DE-J's Monthly Newsletter, April 2004

IN THIS ISSUE -> From the Editor -> Calendar -> Notes from the Steering Committee -> Team Reports -> Upcoming Events -> Feature Article -> Recent Events -> Q & A: Interview With a DEva

FROM THE EDITOR
Meghan Shaw
Newsletter Team
<newsletter@digitalevejapan.org>

I'm sure we've all heard this from commercials several times
over, but isn't wonderful to be connected wherever and
whenever you feel necessary? This month I have been
editing our DigitalEveJapan newsletter from my parents' home
in the miniscule town of Lakefield, Ontario, Canada. While I've
been relaxing at home (in this remote town of 2500 people),
I've come across news of our organization more than once.
It struck me that we are truly part of an international community,
and connected to so many talented, innovative people in IT.
This month there is a lot to look forward to including a Photoshop
workshop (I have been waiting for something like this), Meet
the DEvas (it was through one of these that I found myself an
editor), and a feature article that I will definitely be storing in
my personal archives.

Recently, it has been brought to attention that there are many
DEvas who would love to come to our events, but just live too
far from Tokyo. One of the beauties of being connected
through our discussion list is that we can all help each other
out, even across long distances. So, if you are someone who
wants to get involved, why not see who else around you wants
to as well? I'm sure it would take just a bit of effort if a group
of members wanted to hold an event more accessible to those
outside Tokyo! Please fell free to contact the Steering
Committee at <sc@digitalevejapan.org> if you were thinking,
"Hey, I could do that!"

Of course, there is also lots going on online, so come join
in. I hope you enjoy what we've put together for you this month
...why not haul your laptop out under the cherry blossoms?


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CALENDAR
(DigitalEve events)
24 Meet the Devas
25 Photoshop workshop


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NOTES FROM THE STEERING COMMITTEE

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LEADER REPORT
Debbie Foster
RotaLeader

Hi everyone,

Exciting things are happening in DigitalEve Japan, and I'd
like to take a minute to share a few of them with you.
First off, if you haven't checked out the new website, you
should. Congratulations go out to Junko, and the volunteers
on the tech team for all for their hard work in making this
happen. The website was built using Zope, something I
was unfamiliar with until recently. Keep your eyes open for
news about the upcoming launch we will be having for the
new site.

Starting in April we will begin a Photoshop workshop that,
if well attended, may turn into a series of workshops for
newbies and advanced users alike. The workshop is being
taught by a DigitalEve Japan member, Toni Jolic, who is
volunteering her time to bring us this opportunity. We are also
working on bringing the member profile section of the website
from concept to reality. This is something the Tech Team has
been striving to finish. It will offer everyone a place to network
and show off a little. As you can see, a lot of the exciting things
that are happening are brought about by members
volunteering their time to make it happen. The tech team could
use a few good programmers to help them finish the website.
And we are always looking for workshop instructors. Many of
you have seen my own pleas for input for web content. You'd
be amazed at what a little time given will get you in return.

So if you can, spare an hour, a day or any time at all. If you are
willing to teach your skills to the rest of the group, let us know,
and we'll arrange it. Enjoy this month's edition of the newsletter,
and think about giving a little of your time to DigitalEve Japan.

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MEMBERSHIP TEAM NEWS
Misao Kajiro
Membership Coordinator
<membership@digitalevejapan.org >

Total membership is 545 as of the 25th of March, 2004.

Our membership list which started with a few people using
the net has now become a list that exceeds 500 members.
Thanks to your support, we are one of the friendliest places
in Japan for people to exchangethoughts and ideas related
to women's use of technology in English and Japanese.
Please remember, should you have any questions about our
list (involving etiquette or anything else) please feel free to
ask our hardworking list manager.

We are finally starting to make a new member's profile site
since our server changed to the new one. We'll keep you
posted about the content of the website in near future, so
please send your suggestions.
Thanks for your constant support.

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WORKSHOP TEAM NEWS
Reiko Ohashi, Workshop Coordinator
<workshops@digitalevejapan.org>

We are going to have a Photoshop workshop this month.
The tutor Toni Jolic is one of our members and she kindly
proposed to do this workshop. I was really happy when she
told me so...

Please see the details in the upcoming events section.
The beauty of our group is the opportunity for helping
each other and leaning from other members.

Please contact me if you can have something to share
with DEvas!

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WEB CONTENT REPORT
Debbie Foster
Web Content Coordinator
<web@digitalevejapan.org>

If you've been poking around the website recently, you may
have noticed some changes. There is a new look, and with it,
some updated content.

