Quote:
Originally Posted by simurq
# Which e-book format is the most recommended for dictionaries?
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For epub readers I'd recommend the StardDict format and for Kindles the Kindle dictionary format.
The StarDict/Babylon GLS source file format is actually quite simple:
Code:
headword1|synonym1|synonym2
Definition of headword1 in a single line
headword2|synonym1|synonym2
Definition of headword2 in a single line
The definition may contain HTML 3.2 tags. AFAIK, the only non-standard attribute is
bword, for example
<a href="bword:my_link">my_link</a>, which you can use to link to other headwords.
You'll need to
download StarDict Editor to compile GLS source files.
If you have a Windows machine, download stardict-3.0.3-2011.06.12.exe.
(To compile a dictionary, open StarDict Editor, select Babylon file, open the GLS file and click Compile.)
The basic Kindle dictionary format is also relatively simple:
Code:
<html>
<body>
<idx:entry>
<b><idx:orth>book
<idx:infl>
<idx:iform value="books"/>
</idx:infl>
</idx:orth> </b>
<i>noun</i> <br/>
a written or printed work
</idx:entry>
<hr/>
<idx:entry>
<b><idx:orth>go
<idx:infl>
<idx:iform value="goes"/>
<idx:iform value="going"/>
<idx:iform value="went"/>
<idx:iform value="gone"/>
</idx:infl>
</idx:orth> </b>
<i>verb</i> <br/>
move from one place to another; travel.
</idx:entry>
</body>
</html>
(Kindle dictionaries are compiled with
Kindlegen.) For more information, see the
Amazon Kindle Publishing Guidelines and the
Kindle Dictionary FAQ thread.
There's also a professional dictionary editor for print editions--
Tlex. However, it's not exactly cheap.
You also might find
PyGlossary helpful.