Good language learning software

I want to learn either Japanese or Mandarin. But dont know if there are any good programs out there. I was thinking about trying the rosetta stone software. But at $200+ for each lesson I would like to see if there is anyone who has had success with this product or any others. Thanks for any help.

 

i've used rosetta stone and I think it is absurd. I believe Rosetta has a 30 day money back gauarantee

 

To learn Japanese what you do is watch craploads of anime. Okay, no - google up katakana and hiragana charts and read manga with furigana [it's hiragana next to kanji so that you can read a kanji like it's supposed to be read ].

Jokes aside, getting programs are IMHO not that useful. Best bet is to take like an introductory class so that you wet your feet. And then do self-study. The satisfaction that you get when you progress can't be put in words.

Sorry for not being that helpful; but that's what I did [and still doing]. Thought I'd share =)

 

I used something called "Tell me more" from Auralog for German and it was really good. They have Japanese too, look here: http://www.auralog.com/us/individuals_tellmemorejapanese.htm

 

rosetta stone also claims that....which company do we trust?