DE-J's Monthly Newsletter, September 2004

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FROM THE EDITOR

These are the days when the signs of autumn are felt.
If you have a bit spare time to share with us it'd be a great help.
We're looking forward to hearing from you.

Newsletter Team
newsletter@digitalevejapan.org

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MEMBERSHIP TEAM NEWS

Misao Kajiro, Membership Coordinator.
<membership@digitalevejapan.org>

Total membership is 539 as of the 30th of August, 2004.

26 people showed up at DEJ Beer Party for some fun, drinks
and networking. Lots of women, and men from other organizations,
joined us - it was a great time to get together! Two women
who came from Ireland also got interested in our group.

Thank you to all who came in spite of the weather, which was
not so good. To my regret we forgot to take any photos there.

Our next meeting is Meet the DEvas in October. Please check
your calendar, and more details will be sent to the list.


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WEB CONTENT TEAM NEWS

Debra B. Foster, Web Content Coordinator.
<web@digitalevejapan.org>

There is nothing to update for the web content team this
month. Anyone interested in joining the team is encouraged
to contact the web content coordinator for information.


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MEDIA TEAM NEWS

Chiharu Kawai, Media Coordinator.
<media@digitalevejapan.org>

How's your summer going? Have you been watching the Olympic Games?
Those athletes really give me energy. That's great.
Well, as usual, we are looking for volunteers:
I need someone (perhaps one or two people) to gather statistical
information
for our media kit over the next two months. The data collector needs
to
volunteer for only those 2 months, but over that period she is
requested to gather
sufficient data about women and IT. Methodology doesn't matter. This
person doesn't have to be located in the Tokyo area but could be
anywhere,
even overseas. We can work together online. If you are interested,
please
contact me at dejmedia@aol.com (my personal account).


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WORKSHOP TEAM REPORT
Reiko Ohashi, Workshop Coordinator

We are beginning to feel autumn coming slowly in the air.
I have heard people saying, "Tokyo is much hotter than my country!"
this summer although they were from southern countries such as Taiwan
or Sri Lanka. I hope you are doing well.

I must tell you that this is my last message as the Workshop
Coordinator. When I took over this position over a year ago,
I had no idea what would be required of me.
However, I learned what I should do for the group
by listening to members' opinions.
It was not an easy job, but it gave me a great experience
that I could not have had any other way.

I am stepping down but still hope to do something for DE-J.
I hope many DEVas find their own way to contribute
and make their networks with other DEVas wonderful.

DEVas, SC members, thank you very much for everything!


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CALENDAR

September 12 (Sunday) Photoshop workshop.
September 22 (Wed) DigitalEvening

October 16 (Sat) Meet the DEvas

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DETAILS OF UPCOMING EVENTS

*Focus Workshop: Photoshop (Intermediate)
Date: Sunday, 12 September 2004
Time: 2:00 - 5:00 pm
Location: TBA (Ebisu or Shibuya) depending on the number of
attendees.
Cost: 3,000 yen
Tutor : Debra B. Foster
Registration : reita@j-wave.net

Debra B. Foster, graphic designer and DE-J member, will offer you a
hands-on
lesson. You can learn about this software in a relaxed environment and
having lots of fun.

*DigitalEvening
Date: Wednesday, 22 September 2004
Time: 7:00 - 9:00 pm
Location: TBA
Cost: TBA
Contact: events@digitalevejapan.org

Our Event Coordinator will be sending details to the main list soon.

*Meet the DEvas
Date: Saturday, 16 October 2004
Time: 3:00 - 4:30 pm
Location: Cozmo's Cafe, Shibuya
Cost: 500 yen (drink)
Contact: membership@digitalevejapan.org

Come along for an afternoon of networking and socializing with others
to
share technical tips, job leads or just meet new people.
All members welcome (E/J).

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RECENT EVENTS

Meet the Devas at the FGK@fe Cafe (June 2004)
Reporter: Andree Duffert

A small group of Devas met at the cozy little cafe in Kamiitabashi
and had animated discussions on several topics over coffee and beer.
As some members are professional translators we discussed
the complexities of various languages, and wondered why human beings
seem to have developed so many of them which are so completely
different!!
Two of the Devas speak French and commented on cultural traditions
in Brittany (Bretagne).

We then moved on to the topic of male/female relations in Japan.
Some Devas mentioned that a number of Japanese men still feel
that women belong at home. Of course, we all rolled our eyes...
Someone said that even ifJapanese men live abroad and speak
English well, the mind remains the same... We felt, that in general,
women are evolving at a faster pace.

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Q & A: INTERVIEW WITH A DEVA
Interview conducted by Noriko Hasegawa
Newsletter Team.
newsletter@digitalevejapan.org

This month we interviewed DigitalEve SC member Debra Foster .

Q: Where are you from originally? When and why did you
relocate to Japan?

I am originally from Philadelphia, PA, USA. I moved to Japan
in 2002. My husband is in the US Army and was offered a
position here. We had spent the last three years living in
Germany, and loved the opportunities we had living there, so
we jumped at the chance to move here for the same reason.

Q: Where in Japan do you live now?

My husband and I live in Sagamihara.

Q) How long have you been a member of DigitalEve Japan?

I joined the mailing list prior to moving over here in the hopes
of getting information about employment opportunities. I
started to really get involved with the group at the end of last
year.

Q) How did you find out about DigitalEve

Japan and why did you decide to join?
I found out about DigitalEve Japan when I was searching the
internet, prior to moving to Japan, for information on
professional networking in Japan, and just found DE Japan site

Q) If you are not from Tokyo, where are you from originally
and when and why did you relocate to Tokyo?

Originally I am from the US. Currently I live outside of Tokyo,
about 45 minutes to an hour outside of Shinjuku.

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?

I have attended both social events and workshops. I find the
social events to be most advantageous as you really get a
chance to talk to other women and network.

Q) Are there any other activities and resources you would like
to see offered by DigitalEveJapan?

I would love to see us have the ability to offer a wider variety
of workshops more often. The SC has been working on this,
but we need volunteers from within the group to make that
happen.

Q) What are your interests in digital technology?

As a graphic designer, I do most of my work on a computer.
I?ve also recently started working with website design, so I?ve
been very interested in learning about the various programs
and lanquages associated with that. Ideally, I?d love to have
enough knowledge to be able to work from home after we
return to the states.

Q) What kind of computer do you use?

In my office I use an IMAC with a G4 processor. At home I
currently use a laptop (dell) but it is only temporary. I am
planning on purchasing a Mac laptop at the end of the year.

Q) Are you a member of any other
technology-related groups and if so, which ones?

No

Q) Please tell me a little bit about where you
work and what your responsibilities are.

I currently work for the US NAVY, Morale, Welfare and
Recreation (MWR) Marketing office at NAF Atsugi. My official
title is Multimedia Illustrator. Our office supports various
organizations on base (like clubs, restaurants, entertainment
venues, etc.) with their marketing and advertising needs.

The job is great because we don?t focus on one area of
advertising or design. We are constantly being challenged with
new projects. And the variety of work that we are called upon
to produce is great experience.


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SUBMISSIONS TO THE NEWSLETTER

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format to newsletter@digitalevejapan.org

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