Kindle PW 2 FW 5.4.2 problem only default Dictionary accessible - Page 2

HarryT · 12-07-2013, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by myself11

Unfortunately, that features is only available on PW 2013. It was so handy, what a stupid move by Amazon.

Why is that unfortunate? The PW 2013 is the device that the OP has.

sirmaru · 12-07-2013, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by myself11

Unfortunately, that features is only available on PW 2013. It was so handy, what a stupid move by Amazon.

Did your post really mean to say "only available on PW 2012?"

tomsem · 12-07-2013, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirmaru

Did your post really mean to say "only available on PW 2012?"

That is what I was going to ask. I don't think PW2 has ever had the on-the-fly dictionary switch function. Even on PW1 it is a recent arrival, as is the feature to show no location or time to read.

Eventually I'm sure they will sync up the firmware and add both of these things to PW2.

I don't understand why Amazon has to branch their code to support both devices (and the Kindle Touch for that matter). They are all so similar.

aceflor · 12-07-2013, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomsem

That is what I was going to ask. I don't think PW2 has ever had the on-the-fly dictionary switch function. Even on PW1 it is a recent arrival, as is the feature to show no location or time to read.

Eventually I'm sure they will sync up the firmware and add both of these things to PW2.

I don't understand why Amazon has to branch their code to support both devices (and the Kindle Touch for that matter). They are all so similar.

I confirm: the PW2 never had it. Whether on the original FW, which was 5.4.0 (5.3.9 was not available for PW2 if I recall properly), nor on 5.4.2.

And I also agree that it is a real pity.

myself11 · 12-07-2013, 02:39 PM

Sorry for the typo. It is a feature only on PW 2012 (PW1). PW 2013 (PW2) never had it.

My "solution" in order to save same steps when I want to consult my other dictionaries was to create a collection (folder) with it. This way, dictionaries are always the first item on my home screen.

Mixx · 12-07-2013, 04:49 PM

I am somewhat apprehensive about the handling of dictionaries by the PW2 and somewhat confused by this discussion. I'd like to understand three things.

Does the PW2 allow me to install several dictionaries for different languages and does it choose them correctly, according to the language specification in the metadata?
Does the PW2 let me switch dictionaries for the *same* language on the fly?
The situation could be still workable for me even if the answer to 2. above is "no". I could still read in multiple languages that are recognized automatically. Should I want to use another dictionary installed for the same language, I could go into the menus and select another installed dictionary as the default the cumbersome way. Is this understanding correct?

If the answer is no to 1. above, than the PW2 is a huge step backwards from the Kindle 3 and I'll not be able to use a PW2.

Thanxx for a clarification,

Mixx

myself11 · 12-07-2013, 06:36 PM

1 - Yes.

2 - No, you can't switch on the fly. You have to go to Settings to change the default dictionary of the desired language.

Barty · 12-07-2013, 10:09 PM

Speaking of dictionary, am I supposed to be able to look up defintion of a word inside the dictionary popup? Seems like I can't. On the k3, the dictionary is basically just a book and I can look up definition and search it like one.

sirmaru · 12-08-2013, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barty

Speaking of dictionary, am I supposed to be able to look up defintion of a word inside the dictionary popup? Seems like I can't. On the k3, the dictionary is basically just a book and I can look up definition and search it like one.

Amazon defines dictionaries for each of their units separately. For example, the Bible Encyclopedia is defined as a dictionary for the PW 2012 and PW 2013. It is NOT defined as a dictionary for the HDX 2012 and HDX 2013.

If it is not defined as a dictionary for that particular device, then it must be searched like any other book and there will be many hits for any particular word in contrast to finding just one definition if it was defined as a dictionary for that device.

In addition, the PW 2012 firmware allows one to select the Bible Encyclopedia as the default and then will use it COMBINED with the New Oxford American Dictionary for definitions. The PW 2013 only allows one Dictionary to be used at a time.

HarryT · 12-08-2013, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barty

Speaking of dictionary, am I supposed to be able to look up defintion of a word inside the dictionary popup? Seems like I can't. On the k3, the dictionary is basically just a book and I can look up definition and search it like one.

When you get the dictionary popup, tap "More", and then "Open Dictionary". This opens the dictionary as a book, which then allows you to search it, look up additional words, etc. Tap the "<" symbol to get back to your book.

Barty · 12-08-2013, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

When you get the dictionary popup, tap "More", and then "Open Dictionary". This opens the dictionary as a book, which then allows you to search it, look up additional words, etc. Tap the "<" symbol to get back to your book.

I see. Thank you.

This is another instance where I prefer the old ugly way over the new fancy way. Having it pop up in the little window with small thin font as opposed to full screen with my chosen font isn't as user friendly to me, and having to do a couple extra taps to get to full dictionary means I'll rarely bother. With the window, you do retain context of the book, and I guess tapping any where outside the window to close is slightly more convenient than tapping Back. No doubt most people prefer the new way if for no reason other than it looks more modern and GUI-ish.

They could've added a button or icon to expand to full dictionary, but since they already have a More button they had to put it under there. They could've added an option in Settings, but Amazon seems even more allergic to options than Apple. In any event , trend in UX is to always favor simple and pretty above all.

