The drive for dictionary support

[astra]

I am not even considering 700 without dictionary support.

[zelda_pinwheel]

i also consider dictionary support essential and frankly i don't understand why sony has not yet implemented it. but with the 700's touchscreen it would be absurd not to have it.

Originally Posted by dhbailey

I'm all for dictionary support, but I would like it to be an option, configurable by the person using the reader.

I'd like to have a "Dictionary Mode ON" option, whereby highlighting the word and double-tapping would automatically open the dictionary, showing the definition, in the other half of the screen from where the highlighted word is showing in the text.

With "Dictionary Mode OFF" set in the options, double-tapping the highlighted word might bring up a submenu of options, such as "Search; Add To Notes; Annotate; Dictionary" and whatever other options the device can handle.

I don't care for audible pronunciation, but if it can be done without bulking up the device and definitely not including a speaker, so that people who want pronunciation have to use earbuds, I won't mind (always provided it doesn't increase the cost of the device!)

that sounds like a good way to implement it.

also i'd like to have multiple dictionaries possible with all results being proposed (where applicable) and be able to browse the dictionary like any book.

and ideally, the dictionary selection should not be tied to the language code of the book : for instance, if i am reading a book in french and it has an italian phrase in it which is not translated, i would like to be able to look up a word in an italian dictionary from the french book, as well as using the french dictionary.

[Hans Castorp]

Dictionary support is a must have absolutely!!! I'm planning to buy this reader but only if the "Look up dictionary" support will be available, I'm not an english mother tongue and Dictionary during my reading sessions it's my usual companion.... no way without it!
I'm a perfect newbie about these kind of devices , but other old members of this great forum maybe could answer to this question: there is the possibility to implement "Dictionary" on the PRS-700 (I don't know maybe with a new firmware) or we must wait for a new Sony model?!

p.s: sorry for my bad english :-)

[nrapallo]

Originally Posted by zelda_pinwheel

also i'd like to have multiple dictionaries possible with all results being proposed (where applicable) and be able to browse the dictionary like any book.

Originally Posted by nrapallo

Even though this is a 100 year old dictionary, I hope you find it useful. I know some people will probably read it like a book....

ZP, is just the person I had in mind when I wrote the above in bold!

[Ankh]

Dictionary support is essential feature for me, but I am not sure that the best way to handle it is for Sony to bundle it with every PRS-700.

It is obvious to me that this feature is not essential for a whole bunch of users, and the question is why should they be forced to pay for the content that they don't want?

What I want from Sony is to make their reading software "dictionary aware", handle word selection and provide clear interface for launching external dictionaries. If that is done, the community will kick in with "non-copyrighted" solutions, and content providers (Merriam-Webster, Oxford) would hopefully be able to sell us one of their dictionaries that can fit our individual needs and pockets.

My 2 cents.

[junkml]

If they provide dictionary support on the 700, I'll probably be trading up from the 500 to the 700 for both my wife and I. I don't think I'll be buying it in anticipation that they'll provide a dictionary lookup feature. With my luck, if I bought a 700 right now, they'll provide a dictionary lookup feature in the 705, and not bother with it for the 700.

[David Munch]

Signed..

[humzai]

Originally Posted by Ankh

Dictionary support is essential feature for me, but I am not sure that the best way to handle it is for Sony to bundle it with every PRS-700.

It is obvious to me that this feature is not essential for a whole bunch of users, and the question is why should they be forced to pay for the content that they don't want?

What I want from Sony is to make their reading software "dictionary aware", handle word selection and provide clear interface for launching external dictionaries. If that is done, the community will kick in with "non-copyrighted" solutions, and content providers (Merriam-Webster, Oxford) would hopefully be able to sell us one of their dictionaries that can fit our individual needs and pockets.

My 2 cents.

That is one of the oddest arguments I have ever seen, someone supporting the lack of a feature. People would be not be paying extra for it. The device is going to cost $400 and the feature is one that should already be implemented to compete with the kindle. You think it makes sense that after paying that amount for the device we should outlay more money for a dictionary. That is beyond preposterous considering it has to compete with whispernet. While the new features are nice it will cost nearly a hundred more then the kindle after Oprah's discount, and would go a great deal further to interest many people in the device. I plan on replacing my kindle with a prs 700 because I expect them to provide the feature later one but many people will wait.

[igorsk]

My guess is that the code for lookup is there or almost ready but the hold-up is getting licenses for dictionary data and/or converting it into the necessary format. I expect the official dictionary support to be added in a future firmware update.

[Dave Berk]

Originally Posted by igorsk

My guess is that the code for lookup is there or almost ready but the hold-up is getting licenses for dictionary data and/or converting it into the necessary format. I expect the official dictionary support to be added in a future firmware update.

You should hope . You DO know you're our fail-safe option

[zelda_pinwheel]

Originally Posted by Dave Berk

You should hope . You DO know you're our fail-safe option

yep...

