Hey Colonel Panic:

I also posted the message below after a thread regarding linux on sony ps.
Since you're perhaps a nihongo gakusei and a devoted linux user, you might be able to help. Let me emphasize my request with a little of the keigo you (and I) dread so much:

Yoroshiku o-negai-itashimasu.


(my post under play station thread)
I couldn't help but notice this thread evolving into a conversation around Japan. I have lived in Osaka-fu for about 1 year, studying class Japanese lit at Osaka Gaidai in Mino-shi (in the northern part of the prefecture)...
I use Japanese word processing on a daily basis, currently working as translator/interpreter for a auto parts maker in Georgia.
Just recently I've had a growing interest in computers and growing disgust with Micros$ft's make-shift software releases and foul business practices - not to mention the win32 and win2000/NT GUIs have no redeeming aesthetics...
Anyhow, I've just gotten into the world of Linux, and after 2 weeks of struggling, I successfully installed Mandrake 8.0 on my new Dell, setting up a multiboot system with WinMe, 2000, and Linux.
One of the core reasons I still need Windows is for Japanese and Chinese word processing. Upon installation of Mandrake, I did go ahead and specify Japanese, Chinese and Korean language support in the advanced options dialog. How about wp, though?? Are there any open-source apps for japanese and or chinese word processing.
Like I said, I'm new to Linux, only a day in the making, actually. If you guys know any software I could use, please let me know....
Onegai-shimasu.

I love Mino area of Osaka too, and I'd love to be able to write in Japanese in my Linux. That's the only area where my linux doesn't meet my needs yet. I don't even know where to start to get the japanese support up. I have jserver and kinput2, but obviously something is missing. Ganbarimasyouka?