Typing Japanese?

[Kodi]

I tried searching but couldn't find an ansswer on this page. Maybe I searched for the wrong things...

How do you type in Japanese without just copy and pasting? Do I need a new keyboard? :p

thanks

[Vengeance]

Use some software http://www.NJStar.com

[DragonKore]

Windows XP:

Start -> Control Panel -> Date, Time, Language, and Regional Options -> Regional and Language Options -> Languages Tab -> Check "Install files for East Asian languages" -> Details -> Add -> "Japanese" from drop down list and press OK -> Language bar -> Check "Show language bar on desktop" -> Click English and change it to Japanse -> Click Input Mode and change it from Direct Input to Hiragana or Katakana

Something like that.

がんばって。

[mrfusion]

What OS are you using?

This ability is built into all the operating systems. You just have to
have the right stuff installed.

On a PC you can follow these instructions: http:/www.andante.org/ime.html

Not sure of an address for a Mac, but it should be just as easy.
Try doing a google search.

This is a very common question on the board and should hopefully soon be
included in the FAQ section.

[Mukade]

On a Mac, just go to >System Preferences, >International, >Input Methods

Japanese is built-in, and already loaded. You just have to activate it.

From there, you typically type in Romaji, and the romaji will automatically be changed to kana (this applies to Windows or NJStar, as well).

[hihlordjp]

Hmm... What OS are you on? When posting questions like yours, posting OS information would make it easier to help you.

[Kodi]

Windows XP. I know I have Japanese fonts installed (because I downloaded them). I'll follow up some of the things you guys have mentioned...

[Kodi]

I have another idea too... Is there any way to input japanese words by writing them on a graphics tablet. I'm taking a university course in graphic design and I will have a A5 Wacom Tablet =) It would be cool to just be able to draw and have the words appear on the screen for me. There must be some software out but I assume it would be trial then buy or something.

[EDIT] Oh I found software on http://www.njstar.com/ that just just this lol. Only it says chinese and not specificaly japanese. Anyone know if its good? [/EDIT]

[clay]

Hi,

I would like to gather some of this good info and add it to a FAQ since it seems to be a question that never stops.

DragonKore, may I repost your info in the FAQ?

"Windows XP: Start -> Control Panel -> Date, Time, Language, and Regional Options -> Regional and Language Options -> Languages Tab -> Check "Install files for East Asian languages" -> Details -> Add -> "Japanese" from drop down list and press OK -> Language bar -> Check "Show language bar on desktop" -> Click English and change it to Japanse -> Click Input Mode and change it from Direct Input to Hiragana or Katakana"

Also, Could someone who has an English XP double check those steps? I have a Japanese computer here and can't give it a try.

And Mukade, may I use your info for Macs?

"On a Mac, just go to >System Preferences, >International, >Input Methods

Japanese is built-in, and already loaded. You just have to activate it. "

Let me know if this sounds alright.
clay

[Jobo]

You might want to note that in some cases (specifically mine) it will ask for the Windows XP Professional CD-ROM.

So be prepared! Dun nuh nuh nuh.

[Mukade]

clay wrote:
...Mukade, may I use your info for Macs?

"On a Mac, just go to >System Preferences, >International, >Input Methods

Japanese is built-in, and already loaded. You just have to activate it. "

Let me know if this sounds alright.
clay

Sure. Just note that this applies to OSX. I'm not certain about earlier OSs, as I've never used them a great deal. I know that the input method is the same, but I'm not sure about installation.

I seem to remember someone saying that they had to install fonts from their start-up disc...any Mac users out there know?

[TokyoRoze]

Goto microsoft.com and u can download it there

[clay]

Thanks Mukade, I added it to the FAQ

CAn anyone confirm the English XP instructions?

[SCMurphy]

When you install the South Asian language packs on Windows XP one of the input options is for handwriting recognition, speach recognition is also an option. I haven't used either of these options I just use the soft keyboard to pick kana or type in the romanji and pick from the kanji that the computer offers. It's faster than you might think.

I can't confirm the install instructions at the moment, but I'll tell you that I found several good instruction sets by doing a search online.

[hihlordjp]

Mukade wrote:

I seem to remember someone saying that they had to install fonts from their start-up disc...any Mac users out there know?

I'm on Mac OS X 10.3. No, you don't need to install the fonts. They're installed upon the installation of the OS. The East Asian fonts are system fonts, so I'm not sure if they can be deleted, but if ever they can and are, then I guess that's when you install them.