Andrew Shuttleworth Web HQ

Flying Visit to Seattle for the Microsoft MVP Summit

I'm currently on a flying visit to Seattle for the Microsoft MVP Summit. The Microsoft MVP program is an excellent program to recognize and support individuals who are active in supporting people in the community who want to use Microsoft products. (More details here).

I was honored to receive the Mobile Devices award since 2004. I have been actively supporting a niche group of people who want to either use a Pocket PC in Japan or want to use Japanese on an English OS Pocket PC. I run the Pocket PC Japan web site has news, a FAQ, forums and a discussion list. I also consider myself to be in a unique position to offer a neutral Japanese market perspective to Microsoft employees and the community outside Japan and in many ways act as a bridge helping keep the community connected with the market over here.

Project Comet

I thought it was strange there were so few new features appearing on TypePad and the announcement about Project Comet now reveals what SixApart have been working on. The focus on integrating blogs and community as well we being able incorporate other blogs into your own blog is very exciting.

TypePad has done an excellent job of simplifying really useful but otherwise effort consuming tasks like adding your Amazon wishlist with graphics to your site and I have high hopes that they will come out with some more killer features with Project Comet.

I can wait to see it go live (scheduled for early 2006) and give it a go.

Tokyo Business Entry Point

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government recently started Tokyo Business Entry Point, a free "one-stop information portal for foreign-affiliated firms".

http://www.tokyo-business.jp

Quoting from the site:
"In addition to essential business-related information such as Licensing regulations and governmental support services, this one-stop portal also offers information about education, housing, and other day-to-day necessities."

There is also a useful links page on the site. I believe they are still quite quiet at the moment so it is a good time to be asking questions.

There is a television feature on the service here (in Japanese).

Recommended Onsen in Hakone

If anyone is looking for a good onsen in Hakone for a day trip I can really recommend Tenzan. For just 1,200 yen you can enjoy a variety of onsen, a sauna and big rooms facing the river in which to chill out and relax. The place is excellently designed so even when it gets busy it feels calm. The restaurants are also delicious and very reasonably priced.