We are working hard to get new information up on the site as
quickly as possible. The resources section is currently
being reworked, and your input is appreciated. Please send
us your favorite websites that you use to get your job done,
learn new skills, find programming code or design templates,
or even those you just use for inspiration.

Also, if there is information you'd like to see available on the
web site, let me know. As long as its IT related, we'll look into it.


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UPCOMING EVENTS

Meet the DEvas

Do you want to talk with other volunteers? If so, why not
come to the Meet the DEvas event? The DE-J membership
team regularly holds these information meetings to allow
prospective members to learn about DE-J.

If you know anyone who is interested in joining DE-J or who
is new to Tokyo, encourage her to attend the meeting. Of
course current members are welcome too. At least one of the
SC members will be attending. Please join us if only just to
chat, especially those who can't attend the evening meetings.

Social: Meet the DEvas
Date: 24 April 2004 (Saturday)
Time: 3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Fee: one drink (coffee/tea/soft drink)
Venue: TBA

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Photoshop Workshop

I think most of you have heard about Adobe Photoshop and
many members are even experts of this software. However,
there are still members who have never had a chance to
have a 'taste' of this attractive software. Why? It is
comparatively expensive and not essential in our office work
like the MS Office Suite. And it may be hard to learn all by
yourself....

In this workshop, Toni Jolic, graphic designer and DE-J
member, will offer you a hands-on lesson. You can start
learning this software in a relaxed environment and having
lots of fun. Please join our workshop for a jam packed
information session about manipulating images, color and
2D space!

Reiko Ohashi
Workshop Coordinator
<reita@j-wave.net>

Software: Photoshop 6, English ver. for Windows
Tutor: Toni Jolic
Level: Beginner/Introduction
Date: April 25 (Sunday)
Duration: 3-hour workshop (14:00 to 17:00)
(with the option of doing Photoshop Advanced at another date)
Language: English
Fee: JPY 3,000-
Venue: Step Support Ebisu
http://www.step-support.co.jp/academy/corp_map(ebisu).pdf
Seats: 14
Reservation: please e-mail the
workshop coordinator
<reita@j-wave.net>

Remarks:- The room is equipped with 14 PCs so you don't need to bring your own.
- The coordinator will ask you if you need the advanced workshop.


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FEATURE ARTICLE

Introducing OpenOffice
By: Sugiko Obata
Translated by Chiharu Kawai

The other day, I found a useful free software suite whose files
are compatible with those for MS Office. It's called OpenOffice.
I came across the software only because the mobile PC I
bought at the end of the year did not have Office pre-installed,
and a word processing program is indispensable for translation.
With no other immediate solution, I installed the one from the
Office recovery CD that came with my previous notebook PC.
It was a relief to see it work, but, alas, it didn't last long.
Unless the license was authorized, some features would be
shut off after being used 50 times. Only 50 times for the most
frequently usedword processing program? It would expire all too
soon.

Being totally perplexed, I searched on the Internet for any usable
word processing freeware. Fortunately, what I found is
OpenOffice 1.1, whose Japanese version was officially released
on October 9, 2003. Only the Windows and Linux versions are
available at this moment, and no Mac version is out. I decided to
read the introduction guide first. You can find it at:
http://wings.raindrop.jp/ooo_guide/
Then, following the procedure, I downloaded the software from
the Japan users group's website and installed it. In the middle
of this process, since Java MV had to be installed, I had to take
a side step. When I solved the problem and completed the
installation, I briefly tried all the applications in the suite.
OpenOffice includes Writer (word processing), Calc
(spreadsheet), Impress (presentation), Draw (drawing),
and HTML Editor (web page creation), and they are equivalent
to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and FrontPage Express, respectively.
Writer, which I will probably use most often, can read Word
documents and can also save files in a Word format. OpenOffice
even allows me to easily create PDF files, which I could not do
before without Acrobat. As Writer's features are quite similar to
those of Word, I am already used to it. I don't think there will be
any problem at all. On Draw and Impress, even Flash files can
be created. Although I was confronted with some difficulties,
after struggling all day, Ifinally got the free word processing
program to work. What a relief! Thus, with a mobile PC, a word
processing program and mailer, as in the good old days when
only a writing pad and a pen would do, I can work freely on the
road. While I dream of traveling and a working lifestyle, in reality,
I lead a home-based life -- but everything still works just as well.
I would encourage you all to try OpenOffice.


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RECENT EVENTS

February 28th
MS Publisher Workshop

The February 28th Introduction to MS Publisher workshop
taught by Chiharu Kawai was attended by approximately 15
aspiring web page publishers. They all shared a common
curiosity in this relatively low-profile software which was
described in the workshop as low-cost and user- friendly,
especially when compared to the more popular Front Page
and DreamWeaver.

