Sadly for you, the bated/baited brain fart was just one of those typos that occur when someone types too fast, too late at night.
It is for this reason I don't try to correct anyone's grammar or spelling on the Internet. Glass houses, you know. But you saw fit to go even beyond that level of pedantry and stoop to insults.
Fittingly, you posted as Anonymous Coward. However, even ignoring that, your words say more than enough about your character.
Looking at the D-Link videophone that was suggested I also found they have a stand-alone unit that connects to your TV to display the video and audio. It also has jacks for external audio input an external phone/answering machine to take voicemail messages even from video callers and comes in wired and 802.11b wireless models.
Control is through a TV-remote control device so it's close perfect. I would have to see how well it could be remotely controlled from outside but I'm sure some hacking possibilities are there.
Now to get Obaachan a broadband connection and we're in business.
An iMac or any computer would work for that matter, but the idea is it shouldn't appear to be a computer and doesn't require any functionality other than to act as a visual communications device.
The remote administration ability is both so that we can resolve any problems but also to allow us the ability to turn on the camera if we cannot contact her by the usual means just in case.
I looked at the N800. Overkill and what the nice flash ads promote as a "intuitive user interface" would be beyond confusing for Obaachan.
From scratch looks like the only option unless I can get an electronics maker interested. But I'm one of those that doesn't know how to go about doing that.
I shouldn't respond to such an obvious troll but yes, the idea is for her to eventually come over to Canada in the summers when it's too fricken hot in Japan and stay in Japan for winter which isn't too bad and where she feels more comfortable with neighbours and friends.
A broadband connection would not be a problem. This is Japan where 100Mbps fiber connections are $40 a month and ADSL connections which would be enough for this without any construction work required are even less.
Not gonna happen. Obaachan has had a video tape player in her house for close to 15 years and has never, ever used it. She finally broke down and agreed to let my wife buy her a washing machine (no dryer) because washing clothes outside at the cold water tap was getting too harsh in winter.
There is a cultural aspect at work here as well since although a lot of European and North American elderly people will take up the challenge to learn to use a computer elderly Japanese, especially in rural districts see absolutely no benefit or requirement to bring the complexity into their lives.
You really shouldn't have done that. A whole new set of people will need eye bleach.
Actually I've got a lot of respect for Jay. He made the effort to create something and did a good job of it. Must be kickass at costume parties and halloween.
Yeah, it doesn't make any difference if you can or can't see the CEO's face during the big teleconference but let me tell you one example were it would make a world of difference:
One month ago my father-in-law died leaving his wife to live alone for the first time in her life. She lives in a somewhat rural part of Japan North of Tokyo in an area with few neighbours. My wife is her only daughter and we live in Canada, her only son is an engineer for Fujitsu and spends many days on the road. We know she misses our kids and we try to get over to Japan as much as possible however more than once every year or two is a stretch.
If she could have a simple device that hooks up to a broadband connection with a small webcam and directional microphone on top of the TV and which can be operated with a couple of buttons on a remote she would feel so much more in contact with us.
Videophone technologies up to now have required knowledge of computer operation and Instant Messaging software or having to go through the complexities of setting up the traditional video conference. Here we are talking about a 76-year old Japanese granny who has never and will never touch anything more complex than the phone or the TV remote.
I'm looking for someone who can build such a device which can be administered remotely, has 6-8 large "quick-dial" buttons and an emergency button which will try to connect through a list of contacts if required.
Any 7-11 has milk. The supaas have cereal, just in teensy weensy boxes that last 2-3 days. If you're in the suburbs there should be big-box stores around that have cereal and other such food in more western-size quantities.
I wouldn't touch a Japanese Wendy's but Denny's is actually a good place to eat. Royal Host is an ok second choice but never, ever go to a Volks no matter how good the promotional pictures of the steaks look. The only place in Japan that consistently gave me an upset stomach every time I went.
I was looking forward to an insightful read on George Bush's failings but then you put forward "Loose Change" as a reliable source of information about the events on 9/11.
At that point your credibility effectively went to zero.
If you are wondering what they are yelling from the trucks it's basically limited to "This is Hiromi Yoshida, We hope we can count on you in the upcoming election, Thank you very much."
That's just a worker doing the actual announcement, the politician himself is probably just sitting in the van waving his white-gloved hand. The white glove is supposed to symbolize honesty but Mr. Yoshida has had his own scandals.
There is a special class of visa for skilled Canadians who want to work in the U.S. but who don't want to (or can't e.g. no degree) go through the hassle of getting an H1-B.
The TN-1 is a one-year renewable visa with much laxer requirements. I have this to qualify for working at client sites in the States, although that rarely happens as all my development is done remotely.
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Sadly for you, the bated/baited brain fart was just one of those typos that occur when someone types too fast, too late at night.
It is for this reason I don't try to correct anyone's grammar or spelling on the Internet. Glass houses, you know. But you saw fit to go even beyond that level of pedantry and stoop to insults.
Fittingly, you posted as Anonymous Coward. However, even ignoring that, your words say more than enough about your character.
Looking at the D-Link videophone that was suggested I also found they have a stand-alone unit that connects to your TV to display the video and audio. It also has jacks for external audio input an external phone/answering machine to take voicemail messages even from video callers and comes in wired and 802.11b wireless models.
Control is through a TV-remote control device so it's close perfect. I would have to see how well it could be remotely controlled from outside but I'm sure some hacking possibilities are there.
Now to get Obaachan a broadband connection and we're in business.
