I've just started using this site, but, unlike many people, I don't have a PDA, cell phone, or something portable that offers the native ability to interact with this site or a form of it.

But, I have a DS and there was a program created for the sole purpose of kanji flashcards. Get it here. It comes with some sample decks, but I've been making a deck per lesson (up to Lesson 4) with JWPce. If anyone wants the .jis's files, just ask and I'll upload them somewhere. It can basically emulate the site, since it can be set to display the keyword, you physically write the kanji on the touch screen, you check against the answer, and then you move on.

EDIT: I've uploaded Lessons 1-7. Get them here if you are so inclined.

If you have a DS, but don't know how to run homebrew, look online or just ask here.

other one for vocabulary (in french)

http://muguetspatial.kermert.net/japfr/

and a other one (work in progress)

http://ds.bigs.fr/pkds2_WIP.php3


i need to buy a DS now...

Ok, I was looking on some sites regarding running homebrew applications. They seemed to recommend the R4DS slot-1 adapter, all I want it for is to run this application and several other homebrew apps. Is this a good adapter?

I was also looking at a slot-2 solution. Buying a superkey to boot from slot-2 then buying a supercard lite.

Which route would you recommend, slot-1 or slot-2? Or something else, thanks.

[EDIT]: I have the DL Lite, don't know whether that makes a difference

The slot your flashcard uses really doesn't matter. However, you should consider that a Slot 1 flashcard cannot run .gba files. Most people don't care about that (just get an emulator), but if you use any GBA homebrew or fancy running roms, then that's an issue.

However, Slot 1 cards tend to much cheaper than Slot 2 ones. The R4 you mentioned, I believe, is excellent, as it's based off the M3 (confusing names, I know, blame the marketers in Hong Kong) which I own. The R4 should be cheaper however.

One thing you should consider (if you haven't already realized this) is that while most refer to them as flashcards, what you want doesn't actually have any flash memory: you have to provide that. Most Slot 1 solutions use MiniSD, which is somewhat expensive but really the only that fits in there. Slot 2 solutions can support SD and CF as well as MiniSD. If you already have a high capacity flashdrive that is not MiniSD, then it may be cheaper to buy a Slot 2 flashcard despite the higher price.

Slot 1 cards will boot on any DS. Slot 2 cards require passthroughs to allow the GBA slot access to DS hardware. To this effect, a Slot 1 card will be much more convenient. The passthrough is generally hardware at first (PassMe, PassKey, etc. These don't cost much and you can build your own. However, Nintendo has appended the firmware in recent months, so you'll have to make sure the Passme is up to date), but you can flash the firmware of the DS to avoid the need.

I say buy the R4 and some memory (if you're just running homebrew, you won't need much. If you wanna be a savvy pirate, you will need much), unless the savings for Slot 2 solution were quite great, as it can be a hassle to boot a Slot 2 card.

I just got the R4DS and loaded it up with both of the applications (& some roms ;-), the first one works great though it doesn't seem to remove correctly marked cards like it says it does. The second one looks very promising, but as of now it's feature set isn't really working that well.

Do you know of any homebrew app that is like mnemosyne or supermemo or even a basic flash-card program?

DSLearnJ seems to work just fine for me (although I haven't made any flashcards as of late...), as far as kanji go. It does toss all the cards back in for review after you have finished all the cards, but I can't say that I've ever experienced your problem.

As for general flashcard programs, I have no idea. While a Leitner system could be implemented (courtesy of the DS's clock), I doubt anyone would have the initiative to make that.

