Dictionary Conversion Failure?

daffy4u · 06-10-2008, 05:19 PM

I'm not fond of the built in dictionary that came with the Kindle. I wanted to make use of the option to use another dictionary but most that I'm interested in are not yet available for Kindle.

pilotbob wanted to experiment with an existing Mobi dictionary in a post here. Then wallcraft mentioned instructions on converting a DRM free Encarta Pocket dictionary in a post here.

I tried to kill 2 birds with one stone by learning how to convert files and hopefully having an alternate dictionary for my Kindle.

Some of the links on the page on how to convert the LIT dictionary are no longer good, so I actually went a different route which may be the problem. BTW, I running Vista on my laptop.

- I downloaded the book in LIT from Microsoft.
- I had to Google search to find the clit2.zip file.
- The Mobipocket Publisher Personal Edition seems to no longer exist as I keep getting a page that says "Looking for Something" where ever I try to download. I decided that Mobipocket Creator must be it's replacement.
- I couldn't figure out how to do the clit2 thing (that's weird to type), so I downloaded the ABC Amber LIT Converter to turn the LIT file into an HTM file.
- Then I opened the HTM file in Mobipocket Creator and converted it into a PRC file.
- I both emailed the PRC file and USB transfered it to my Kindle documents folder. I couldn't figure out where else the file would go.

Neither version of the file behaves like a dictionary. Nothing is clickable, it's just a book page. When I open up the Kindle settings to change the default dictionary, the new one isn't even offered as an option.

The only way I can use it, is through a global search which is not very useful.

Either I've totally screwed something up or this is why Merriam-Webster says Amazon has to make some software changes before their dictionary will work on the Kindle.

Any suggestions?

Nate the great · 06-10-2008, 05:45 PM

When you made it, did you set out to make, a dictionary or a book? In MobiCreator, there is a certain button to click to make a dictionary.

Also, I wouldn't send the dictionary to the Kindle's email. The automagic conversion might remove the dictionary tags.

daffy4u · 06-10-2008, 05:56 PM

I set out to make a dictionary and not a book. The file I transfered via a USB reacted the same as the one I send by email.

Now I see the link for the dictionary on the left side. I'll try it again. Thanks!

daffy4u · 06-10-2008, 06:34 PM

It still doesn't work.

This time I used the same HTM file, clicked the Personal Dictionary/Glossary link on the left side and told it to convert. I opened the finish product in the Mobi Desktop reader and it looked more dictionary-like. I dragged and dropped the ebook (18,569KB) and MPB files into the documents folder of my Kindle. The results are the same, it's just a book and not offered as a choice of Dictionaries in settings.

igorsk · 06-10-2008, 09:40 PM

You need to use special tags in the source HTML to make a dictionary.
See here:
http://www.mobipocket.com/dev/articl...mpleDictionary

daffy4u · 06-10-2008, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by igorsk

You need to use special tags in the source HTML to make a dictionary.
See here:
http://www.mobipocket.com/dev/articl...mpleDictionary

My eyes just exploded.

This may be more of a project than I'm willing to take on as a first time conversion. Thanks for the link. Now, I have to go glue my eyes back together.

JSWolf · 06-13-2008, 11:25 PM

Why cannot Mobipocket make it simple to make a dictionary?

HarryT · 06-14-2008, 03:16 AM

It doesn't look outrageously hard; the required format for the source file is fully documented. It's clearly intended, though, for "programmatic" generation, not writing by hand. Shouldn't be too hard to knock up a little program in pretty much any programming language to write the required file from a text file of words and definitions.

wallcraft · 06-14-2008, 10:00 AM

There is a python script, tab2opf.py, for tab delimited dictionary files, see How to create your own mobipocket dictionary for any language:.

