Taiyo Johnson (太陽 ジョンソン)

So Google put a new face on Google Translate and made it live. And today silly people like me everywhere are giving G plenty of linkjuice linking back to the article.

Aesthetically it is an appealing change. How much else changed I don’t know because I am more excited that there is something new than un-lazy (it must be a word in some language) enough to actually research before posting here.

I am interested to see if any of this will help me with improving my Chinese (I am learning Chinese now)

Looks like they have sync’d Google translate with some of their other products (ex:gmail) in a way that will increase productivity. Nice.

And there is now “translated search” which for some reason I seem to remember already existing… ?
(That might be because I am a Japan web nerd and for years have been using online dictionaries and tools -- Rikai -- that give dropdown box translation of page words on-the-fly. )

Anyhoo, it looks good. Nice job G.

“But just how does Google create these nifty translations,” you ask?
What the video.
it’s Robots.

Automated computer algorithms. Hmmm.
I could almost go for that up until the point where they say about grammatical rules “Instead of teaching the computer the rules, we let the computers figure out the rules for themselves.”
They try to justify this statement by saying that the computers analyse a billion pages of documents that have already been translated into multiple languages by human translator and the computer looks for similarities between the texts…
Wait a minute. So you are saying that you feed the computer a bunch of documents and let it GUESS what the equivalent words and phrases are across the documents.
Some non-technical people don’t understand why automated translations can sometime come out so off the mark.

But after hearing this, now I cannot believe that Google’s translations are not twice as bad as they are.
Mechanically generated literal translations are not likely to catch the nuances and complex phraseology of living languages. And, being that these languages are indeed LIVING, they will be constantly changing and forever dependant on context.

A very interesting video.
And I like how when they mention the trouble they have with grammar in translation they display a Japanese and English flag.
Yeah, Japanese and English grammar are about as opposite as the poles. There are many words in Japanese that have absolutely no [set] English translation and can only be understood by a longer explanation of the context. For instance, “Natsukashii” (なつかしい) is a Japanese adjective that is often used by itself as an interjection when someone is reminded by something of some other thing from their past that they were fond of. The closest thing conceptually to this in English would be the interjection “Isn’t this nostalgic?!” which I have never heard anyone say.
By itself Google translates natsukashii as “miss,” (as in “to miss” something). Somethings will always be lost in translation…

My advice: be aware of the limitations. use sparingly. only translate small sentences at a time.

It was too funny not to post.

an oldie but a goodie.

So, today Google Japan (google.co.jp) had this interesting doodle.
Figuring that it was on the Google.com domain as well I surfed over there only to be disappointed by the regular old Google homepage.

Investigating the Japan doodle, I found that it was related to Gábor Dénes (Dennis Gabor) the Hungarian genius that invented the hologram.

Wikipedia Japan page:

ガーボル・デーネシュ (Gábor Dénes) (1900年 6月5日 ブダペスト生まれ – 1979年 2月9日 ロンドンにて死去) はハンガリーの物理学者でホログラフィーを発明した人である。なお、デニス・ガボールとも表記されるが、ハンガリーは日本と同じように名前が姓・名の順であるので正しくはガーボル・デーネシュと表記される。

彼は1947年に電子顕微鏡の解像度を向上させる研究の中でホログラフィーを発明した。このホログラフィーはインライン型ホログラフィーと呼ばれる像を鮮明に観察できない形式ものであった。これは当時レーザーがなかったため、コヒーレント長の短い光源を利用せざるを得なかったからである。そのため1960年にレーザーが発明されるまでこの発明が注目を集めることはなかった。しかし、レーザーの発明によって脚光を浴び、1971年にノーベル物理学賞を受賞することになった。

Interestingly the Wikipedia Japan page says that he was working on increasing the resolution of electron microscopes when he discovered Holograpy. But it was not until the invention of the laser in 1960 that he could create his hologram. In 1971 he won the Nobel Prize.
Also, interestingly in Hungarian they put there names last-name-first, just like the Japanese and Chinese.

Well, none of that gives me any clue as to why he would be remembered on Google Japan and not on the main Google page. Weird.