Thanks all!
Hmmm. My son who is waiting with baited breath for halo3 would love that.
However, a shiny box like that sitting in Obaachan's house turned on all the time wouldn't go down too well.
An iMac or any computer would work for that matter, but the idea is it shouldn't appear to be a computer and doesn't require any functionality other than to act as a visual communications device.
The remote administration ability is both so that we can resolve any problems but also to allow us the ability to turn on the camera if we cannot contact her by the usual means just in case.
I looked at the N800. Overkill and what the nice flash ads promote as a "intuitive user interface" would be beyond confusing for Obaachan.
From scratch looks like the only option unless I can get an electronics maker interested. But I'm one of those that doesn't know how to go about doing that.
I shouldn't respond to such an obvious troll but yes, the idea is for her to eventually come over to Canada in the summers when it's too fricken hot in Japan and stay in Japan for winter which isn't too bad and where she feels more comfortable with neighbours and friends.
However, she won't travel alone.
Interesting, looks like the Packet8 device above.
A broadband connection would not be a problem. This is Japan where 100Mbps fiber connections are $40 a month and ADSL connections which would be enough for this without any construction work required are even less.
Not gonna happen. Obaachan has had a video tape player in her house for close to 15 years and has never, ever used it. She finally broke down and agreed to let my wife buy her a washing machine (no dryer) because washing clothes outside at the cold water tap was getting too harsh in winter.
There is a cultural aspect at work here as well since although a lot of European and North American elderly people will take up the challenge to learn to use a computer elderly Japanese, especially in rural districts see absolutely no benefit or requirement to bring the complexity into their lives.
You really shouldn't have done that. A whole new set of people will need eye bleach.
Actually I've got a lot of respect for Jay. He made the effort to create something and did a good job of it. Must be kickass at costume parties and halloween.
Just remember to wear a cup next time Jay, m'kay?
Yeah, it doesn't make any difference if you can or can't see the CEO's face during the big teleconference but let me tell you one example were it would make a world of difference:
One month ago my father-in-law died leaving his wife to live alone for the first time in her life. She lives in a somewhat rural part of Japan North of Tokyo in an area with few neighbours. My wife is her only daughter and we live in Canada, her only son is an engineer for Fujitsu and spends many days on the road. We know she misses our kids and we try to get over to Japan as much as possible however more than once every year or two is a stretch.
If she could have a simple device that hooks up to a broadband connection with a small webcam and directional microphone on top of the TV and which can be operated with a couple of buttons on a remote she would feel so much more in contact with us.
Videophone technologies up to now have required knowledge of computer operation and Instant Messaging software or having to go through the complexities of setting up the traditional video conference. Here we are talking about a 76-year old Japanese granny who has never and will never touch anything more complex than the phone or the TV remote.
I'm looking for someone who can build such a device which can be administered remotely, has 6-8 large "quick-dial" buttons and an emergency button which will try to connect through a list of contacts if required.
There is huge potential for comedy sound layers here. To follow your example, zoom in on the building holding Steve Balmer's office and hear..
"DEVELOPERS!, DEVELOPERS!,DEVELOPERS!, DEVELOPERS!DEVELOPERS!, DEVELOPERS!"
"Louie isn't with us anymore."
Somehow I don't think "...bouquet like an aborigine's armpit" would be acceptable in this PC day and age.
Very likely as Japanese is mostly tongue and very little lip movement.
Q: What's the difference between a Japanese ventriloquist and a persona speaking normally.
A: Nothing
Where in inaka do you live? Aomori?
Any 7-11 has milk. The supaas have cereal, just in teensy weensy boxes that last 2-3 days. If you're in the suburbs there should be big-box stores around that have cereal and other such food in more western-size quantities.
I wouldn't touch a Japanese Wendy's but Denny's is actually a good place to eat. Royal Host is an ok second choice but never, ever go to a Volks no matter how good the promotional pictures of the steaks look. The only place in Japan that consistently gave me an upset stomach every time I went.
...smothered in hot grits.
$%*&^*^#^!@!# (CONNECTION LOST)
I was looking forward to an insightful read on George Bush's failings but then you put forward "Loose Change" as a reliable source of information about the events on 9/11.
At that point your credibility effectively went to zero.
Sakura Shinmachi is on the Denen Toshi line from Shibuya to Yoga. When I first went to Japan I lived at Chitose Karasuyama.
Is he the one who used the word sankokujin
Yup, that's the twit.
Where did you live in Setagay-ku? We lived in Sakura-shinmachi.
If you are wondering what they are yelling from the trucks it's basically limited to "This is Hiromi Yoshida, We hope we can count on you in the upcoming election, Thank you very much."
That's just a worker doing the actual announcement, the politician himself is probably just sitting in the van waving his white-gloved hand. The white glove is supposed to symbolize honesty but Mr. Yoshida has had his own scandals.
Maybe the current Mayor of Tokyo, Ishihara is afraid some of his racist rantings will be seen outside Japan.
Anyway, I would gladly exchange being unable to see Japanese political speeches online if they would stop using those bloody election sound trucks.
The Canadian equivalent is the TN-1.
There is a special class of visa for skilled Canadians who want to work in the U.S. but who don't want to (or can't e.g. no degree) go through the hassle of getting an H1-B.
The TN-1 is a one-year renewable visa with much laxer requirements. I have this to qualify for working at client sites in the States, although that rarely happens as all my development is done remotely.
Just wanted to drop by and say that was a great post.
As it was posted last week?