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Open Source Initiatives Need More Concerted Efforts
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Major corporate houses choose open source partly due to the economic gains and mainly due to the control the open source system gives to their hands.
The quest for control is a serious problem in open source arena. The problem sometimes seems trivial, but is really a loss of manpower by the professionals developing programs in open source environment. The problem is seeking too much of control leads developers develop their own solutions for specific issues.
Reinventing the wheel is quite a common problem in open source arena. Instead of using an already popular script, developers tend to write there own scripts for specific tasks. There may be hundreds of scripts with similar functions. There are however instances when a developer has to come up with something new when the existing system doesn’t give the expected results. Developing a code from scratch will be faster than modifying existing program.
Proprietary software, in this sense is quite advantageous here. The developers working with proprietary software hardly ever goes to coming up with their own script as a solution for immediate problems at hand. Then again, proprietary software developers too invent their own wheels, but the goal is to avoid nasty situations like legal problems.
The nature of shared development of software development appeals to the human nature to have control over their destiny. This is true even when they can get customized ’solutions’ by proprietary software vendors. The future is in open source, but it is premature to make predictions as to when Linux or an open source OS cross runs on 50% of the computers of the world.
Incidentally Microsoft Corporation’s Shared Source Program is an effort by the corporate giant to somehow win the trust of open source community. Though Microsoft allows a peek into the source code, redistribution rights are neither granted nor expected. Only an illusion of free handling of source code, shared source program lacks the democratic nature of all open source initiatives.
Back to open source initiatives – open source initiatives find it quite difficult to get professionally talented developers to the fold, especially in the beginning stages. This is true for almost all open source initiative. The situation reverses when there are enough people in the fold and the project takes momentum at SourceForge.net.
There is one last thought for major corporations that have become so stepping on open source shoulders – spare some of your resources to enrich free software and open source software community.
Sam Jose reports on Open Source Initiatives. Open Source billing Software jBilling is a powerful billing software in open source arena. It works on multiple platform and is best for recurring billing. Visit http://www.jbilling.com/ to download the billing software or to contribute to the project.
Closet Organizers for Clothing and More
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Closet organization is important for anybody who wants an efficient, well kept home. Anyone who has struggled with cluttered, unorganized closets will tell you that it is a major headache. When your closet isn’t organized, you’re forced to waste time searching for the clothes, shoes and accessories you need every single day. Luckily, there are easy solutions to save you time and get your closet back in working order.
There are plenty of products out there that can help you get your clothing, shoes and other closet items in order, but finding the right one for your needs can be a little tricky. But with a few smart purchases, you can solve your storage problems and get your entire closet in order fast.
Clothing Organization
Clothes pose the first major obstacle to any closet organization challenge. It’s so easy for clothing to accumulate and overtake your entire closet. Before you know it, it’s almost impossible to find what you need when you need it. But using a product such as the Hang Max can take care of your clothing storage problems fast. The Hang Max is a simple system that allows you to put a plastic bag over a hanging item and then suck all of the air out of the bag to compress the clothes and fit them into a smaller space.
This is an amazing tool for saving space, but when it comes to storing seasonal items over a long period of time, the product simply cannot be beat. The clothing will take up half the space and be protected from dust, moisture and other household wear and tear.
A similar product, the Stack Max, is an equally convenient organizational tool. It’s ideal for folded items such as some bulky sweaters, blankets and anything else you need to fold and store. The Stack Max can compress items to a much smaller size to free up valuable space in your closet.
Using these products will do wonders to clear valuable space in your closet. With all the extra space you’ll save, it will be easy to stay neat and organized.
Shoe Organization
Shoes are another problem that countless people face when it comes to closet organization. Just about everybody needs a wide variety of footwear. From formal pumps, tennis shoes and boots to sandals and slippers, there really is a shoe for every occasion and activity. Over the years, you can accumulate a massive amount of footwear that can take over your closet. It becomes increasingly difficult to locate and access the shoes you’re looking for, which leads to daily frustration and hassle.
Organizational tools like clear shoe boxes can be a great solution. These convenient, stackable boxes keep your shoes visible, accessible and organized. This is an easy and inexpensive and way to store all of your shoes.