Yes, it has become this bad…

(a post in craigslist Miami, under computer gigs)

Actually why not work at wal-mart? Can you believe the nerve of these people offering sub-standard pay for technical gigs? If you don’t value our services, don’t come to us just do it yourself. I’m not going to build you a custom CRM site for 70 bucks. I’m not going to develop a custom php/mysql database for you for $10.00 an hour. I’m not going to give you free copies of Windows 7 and I’m certainly not hungry enough sell my soul dirt cheap.

You people offering sub-standard rates and wanting the world should be ashamed of yourselves. If your business is failing so badly that you have to try and force people to work for peanuts then think about changing your business model.

To those of you looking for work, don’t pay much attention to the “computer gig” postings…there’s a reason people post here versus the web design jobs section, to post a computer gig is free and they can’t afford to pay you anyway. Also, don’t belittle yourselves by working for 50% less than what you should. I know times are tough for some but if you’re going to work for $10 an hour just apply at Publix or Walmart and save your dignity.

Wow. Business owners not offering adequate pay for technical work is a disgusting shame. The point about the gig listings not being of the same caliber as job listings is well noted. But I have had my own, very bitter, experiences with the jobs I have had from the job listings section and can assure you that they are not much better.

It is a bear of a job opportunity market out there.

They used to say, “Don’t quit your day job”

My advice these days is, “Don’t quit your side projects!”

It has been my side projects that have given me the best experience and will someday soon hopefully allow me to leave the world of day jobs all together.

How does one label oneself?

Am/being are interesting thoughts.
Much more so than “what do you do.”
Doing is second to being.
But that is another story.

I am re-branding my taiyojohnson.com professional profile page today.

It’s tagline was “small business revolutionary.”
But I have been thinking that another tagline might be better (perhaps one with less bravado… or not)

The first thing that came to mind was “small business maven”

“small business guerrilla” is also appealing as it fits with my bootstrapping and guerrilla marketing ways.

But I was also considering these:
mechanic
small business intelligence

small business prodigy
prodigy, propensity, prowess, reach, sagacity, superability, talent, turn, understanding, virtuoso, wisdom

know-how, mastery
proficiency, savvy,

champion, genius, master, pro, star, virtuoso, winner, wizard
mastermind
whiz
specialist, geek, techie
engineer
ace
artist, authority
guide

mentor
counselor, consultant,
thinker
doctor

// revolutionary

rebel, radical
agitator, zealot, haranger, instigator
visionary

I am looking for something part-time.

Craigslist has two sections of interest :

internet engineer section (http://miami.craigslist.org/eng/)
and
web / info design
(http://miami.craigslist.org/web/)

elance.com
scriptlance.com
guru.com
sitepoint.com
http://jobs.wordpress.net/

craigslist.com

(Photo credit: Futurist Movies)

So one of my very favourite blogs, PersonalMBA.com, just posted an invitation to write “Your Year (and Decade) in Review” and so how could I resist! (especially since 2009 has been such a busy and ,in many ways [and through the fire], a truly great year)

Josh (Mr. PersonalMBA) Kaufman’s post had a great pic, which I have used again here because it so adequately embodies the focus and goals of the past decade of my life – Japan. (Click here to skip ahead and read about my decade, including my time in Japan)

So in answer to Josh’s post, and perhaps for the benefit/amusement of two or three people, I post my 2009 Year In Review.

In 2009 I achieved (among other things) the following personal accomplishments (biz accomplishments below that). They surely sound wonderful but each was a struggle. Truly I have been forged by fire.

