Open Source SNS made in Japan

I am currently working on translating a Japanese Open Source Social Networking engine called MyNETS.

This system was developed by volunteer group called Usagi Project.

And I am one of the developer team as well.

And I have done translating most of the mainframe except mobile mode.

Now I open the door to the public to test drive.

Please help me test the system, and see if I have any errors and/or Japanese left-over.

=================================================
About MyNETS
=================================================

MyNETS is a Japanese open source Social Networking engine run on Apache, PHP and MySQL environment.

If you know Mixi, which is the Japan's largest social networking site, MyNETS is the clone program of Mixi.

This is very simple and easy to use system.

And you can run this system on your own web hosting server which meets certain requirement.

If you can set up other CMS system like WordPress, you can probably install this.

Currently, we have some issues of internationalization, so this version is not available to the public at this moment..


------------------------------------------------------------
Basic Functions
------------------------------------------------------------

> Blogging
> Messaging
> Community Discussion (called Topic)
> Event Listing
> Calendar
> Product Reviews using Amazon


------------------------------------------------------------
Features
------------------------------------------------------------

> Embed Google Map to create a social map
> Twitter-like short messaging
> Supports Japanese mobile's picture icons
> Supports PC and mobile access (Japanese mobile only)
> Easy to embed YouTube video by copy and past the URL. (not those object tags)


------------------------------------------------------------
Ideal Users
------------------------------------------------------------

> People who shares the same common (like a hobby)
> Companies which want to use SNS as an inner-communication tool




=================================================
MyNETS Requirements
=================================================
Required
1. Apache 1.3 or 2.0
2. PHP 4.3, 5.0, 5.1 (SAPI is recommended)
3. MySQL 4.0, 4.1 or 5.0 or newer

PHP Extensions
a. GD Library and etc...

Optional
1. Cron Jobs (php) - to send daily updates and etc.
2. Catch-All email - for Japanese mobile's email posting




============================================
History of MyNETS
============================================

MyNETS was first released on April 2007 as the derivation of another Japanese Open Source SNS system called OpenPNE.

And it is developed by a volunteer group in Japan, and we called ourself "Usagi Project" (Project Rabbit)

------------------------------
Usagi Project web site - Japanese Only
--> http://usagi-project.org
------------------------------
Currently, the version is designed for Japanese internet users. And it needs a lot of database customization in order to use each country.

------------------------------
This English version was translated by deerstudio.
--> http://deerstudio.com
------------------------------

We are currently working on version 2.0 with CodeIgniter.

And we are planning 2.0 to be more internationally friendly version.

If you have any questions, please contact deerstudio.

------------------------------
Contact deerstudio
--> http://deerstudio.com/inc/contact-us.html
------------------------------

I want to see how many people are actually interested in this system.



============================================
The Progress of MyNETS Internationalization
============================================

Currently, I have only translated mainframe of the system.

There is an installer for this system, but we are not planning to translate them into English due to the following reasons.


>> Right now, localization is very complicated
>> We are currently working on ver 2.0 which will be released soon
>> Version 2.0 will be written in CodeIgniter which is very easy to compile internationalversion


We, deerstudio, needed to launch the English SNS site ASAP, and could not wait for the MyNETS 2.0 which is scheduled to be released in Feb 2009. All of our staff can read Japanese. And the system will be used in Japan.

So we didn't have to create the English installer, and the region setting is still fixed the use in Japan only (e.g., the address has no country code.)

Please try the test drive and let us know how many people are interested in using this system.



============================================
For More Information
============================================

If you would like to test drive this system, please contact me.

I have not yet translated mobile site version yet... so I don't want to publish...

"FREE" 12000 YEN to ALL Registered Foreigners in Japan

-----------------------------
UPDATE (March 5, 2009)
How to Claim your 12,000 yen and Highway Holiday Discount
http://katz515.blogspot.com/2009/03/how-to-claim-your-12000-yen-and-highway.html
-----------------------------

From today's Mainichi Daily News and NHK 7pm News

ALL Registered Foreigners in Japan WILL be eligible to receive Teigaku-Kyufu-Kin（定額給付金） based on their status on Feb 1, 2009.

This is Japanese version of Economic Stimulus Rebate (in the US).

It sounds good to be true, but yes, the following people will receive 12,000 yen with no question as the part of Japanese government's economic stimulus plans.