Other products like an over the door shoe organizer allow you to hang your shoes in vertical pouches on your door, making them easy to reach. This is a perfect place to store shoes that you use frequently. Under the bed storage racks and angled shoe racks can provide similar solutions by helping to keep your shoes accessible and organized.
Accessory Organization
The problem of accessories is a little tougher. It can be hard to find the perfect spot for these small items without adding to clutter. Boxes are often too bulky and difficult to access. Hangers can work, but you often end up with scarves and other small accessories strewn across your closet floor. And shelves just don’t quite get the job done. But grab an accessory hanger, and your organization struggles are over. These special hangers are compartmentalized with pegs and other hanging devices to easily store all of your accessories. Or, try using an over the door jewelry mirror and armoire to conveniently store your necklaces, rings, bracelets and earrings in one easy to reach place.
Using these products to solve your closet storage needs will do wonders for the efficiency of your household. The basic principles that come into play here can be applied to linen closets, bedroom closets and general storage closets as well. In the end, it all comes down to finding a way to maximize unused space.
The Hang Max and Stack Max products can save you the extra space taken up by air, while the shoe organizers free up limited floor space, the back of your door, and the space under your bed. Accessory organizers can eliminate unwanted closet clutter quickly to help you stay organized. In the end you will be left with an efficient, well organized closet that will help you save time and energy every single day.
Nick Kakolowski is a freelance writer who writes about staying organized, often discussing specific products such as closet organizers.
Get Basic Info on Orange Mobile and More
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Mobiles phones are such a big necessity right now to public that many telecommunications company are now jumping in to join a bandwagon of network providers which offer an entire variety of services the mass public can generally choose from. Take for example, orange mobile, the fourth largest telecommunications company in the United Kingdom (preceded by Vodafone, T-Mobile and O2). They first went to business in 1991 under Hutchison Telecom but then was fully acquired in 2001 by Telecom France.
Did you know that the color “Orange” as it names suggests, bright and sunny as it is, is associated to “organization” and “concentration” based from Feng Shui? The company offers the consumers a variety of orange mobile phones to choose from should one decide to be a subscriber of the network. From the Nokia, to Samsung to Sony Ericsson and the likes, you name it, Orange Mobile probably has it. Its services are not only based in the United Kingdom but extend to almost half of the entire globe. They’ve got coverage in most European countries such as France, Poland, Switzerland, Austria, Spain and Slovakia. Their service also reaches some countries in the African continent including Egypt, Jordan, Madagascar, Cameroon and Botswana. They have coverage even in the Middle East.
If you are a fan of style mixed with functionality, then join the thousands of other users of the Samsung G600. Based on Orange UK’s website, the top-sellers for orange phones based on consumers preference would be the Samsung G600, Nokia 6500 and the Sony Ericsson W910i (Walkman phone). Data was gathered at the start of the 2008 sales year.
For flexibility, Orange has 2 mobile plans to choose from. In the pay by monthly plan, subscribers are given the option to choose how many months they want to pay for their units. They offer 12, 18 and 24 months as lockdown payment period for their consumers. The other one is what they call the “pay as you go” plan. Subscribers can add text and call credits to their account either by using a debit card or a credit card; or they may also use an Orange charge card that they have purchased from any Orange mobile dealers.
Like to personalize your phone? Orange has its own web portal named as the Orange shop where subscribers can go to and browse for themes, ring tones, wallpapers etc. and have those downloaded straight to their handsets. Consumers absolutely loved it; definitely an Orange advantage.
David Webster is an expert on mobile phones and the telcomms industry
“If you can cook, money isn’t a problem. If you can cook — you can whip together a tasty, wholesome meal in a few minutes, that’s cheaper than anything you can get at MacDonald’s.” –The Naked Chef
The other day, while shopping at the Mall, I overheard a mother tell her children, “C’mon. we’re going to MacDonald’s.”
One of her children said, “I don’t want to go to MacDonald’s!”
To which she replied, “Well, we’re going. I’ve got coupons.”
With the current financial Recession, MacDonald’s sales — as well as those of other Fast Food Outlets — have increased big time. Business is good — it’s just the fat-rich, nutrient-poor “product” that is not.
