Discover New Ideas

Google Documents Accepts PDF

2008-06-12T10:55:00.002+09:00

Now, Google Documents can store PDF files. This is a great update.

I uploaded two PDF files as a test. It worked well without any troubles, and I could see the Japanese contents in the Google Docs system without garbles. It's convenient.

Firefox 3 Caused Problems

2008-06-08T09:10:00.001+09:00

My start page problems were solved by rolling back Firefox 3 to Firefox 2. I installed Firefox 3 Release Candidate but it caused many troubles. Some of my favorite Firefox add-ons didn't work on Firefox 3. In addition, the Remember The Milk gadget for the Netvibes also didn't work on Firefox 3.

So, I uninstalled Firefox 3 RC version and installed Firefox 2 again. It seems OK now.

Trouble with iGoogle bookmark gadget

2008-06-05T10:28:00.002+09:00

Trouble with iGoogle bookmark gadget

I have been having trouble with an iGoogle bookmark gadget. The connection is very slow and nothing appears. This gadget is very useful and I use it everyday. So I'm in deep.

In addition, an iGoogle Gmail gadget hasn't worked since yesterday.

So, I am using the Netvibes as my start page, but this service also has a problem with the Remember the Milk tool. Which is the better service for me?

FC2 Blog Service Launched Enslish Version

2008-05-28T10:44:00.004+09:00

I have used the FC2 blog service for my Japanese blog. They announced that the English version service is launched yesterday. This service is the alpha version and they are seeking volunteers to test this new service. I don't want to be a volunteer anyway, because I have already had the English version blog here ;-)

WILLCOM's New Smartphone: WILLCOM 03

2008-05-27T10:04:00.001+09:00

Today, Willcom, the Japanese personal handyphone system provider, announced that the new smartphone named WILLCOM 03 will be released in June.

The most impressive feature of the WILLCOM 03 is its operating system. This tropical-colored cellphone has Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.1 Classic Japan Edition. This is the first smartphone using WM 6.1 in Japan.

This cute cellphone has not only a data connection system but also wireless LAN, Bluetooth, IrDA and even One-Segment Broadcasting tuner.

I want a pink one but I just bought a new smartphone four months ago. It's Advanced/[es], in a chocolate brownie color. So, I have to wait one and a half years to buy the WILLCOM 03. I can't wait.

Incredible Digital Pen: MVPen

2008-05-23T07:05:00.000+09:00

MVPen is a kind of digital pen device. This gadget was released in April in Japan.

It's a set of a pen and a receiver. The receiver is very small and light. When I use this device, I put it on a notepad and turn it on. Then I write anything I want on the note by using the pen device.

The receiver catches signals from the pen and records the data. If I want to write on the next page, I push the button on the receiver. The counter indicates a page number.

When I finish writing, I connect the receiver to my computer. I have already installed two software programs needed to handle data, so the software uploads the data in the receiver to the computer automatically.

This data can be exported as a jpeg image, a sticky note and a text file. MyScript Notes Lite, OCR software, can change the image into a text file. The OCR feature is relatively precise.

I usually use a keyboard to write but it's fun to write by hand when I use the MVPen.

Diigo: Great Research Tool

2008-05-21T08:27:00.002+09:00

When I looked at an analysis of my blog traffic, I found an unknown site "Diigo" in one of the traffic sources. What's Diigo?

Diigo is a research tool and a social content site. When I read a web page, I can highlight some lines and add sticky notes on the page. Then I save the page and share the page with everyone. It looks good.

I am always careful about private settings because most web services have a social network feature. Sometimes my private information might be open to everyone on the Internet without notice. So, first of all, I set the all private mode on. A few days later, I will change the settings. I want to keep my privacy.

Best RSS Reader for Me

2008-05-16T16:18:00.003+09:00

Lifehacker blog readers say Google Reader is the best web-based RSS reader. I totally agree with this.

I have used NetVibes, Pageflakes, iGoogle, Fastladder, Bloglines and SendMeRSS, but as it turns out, I come back to Google Reader. A lot of shortcuts are very helpful to me to browse many feeds. Currently I have 88 feeds to read everyday so I can't live without shortcuts.

When I use Windows Mobile 6, however, NewsBreak is my favorite. I don't want to pay a communication charge each time I connect to the Internet.

Zoho with Google ID

2008-05-16T07:07:00.000+09:00

Zoho allows us to sign in with our Google or Yahoo ID.

I don't have a Zoho account yet so I tried to sign in with my Google ID. It's very easy. I just clicked two links and then it's done. It took only a few seconds. I think the UI of Zoho services is better than Google documents. Now I'm trying it out.

mixx on CNN.com

2008-05-13T20:07:00.000+09:00

mixx is a new service like digg. mixx is not popular on the Internet so far.
But, it will be popular in the near future because a button to mixx is now placed on CNN.com. Each news article has a little red mixx button. When you want to mixx the news, just click the button and you are navigated to the page to add it on YourMixx. It's very easy.　Just try mixx.(www.mixx.com)

Now mixx doesn't have an iGoogle gadget yet, so I hope someone makes the gadget as early as possible.

Read Magazines Online

2008-05-12T22:33:00.001+09:00

Most books and magazines are still published on paper. If I want to read Reader's Digest, I have to go to a book store which sells imported books and magazines. Or I click on a button on the Amazon's web site and I will receive it tomorrow or the day after tomorrow.

While I read the magazine, I take some pictures and send them to Evernote or I make some MindMaps to review the contents. After that, I throw away the magazine.

I have been thinking this is not good for the earth.

Some magazines solve this problem. Now I can read Reader's Digest online. Zinio enables us to read magazines on-line. Great! I don't have to go to a book store far from my home anymore. I don't have to waste paper anymore.

I read Reader's Digest and US News & World Report. This service is very convenient. I like this.