Just found this, there is Kanji dictionary for it here: http://stardict.sourceforge.net/Dictionaries_ja.php

------

NewDictS 0.7 - Stardict Dictionary program running on DS (including source)

Phillips released several weeks ago a working homebrew translator with fat support for DS with the help of PALib.
http://tvgame360.com.tw/viewthread.php?t...3D2&page=4
He only published it in chinese so it seems that it did not get some notice from the english speaking world. The program, which is using stardict dictionary files (http://stardict.sourceforge.net/index.php), is currently running on R4 (Thanks Phillips!!), M3SD and SCSD and can be found at:
http://www.ndsbbs.cn/read.php?tid=111151

To get it running you need the appropriate file for your card. Create the folder: "NewDicts" at the root of your card. In the folder "NewDicts" create a subfolder called "Dict".
Copy the downloaded dictionaries in that folder(up to 10 different dics are supported, prefix must be the same per dictionary).
The files with the .dz ending must be deflated, ending with .dict (try 7zip to do that).
Attention the .idx file size is limited to something smaller than 2.5 MB.
Example:
StardictBritannicaConcise consists of:
BritannicaConcise.ifo
BritannicaConcise.idx
BritannicaConcise.dict
in folder root:\NewDicts\Dict\

Phillips even released the source code:
http://www.tvgame360.com.tw/viewthread.p...a=page%3D1

Thanks for the tip, I downloaded the file for the R4 and created the folder structure you instructed, but I'm unfamiliar with stardicts. How do I find Japanese - English dictionaries?

Hi guys.

I just got into the DS homebrew scene. M3gaqwerty, is there any way you can re-up your DSLearnJ flashcards to another uploader? I am having trouble downloading the files from my location.

Cheers.

EDIT: Nevermind, it just took some time.

Hello all. I am running the R4 on my DS and have installed DSLearnJ correctly. When I load the game I come to the first screen where you can toggle random and the sections. Then on the next screen there is nothing present and the DS will not respond. No kanji, can't draw on the screen. Then the screen goes black.

Any ideas? I really want to make use of this program.

Hi, I am the developer of this program.
I only just stumbled upon RTK and SRS learning systems in the past few days, and it really makes me feel my program isn't very useful anymore :p

I'd love to make it more like a real srs, but I suck so bad at programming, theres just no way for me :p

achikochi: about the problem you are having, when you get to the screen with the menu at the bottom, it should also display your files on the top screen. If you don't see any files then you want to check the following things:
- Make sure you have the latest kernel for the R4DS. It's on the R4 website here: http://www.r4ds.com/index-en.htm
- As long as you have an up to date kernel, it shouldn't be necessary to patch the dslearnj file with a dldi patcher (R4 does this automatically now)
- Make sure your .jis files are in a folder called DSLearnJ on your memory card.

About a year ago I made a new version that fixed a few bugs. I suppose I should post that up sometime if people are actually using this.

Thanks for the reply. It seems that it might just be me and you on this forum but I would love for you to post that. I would really like to get a good srs on the DS for japanese. I wish I could program so I could make one. I will give your tips a try and let you know. Thanks a lot.

I use your program. UTF-8 support would be nice.

Sorry, I've decided to discontinue it. Adding UTF support would likely require a complete rewrite and is beyond my skill (I was trying to add it for more than 1 year now, and couldn't do it).

I would love to give this a try, but I am a little bit concerned about the safety of my Nintendo DS Lite. I originally bought it to play games on it, but it seems it would serve well as a Japanese language supplement -- still, however, I want to continue to use it as a video game system. This program is unauthorized by Nintendo, so is it safe?

I don't want to be a party-pooper, but it's important to me to know I'm not going to be throwing 120$ down the drain.

I've never heard of anyone damaging their system by running a homebrew application on it, so yes, I would say it's safe.

There are a number of homebrew applications available for ds that can help with japanese studies, though I'm really not convinced much of the usefulness of any of them. Some of the dictionaries that are available might be of some use, I suppose, but none of them probably approach the quality of the official dictionary that is available on DS.

Thanks for your response!

How would I install it? It looks a bit complicated... I went on the website, and it said something about patching -- what is that? And do I need to buy anything before I start the installation process?

