PhotoZou Functions
Let me introduce several PhotoZou functions. These functions are daily used by 60,000 Japanese users.
The following links point to demo flash movies:
June 29, 2006
June 28, 2006
PhotoZou Features: 100MB Video Upload
PhotoZou just keeps on coming up with new features. Check out their latest!
PhotoZou allowed not only pictures to be uploaded, shared, and enjoyed but videos as well. However, video length was disappointingly short (about a minute) and couldn’t exceed 10MB. Now though, PhotoZou allows video upload of… (drum rolls please) a staggering 100MB and with no limits to time length!!
Shine in the spotlight and become a star! Upload those home-made videos now!!
June 21, 2006
Salute to our Enemy: Zooomr
The main blogger, Yuko, is going to fly to U.S. and take 2 weeks off, so I will post on behalf of her. I am not native to English like Yuko, so I would like to ask you in advance to allow my grammar mistakes, strange expression, etc.
I found a cool photo sharing service besides Flickr. The name is Zooomr.
The interface is similar to Flickr, but some functions are greater than Flickr. If you have a Google account like me, the registration process is very easy. It seems that you can place photos on the map. (However, I couldn't find out how to do that in a short period. If I took more time on looking through help, etc. probably I could have found.)
What I surprised is that it has been already provided in 15 languages including Japanese. I tried the Japanese interface and found that the Japanese used in the site is very funny(Sorry, no offense), but realized that it is because it should be translated by the 17 years old developer, Kristopher Tate, himself. It seems that he is learning Japanese. His blog has "Japanese" category.
Now, talking about PhotoZou, it provides Japanese and English. 2 vs 15, OK we loose in the number of language, but I am sure our Japanese quality is better than that of Zooomr. Again no offense. It is just a matter of time and cost. I am sure that my English is similar to the Japanese used in Zoomr.
PhotoZou has a built-in mash up funtion with Google Map, that is similar to able-to-place-photo-on-map function of Zooomr.
In old days in Japan, Samurai warriors kept courtesy to even their enemies. So I would like to express my salute to our possible-competitor, Zooomr by posting this entry.
Canned Sardines
For a country that values personal space, Japanese people seem to have no problem having every inch of their body touched by random strangers while commuting.
Riding on the train during rush hour must be a terrifying experience for those people who aren’t used to being a sardine in a can! So of course train capacity is supposed to be 100% but during rush hour, it maxes up to 250%. A comfortable train ride would be having the space of .5 meter squared but during rush hour, this exceeds to 5 people per .5 meter squared. Even a math-idiot can figure it out! The answer is: CROWDED!
So, where do you draw the line of sexual harassment and can’t-help-touching-you? I know I certainly don’t want to be groping strangers but desperate times call for desperate measures, right?
June 20, 2006
We are the World: Photo Map
So, have you guys already checked out PhotoZou? Today, I’m going to tell you about a cool feature on PhotoZou called Photo Map.
Photo Map is a map of pictures where you can place your photos on a map all over the world. So if you uploaded a picture of yourself in front of the Pyramids, place that photo in Egypt and so on! It’s a neat way to visualize where the photos take place and locating PhotoZou members. Photo Map can be accessed from the All Pictures page and placing uploaded photos on the map (photos must be Open to the Internet) is as easy as one, two, click!
Let’s color the world with our smiles! It’s a small world after all!
June 19, 2006
Nature Calling
I happen to notice that most public bathrooms in Japan are located so that the male facilities are always before the women’s, meaning that the women’s bathroom are always at the back whereas the men’s bathroom is closer to the main entryways. Isn’t is usually vice versa in the States?
Why is that? Well, for one, it can be said that the US is a “Ladies First” kinda country meaning that the ladies always gets the first go. A friend of mine also told me that women’s bathrooms are placed after the male’s bathroom in Japan to prevent chikan (=molesters, perverts). It would look suspicious if you were a male and went beyond the male bathrooms.
On one hand, I rather be safe and free from chikan but I don’t like the thought that the Japanese society still carries on male chauvinism. (Although we certainly do).
June 16, 2006
About PhotoZou Encounters
Sorry...it's the only half-decent (lol) pic of myself I have on my cell....
PhotoZou Encounters is the visual way to cross cultures.
PhotoZou Encounters is a weblog that features photos from PhotoZou that are relevant to the blog context. All blog entries and photos will have a recurring theme of something that is tangible and unique to Japan. PhotoZou Encounters hopes to become a site that inflames analytical thoughts, critical thinking, and a little surprise and awe every time you check out our site!
Now a little about moi, the author!
I used to live in Portland OR (US) for a total of 10 years. I'm currently a university student in Japan. And as a Japanese who grew up in the US, I think (I hope!) I can bring you some valuable and interesting factors about Japan that might fascinate those who've never visited here.
Ciao for now.
June 12, 2006
PhotoZou is Now a Closed Beta
We are happy to announce that PhotoZou, a FREE Online Photo Sharing Service is closed beta released. Currently, to enjoy our services you need an invitation from a registered member of PhotoZou. The PhotoZou Team has started to invite our family, friends, and collegues so please look forward to your invitations via your friends, family, and co-workers! If you just cannot wait, please leave your Email address in the form at PhotoZou's top page.
Hope to see your pictures soon!