But any professional cook will tell you this: “You can prepare an easy, fast meal for your family that is nutritious, delicious — and cheaper — than any fast food meal out there.”
Chefs will tell you that for years they’ve been hearing their kids’ friends saying, “Wow! You’re always having these fantastic meals at home — how can you afford it?”
And the chef will reply, “Actually — these meals are cheaper than any meal you can buy out there — fast food joints — TV dinners — you name it.”
IF YOU CAN COOK AT ALL — YOU CAN CUT DOWN YOUR MEAL COSTS DRASTICALLY — WHILE INCREASING THE NUTRITIONAL QUALITY… YOU CAN DO IT ALL!
I’ve been a pro cook for over 30 years, and I’ve been doing just that.
So — if you want to impress family or friends — or if you have a hot date, maybe that special you-know-who you just met on WUVING.com or somewhere and you want to prepare a romantic dinner… For you — here are a few of my favourite easy recipes that have also been Family Favourites:
–Mexican Shake & Bake Chicken–
1 Chicken, cut up
4 Cups Flour
2 Tsp. Cayenne Pepper
1 Cup Bran Flake Cereal (crushed)
2 Tbls. Parsley Flakes
2 Tsp. Garlic Powder
1 Tbls. Onion Powder
2 Tsp. Chili Powder
2 Tbls. Taco Seasoning
1 Tsp. Ground Pepper
1 Tsp. Curry Powder
1 Tsp. Basil
1 Tsp. Oregano
Mix together well. Preheat oven to 400F
Dredge the chicken pieces in above mix. Melt 1/4 cup butter in a shallow 9 x 12 baking pan. Place chicken skin side down and baste top with melted butter from the pan. Bake uncovered for 25 min. Turn skin side up, reduce heat to 350F and bake until tender; 30 – 35 minutes.
You can serve Mexican Shake & Bake Chicken with:
– Red Chili Beans and Rice–
2 cups Uncle Ben’s long grain rice (cooked)
1 – 16 oz. can Red chili beans in chili gravy
1 teas. Chili powder
1/4 teas. Cumin
Dash garlic salt
In saucepan, heat beans without letting them boil. Stir in chili powder, cumin and garlic salt. When piping hot, add warm rice and gently mix.
1 Chicken, cut up
4 Cups Flour
2 Tsp. Cayenne Pepper
1 Cup Bran Flake Cereal (crushed)
2 Tbls. Parsley Flakes
2 Tsp. Garlic Powder
1 Tbls. Onion Powder
2 Tsp. Chili Powder
2 Tbls. Taco Seasoning
1 Tsp. Ground Pepper
1 Tsp. Curry Powder
1 Tsp. Basil
1 Tsp. Oregano
Mix together well. Preheat oven to 400F
Dredge the chicken pieces in above mix. Melt 1/4 cup butter in a shallow 9 x 12 baking pan. Place chicken skin side down and baste top with melted butter from the pan. Bake uncovered for 25 min. Turn skin side up, reduce heat to 350F and bake until tender; 30 – 35 minutes.
You can serve Mexican Shake & Bake Chicken with:
– Red Chili Beans and Rice–
2 cups Uncle Ben’s long grain rice (cooked)
1 – 16 oz. can Red chili beans in chili gravy
1 teas. Chili powder
1/4 teas. Cumin
Dash garlic salt
In saucepan, heat beans without letting them boil. Stir in chili powder, cumin and garlic salt. When piping hot, add warm rice and gently mix.
Serve the above two with nachos, and you’ve GONE MEXICAN!
–Top Chef’s Beef Cabbage Soup–
1 lb lean ground beef
1/2 head medium cabbage, shredded or chopped
2 ribs of celery sliced
1 small bell pepper (cut up into small pieces)
1 medium onion diced
1 16 Ounce can kidney beans
1 28 oz. can tomatoes (cut up the tomatoes if whole)
4 beef bullion cubes
1/4 tsp. garlic power
1/4 tsp. garlic salt
salt and pepper to taste
Brown ground beef and drain. Add to ground beef remaining ingredients adding 28 oz. of water using the 28 oz. tomato can. Bring to boil and simmer for at least one hour or until veggies are tender.