• Woke up early[-ish] (6:00)  throughout the year using Steve Pavalina’s conditioned response method.
• Overcame a particularly bad habit using the check-calendar system I created.
• Created my personal mission statement, using the book First Things First by Stephen Covey
• Stopped watching TV and following the news (based on advice in 4 hour work week, Ben Franklin’s Autobiography, etc.)
• Read EXTENSIVELY. Thanks to not watching TV. Read some of the best books of my life, like Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning.
• Improved my “fluency” in Japanese (began blogging in Japanese)
• Began learning Chinese. (It is actually not that hard coming from Japanese ). Nearing intermediate level, maybe. Can speak and write simple sentences.
• Improved my Jazz Saxophone skills a bit, learning modes and blues scales.
• Learnt to live (and travel) simply and digitised most of my life in preparation to reach my goal of a completely mobile life.
• Created many of the weird and geeky productivity theories found on this site (like my 13 month calendar)
• Just finished plotting my major goals for the next three years (like building location-free income) and have planned in detail the first quarter, month, week of 2010.
• Lived and Loved deeper

And now for those business accomplishments.

A report of my 2009 business accomplishments, straight from the 2009 Annual Meeting documents of my company Eagle Land Grace, LLC

Eagle Land Grace, LLC

Overview of 2009 Accomplishments

During 2009, the member – Tori Johnson – developed systems to manage the business, performed web development/marketing services for small business clients, and created several websites to inform and train small business owners, including: backsaas.com, tenaciousfrog.com, taiyojohnson.com, and locationfreeincome.com.

Systems:

• Setup integration between freshbooks, outright, and shoeboxed to create a semi-automated accounting system.
• Created checklists (using Google Docs form/spreadsheet) for documenting wordpress installations. These checklists insure that every step of the installation process is completed and doubles as documentation of every installation. With these checklists I will be able to easily outsource the installation process in the future.
• Hired services of first “virtual assistant”
  
• Created systems for handling clients (”project questionnaire”, “client fit” checklist, etc.)
  

• Developed small business marketing membership program for TenaciousFrog.com
  

Web development and internet marketing services:

• Built [/redesigned] websites for several small business clients
  
  • Gave clients marketing advice
  • Setup local listings and optimized websites for SEO
  • Setup email newsletter campaigns with MailChimp
  • Developed innovative online marketing strategies for several clients (including viral marketing)
    
  • Assisted a client in receiving publicity, including being featured in a local NBC TV station news program
    

Training Programs:

• TenaciousFrog.com
  • Created plans for Tenacious Frog Marketing, including plans for a future book on bootstrapped internet marketing for small businesses.
  • Setup the website and the small business marketing membership program
• BackSaaS.com
  • created a basic ebook as a free giveaway for newsletter subscription
  • created the website’s infastructure, particularly the submission forms for readers to submit new Software As A Service finds
  • Formulated a system for soliciting interviews with Software As A Service providers.
    
  • Conducted and posted the first of such interviews (YaY!)
• LocationFreeIncome.com
  • Setup the website and created the Location-free Income manifesto
  • Conducted “experiment in super-light travel“
  • brainstormed possible ebooks and programs for the website
• Tori.TaiyoJohnson.com
  • Created an ebook about “GoogleCasting” as a free giveway for newsletter signup
  • Wrote about my personal productivity systems (laying the groundwork for future books on the subject)

Decade in review – to Japan and back again

• 1999 – (high school) Ended my first business to focus better on school work (all advanced classes ) particularly my Japanese classes. The business was a local newsletter supported by ads I solicited from local businesses. I also did printing and design work (including 100s of t-shirt for clubs at my high school).
• 2000 – Served my last as a non-voting homeowners association board member. (was appointed in 1998 because of my newsletter and community beautification projects)
• 2001 – To Uni !
  • Graduated from high school with an IB diploma, which gave me a full scholarship to any state school in Florida.
  • Attended University of Miami (not a state school…) mainly because of their sister school relationship with Jochi U in Tokyo
• 2002 – To Japan !
  • Fight against the study abroad advisers, who only wanted me to go for six months, to become the first exchange student in ten years to go to Japan for a full year
  • Given flight ticket to Japan scheduled to depart on September 11, 2002. Arrive in Japan for student exchange on the 12th. BEST YEAR OF MY LIFE.
• 2003- Still in Tokyo I begin the first of my web projects and out of frustration, with the slow updates of my friend who was coding it, I learn html. I also meet a very special lady this year and become even more determined to return to Japan
• 2004 – Back at my home university. Against all odds (and the advice of my guidance counselor) I manage to transfer back to Jochi University as a regular foregin student. And so I return to Tokyo, thus began two of the best and worst years of my life.
• This year I find my first apartment and land my first “real” job (English tutor)… both in Japanese. That was a battle.
• 2005 – I started a few websites about Japan this year. They were social networking sites. One would catch on a bit fueling my determination to work online.
• I also landed a second teaching job
• founded a club at my school
• found a few business mentors and worked with a small business owner in Tokyo
• incorporated my company Eagle Land Grace, LLC (and setup bank account) during a brief return home in the summer, thus another life-long dream accomplished at age 23.
• 2006 – Begin working at a financial services company that was just beginning to setup a branch office in Tokyo. (At that point I was working three part-time jobs, running a small business, and going to school…). I start Nipponster.com first as a social networking website running on Phpizabi CMS (the would-be facebook of Japan). I graduate from Jochi University.