You need to purchase a slot-1 device for your ds. I own an R4, but there are newer cards out these days with more features. The DSTT seems to be a popular choice and is quite cheap. They have it for sell at deal extreme with a 2GB storage card for only $35: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.10401

The patching thing is something that had to be done back in earlier times, but most cards on the market these days don't require patching files anymore.

you sir, are a don.

morning train rides, here we go!

wowww.... Ok, I just read up on all of this- so I can basically just buy this "TopToy DSTT Card for NDS Lite + Kingston Japan 2GB TF

Price: $31.80 "

Instead of buying games for the DS? So for example, I buy that flash card, download the rom and install " Kanji sono mama DS Rakubiki jiten (Kanji, Japanese, English)" and I have myself a Japanese dictionary instead of buying the actual thing?

lazar Wrote:wowww.... Ok, I just read up on all of this- so I can basically just buy this "TopToy DSTT Card for NDS Lite + Kingston Japan 2GB TF

Price: $31.80 "

Instead of buying games for the DS? So for example, I buy that flash card, download the rom and install " Kanji sono mama DS Rakubiki jiten (Kanji, Japanese, English)" and I have myself a Japanese dictionary instead of buying the actual thing?

To answer your question: yes. In fact, the whole process is as easy as 'download , unzip, drag and drop on your flashcard, done.'

Though I'd like you to take note that serious students of the Japanese language in the end move over to a word-tank anyway, because of its greater functionality and ease of use.

Also for anyone considering to buy a flash-card for your Nintendo DS, please take note that right now, 70 PERCENT of all DS owners owns a flashcard to put downloaded games on as well. Yes, in regular stores, you find grandmothers asking whether they sell N-cards or R4 cards or not (to give away as a present to their grandchildren), and if not, how they would be able to purchase them elsewhere. Quite catastrophic for the sales of a lot of DS games I'm sure, therefore I'd like to ask you to at least buy those instant classics you are going to get hooked on and are going to play through three times just because the game is sooo good.

haha this is amazing, does it allow for wifi play too? like in metroid hunters or w.e. for ds?

Edit; wow and I thought I was up to date with technology nowadays... haha

Yea, wifi works... but some cards (mainly older ones now) don't let you do download play with another ds (where your friend doesnt have the game, but can still play with you).
but remember this kind of thing is only for playing backups of your legally purchased games They gotta make money afterall.

I gotta say though, nothing beats the convenience of having all of your games stored on a single cart. Having to actually carry your games around with you and swap them in and out is an incredible hassle.

Zarxrax Wrote:I gotta say though, nothing beats the convenience of having all of your games stored on a single cart. Having to actually carry your games around with you and swap them in and out is an incredible hassle.

Haha yeah man, it sounds really convenient .... I hope somebody makes a flashcard app that uses the leitner system, if anyone finds it, plz post


Edit: oh yeah, as for videos, can I say for example, put up some anime and watch it in good quality?? And this SD card, the stuff inside can be changed just like any flash device right? I can delete old roms, put other ones on, etc.. ?

lazar Wrote:ying backups of your legally purchased games They gotta make money afterall.

Zarxrax Wrote:I gotta say though, nothing beats the convenience of having all of your games stored on a single cart. Having to actually carry your games around with you and swap them in and out is an incredible hassle.

Haha yeah man, it sounds really convenient .... I hope somebody makes a flashcard app that uses the leitner system, if anyone finds it, plz post


Edit: oh yeah, as for videos, can I say for example, put up some anime and watch it in good quality?? And this SD card, the stuff inside can be changed just like any flash device right? I can delete old roms, put other ones on, etc.. ?

As far as videos are concerned, I do believe it is possible to play them on the Nintendo DS. However, I have not tried playing any anime on my DS myself. However, I could give it a try and see how it is if you would really want to know.

As far as roms are concerned: basically: you purchase yourself a SD-card (I recommend a N-Card clone: cheap, reliable, just as good as any other SD-card, whatever people on other forums might try to tell you). You go to a torrent website and download yourself a game of choice. These games come zipped, so you would have to unzip the game with winzip/winace/winrar. After that it is as easy as connecting your Nintendo DS to your computer through the N-card and slot 2 USB adapter (which comes with the N-card). You drag and drop the virtual game cartridge onto the SD-card, wait until it has finished transferring, turn your DS and start playing. Add and remove as you wish indeed .

Please do note that some newer games require you to update your firmware. However, this is done with relative ease.

Games I recommend to buy instantly, instead of downloading them: Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan! (both part 1 and 2) and Subarashiki Kono Sekaii (It's a Wonderful World). They're Japanese and instant classics, nuff said .