The drive for dictionary support - Page 6

DaleDe · 10-26-2008, 11:21 PM

Quote:

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.

If the code is already there they could just announce the support for dictionaries as soon as they have one to sell. No need for a firmware upgrade.

Dale

nrapallo · 10-26-2008, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaleDe

If the code is already there they could just announce the support for dictionaries as soon as they have one to sell. No need for a firmware upgrade.

Dale

That's exactly what happened with the (re)introduction of the ebookwise 1150. It had all the firmware code to handle dictionary lookups, but no licenced dictionary to use it on.

Then, after a while, they finally licenced the Random House Webster's Concise Dictionary and suddenly the EBW1150 had dictionary support (again)!

Nice coy tactic; buys you some time, at the launch, and then you suddenly satisfy the user base!

RickyMaveety · 10-27-2008, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by humzai

^ 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.

Judging from what Sony is saying about the 700, it will not have a dictionary, much less a free one. I personally find that a bit strange, although I suppose it has as much to do with legalities as anything else.

While I don't use the wireless feature all that much on my Kindle, I do use the dictionary .... a lot. Especially when reading books by British authors, because while I know some British-isms, I am not fluent in them.

Just tonight, I learned what for me is a new word. "Carboy." I've used them in the laboratory, but we just never called them that. Here, they are generally called "volumetric flasks." But, that's what a carboy is. I would never have known that, but for my handy dandy built in Kindle dictionary ... which I do love.

kacir · 10-27-2008, 03:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickyMaveety

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

You must have mised the "wink" emoticon at the end of my sentence.

I am very aware that I will not be forced to use it.

HarryT · 10-27-2008, 04:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ankh

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?

Why would adding dictionary support to the PRS-700 result in anyone paying for any content? Nobody (to the best of my knowledge) is suggesting that they actually INCLUDE a dictionary with the device; indeed, that would be counter-productive, because no one dictionary is going to appeal to everybody (eg Americans would want an American English dictionary, Britons would want a British English dictionary).

Simply make it like devices with MobiPocket support - the software provides a dictionary interface, but the user buys a dictionary if they want one.

RickyMaveety · 10-27-2008, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kacir

You must have mised the "wink" emoticon at the end of my sentence.

I am very aware that I will not be forced to use it.

You would have needed that wink emoticon on about every other sentence. The whole post seemed to be about your reasons for "avoiding" dictionaries.

It's really rather simple to avoid dictionaries. You just don't pick one up and open it. The same principle works with dictionaries on ebook readers. There's one on the Kindle. It is a great thing to have. I seriously doubt that it added to the cost of the Kindle, and had I not wanted it, I could have deleted it ... or just never opened the file up and looked up a word.

I also like the fact that, if I do not wish to use the default dictionary, I may purchase any other dictionary available for mobi, and install that dictionary and use that instead.

Personally, I think it's rather sad that SONY has had an ebook reader out on the market for this long and has never added dictionary functionality. Not even as an option.

Ankh · 10-27-2008, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Why would adding dictionary support to the PRS-700 result in anyone paying for any content? Nobody (to the best of my knowledge) is suggesting that they actually INCLUDE a dictionary with the device; indeed, that would be counter-productive, because no one dictionary is going to appeal to everybody (eg Americans would want an American English dictionary, Britons would want a British English dictionary).

Simply make it like devices with MobiPocket support - the software provides a dictionary interface, but the user buys a dictionary if they want one.

I totally agree with you, but please check out what humzai thinks about the idea that one has to pay for basic english2english dictionary. Also:

Quote:

Originally Posted by bzpilman

Multiple dictionary support is a must indeed, you could have any language if it's on a Memory Stick/SD instead of all on it's internal memory (though english-english should definitely be).

I read that post as a call to put english2english dictionary database directly into the firmware (I guess that is what "internal memory" amounts to)?!

Truth to be told, HarryT, the "mobipocket model" for dictionary integration that both you and I have mentioned is not the only one on the market. "Encarta dictionary" is free download for MS reader, and apparently Kindle's dictionary database is "free" (read bundled with the device).

dhbailey · 10-28-2008, 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickyMaveety

Personally, I think it's rather sad that SONY has had an ebook reader out on the market for this long and has never added dictionary functionality. Not even as an option.

On the other hand, much as I want a dictionary, the marketplace for the Sony reader has encouraged them so much that they have brought out not just 1 but 2 different upgraded models within the first 4 years, so sales must be significantly high in number or Sony would have abandoned it years ago.