The people who are eligible of receiving 12,000 yen are

1. All Japanese citizen who have registered address in Japan
2. All Permanent Residents who live in Japan
3. All Foreigners who hold valid Alien Registeration Card (外国人登録証)

So the people who are staying illegally or short-term are NOT eligible.

Also the following eligible people will receive additional 8,000 yen

1. The people who are 65 years old and older
   
2. The people who are 18 years and younger
   

The government is still debating how to distribute money. So they haven't made the decision how and when to distribute money yet. So I'll try to post the latest update once I find out. It's a usual slow Japanese government, but they are trying to move fast.

But this is what they decide.

----------
They will decide the eligibility
on Feb, 1, 2009
----------

1. The money will be sent to the address on the record on Feb 1, 2009
2. The person's age will be determined on Feb 1, 2009

For exmaple,

• If you are 64 years old on Feb, 1, 2009, you won't receive additional 8,000 yen
• If your birthday is Feb 1, 1990, you WILL NOT receive additional 8,000 yen
  
• The babies who will be born on Feb 1, 2009 WILL BE eligible for 20,000 yen
• The babies who will be born AFTER Feb 1, 2009 receive NO MONEY AT ALL.
  

So my understanding...

In order for the foreign aliens in Japan to receive 12,000 yen (or 20,000 yen)

1. You must have valid Alien Registration Card on Feb 1, 2009
2. The money will be sent to the address on the record on Feb 1, 2009
   

So if you don't really care about 12,000 yen, and then you don't really care..



Mainichi Daily News (Japanese)
http://mainichi.jp/select/seiji/news/20081221k0000m010020000c.html



---

-----------------------------
UPDATE (March 5, 2009)
How to Claim your 12,000 yen and Highway Holiday Discount
http://katz515.blogspot.com/2009/03/how-to-claim-your-12000-yen-and-highway.html
-----------------------------

CHRISTMAS SONG - JAMES TORMÉ (HD)

I just finished editing this video.

HAPPY HOLIDAY TO EVERYONE

Watch this video in HD or Share it




James Tormé at Tangier, Los Angeles on Dec 17, 2007, James Tormé (Vo), Brandon Coleman (Keys), Gene Coye (Drums), and Carter Wallace (Bass)



Visit our YouTube Channel
http://youtube.com/tormeentertainment



Or visit http://jamestorme.com

JAMES TORME ::: New Year's Eve Show @ Harvelle's

PLEASE DISTRIBUTE

This New Year's Eve, join James Tormé
and his award-winning Trio
for a night of jazz, blues and r&b
at the legendary Harvelle's in Santa Monica

Dance the night away to a scorching mix of jazz, blues and R&B!

Tickets are selling fast. Go to harvelles.com to puchase tickets now and guarantee your attendance to the coolest New Year's Party in Los Angeles.

Who: James Tormé (vox), Ryan Cross (bass), Brandon Coleman (keys), Gene Coye (drums) and special guests

What: Jazz, Blues, R&B New Year's Eve Bash

When: 9:30 pm, December 31st, 2008

Cost: $30 per ticket (includes champagne toast at midnight, party favors); $50 at the door if tickets remain

How: purchase tickets here at harvelles.com. To reserve a table email nye2009@harvelles.com

Where: Harvelle's, 1432 4th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401, 310-395-1676

* * * * *
www.jamestorme.com
www.myspace.com/jamestorme
# # # # #

Japanese Samurai Underwear "Kacchu Panstu"

Copyright (c) 2008 Rogin, Inc.

A Japanese Apparel, Rogin, announced Samurai-style underwear.

Rogin - English Blog

http://rogin.exblog.jp

Rogin - Company site in Japanese

http://www.rogin.co.jp/

Photo - Tokugawa Ieyasu Model - CNet Japan

http://japan.cnet.com/news/tech/story/0,2000056025,20383177-3,00.htm

Photo - Date Masamune Model - CNet Japan

http://japan.cnet.com/news/tech/story/0,2000056025,20383177-5,00.htm

Photo - The Armor that is based on Date Masamune Underwear

http://japan.cnet.com/news/tech/story/0,2000056025,20383177-6,00.htm

TV Tokyo's Business News program E Morning (*)  had an interview of Shiro Nogi, the CEO of Rogin, Inc.