The LIT Encarta dictionary converted to MOBI works as a conventional dictionary (open the ebook, navigate to the page with the definition), but does not support lookup because it does not have the needed MOBI tags. I don't know if MS Reader even has a lookup capability, but if so it is keying on different tags in the file.

daffy4u · 06-22-2008, 11:31 PM

I took a little break from this project and will try again in the next couple of days. One thing I realized is that I never let the Kindle index the dictionary before I gave up on it as "just a book". So, I'm going to load it onto my Kindle again, let it index and decide where to go from there.

Thanks everyone for your input and suggestions so far. I'm sure I'll be back for more.

daffy4u · 06-25-2008, 08:39 PM

After giving the Kindle a day to index the dictionary is still was only recognized as a book. I decided to start over with the converted html file and it seems that is the problem. The html file did not convert properly with the ABC Lit2thml software. None of the links in the html document work. So now I'm off to find a better converter.

DaleDe · 06-25-2008, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daffy4u

After giving the Kindle a day to index the dictionary is still was only recognized as a book. I decided to start over with the converted html file and it seems that is the problem. The html file did not convert properly with the ABC Lit2thml software. None of the links in the html document work. So now I'm off to find a better converter.

Use mobi creator. It is a free download from mobi's web site.

Dale

daffy4u · 06-25-2008, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaleDe

Use mobi creator. It is a free download from mobi's web site.

Dale

That's what I've been using to convert the file from html to prc.

From my first post in the thread:

Quote:

Then I opened the HTM file in Mobipocket Creator and converted it into a PRC file.

If Mobi Creator is able to take a lit file directly, I haven't been able to see how to do it. Is there a desktop lit reader so I can see the file in it's native form for comparison?

Edit: Duh, nevermind about the reader for lit files, I just remembered that it's Microsoft Reader. There are way too many formats for me to remember. And now after seeing the dictionary in all it's glory, I don't think it's that great. I like the one that comes with the Kindle better. I still want to play with this file for practice but won't make myself crazy over it.

Thanks again all for your input and suggestions.

owl123 · 11-29-2008, 08:07 AM

Here's my 6 Step tutorial on how to convert free Encarta LIT dictionaries to Mobipocket: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32887.

06-10-2008, 05:19 PM	#1
daffy4u I'm Super Kindle-icious Posts: 6,734 Karma: 2434103 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Long Drive, Calinadia Candafornia Device: KDXG, KT, Oasis	Dictionary Conversion Failure? I'm not fond of the built in dictionary that came with the Kindle. I wanted to make use of the option to use another dictionary but most that I'm interested in are not yet available for Kindle. pilotbob wanted to experiment with an existing Mobi dictionary in a post here. Then wallcraft mentioned instructions on converting a DRM free Encarta Pocket dictionary in a post here. I tried to kill 2 birds with one stone by learning how to convert files and hopefully having an alternate dictionary for my Kindle. Some of the links on the page on how to convert the LIT dictionary are no longer good, so I actually went a different route which may be the problem. BTW, I running Vista on my laptop. - I downloaded the book in LIT from Microsoft. - I had to Google search to find the clit2.zip file. - The Mobipocket Publisher Personal Edition seems to no longer exist as I keep getting a page that says "Looking for Something" where ever I try to download. I decided that Mobipocket Creator must be it's replacement. - I couldn't figure out how to do the clit2 thing (that's weird to type), so I downloaded the ABC Amber LIT Converter to turn the LIT file into an HTM file. - Then I opened the HTM file in Mobipocket Creator and converted it into a PRC file. - I both emailed the PRC file and USB transfered it to my Kindle documents folder. I couldn't figure out where else the file would go. Neither version of the file behaves like a dictionary. Nothing is clickable, it's just a book page. When I open up the Kindle settings to change the default dictionary, the new one isn't even offered as an option. The only way I can use it, is through a global search which is not very useful. Either I've totally screwed something up or this is why Merriam-Webster says Amazon has to make some software changes before their dictionary will work on the Kindle. Any suggestions?