This was a basic skills workshop, providing 'from-scratch'
orientation and also ample time for free exploration and
questions. Skills covered ranged from opening the program,
to the different magazine templates available, to uploading
files and creating hyperlinks.

The first half of the workshop was devoted to 'poking around'
the program to familiarize ourselves with its layout and features
followed by creation of individual projects: business cards,
greeting cards or designs for T-shirts. Ms. Kawai went from
participant to participant, answering questions and
troubleshooting, as needed.

Following a short break, the class became more structured
as we all attempted to create simple webpages, complete with
images and hyperlinks. Instruction was given by means of
slides and handouts which sketched out procedures, step by
step.

Some of the few problems encountered were: technical
difficulties with individual laptops that at times caused
participants to fall behind the pace of the powerpoint display,
and the logistics of one instructor trying to provide one-on-one
troubleshooting for a large number of participants. Everyone,
however, came away from the workshop with an appreciation
for what the software can do and a beginning expertise in how to
go about getting MS Publisher to create a webpage.

Event recap by Hillary Michaels.

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March 26th DigitalEvening
Attendees: 18 + guest speaker
Recap 1

On the Friday the 26th of March, the Gloss cafe played host
to the DEvas March meeting. The invited speaker, Jim Ryan,
an IT specialist for the U.S. government, presented a talk on a
problem many of us are all too aware about...computer security.

We were brought up to date on the terminology of the latest
intrusive programmes, that for want of a better word, are
designed to 'infect' our PC's/network systems. The worm,
Trojan horse and logic bomb are all types of viruses that lay
siege to our hard drives (usually by deleting memory, accessing
files, replicating and accessing our address book) and are
spread when infected programs or disks are transferred to
previously clean systems.

The frequency of these types of attacks, the distribution of
virus infections throughout the world and their sources (from
disgruntled staff worker to the professional hacker) were
points that were covered. Mr Ryan placed the security of a
one-user PC in the larger context of a network's security,
bringing home to us how viruses can cause financial ruin to
the unprotected workplace.

Having covered the finer details of the causes and
characteristics of computer viruses and the ever-increasing
occurrence of spam-mail, Mr Ryan gave advice on how best to
improve our PC security: don't give out your bank account
details unless you are assured of its destination (fake on-line
banking pages do exist); delete emails which have unrealistic
subject headings or are from an unknown source and if possible
protect your network with anti-virus software (with regular updates).

Not all was doom and gloom, as Mr Ryan finished his talk with a
colourful animation on web delivery and gave out software CD's
(containing among others: Spy-ware, a Google toolbar shortcut
and WinZip) for DigitalEve members. The evening was very well
attended. For those who couldn't make the event this time the
software distributed on the evening will be made available from
the DE-J website soon.

Event recap by Louise Mackay

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March 26th DigitalEvening
Recap 2

The very precise directions from Yoshiko (the new event
Coordinator) found me as the earliest arrival at Gloss Cafe.
I expected myself to leave very paranoid at the end of the
evening as I am wont to do when the speaker gives me too
much information that I cant process. However, Jim Ryan's
talk that evening touched not only the basics of all types of
threats to your computer, but even distributed the freeware
(shareware) available to help protect your computer. Which
leaves even the computer illiterati like me feeling very
reassured.

In conclusion he said, "It is going to take at least another two
years before they come up with anything effective to combat
spam. Hence in the meanwhile, an anti-virus software and a
fire-wall is essential to keep your data safe, from the many
threats to your computer and the data in them. A computer
is much like a car, it requires a lot of care."

Jim Ryan's was a very organized presentation. And its quite
amazing that he managed to squeeze in everything from all
kinds of computer threats to cell-phone security! Which I think
speaks on his presentation being extremely well- prepared.
Even though the sound effects were all out of synch with the
slides, which everyone had a good laugh at.

Some of the things I found interesting in the evening were:

1. His opinion that: Windows having more virus attacks than
Linux or Mac or other OS systems is actually a misnomer.
It has more to do with the statistics of the usage and the
media attention. ( I suppose everything in the end is only a
matter of perspective.)

2. His short video on what happens to the packet of data on the
click of your mouse for the information to reach your web-browser.
(I read all that in a text a long while ago, but it was quite interesting
to see a video of it with a western movie theme.)