– Italian Fried Chicken–
4 lb. Chicken — cut up
3 cups Self-rising flour
1 cup Cornstarch
3 tbl. Seasoned salt
2 tbl. Paprika
1 teas. Baking soda
1 pk. Italian Salad Dressing Mix Powder
1 pk. Onion Soup Mix — (1 1/2 Ounces)
1 pk. Spaghetti sauce mix — (1/2 Ounce)
3 tbl. Sugar
3 cups Corn flakes — crushed
2 Eggs — well beaten
1/4 cup Cold water
Combine first 9 ingredients in large bowl. Put the cornflakes into another bowl. Put eggs and water in a 3rd bowl. Put enough corn oil into a heavy roomy skillet to fill it 1″ deep. Get it HOT! Grease a 9×12x2 baking pan. Set it aside. Preheat oven to 350~. Dip chicken pieces 1 piece at a time as follows: 1-Into dry coating mix. 2-Into egg and water mix. 3-Into corn flakes. 4-Briskly but briefly back into dry mix. 5-Drop into hot oil, skin-side-down and brown 3 to 4 minutes on medium high.
Turn and brown other side of each piece.
Don’t crowd pieces during frying. Place in prepared pan in single layer, skin-side-up. Seal in foil, on 3 sides only, leaving 1 side loose for steam to escape. Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes removing foil then to test tenderness of chicken. Allow to bake uncovered 5 minutes longer to crisp the coating. Serves 4. Leftovers refrigerate well up to 4 days. Do not freeze these leftovers. Leftover coating mix (1st 9 ingredients) can be stored at room temp in covered container up to 2 months.
Serve Top Chef’s Beef Cabbage Soup or Italian Fried Chicken with hot Biscuits:
–Quick Down-East Biscuits–
4 Cups Bisquick
4 Ounce Sour Cream
1 Cup Club Soda (room temp)
1 Stick Margarine
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Mix Bisquick, sour cream and club soda together. Pour onto floured surface and knead very lightly. Roll out to about 1/2″ thickness and cut with cutter. Melt butter and pour half into a glass casserole dish. Place biscuits in dish and pour remaining butter over top of biscuits.
If you would like to use less butter, do not put butter in bottom of the pan; just pour a little over the top. Also, make sure that the club soda has never been refrigerated and still has a lot of fizz. Bake at 375 degrees for about 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
It’s easy.
If you don’t have all of the ingredients at home, it’s worth the initial expense getting them.
Those ingredients will save — and so will you, because your family will be asking for more!
Enjoy!
- Brian Alan Burhoe www.brianalanburhoe.com
A Graduate of the Holland College Culinary Course, Brian Alan Burhoe has cooked in Atlantic Coast restaurants for over 30 years. He is a member of the Canadian Culinary Federation. Brian’s articles reflect his interests in food service, dreamstudy, imaginative literature and our best friends — our dogs. His Home Page is A CULINARY MYSTERY TOUR – A Literary Chef
Window Firewall Does Not Secure? – Fix Your Window Firewall To Be More Effective Here!
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Window Firewall is an application designed for Microsoft Windows system to Secure Windows against viruses and some other threats. However, many users complain about Window Firewall is not effective in protecting from spyware or malware, so their computers are still easily compromised. It is recommended to remove spyware to protect Windows security completely to boost up your Windows system immediately!
Window Firewall sometimes encounters problems and vulnerabilities, and shows false threats reports to warn people, but it is not actually help too much to remove malware to secure computer system. This allows spyware or other rogue programs to execute unknown actions in the background including collecting and sending information. You may lose your personal information, and encounter some computer errors and slow PC performance. So, Windows Firewall obviously does not enough to secure our Windows systems.
How to Protect Windows with the Best AntiSpyware?
The most effective solution to get rid of Windows viruses to defend your computer from any potential spyware threats on your computer should be to use a truly reliable spyware removal tool. Here, Spyware Cease is highly recommended if you really want an actually-work spyware removal tool. Moreover, this program also contains profound utility to fix your Windows vulnerabilities and allow you to better manage Windows Firewall.