*Earlier post, I wrote "World Business Satellite" but I was wrong. I apologize for the mistake.

According to Mr. Nogi, he released this underwear for the men who are going to have some "fights" ahead, such as job interview or company presentation.... not really for the men who wants to get girls' heart.

The pricing of these underwear pants are ranging around 8,800 yen (approx US$80).

*Rogin, Inc. emailed me that they reduced the price to 8,800 yen

These underwear are made of medical bandage. So it will fit nice and smooth to your skin.

Each model has the armorial insignia (house symbol) of famous samurai families such as Tokugawa, Date, or Nobunaga families. 

The designer Yuri Otomo went to a several museums to research the characteristics of each family's armor design, and took them into the texture of each design.

This may be expensive for the daily uses. But if this is for the "fight" to win some company bids or sales calls, maybe it's worth it?

This is a scam?

These are some of emails that my clients received.

THESE ARE 100% SCAMS(Confirmed with other posts on 12/8/2008)

Scam / Spam emails from foreign registrars: YOUR DOMAIN NAME’S CURRENT SITUATION

They are kinda legit since they will register your domain name and trademark for you in China.

But I don't think they received the "application" and there is no laws that they have to ask for the approval to wait for the registration.

More likely, some user searched the domain name using their domain search engine, and the employee picked and choose those names and find out your company.

So this is kinda scam.... but I saw some of my clients' potential domains were already bought and became "for sale," so you actually have a risk that your domain name would be sold to somebody else....

So I think it's not really a 100% scam... I think.... what do you think?

But some of my clients could register  ".com.cn" and ".cn" domains by themselves using their own registrant.

If you are planning to expand your business to China and received these emails,  try to register your ".cn" domain by yourself using your own domain registrant. Most of the major US domain registrant services does offer the registration services for ".cn" domains ranging from US$25-35/year.

And if you are not able to register these .cn domain and .com.cn domains.... your desired domain name might have become one of those "for-sale" domains.

I actually had a courage to contact them for fun. Their pricing was about US$35-40 per year which is pretty much legit price as of winter 2008.

But when I searched on the web, I found that some people were asked to pay $160-200/year.

And if you ever contact them back, and those company may likely to purchase the domains right away, and you only have a choice to buy the domain from them... so be careful.

Well, let me know if you ever tried.

I think this is scam, but in a way, everybody does this anyway regardless you are Chinese or not....

So it's not 100% scam in a way... I think...

Here are the sample emails that my clients received.

------------------------
Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2008 8:45 PM
To: info
Subject: Company registration notice

Dear Sir/Madam,

We are Hong Kong Network service Company Limited, a domain name registration center in Asia.

Yesterday we received an application from another company for the domain names “**********” , but later we found your company is their original owner and this may involve your company name or trademark and this may cause confusion between your products and others’ , and bring about negative effect on your company.Therefore we decided to inform you of this and check out your attitude toward this matter. We would appreciate if you can spare some precious time to settle this issue.

Thank you for your cooperation and looking forwards to your early reply.

Best Regards,
***** *****

Hong Kong Network Service Company Limited
Address: 19/F., First Block, New World Bldg.,
No.18 Quen Middle Road,
Zhonghuan,
Hong Kong
Tel: +852-31757931 (ext****)
Fax: +852- 31757932
Email: ****@hk-nsc.org
website: www.hknsc.hk

----------------


August 11, 2008
************* Domain name & Internet keyword

Dear Sir or Madam,

We are Hong Kong Network Service Company Limited which is the domain name register center in Asia. We received a formal application from a company who is applying to register “**********” as their domain name and Internet keyword on August 4, 2008.Since after our investigation we found that this word has been in use by your company, and this may involve your company name or trade mark, so we inform you in no time. If you consider these domain names and internet keyword are important to you and it is necessary to protect them by registering them first, contact us soon. Thanks for your co-operation and support.
Kind Regards,

****** *****

Tel: +852-31757930-8026
Fax: +852-31757932
Email: *****@domain-register.hk
Hong Kong Network Service Company Limited
website: www.hknsc.hk



----
Subject: About your domain name and trademark and internet brand
From:  *****@cn-domains.org.cn
Date: August 10, 2008 11:57:28 PM PDT

Dear manager:

We are Century Net Group Stocks Limited in China, which is a domain registration agent authorised by Chinese Industrial and Commercial Department.We professionally engage in chinese and international domain names registration as well as trademark registration service.We also offer English and Chinese web design.

we received an application from a chinese company asking to register "*********" as their internet keyword and domain name and trademark.However,We find that it will conflict with your trademark via our confirmation.It is our duty to inform you of this issue according to the regulations of CNNIC.