Things go downhill

• The financial services company job does not work out and I am without a visa sponsor
• The English language school I work at offers to sponsor my visa but it does not workout
• my father’s health fails
• I leave Japan on June 14th
• 2007 – I try my hand at the import/export business. I start working part-time for an interior designer. I go in a different direction with Nipponster.com eventually starting DailyJ a journalistic blog where I interviewed over 20 Japan-related website owners about their projects. It was the training ground for all of my future internet marketing work and is still my favourite web project to date. I begin frequenting the library and beginning my self-education. I learn much about business/life, internet marketing, open source, php, css, linux, and software as a service. I read The World Is Flat by Thomas Friedman. I also start keeping notebooks, my one-journal-for-everything system
• 2008 – I redesign the website for the interior designer I work for and do internet marketing for him, soon bringing in thousands of dollars monthly from the web. Suddenly I have the epiphany that I could do this for other small businesses too, so Eagle Land Grace, LLC moves into the internet marketing business. I build sites for several clients and lay the foundation of my service business.
• I frequent the library weekly for business insight. I read business books, biographies, and productivity books voraciously. I probably read over 40 books that year
• I spend December in meditation on my life going through the book First Things First by Stephen Covey and laying the ground work of my mission statement.

WOW. In retrospect I have been very productive and extremely fortunate. But like Josh said, it does not seem so wonderful en route.

While I take a break from it all enjoy my journeys in Jazz improv.

I can play saxophone (here a soprano sax), mellophone (yeah, I bet you’ve never heard of it. that’s a shame), french horn (hate it, but it is beautiful), and trumpet/flugelhorn (Chuck Mangione).

Anyhoo, here are some recording I made using my GoogleCasting skills.

Me doing improv on the Piano
(Warning: I am not a piano player…)

Certainly not my best saxophone improv, but…

As I explain in the recordings I am working on my improvisation skills and knowledge of music theory.
Particularly this time I was playing around with blues scales, pentatonic scales, and little bit with modes.

In the future I want to understand modes better and be able to use them well. And I want to learn how the different scales and modes are related and how to transition between them.
Also progressions.
And I want an ice cream sundae.
Is that too much to ask?

Ok. So I was making a spreadsheet one day on Google Docs and it needed to have 31 columns (for 31 days) but annoyingly Google’s spreadsheet stops at column “T.”

Right clicking on that column brings up a box that offers the option to insert 1 column (either to the left or right). That is fine if you only need a few columns but what if you want to add many columns quickly?!!

So I googled the problem (ahh Google, the cause of and answer to all a web workers problems…) but surprisingly found nothing. I also (as far as I can remember) checked in the help documentation and found nothing there either.

Thus I grinned and bared inserting my few columns one by one.

A few days later, back in Google Docs, I happened to be selecting multiple columns at the same time and then when I right clicked on the last column it said “insert 5…” (see pic below)

Aaaa ha!

And so, Tori learnt that to insert multiple columns simultaneously in Google Docs spreadsheets he just had believe and select multiple columns before right clicking. He went on todo beautiful work with Google Documents and his love for the program grew and grew. In time others came around to the usefulness of the program too and they all lived happily ever after