From: jwb@capek.rdt.monash.edu.au (Jim Breen)
Newsgroups: sci.lang.japan
Subject: Re: Wordtank user report
Date: 6 Oct 92 06:24:34 GMT
Organization: Monash University, Melb., Australia.

johan@cav2.crc.canon.co.jp writes:

>Therfore, I'm now asking all users of the wordtank to report what they think are 
>deficiencies.
> 
>I have made a list of ID-8500 deficencies......

And an excellent list it is. I could not improve on it.

>Problems/deficiencies:

I will add one more: the 8500 cannot select a kanji by JIS or KUTEN code
(earlier models could).

I will annotate the follwing list with my views on the matter. Where I have
deleted the "Problem", it doesn't bother me much. My ratings are:

****	very annoying
***	somewhat annoying
**	bothersome
*	slight irritation

>1. Data on card not browsable from the ordinary function menus.
*
>2. Missing English translations for words on card, but in some cases there are 
>unnecessary translations of GAIRAIGO, i.e. japanized English.
***
>3. Insufficient, inaccurate, and inconsisten english translations in the 
>WAEIJITEN
****
>4. The word explanations in the WAEIJITEN should be in english, not in 
>Japanese
***
>6. It is not possible to use the cross-reference search functions from the Word 
>Memo function as it is in the main dictionary
*
>7. Words found when searching in the KANWAJITEN not found in the 
>WAEIJITEN and vice versa
***
>8. When searching kanji in the KANWAJITEN and using the MODORU 
>functions afterhaving selected a particular kanji, there will be a return to the 
>FIRST screen, not the previous one.
**
>9. When only ONE kanji is found in the KANWAJITEN, the MODORU 
>function does not work
**
>16. Kanjis and their readings for personal and geographical names are not in the 
>KANWA dictionary as they should.
**
>17.  There should be a JUKUGO function eanbling search for words that END 
>with a specific kanji.
**
>18. The kanji appearing in the KANWAJITEN should be sorted by frequency.
**
>19. The JUKUGO should give all references to the WAEI dictionary, not only a 
>few.
****
>20. When the JUKUGO function is performed from the KANWAJITEN, it 
>should stay in the WAEIJITEN mode, not switch back to the KANWAJITEN.
*
>21. When using the functions KANJI -> JUKUGO -> selection of a JUKUGO 
>-> MODORU from the WAEIJITEN, it does not return to the screen of 
>JUKUGOs, but directly to the WAEIJITEN.
**
>22. There should be more examples of usage. Particularly in the EIWAJITEN.
**
>23. Transfer from WAEIJITEN to KANWAJITEN only possible for words 
>consisting of ONE kanji. The user should be able to select any kanji of a word 
>looked up in the WAEIJITEN and transfer to the KANWAJITEN and get all 
>information about the kanji.
*
>27. Hiragana and katakana input modes should be deleted since they are 
>complicated to use, even for Japanese.
Hear, hear
>28. Why printer ? It's the most meaningless function the customer has to pay for 
>without using it. Words in the dictionary cannot be printed either.
Hear, hear!
>33. The proper name function (geographical and person names) should be 
>incorporated in the search system of the ordinary dictionary.
**
>36. Its not possible to jump to the WAEIJITEN or EIWAJITEN from the Kanjis 
>looked up in the KANWAJITEN that do not have any JUKUGO options.
**
>38. If a kanji not is found in the KANWA mode, the entry is erased and it is not 
>possible to edit as in the WAEIJITEN.
**
>39. There are few JUKUGO of more than two characters (comment from a 
>native Japanese)
***
>40. When looking up a verb or another word consisting of one kanji and a few 
>furigana, it is not possible to transfer to the KANWAJITEN
** (okurigana?)

Despite all this, I think it is a good device. I am glad Canon produced
it. All praise to them. 
-- 
Jim Breen                           JIS:$B%8%`!!%V%j!<%s(J
Department of Robotics & Digital Technology. Monash University. 
PO Box 197 Caulfield East VIC 3145 Australia (ph) +61 3 573 2552 
(fax) +61 3 573 2345  AARNet/Internet:jwb@capek.rdt.monash.edu.au