~---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 4 Sep 1995 13:22:39 +0900 (JST)
From: Claude Huss <claude@trc.mew.co.jp>
To: ML Shinshu <a-shinshu-forum@cctwin.ee.ntu.edu.tw>
Subject: Shin Buddhist mini CD-ROM


Honganji finally released the complete collection of Shin Buddhist texts
(SHINSHU SEITEN) in a mini CD-ROM version. The price is 9,000 yens (without
S&H). Orders can be made through fax: +81-75-341-7753. 
The Mini CD-ROM format is a proprietary standard used by Sony in its
DataMan products. It is a 8 mm. CD-ROM and it can be read through Windows
or Macintosh with a special software. For Macintosh I know a very good 
Public Domain software and I know there is another public domain software
called DDwin for Windows. You would also need a Japanese environment like
Twinbridge for Windows or KanjiTalk for Macintosh.

I havent still received mine, but I am very excited about this mini CD-ROM,
since it is going to be much easier to find texts or citations and cut and
paste it to other documents. The price itself is very good, since almost
all mini CD-ROM are very expensive, usually more than 10,000 yens and the
printed version of the SHINSHU SEITEN costs 4,000 yens here in Japan... 

I believed the reason why they selected the mini CD-ROM format is because
it would be easier to sell the product to computer illiterate monks in 
Japan... Many of them cannot use even a word processor, so selling the
mini CD-ROM would make easier, since the interface of the SONY Dataman
is much easier (and cheaper) than a computer... Honganji is also selling
the SONY Dataman for people interested in it... I would not recommend
anyone to buy that dinossaur, though...

-- 
Claude