It has been proved to be a powerful Window Firewall for you with its Online Scan utility and is able to remove Windows threats and defend your computer from all the other computer threats. You can always get dedicated technical support from Spyware Cease support team whenever you have a spyware problem. Before you try other programs, give Spyware Cease a try, and you’ll be surprised!
Free Download a trusted and effective AntiSpyware Here: http://www.bestspywarescanner.net/. Give yourself a safer and better computer experience now!
Amy Zhou is a professional security software expert and virus threat analyst that contributes to the security software company. She is fond of reviews many antispyware and antivirus software in the market. She would like to help computer users to know more essential computer knowledge and take good care of their daily friends-the computers. Read more http://www.bestspywarescanner.net/
Products to Make Car Travel Safer and More Comfortable
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Traveling can be a tedious and sometimes dangerous task. Besides bringing along a blanket, first aid kit and jumper cables, there are several products on the market that you may not have heard of that can make traveling easier and safer. Here are some of those products:
Sometimes seat belts just aren’t comfortable but it is of course very important that you wear one. To make it a little more comfortable there are sheepskin seat belt covers that claim to relieve the restrictive feel caused by seat belts that dig, rub, pull, chafe or choke.
If you just can’t seem to stay warm on a trip then try bringing along an electric car blanket. This blanket plugs into your vehicle’s cigarette lighter. Not only can it keep you warm in the car, but also it would work great at those outdoor tailgate parties!
Nothing is more annoying than when your coffee or tea goes cold halfway to the office. Quit pouring out the chilled dregs of your cup and upgrade to a heated travel mug. It plugs into your cigarette lighter and keeps your drink at that just-brewed temperature.
Lock and load your valuables while on the road. No need to worry about your valuables while on the road or staying at a hotel with this travel vault. This vault boasts a stainless steel exterior, plus interior foam to protect cargo. It unlocks from the carbon steel sleeve to go with you anywhere.
If you’re trapped in your car after an accident, a specially designed hammer could just save your life. This hammer shatters windows and slices through seat belts providing you with an emergency escape route when you need one most.
Instead of tugging along those jumper cables you can jump-start your car, truck or SUV without having to pop the hood. The Auto Jumper revives your depleted battery directly through the 12-volt cigarette lighter. Just plug it in, let the energy flow into your dead battery and you’re ready to roll.
Keep those kids safe while traveling with a child safety identification key ring. A USB portable drive and application helps parents put together the information needed in case of an emergency. This product called Identakey stores medical records, photos, fingerprint scans and other information that is used to create a profile report, ID cards and posters whenever needed.
Never fall asleep at the wheel again with the Nap Zapper. This device is a potential lifesaver while driving. Dozing at the wheel causes countless injuries and deaths on the road. When you drive fatigued, sleep comes on imperceptibly. Before your regain full consciousness, it’s often too late to make driving corrections. This lightweight device attaches to your ear and instantly alerts you when you start nodding off. It emits a pleasant awakening (not startling) signal that warns you of your current situation.
Now just sit back and enjoy your trip with these comforting and reassuring tips!
Find the best deal on the auto insurance coverage you need. Visit us today for money-saving tips, information about cheap auto insurance quotes, and other helpful car insurance advice.
Are the Football Shirts More Famous From a Particular Country?
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When you think of football shirts, the first country that comes to mind is England. Manchester United has dominated football shirt sales for years, and they are not likely to fall off any time soon. I’m sure there are many countries that would argue the point, but I don’t think there’s any doubt that the UK, particularly England, continues to hold the title as the country with the most famous football shirts.
From Manchester United to Middlesbrough to Celtic United, UK teams have always set the standard for football shirts. It only makes sense because football was created in England, so the traditions and styles of football wear were established there first. The famous red vest with white arms of the Arsenal defined an era of football in England. Everyone would recognize the basic elements of football shirts that came out of the English tradition. The three stripes on the shoulder of short sleeved shirts, or the alternating vertical stripes that are so commonly used in football shirts are two examples.
