Google is apparently developing a challenger to Facebook in the social network space, and is the latest technology to draw its name from the Hawaiian lexicon – makamaka. Makamaka means an intimate friend, pal or buddy in Hawaiian. If this is indeed the final name of the product it would be very nice if Google would respond to our emails and post inquiring about our offices providing a Hawaiian translation for some of their online services. I have contacted the email they provide for their localization coordinator – no response. Post to their translator’s discussion forum – my post doesn’t…
Hawaiian Language Learning Podcast Online
Last fall and spring I collaborated with my dear friend and colleague Kainani Kahaunaele on a series of podcasts intended to assist beginning students of the Hawaiian language using the N? Kai ‘Ewalu textbook. It took a little longer than we planned, but the podcasts are now online. Please keep in mind that these podcasts are intended to be used in conjunction with the N? Kai ‘Ewalu textbook, whether you are learning in the classroom setting, in an online class or learning by yourself at home. There is a link on the podcast page if you need to order the…
Leok? Y2K7
I’m becoming a bit pessimistic that the developers of FirstClass are going to come through and commit to updating their localization process and tools so that we can localize the client software into Hawaiian and use Unicode. Their tardiness in getting Unicode support into the server and client was irritating enough, and it was only after they shipped the Unicode-compliant server and client did we learn that we would still be required to use our old custom fonts, keyboard and other hacks so that we can localize the user interface. Needless to say Keola was not a happy camper. After…
Kia Ora!
It looks as though, barring an unforeseen obstacle, that we will indeed be traveling to Dunedin in Aotearoa next semester as I begin Ph.d. studies. It was a bit difficult to get motivated to go through this process again after our experience in Ireland, however, my window of opportunity is narrow. If I don’t begin Ph.d. studies next semester I would have little choice but to put off the start of Ph.d. work until fall of 2009. Fortunately the enthusiasm expressed by the faculty at the University of Otago has been infectious and my initial reluctance to go through another…
What It Takes To Get Any Kind of Broadband In Kurtistown, Hawai‘i
I’ve documented our issues with getting broadband connectivity in our area previously. We finally got decent connectivity courtesy of Advanced Wireless Systems today, and are getting between 500kbps and 1.5mbsp per second both downstream and upstream. For the record that is a 27′ antenna on top of our roof, which is about 12′ tall. With five individuals and six computers in use simultaneously, I can’t tell you how happy we are right now. Installation was $600 and it’s $50 per month, but all in all the best money I’ve spent in a long time.
Superferry Decision Just Plain Wrong
I’ve kept my opinions about the Superferry issue to myself for a long time, but shutting it down for an EIS makes no sense whatsoever. We’ve needed a service like this for years. We have coqui frogs, stinging caterpillars, fountain grass, mites that threaten the bee-keeping industry and a litany of other plagues that got here without the help of the Superferry. And more will continue to arrive without their help. I hope the governor and legislature do act quickly to get the Superferry running again. The state has needed it for a long time, and if we lose it…
If I Were A Simpson…
… and maybe 50lbs lighter. I used the SimpsonizeMe site and came up with this. Actually, the original gave me all-white hair and beard, and made me look a bit like Peter Frampton when he was Simpsonized a few years back. I had to tweak the hair, eyebrows, and moustache a bit, but otherwise I look pretty good as a Simpsons character.
Hele On To… Aotearoa?
After quickly regrouping and pulling our Hilo lives back together, we’re starting to look toward the future again. I’ve been corresponding with the faculty of the music department at the University of Otago in Aotearoa (New Zealand) again, and they have been very encouraging about my beginning Ph.d. studies there in February 2008. Some details remain to be worked out, but unless a major obstacle is encountered we will likely be in Dunedin by January. What is exciting about this is that there are no issues in having my family accompany me there. Foreign students seeking a Ph.d. there are…
Mobile Themes Installed
I’ve installed new plugins here on Culture Hack that identify access by mobile devices such as the iPhone and others. If you are accessing from a mobile device and experience any difficulty please let me know and I’ll look into it. My buddy Kenneth Makuak?ne pointed me to Mobi as a possible wireless provider with reasonable fees and no long-term commitments. Their site says they are not available on the neighbor islands yet, but Kenneth was able to get a signal from Hilo town and even our home when he visited last night. Apparently they are working on rolling out…
Wireless-less-ness
Russ, Bernie and others have written eloquent pieces that address the concerns, whines and gripes of non-mobilites, long-time netizens, and mobile newbies. I’ve fit into several of these categories at various times, and had hoped to join the hardcore mobile generation during our now-aborted stay in Cork. Upon return to east Hawai‘i island, I began to investigate our wireless options, and found them limited. Our area has neither DSL nor cable. My son’s Verizon mobile phone is only marginally usable on our lanai (porch) but nowhere in the house. He bought a 3G card that works near the eastern edge…