LearnKana

Ok, here's the first version based on images rather than unicode fonts. It appears the re-writing actually got rid of some now-unused code, and went smoother than I expected. Much smoother. As it uses some 120 jpeg images, the file size is somewhat larger, and it may (read: will) function slower than the other versions. This is just first preview, so expect missing features, bugs and general ugliness. Keyboard control should work on this version also. ("Alt" with keyboard control should arrive soon.)

Please send feedback on this "pic" thing (and please, a better name) as I can't very well test it under anything else than Mac OS X 10.4.6. It works there.

It seems at every operating system out there (but not Mac OS X? I didn't do anything special, it just works) requires the installation of some form of support files or another. On Windows the kana symbols show up as question marks, or squares, on MacOS 9, they show up as question marks, and although they show up correctly in linux, they are very minimal in size (8 or 10px or so). So, in the current iteration, this program (both versions) requires the installation of said support files.

I started writing a different version, which will use images in place of fonts when displaying the kana. This, however, will not be released so quickly, because it requires that I re-write most of the underlying code (as it supports only strings, not pictures). It will be released.. uh.. "when it is done"... (now, where have I heard that one...)

Anyways, so there will be one release (the keyboard control) for the "Alt", and after that there will be a lengthy pause before anything else gets released (short of bugfixes, if someone bumps into any). Stay tuned (for danger).

And now the "Alt" version receives the Final status, at least for this build. No bugs SHOULD remain (other than the aforementioned font size in linux), but don't hold your breath. As of this release, "Alt" will be distributed by 5 separate version, one for each: Mac OS X 10.2+, MacOS9/Mac OS 10.1+, MacOS8/9, Win9x/2k/XP, Linux. So, now it should be usable in over 98% of computers out there. Hopefully it will even work in most of them :D

Anyways, enjoy, and send feedback if you have suggestions.

Ok, Final Release of the original LearnKana is released. Also, as of today, this probably will be the last version of it, and development will continue with the "Alt" version. 0.2.0 is as close to my vision as is possible at the moment, only one bug remains (that I know of): In the Linux version, the kana displayed is minimal in size, but as I don't have a linux box to test on, I can't really make progress on that. LearnKana 1.0 will be release if I ever get my hands on a linux machine that I can use as a testbed. (My other webserver doesn't count :)

LKa 0.5x Final will follow shortly, only a couple of minor bugs to hunt down. Again, Linux version will not be tested, but seems to work, although a little on the slow side.

Also, I need suggestions for a better name for the "Alt" version, the one sending the "winning" name, will be credited in the program, of course.

Latest DEV version (available for download) fixes the windows display problem, now all the other, but the right answer kana displayed are random, like it always was on the Mac version. Apparently windows cannot randomize the generator's seed like mac does, but it has to be told explicitly in every loop. duh.

Anyways, this update also includes new option "Alternative Color". No, it does not have anything to do with skins, it merely allows you to "hide" the answers, so you have time to figure out the answer by yourself, rather than just looking around and picking one. Uh, can't really describe it, hit the option and see what it does.

Next update will be non-develpment (ie. beta/Final release), I Promise. Though I might at the same time upload new dev version, which should have keyboard control over the answering system.

Added development version of LearnKanaAlt (Mac OS X and Win only), which SHOULD get rid of the weirdness of what is Windows' way of breaking the random generator. I haven't had time to test it, but it SHOULD work now. Just remember it's a development build, I changed quite a bit of the code, so bugs can, and probably will, appear. If it works, pleease let me know.

Updated the Mac OS X and Windows versions of LearnKanaAlt to 0.4.1b, which has enhanced functionality (selectable direction) and spelling fixes. Classic and Linux versions are not online yet. No idea if this new version behaves like the previous on windows platform.

LearnKanaAlt/Win: I have absolutely NO Idea, whatsoever, why this program "works" as it does on windows. It works perfectly well on Mac OS X and it uses the same source, but on windows it only displays the same kana over and over... bah. Use the LearnKana/Win while I try to figure out why Windows sucks in yet another way...

LearnKana: Program tested on Mac OS X (10.4.6) and Windows XP (SP2)

Added "LearnKanaAlt", which takes a slightly different (and more point'n'click, or graphical if you want) approach to it. It's a little less finalized, but should work OK. Send me a message if it does not, or you have a suggestion. Updated the "Alt" to Version 0.3.1b, added a few features (correct answer display) and timing fixes.

New version (0.1.8), fixed a bug: the correct answer was always displayed in hiragana, even if 'Katakana' or 'Both' were selected.
Also tested the windows version, seems to work. (And yes, it needs the Asian Languages Support installed.)