As football continues to be an international game, countries outside of the United Kingdom are beginning to set trends as well. Several innovative designs are coming out of countries like Brazil or Germany, where football is a matter of national pride.
England’s various teams have always set the standard for football shirt design. If you see a color pattern or design on a football shirt and believe you’ve seen it before, it’s probably been a design worn by a team from the United Kingdom.
The famous players who wear the shirts also have a lot to do with how famous a shirt is. The shirt’s fame can also hinge on when it was worn and how well a team did. The 1966 World Cup Final shirt that was worn by England is famous for its simplicity – a red shirt with the simple white English crest on the chest. The 1968 Manchester United shirt that was worn in the European Cup Final is famous for its unusual dark blue color, and for the famous players who wore it when Manchester United won the European Cup.
Some famous shirts from outside of the UK have much to do with the men who wore them. The 1986 blue and white striped Argentina shirt reminds fans of the year Diego Maradona helped lead Argentina to a World Cup victory. The football shirt worn by Pele in Brazil’s 1970 World Cup win is also pretty well known internationally. Football fans are known for their loyalty, so the question of whose football shirts are most famous could draw some pretty intense arguments. Most fans would, of course, declare their own country’s shirts as the best and most famous. I believe that the tradition and longstanding domination of the football teams from England would have to give them the edge in this competition. The shirts may change from year to year, but England has always set the style for football shirts around the world.
If you want to find out more about Football Kits , please visit Football Shirts Website for more information
Know more about memory card
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consumers of electrical devices should know the fact that memory card act as a solid-state electronic flash memory data storing device showing the capability of storing digital contents. So memory card is used with digital cameras , handheld and mobile computers, mobile phones, music players, digital cinematography cameras, video game consoles and other electronics. Such memory card carries large re-record-ability, power-free storage, small form factor, and several rugged environmental specifications. One will find non-solid state memory cards having the usage of flash memory in general. So the users of memroy card will search varied types of flash memory in the market.
Users will find its usage in many kinds of memory card and jobs of different field. The areas in which memory card is having the usage are digital cameras, game consoles, cell phones, and industrial applications. In 1990 pc card was the first commercial memory card formats launched in the computing industry. Now these memory cards now basically used in industrial applications and in many I/O jobs showing as connection standard devices. Later many different forms of memory card emerged in the market like compactflash, smartmedia, and miniature card. Seeing the good output of memory card the small forms of memory cards were used in cell phone, games ds. The benefits of smaller cards in cell phones, pdas, and in compact digital cameras changing the cocept of using compact cards in the market.
One can see the difference of memory cards usage in many industrial fields. But then it is maintaining its consumption in cellphones and pdas . Many game consoles having the usage of proprietary solid state memory cards for keeping data. One thing which is capable of removing memory cards from the home console systems is optical discs. In this way one should have good usage of memory card by using it intelligently. The best qualitative memory cards one can purchase from the local stores or through online retailers.Now these memory cards now basically used in industrial applications and in many I/O jobs showing as connection standard devices. Later many different forms of memory card emerged in the market like compactflash, smartmedia, and miniature card. Seeing the good output of memory card the small forms of memory cards were used in cell phone, games ds. The benefits of smaller cards in cell phones, pdas, and in compact digital cameras changing the cocept of using compact cards in the market.
Now these memory cards now basically used in industrial applications and in many I/O jobs showing as connection standard devices. Later many different forms of memory card emerged in the market like compactflash, smartmedia, and miniature card. Seeing the good output of memory card the small forms of memory cards were used in cell phone, games ds. The benefits of smaller cards in cell phones, pdas, and in compact digital cameras changing the cocept of using compact cards in the market.The areas in which memory card is having the usage are digital cameras, game consoles, cell phones, and industrial applications. In 1990 pc card was the first commercial memory card formats launched in the computing industry. Now these memory cards now basically used in industrial applications and in many I/O jobs showing as connection standard devices. Later many different forms of memory card emerged in the market like compactflash, smartmedia, and miniature card. Seeing the good output of memory card the small forms of memory cards were used in cell phone, games ds.
