Re: tlug: parallel-port IDE

[John De Hoog <washi@example.com>]

karlmax@example.com (Karl-Max Wagner) wrote:

> I start to get the impression that setting up your operations in
> Japan wasn't a helluva good idea. You shoulda gone to Europe, UK
> for example. They speak the same language as in the US, to start
> with. And dealers are a lot more flexible hereabouts....
> 
> Actually, in Japan pretty much anything is in the hands of
> biggies and service generally is shitty...

> In general, I always got the impression that computer savvy
> people in Japan are a lot less numerous that in Europe. Just
> look at the docs that come with a new computer. Their level is
> so low that you think they are made for monkeys. 
>...
> I have to admit that I don't understand why that is so. I just
> see the facts.....

I don't know where you are coming from with these remarks, but they
don't match my experience in Japan for the past 21 years. Apparently you
know which shops to go to in Europe, but not in Japan. Hang out in
Akihabara a little longer and get to know the back streets a bit more.
And if you want to find out if there are computer-savvy people in Japan,
spend some time in the Japanese-language forums of fj.comp.*.

As for service by the biggies, it's really been pretty good in most
cases, whenever I've needed to call on a Sony or NEC or Pioneer or
Matsushita to come and fix something. 

It's possible to find almost anything in Akihabara. For a long time, it
was a regular haunt of Russian agents in search of the latest microchips
and such.

The main reason I can think of for being in Japan rather than the U.K.
is the food. Same goes for Germany, in spades. I'll take sushi over
Saurkraut any day of the week.
--
John De Hoog, Tokyo
dehoog@example.com
washi@example.com
http://washi.nu

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