[kacir]

English is not my native language. I have started to learn English when I was more than 18 years old.
Yet, at the moment I am reading more than 20 English books for one in several other languages I can comfortably read in combined.
This is the way I am improving my English skills. It is also much easier to get an English book for my Reader on the net. Just have a look at the numbers of English versus non-English books at the Project Gutenberg or other popular source of Public domain Books.

I have read well over a thousand books in English, yet I make point of NOT using dictionary while reading. If I can't read the book comfortably without a dictionary, I will not have pleasure reading it.

When I began reading books in English I was not very advanced student of English. I had to abandon many books because there were too many words I did not recognize, or the language was too colorful or elaborate. Very often I would borrow an English book from a "Foreign language library" in my town and I found translated words written in pencil in the book. This always spoiled my reading pleasure and made me angry. Yet, I very soon learned not to despair. Usually such an ... aehm ... "translator" lost interest after "translating" less than 10 pages and I have never discovered such translations beyond page 20.


For me there is also other consideration.
I often translate from and to English as a part of my job. I translate written text and also I interpret for people or make phone calls to our business partners.
When I am translating to English I try to avoid using dictionary (paper, on-line, software) as long as possible. I usually look up those few words I could not translate from my head after all the rest of text is translated.
The reason is, I have discovered that my brain is very, *very* lazy. When I look up the first word I soon discover that I have to look up words more and more frequently and I end up looking up words I am normally able to translate on-the-fly without hesitation.

This is another reason I am avoiding dictionaries as much as possible while reading for pleasure.


Sorry to rain on your parade, but there *are* people that are not interested in having a Dictionary on their Reader.
Do not worry. I am planning to get PRS-700 even if it DOES have a dictionary ;-)
Just do not expect me to pay extra for one

[Ankh]

Originally Posted by humzai

That is one of the oddest arguments I have ever seen, someone supporting the lack of a feature.

You misunderstood me. I said that "dictionary support is essential feature for me". That means that I will not consider buying PRS-700 unless there is a decent dictionary support.

Originally Posted by humzai

People would be not be paying extra for it.

That depends on the price and the quality of the content that is offered for sale. Merriam-Webster and Oxford offer different "sizes" of their dictionaries, obviously there are those who want and are willing to pay for reference works.

Originally Posted by humzai

The device is going to cost $400 and the feature is one that should already be implemented to compete with the kindle. You think it makes sense that after paying that amount for the device we should outlay more money for a dictionary. That is beyond preposterous considering it has to compete with whispernet.

I am not justifying nor defending the price of the device. I am saying that business model where dictionary is optional is better for both Sony and for us as customers. Collins is offering basic English dictionary for mobipocket at a price of $13.99, here:
http://www.collinslanguage.com/shop/...obipocket.aspx

I expect to see similar prices for Sony reader, and I want competition and choice when it comes to the dictionaries that one can purchase and use on the reader.

I see Sony as a platform provider, and I want that device enabled for dictionary integration, but I want a choice which dictionary I will load and use with it. Some of us might opt to read in languages other than English, and "standard" dictionary should not be forced on them.

[RickyMaveety]

Originally Posted by kacir

This is another reason I am avoiding dictionaries as much as possible while reading for pleasure.


Sorry to rain on your parade, but there *are* people that are not interested in having a Dictionary on their Reader.
Do not worry. I am planning to get PRS-700 even if it DOES have a dictionary ;-)
Just do not expect me to pay extra for one

Ummm ... you do realize that even if there is a dictionary on your reading device, no one will actually force you to use it??

[humzai]

Originally Posted by Ankh

You misunderstood me. I said that "dictionary support is essential feature for me". That means that I will not consider buying PRS-700 unless there is a decent dictionary support.


That depends on the price and the quality of the content that is offered for sale. Merriam-Webster and Oxford offer different "sizes" of their dictionaries, obviously there are those who want and are willing to pay for reference works.



I am not justifying nor defending the price of the device. I am saying that business model where dictionary is optional is better for both Sony and for us as customers. Collins is offering basic English dictionary for mobipocket at a price of $13.99, here:
http://www.collinslanguage.com/shop/...obipocket.aspx

I expect to see similar prices for Sony reader, and I want competition and choice when it comes to the dictionaries that one can purchase and use on the reader.

I see Sony as a platform provider, and I want that device enabled for dictionary integration, but I want a choice which dictionary I will load and use with it. Some of us might opt to read in languages other than English, and "standard" dictionary should not be forced on them.

^ haha

I want Sony to provide the prs 700 with both dictionary support and a free dictionary. I do hope that they choose provide an intelligent solution to the integration of a dictionary. The option for multiple dictionarys and whatever dictionary we choose. I expect them to do this to keep customers happy and to make the device more competitive in the marketplace.