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06-10-2008, 05:45 PM	#2
Nate the great Sir Penguin of Edinburgh Posts: 12,375 Karma: 23555235 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: DC Metro area Device: Shake a stick plus 1	When you made it, did you set out to make, a dictionary or a book? In MobiCreator, there is a certain button to click to make a dictionary. Also, I wouldn't send the dictionary to the Kindle's email. The automagic conversion might remove the dictionary tags.

06-10-2008, 05:56 PM	#3
daffy4u I'm Super Kindle-icious Posts: 6,734 Karma: 2434103 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Long Drive, Calinadia Candafornia Device: KDXG, KT, Oasis	I set out to make a dictionary and not a book. The file I transfered via a USB reacted the same as the one I send by email. Now I see the link for the dictionary on the left side. I'll try it again. Thanks!

06-10-2008, 06:34 PM	#4
daffy4u I'm Super Kindle-icious Posts: 6,734 Karma: 2434103 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Long Drive, Calinadia Candafornia Device: KDXG, KT, Oasis	It still doesn't work. This time I used the same HTM file, clicked the Personal Dictionary/Glossary link on the left side and told it to convert. I opened the finish product in the Mobi Desktop reader and it looked more dictionary-like. I dragged and dropped the ebook (18,569KB) and MPB files into the documents folder of my Kindle. The results are the same, it's just a book and not offered as a choice of Dictionaries in settings.

06-10-2008, 09:40 PM	#5
igorsk Wizard Posts: 3,442 Karma: 300001 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Belgium Device: PRS-500/505/700, Kindle, Cybook Gen3, Words Gear	You need to use special tags in the source HTML to make a dictionary. See here: http://www.mobipocket.com/dev/articl...mpleDictionary

06-13-2008, 11:25 PM	#7
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,943 Karma: 128903250 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Why cannot Mobipocket make it simple to make a dictionary?

06-14-2008, 03:16 AM	#8
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	It doesn't look outrageously hard; the required format for the source file is fully documented. It's clearly intended, though, for "programmatic" generation, not writing by hand. Shouldn't be too hard to knock up a little program in pretty much any programming language to write the required file from a text file of words and definitions.

06-14-2008, 10:00 AM	#9
wallcraft reader Posts: 6,975 Karma: 5183568 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mississippi, USA Device: Kindle 3, Kobo Glo HD	There is a python script, tab2opf.py, for tab delimited dictionary files, see How to create your own mobipocket dictionary for any language:. The LIT Encarta dictionary converted to MOBI works as a conventional dictionary (open the ebook, navigate to the page with the definition), but does not support lookup because it does not have the needed MOBI tags. I don't know if MS Reader even has a lookup capability, but if so it is keying on different tags in the file.

06-22-2008, 11:31 PM	#10
daffy4u I'm Super Kindle-icious Posts: 6,734 Karma: 2434103 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Long Drive, Calinadia Candafornia Device: KDXG, KT, Oasis	I took a little break from this project and will try again in the next couple of days. One thing I realized is that I never let the Kindle index the dictionary before I gave up on it as "just a book". So, I'm going to load it onto my Kindle again, let it index and decide where to go from there. Thanks everyone for your input and suggestions so far. I'm sure I'll be back for more.

06-25-2008, 08:39 PM	#11
daffy4u I'm Super Kindle-icious Posts: 6,734 Karma: 2434103 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Long Drive, Calinadia Candafornia Device: KDXG, KT, Oasis	After giving the Kindle a day to index the dictionary is still was only recognized as a book. I decided to start over with the converted html file and it seems that is the problem. The html file did not convert properly with the ABC Lit2thml software. None of the links in the html document work. So now I'm off to find a better converter.

11-29-2008, 08:07 AM	#14
owl123 Addict Posts: 234 Karma: 214 Join Date: Nov 2008 Device: Galaxy Note 3, Galaxy NotePro 12.2, InkBook	Here's my 6 Step tutorial on how to convert free Encarta LIT dictionaries to Mobipocket: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32887.

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