You are the owner of this trademark,so you have the preferential right to register and protect it by yourself.Of course,if you do not have any disagreement on this issue or you intend to give up the registration,any individual has the right to register those domains and internet keyword,which is legal.Then we will take the formal registration for that applicant.If you oppose other company to register your trademark and domains and internet keyword,even you want to protect your trademark completely,please contact us asap.We will protect your domains firstly.

Looking forward to your reply.
sincerely yours,

*****
Registration Dept
Century Net Group Stock Limited
E-mail:*****@cn-domains.org.cn
Website:www.cn-domains.org.cn
Tel:+(0086) 755 28581848、28243058
Fax:+(0086) 755 28243958

Another Funny Sign in Japan - Nob Beauty Clinic

You know... Internet is very popular in Japan.

Almost all Japanese people are accessing to Internet via their cell phones over 10 years.

I went to Osaka earlier this month to attend Open Source Forum.

On the way to the forum, waiting for subway, I spotted this sign.

Pay close attention to their contact information.

I had to google about 10 minutes trying to find the actual web site of this clinic.

I'm not going to disclose the actual URL of this web site. Try finding one!

Airbag made for human

From TV Tokoy's World Business Satellite News, a Japanese safety and medical company developed a airbag for human.

　　
© 2008 Prop  - 株式会社プロップ - All Rights Reserved

(The images were taken from company's web site - 画像は会社ホームページより)

Safety Life Jacket "Itsumo (Always)" (product page in Japanese)
http://www.prop-g.co.jp/product_itsumo.html

The device was co-developed by Prop, Chiba University and Tokyo Metropolitan College of Industrial Technology, and sold by Prop, KK.

They designed this device for the elderly or the people who works on high places.

The device is equipped with acceleration sensor and angular velocity sensor which is similar to iPhone. If those sensor detects the fall, the it ignites the airbag on your back, and absorb the shock

Only the downside is... it doesn't look good. And it's expensive.

It costs 138,000 yen (approx. US$1300) to buy, and it'll cost 40,000 yen (approx US$380) to exchange the airbag if used.

Yeah, it's very expensive.... but good idea though.

The company plans to sell this device in the US market.

----

Wasabi Silent Fire Alarm developed by a Japanese Venture

BBC, Nikkei Business Daily and "Gaiya no Yoake" (TV Tokyo's Business TV Program) reported the invention of a wasabi fire alarm for deaf people.

This device is developed by Seems, Inc., a Japanese venture.

• Seems, Inc
  http://www.seems-inc.com/en/index.html
  

The CEO, Naoki Urushibata, began this scent business because of his older sister's unfortunate death of cancer.

He realized that his sister's body odor started changing as her disease progressed.

So he started his company, Seems, Inc., hoping that the technology could discover the cancer in the early stage by diagnosing the "cancer smell" of a patient.

Now, Seems, Inc. developed the new technology, a Wasabi Fire alarm.

The device blast out the strong smell of Wasabi to waken the deaf people in case of fire.

TV Tokyo's "Gaiya no yoake" (Sunrise of Gaia) broadcasted the interview of a deaf person who was refused to book a hotel. The hotel was afraid of failing to notify the deaf quickly in case of fire.

According to the one test, the deaf person was able to wake up within 20 seconds after the wasabi scent blasting out from the device.

Seems, Inc. is hoping to sell this devices to hotels, other commercial building and eventually to houses.

• Wasabi Silent Fire Alarm Alerts the Deaf with the Power of Scent - InvestorSpot
  http://inventorspot.com/articles/wasabi_silent_fire_alarm_alerts__11514
  The video from BBC coverage is available from the link above
  

--

The first Indonesian hit film?

This reminds me of "Falan", the Iranian film.

Anyway, I just wanted to post this as a note.

Indonesian hit film tells tale of poor kids
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081016/film_nm/us_indonesia