So, sad or not from the point of view of many of us end-users, Sony hasn't felt the need to add it as a selling point.

Perhaps when Kindle2 comes out, it might tip the marketplace enough that Sony feels they need to add a little something extra, and my bet is that they have dictionary software in the works for a firmware upgrade for at least the 700, if not the 505.

humzai · 10-28-2008, 04:50 PM

One has to admit it is completely lazy of sony to not include it. They could if inclined buy the code from igorsk.

lzbones · 10-30-2008, 09:16 AM

That's a waste of touch-screen whitout dictionary support.

HarryT · 10-30-2008, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lzbones

That's a waste of touch-screen whitout dictionary support.

Touch screen technology and dictionary support are completely unrelated. You can have perfectly satisfactory dictionary lookup without a touchscreen (as the CyBook Gen3 and the Kindle demonstrate) and there are lots of things other than dictionary lookup that you can do with a touch screen.

realcoolcat · 02-04-2009, 10:21 PM

If Sony provides dictionary support on the 700 (or even on the 505) they will have a new customer.

starrigger · 02-10-2009, 01:08 AM

I wonder if there's something about the mobipocket format that makes it more functional for dictionary lookup. I bought the Pocket OED in mobipocket, which works quite speedily on my creaky old PDA. I, um, scrubbed it and experimentally converted it to EPUB to try on my PRS-700, and it's about as speedy there as a sinking barge. And this is a pretty minimalist dictionary. (I can't honestly recommend it, even in mobi format, due to its sketchiness.)

No doubt special coding will be required for a proper EPUB or LRF dictionary, but I was quite surprised by the lumbering contrast, even in a cookie cutter conversion. Forget using the 700's search function in this puppy.

jazzn2day · 02-11-2009, 04:18 PM

I'd love to pick up that functionality...and maybe upgrade to a 700 soon.
Add me to the list!

mrs_pooky · 02-12-2009, 09:30 AM

This is one of the features that inspired me to purchase the Kindle, even though I preferred the appearance of the Sony 505 and 700 to that of the Kindle 1. I'll be selling my 700 as soon as I receive my Kindle 2. I'm a copy editor, so having a dictionary on hand while traveling and when I don't have access to the internet is a huge plus.

The other reason I purchased the Kindle is because Amazon has a much larger library than Sony.

D

02-11-2009, 04:18 PM	#89
jazzn2day Junior Member Posts: 1 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: NH Device: Sony PRS-505	505 User says "Please!" I'd love to pick up that functionality...and maybe upgrade to a 700 soon. Add me to the list!

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10-28-2008, 04:50 PM	#84
humzai Junior Member Posts: 9 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2008 Device: Kindle	One has to admit it is completely lazy of sony to not include it. They could if inclined buy the code from igorsk.

10-30-2008, 09:16 AM	#85
lzbones Junior Member Posts: 1 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2008 Device: none	That's a waste of touch-screen whitout dictionary support.

02-04-2009, 10:21 PM	#87
realcoolcat Junior Member Posts: 1 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: none	If Sony provides dictionary support on the 700 (or even on the 505) they will have a new customer.

02-10-2009, 01:08 AM	#88
starrigger Jeffrey A. Carver Posts: 1,355 Karma: 1107383 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Massachusetts, USA Device: Lenovo Yoga Tab Plus, Droid phone, Nook HD+	I wonder if there's something about the mobipocket format that makes it more functional for dictionary lookup. I bought the Pocket OED in mobipocket, which works quite speedily on my creaky old PDA. I, um, scrubbed it and experimentally converted it to EPUB to try on my PRS-700, and it's about as speedy there as a sinking barge. And this is a pretty minimalist dictionary. (I can't honestly recommend it, even in mobi format, due to its sketchiness.) No doubt special coding will be required for a proper EPUB or LRF dictionary, but I was quite surprised by the lumbering contrast, even in a cookie cutter conversion. Forget using the 700's search function in this puppy.

02-12-2009, 09:30 AM	#90
mrs_pooky Member Posts: 22 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Pennsylvania, USA Device: Kindle 2	This is one of the features that inspired me to purchase the Kindle, even though I preferred the appearance of the Sony 505 and 700 to that of the Kindle 1. I'll be selling my 700 as soon as I receive my Kindle 2. I'm a copy editor, so having a dictionary on hand while traveling and when I don't have access to the internet is a huge plus. The other reason I purchased the Kindle is because Amazon has a much larger library than Sony. D

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