3. I had heard of hackers and crackers, but a 'phreaker', that was
new to me. And, according to the statistics, on an average there
is one spam every 50 e-mails in 2002. I am sure most would agree
when I say it feels like there must have been a lot more.
This being the second time I have attended a DE workshop, not
knowing anyone, and with social skills equivalent to that of an
elephant dancing in a vegetable patch, I was not sure how I would
fit in. But even I managed to feel at home. Which I think is one of
the nice things about DE Japan. It is very easy to strike up
friendships as the members are warm. Every second person I
bump into seems less versed in computers than myself and just
as insecure, and I met a lot of very nice people. Unfortunately,
I couldn't remember any names. Which ensures that I will be
sure to try and make it to the next event better prepared to
exchange 'meishi' and do a little more professional networking
instead of only concentrating on the main presentation of the
evening.

Event recap by KC. (Kesang Choden)

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Q & A: INTERVIEW WITH A DEVA
Interview conducted by Stacey Ward,
Newsletter Team.
<newsletter@digitalevejapan.org>

This month we meet super-techie DEva and fellow 'bagpuss'
lover, Louise Mackay. Welcome to DE-Japan Louise, and thank
you for taking the time to answer our questions.

Q) How long have you been a member of DigitalEve Japan?
A) Since January 2004, only two months.

Q) How did you find out about DigitalEveJapan and why did you
decide to join?
A) I had found DigitalEve before I came to Japan and thought
'isn't that an interesting idea'. I was researching the
development of the web at the time and came across some
work done on the feminist perspectives of IT ...DigitalEve
(among others) was showcased as an example of a positive
and non-aggressive method for engaging women with IT.
I joined to meet other DEvas and to attend technical meetings.

Q) If you are not from Tokyo, where are you from originally and
when and why did you relocate to Tokyo?
A) I am from Northern Ireland (UK) and have lived in Germany
and England. Prior to my move to Japan I was living in Leeds
in the North of England. I relocated to Tokyo in December 2003
for my husband's work, I also wanted to experience the culture
of a non-European country.

Q) What DE-J activities/resources have you participated in?
What did you think? Of these, which do you find the most
advantageous and why?
A) Unfortunately as I am new to Japan I have only been able to
attend the January meeting, but it was great! The meeting was
welcoming and the atmosphere was relaxed -a good way to
spend an evening.I haven't tried the discussion list yet though.

Q) Are there any other activities and resources you would like to
see offered by DigitalEveJapan?
A) At the moment I think the resources/activities are fine, anything
more and I would be distracted from my work far too easily.

Q) What are your interests in digital technology?
A) Work, research and education, and fun comes last.

Q) What kind of computer do you use?
A) A brand spanking new IBM laptop. It's blue and very pretty but
I have yet to give it a name.

Q) Are you a member of any other technology-related groups and
if so, which ones?
A) Yes, I am a member of a couple of user lists involved in remote
sensing and GIS, some open source groups (mostly Linux) for
techie queries/freebies. At the moment I am trying to build my own
Personal Interface Grid (affectionately known as a PIG) so I have
joined an Access Grid user group.

Q) Please tell me a little bit about where you work and what your
responsibilities are.
A) I work at home, I have been very fortunate to be able to bring my
work with me to Japan. I am part of a UK/US collaborative project
on the development of web-based technologies, digital libraries and
data-bases for tertiary level education. At the moment I am creating
on-line lecture material for use in UK and US university Virtual
Learning Environments. You can see our project at:
http://www.dialogplus.org I would be glad to hear from anyone
with a Japanese interest in our work or a DEva attached to the
World University Network, (WUN). WUN is quite an interesting
organization, as one of its mandates is to foster links for students
and researchers from around the world to collaborate and learn
from each other.

Q) Do you have any favorite software programs? If so, why?
A) My own, I only have myself to blame for their inadequacies.

Q) What is your favorite computer-related activity? (for example,
games, email, surfing the net, etc.) Do you have any other hobbies?
A) Having moved to Japan, emailing family and friends is a top
priority. Having just lived in Yorkshire (English county with good
hiking) hiking/walking has been my hobby of late and you can see
me on a little red bicycle along the Tama river most weekends.

Q) What is your favorite website and why?
A) I want to mention two: Google for general surfing and the BBC's
Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy (H2G2) for everything that you
can't get from Google.

Q) Name three things you will always find near your computer.
A) Coffee cup, my wedding ring (I still can't type with rings on)
and Bagpus (a pink and white striped cat) who watches over my
computer.


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SUBMISSIONS TO THE NEWSLETTER

Have an announcement to make? An article to submit for
consideration? (We can't pay you, but we'll give you a byline.)
Please send your submissions in plain text format to
newsletter@digitalevejapan.org
The deadline for the May newsletter is April 15.

.....Copyright 2004 DigitalEve Japan, All Rights Reserved.....