is you can have multiple apps open at the same time too.

As for the kana/kanji recognition, I use it all the time. It can be a bit picky especially with kanji with a lot of strokes but for me it is very helpful and useable. I'm pretty fluent speaking Japanese but my writing isn't as good so I use it alot with webforms, email, etc. And yes, there is an input method called crim that you basically write what you want and input it anywhere you want.

As for doing English menus in apps but still being able to input Japanese, check out meanies' site. He has an ipk that will give you bilingual capabilities. Look for the jaen ipk.

As far as advice on which one to buy take meanie's advice. Believe me he knows what he's talking about. Check out his site and you will be amazed at how far you can take the z all with very clear instructions from meanie.
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Thank you for your advice  Do you mean with the crim method that you can draw Kanji in input fields on webpages instead of typing the kana first as with the Japanese IME on my desktop? That would be pretty cool, allthough the IME is fine as well.

I think I made up my mind now... a C3100 it is.  Based on the messages I've read on this forum, PriceJapan.com seems like a good place to buy one. If someone has another suggestion, of course I'd like to know!

[Yoshi]

I ordered a C3100 at PriceJapan.com.  I transfered money to the Frankfurt bank account they have. Anyone any idea how long it will approximately take for my precious to arrive in the Netherlands, after the money is transfered from my account (on the 22th, Wednesday)?

The wire transfer method is not implemented correctly on PriceJapan's website btw, so I had to place my order by e-mail. I hope I didn't just flush my money down the toilet and never see a Zaurus for it. *crosses fingers*

[apink]

The wire transfer method is not implemented correctly on PriceJapan's website btw, so I had to place my order by e-mail. I hope I didn't just flush my money down the toilet and never see a Zaurus for it. *crosses fingers*
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I had the same experience:  giving money to a bank with little or no confirmation that it was going where I wanted it to go.  I got my C1000 within two days.

[Yoshi]

Within two days? Wow, that's fast! Two days after they received the C1000 from wherever they buy them? Or after you transfered the money to their bank account? And may I ask where you live? I still haven't heard anything from PriceJapan, but I guess it takes a while for my bank transfer to Frankfurt to be handled... I hope....  

[Yoshi]

Yippie!! I recieved my 3100  

First thing I would like: to localisize it to English, but also keep te Japanese texts, as mentioned in meanies guide. I'm not sure if I first have to backup my Zaurus though, and if so: how? I read you have to do a NAND backup, but I'm afraid I'm not sure how to do that...

[aka-ranma]

Yippie!! I recieved my 3100  

First thing I would like: to localisize it to English, but also keep te Japanese texts, as mentioned in meanies guide. I'm not sure if I first have to backup my Zaurus though, and if so: how? I read you have to do a NAND backup, but I'm afraid I'm not sure how to do that...
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Hi,

Welcome!  I recently got C3100 too.  Localisizing it to Eng is fairly easy.  But keeping JP requires more steps.

Meanie's page is fairly comprehensive:

[a href=\"http://www.users.on.net/~hluc/myZaurus/]http://www.users.on.net/~hluc/myZaurus/[/url]

As for nand, you may have to do abit more digging.  I forgot where I got mine from.