HarryT · 12-09-2013, 02:26 AM

I'm afraid I don't follow you. The dictionary lookup has always appeared in a "popup"; it's never displayed full-screen until you explicitly tell it to, on any Kindle. What is it you're objecting to?

Komavary · 03-07-2014, 06:01 PM

Good news: with the latest update (5.4.3), multiple dictionary lookup is back.
(Or, in the case of PW2, where I've confirmed, it finally arrived.)

tomsem · 03-07-2014, 10:44 PM

The bad news (for PW1 owners): dictionaries no longer 'cascade' with the latest update. Let's say I had 2 or 3 English dictionaries. Before if it didn't find a word in the default dictionary it would continue to search in the others before giving up. Now it only searches the default and you have to select a different dictionary manually and hope the word is in there.

So they have broken a couple of use cases:
1 - using a translation dictionary, and automatically falling back to non translating dictionary when lookup in the translation dictionary fails
2 - adding definitions for foreign or specialized words and phrases (e.g. Latin, medical or legal terms) that are not found in the default dictionary by adding one or more supplemental dictionaries.

Is this behavior something that works, or worked, on PW2?

HarryT · 03-08-2014, 03:13 AM

No, it's only ever searched the default dictionary on the PW2.

12-07-2013, 04:49 PM	#21
Mixx Zealot Posts: 143 Karma: 387 Join Date: Sep 2010 Device: Kindle 3	I am somewhat apprehensive about the handling of dictionaries by the PW2 and somewhat confused by this discussion. I'd like to understand three things. Does the PW2 allow me to install several dictionaries for different languages and does it choose them correctly, according to the language specification in the metadata? Does the PW2 let me switch dictionaries for the same language on the fly? The situation could be still workable for me even if the answer to 2. above is "no". I could still read in multiple languages that are recognized automatically. Should I want to use another dictionary installed for the same language, I could go into the menus and select another installed dictionary as the default the cumbersome way. Is this understanding correct? If the answer is no to 1. above, than the PW2 is a huge step backwards from the Kindle 3 and I'll not be able to use a PW2. Thanxx for a clarification, Mixx

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Kindle 2, Changing Default Dictionary	Alejandro	Amazon Kindle	9	06-22-2017 03:42 AM
Troubleshooting Kindle 4 - dictionary problem	blekm	Amazon Kindle	3	07-11-2012 05:41 AM
changing the default dictionary on kindle for android.	arti	Android Devices	0	10-19-2011 05:26 PM
Strange problem with new default dictionary not working	frodon	Amazon Kindle	4	04-24-2011 04:46 AM
Oxford built-in dictionary disappears after changing default dictionary	YYZscientist	Amazon Kindle	4	01-24-2010 08:42 PM

12-07-2013, 02:39 PM	#20
myself11 Enthusiast Posts: 37 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2012 Device: Nook ST + Kindle PW2	Sorry for the typo. It is a feature only on PW 2012 (PW1). PW 2013 (PW2) never had it. My "solution" in order to save same steps when I want to consult my other dictionaries was to create a collection (folder) with it. This way, dictionaries are always the first item on my home screen.

12-07-2013, 06:36 PM	#22
myself11 Enthusiast Posts: 37 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2012 Device: Nook ST + Kindle PW2	1 - Yes. 2 - No, you can't switch on the fly. You have to go to Settings to change the default dictionary of the desired language.

12-07-2013, 10:09 PM	#23
Barty doofus Posts: 2,524 Karma: 13088847 Join Date: Sep 2010 Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kindle Voyage	Speaking of dictionary, am I supposed to be able to look up defintion of a word inside the dictionary popup? Seems like I can't. On the k3, the dictionary is basically just a book and I can look up definition and search it like one.

12-09-2013, 02:26 AM	#27
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	I'm afraid I don't follow you. The dictionary lookup has always appeared in a "popup"; it's never displayed full-screen until you explicitly tell it to, on any Kindle. What is it you're objecting to?

03-07-2014, 06:01 PM	#28
Komavary Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 491022 Join Date: Oct 2012 Device: BiblioLeaf SP02	Good news: with the latest update (5.4.3), multiple dictionary lookup is back. (Or, in the case of PW2, where I've confirmed, it finally arrived.)

03-07-2014, 10:44 PM	#29
tomsem Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,486 Karma: 26425959 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: USA Device: iPhone 15PM, Kindle Scribe, iPad mini 6, PocketBook InkPad Color 3	The bad news (for PW1 owners): dictionaries no longer 'cascade' with the latest update. Let's say I had 2 or 3 English dictionaries. Before if it didn't find a word in the default dictionary it would continue to search in the others before giving up. Now it only searches the default and you have to select a different dictionary manually and hope the word is in there. So they have broken a couple of use cases: 1 - using a translation dictionary, and automatically falling back to non translating dictionary when lookup in the translation dictionary fails 2 - adding definitions for foreign or specialized words and phrases (e.g. Latin, medical or legal terms) that are not found in the default dictionary by adding one or more supplemental dictionaries. Is this behavior something that works, or worked, on PW2?

03-08-2014, 03:13 AM	#30
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	No, it's only ever searched the default dictionary on the PW2.