Hot Japanese Pork Buns and More: Pizza, Curry, and Salty Caramel
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Chinese restaurants in California and around the globe serve pork buns. Barbecue-flavored pork and other ingredients are cooked, stuffed inside a bun, and steamed. Little stands on the street offer pork buns as do exquisite dim sum restaurants like City View in San Francisco.
When I am in San Francisco, walking down Market Street or people-watching on Union Square, I will buy a soft pretzel to eat. In Japan, I will stop my car at a convenience store, probably one of Japan’s approximately 12,000 Seven-Elevens, and buy a bun. Like at a drive-in, most people eat in the car. Convenience stores rarely very provide benches.
Japan has adopted and adapted this style of bun. When you are hungry, biting into a hot bun on a cold winter day is one of the small pleasures in life. While you can find such buns sold at street stands and in restaurants, and frozen in supermarkets, many people get their buns at convenience stores such as Seven-Eleven, Lawson, Family Mart, Save On, Circle K Sunkus and Ministop. Some ingredients look familiar and some do not. The most unfamiliar ingredient to Americans may be an, which is a sweet bean paste known by a variety of names. We searched the web, looking at convenience store websites to see their bun menus.
While Lawson and Save On do sell many buns, their websites fail to clearly present the kinds of buns they sell. So, I would just like to comment on a Save On pork bun that we did find. Shaped like a pig with a snout sticking out, two floppy ears, and two dark eyes, the fast food art embraced the Japanese concepts of cute and food presentation.
After seeing the piggy pork bun, I no longer went to Seven-Eleven. I started stopping at Save On. Some Save Ons sold the piggy pork bun to silent purchasers. Shiori, age eight or nine, and her grandmother, who was over 60, were two of the more vocal purchasers. Shiori, spoke first, “That pig is just so cute!” They talked at length about the cute floppy ears, the cute snout, and the cute pig shape.
Returning to bun offerings, the smallest menu on the web, at Ministop, shows seven different buns: Two varieties of pork buns; two varieties of an buns; a spicy seafood bun made from shark fin, shrimp, and an flavored with oyster sauce and other ingredients; a shrimp and pork bun flavored with salt; and for dessert, a Belgian chocolate bun.
Family Mart shows 11 different options including pizza, curry, and a variety of pork and an buns. One of the pork buns is a spicy bun, including kimchi while another uses the same kind of pork slices as you can find in bowls of steaming hot ramen. The completely new variety Family Mart offers is a yakisoba bun. Yakisoba is a fried noodle dish in Japan that is somewhat like chow mein. The bun is simply stuffed with fried noodles. Lastly, for desert, you can buy a pudding bun.
I have never tried the desert versions of the buns, nor have I heard people speak of them. I remember the ice cream trucks of the suburban phase of my childhood, hearing them from far away, worrying that getting money from my mother and getting back would take too long, but inevitably making it back on time for a piece of cold childhood delight. Americans talk of the ice cream trucks and they live on in our memories. Japanese speak of the sweet potato trucks that sell baked sweet potatoes. While sweet desert buns are sold almost everywhere in Japan, they are not yet fond childhood memories or the stuff of popular culture. Maybe they will be some day.
The Seven Eleven menu presents 13 different buns including many varieties of pork and an buns as well as two pizza buns, one featuring melted cheese. A pizza bun usually refers to just the red pizza sauce without any cheese. Seven Eleven also offers two pink desert buns called Sakura Buns which include an and other ingredients. The buns are named after cherry blossoms; sakura is Japanese for cherry. For a different desert, Seven Eleven offers three small buns together, one white, one yellow, and one brown for about the price of a regular bun. Each bun is a different flavor: salty caramel, maple syrup, and chocolate.
The Circle K Sunkus menu lists 14 different buns including a variety of pork buns and curry buns. The curry buns include a chicken and cheese curry bun and a cheese curry bun. Like Seven Eleven, Circle K Sunkus has mini buns too.
In most of Japan, you are never far from a convenience store. Steaming hot buns await in winter, but very few convenience stores offer the full menus. The hot bun cases used to heat the buns may just not be big enough.
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is a translation and editing business primarily serving a Japanese client base. We are always looking for experienced editors specializing in medicine and the hard sciences. Click personnel on the menu on our top page.