In recent columns I explored purchasing English-friendly computers in Japan. Here is a little more information submitted by a reader who thinks it will be useful for those needing extended language capabilities for their computers, but first he has something to say about agreements, both local and international, that limit a borderless flow of trade.
He tells us that despite all the talk about globalization, few companies practice what they preach either domestically or internationally. He points out that Apple Macs are the best at doing languages but that you can't buy a Spanish operating system in the second largest Spanish-speaking city in the world, Los Angeles, because of agreements giving distributors exclusive rights to designated areas. Then he adds the good news for Apple users: a readily available but not generally publicized software addition. Apple's OS 9 now includes all the language kits that used to cost about 14,000 yen each. Now you can run Japanese, Korean, Cyrillic, Chinese and Indian on a Mac using either an English or Japanese OS.
The same gentleman points out that when I mentioned the big Mac -- that's computers, not fast food -- trade show a few weeks ago at Makuhari Messe, I should have warned you to take earplugs, not just to the MacWorld show but to any trade show in Japan. "The Japanese love noise and trade shows have become screaming matches among exhibitors who try to drown out each other with their loudspeakers. Conversation with an exhibitor is just about impossible." Perhaps it is designed to prevent secret deals.