VNR: Visual Novel Reader, a hooking tool that grabs text from visual novels and immediately translates and displays it. Granted, I haven’t touched it in ages, but VNR is still my go-to recommendation for anyone who wants to learn Japanese and play visual novels in the original language. Recently someone told me the thing doesn’t work anymore. VNR hasn’t been updated in years, but it always kept working. And the only translation engine in it that actually works is Baidu Translate — its Japanese output is the most reliable; the rest of the features don’t matter. Problem is, the Baidu Translate engine is dead now. Looked around online, and apparently the reason is: Baidu Translate’s API switched from an http URL to https! Holy shit, Baidu actually uses https now.

Short version: I bought a Xiaodu WiFi for 9 yuan, using a JD free-shipping coupon. Even so, the kaomoji on my keychain cost more than this thing… So, according to the official site, you’re supposed to install Baidu’s software, which bundles a one-click idiot-proof driver. One button and your current network is shared out. It’s really just a wireless adapter in hotspot mode. Which means there has to be a way to use the Xiaodu WiFi as a plain wireless adapter, because that’s what it is.