A Telecom and Web Miscellany

NTT goes high tech
Although Japan is home to some of the world's best technology and top engineering minds, the nation's bureaucratic structure seemingly does what it can to suppress them. Fortunately, it doesn't always succeed.

In an earlier column, I mentioned NTT's English Information Service as an alternative to the hopelessly inadequate Japanese-language directory assistance you get when you dial 104. Well, NTT's English service has proved so popular, and its staff so competent and professional, that Japanese speakers apparently have started calling it, especially to find the numbers of foreign corporations and organizations. (Try asking for the number of Federal Express in Japanese.)

Anyway, NTT seems to be feeling the pressure. After all, if people can't make calls, then NTT can't make money. This could be part of the reason the phone giant is coming up with a CD-ROM version of its Townpage Yellow Page telephone directory. The 1997 CD-ROM edition reportedly will be shipped free in May to all those who own a telephone and have requested it. (You must make your request no later than March, though; NTT doesn't plan on making too many extras.)

This CD-ROM version is being considered an experiment, I'm told. If customers don't show enough interest, NTT will probably not do it again next year.

Exactly how the CD-ROM will be put together, what formats it will support, and other technical details are not yet available. It's bound to be better than the current paper version, though, and it sure beats the cost of having to call NTT when you can't find a number. A step in the right direction, for sure.

If you haven't requested yours already, do so today. If you live in eastern Japan contact the NTT English Telephone Directory Office at 03-3356-8511 (fax 03-3356-8870). In western Japan, call 06-944-7504 (fax 06-944-7678).

Webpage authoring software
Remember last year when I said that the folks who come up with the best tools to create webpages will probably go the way of Microsoft? (I meant that as a compliment.) Well, I'm putting my money on a fast-growing Australian company called Sausage Software. These folks have a whole bag load of stuff for creating the most advanced websites you can imagine, as well as a growing number of tools for getting the most out of your surf time.

I, myself, am rather partial to HotDog 3. After extensive research, and lots of late nights, I'm convinced it is the very best "web editor" in existence.

Sausage sells its products by Internet download only - no more boxes with outdated software, air freight costs, import duties, or unnecessary dead trees. The company seems well run, well organized, and committed to constantly improving its products. It is also targeting the Japanese-language market, something few of the Internet-only software producers are doing as of yet. These guys are the shape of things to come.

Highly recommended, and another reason to like Australia. Visit their site at http://www.sausage.com.

Web advertising
Several readers have been asking for an update on Web advertising services ["The Query Column," Sept. 1996, page 12], but there is nothing much new in this department. I hesitate even to mention any names, since some of the companies I had looked into for the earlier column have disappeared without a trace after operating for only a few months.

There is still no serious Internet-based advertising business going on in Japan. (By serious, I mean something geared to all sorts of businesses - not just the big boys.) I'll let you know if this changes.

ISDN
To all those who have been asking me if it makes sense to trade in your modem and analog phone line at home for an ISDN (integrated services digital network) terminal adapter and line - the answer is, "yes!" In fact, by the time you're reading this, I hope to have joined the ranks of home computer users who have made the switch and put their 28.8K modems up for sale.

Prices in Japan have come down, both for the equipment and for the service. The more competent Internet providers have also started pushing ISDN connections. If your provider doesn't yet offer cheap ISDN rates, I strongly recommend you take your business somewhere else.

Terminal adapters that allow analog phone service over ISDN lines are also being sold, and prices are very reasonable. I'm doing some research now, and will mention my recommended choices in future columns.

Online security
The Internet is a two way street, literally. If you don't take adequate precautions, experienced hackers can go through your files like a pack of looters while you are online. In a future column I'll delve into basic and advanced aspects of how to keep your PC from being raped while you are surfing the Net, but in the meantime I recommend that you learn all you can about your operating system's security options - for the office and the home.