Which software do you use for studying ?

[Homerduff]

What computer programs or extensions, if any, do you use to study Japanese ?
I'm currently using 3 different software applications:

- Rikaichan: I absolutely love this tool. It's a firefox extension that (if activated) works as a dictionnary. basically if you point your cursor on any kana/kanji, it will recognize the words and give you one or more translations in English.

- Anki: This is a really nice flashcard memorizer. It has pre-made decks like Kanji and JLPT 4 till 2. It's in my opinion alot more fun to study in this way.

- JBrute: A very good, detailled dictionnary. Simply enter a Japanese word (like 犬、dog) and not only it will give you the translation of 犬, it will also give you almost all other words containing the kanji 犬 and lot's of possible phrases.

 

[Thorham]

Currently I'm not using any, however, I'm busy writing my own learners software, which I'm going stuff with useful features (no definite list yet). I've currently done about half of the program, which means the two dictionaries (kanji dictionary and compound dictionary) and one kanji lookup system (the one based on multiple radicals). I still have to add other kanji lookup methods and the studying part. After that it's nothing more then a cleanup op the code and gui, and the compound dictionary can be optimized for speed. And thats it. When the program is in that state, I can start adding features other people like to see.

I'm pretty confident that I can finish the program within a couple of months.
The program uses the .net 2.0 framework (and needs Win 2000/XP), and if anyone is interested, I'll see if I can make it available to the public before it's finished. The final program is going to be free software (gnu license).

 

[pugtm]

rosetta stone but i stopped because it needs you to already know how to read.

 

[EvilCowSlayer]

I use a thing called Moji. It's a Firefox extension. There are better out there, but I'm too lazy to get them.

With Moji, you highlight some text and click "Kanji" for the meaning/readings of all the kanji you selected. Highlight a compound and click "Word" for a translation/transliteration.

 

[kenasto]

Rikaichan and Anki are both great, I am using them every day. JBrute seems to do the same what www.alc.co.jp does online. I am not using any other software. But what I do is input a few of Heisig cards into Anki every day. There are list available for download, too, but I like to input them by myself.

>EvilCowSlayer
Looks like Moji does the same as Rikaichan. Just that Rikaichan seems easier to use.

 

[iggor5150]

Guys i've seen some cool Katakana lesson, using some grouping method to fasten memorizing technique, claimed to be the GWALK method. Step by step instruction and very simple, just a few days guarantee will boost your knowledge. It doesn't try to memorize ascendingly like all the others e.g A I U E O then KA KI KU KE KO etc. But with grouping. So for all of you who still confused when reading so, no, tsu, chi, n and all the other Katakana characters that looks a like

Try this out:
gwalk-method.blogspot.com