The drive for dictionary support

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by jbruce

Agreed. I think multiple dictionary with option to select would be the best implementation.

I prefer Oxford - but some people prefer Webster's.

With annual Firmware updates - as the dictionaries evolve.

There should be no need for Firmware updates once the dictionary is supported. The user should be able to select the dictionary by some method that does not need firmware upgrades. There just needs to be a defined format for encoding the dictionary that can be followed by the dictionary maker. Some eBook readers support multiple dictionaries simultaneously so there is not really a need to have to select one. You could, for example, have dictionary folder that is consulted by the software and use all the dictionaries you find in there.

Dale

[eljacob]

I am a newbie to this forum, but I am a long time ebook reader. I started reading electronic books in an iPaq, back then when we didn't have smartphones and carried a cell phone and a PDA. I know, I am getting old...

Since then I tried quite a few readers, some of them with built in dictionaries (like Windows Mobile devices and the iRex 1000), and it is nice to have a built in dictionary, but I always found it very slow and distracting to select the word, move to the dictionary, and move back to what I was reading.

What I really would like to see is a good dictionary implemented as a true feature of the reader, and not as a linked separate book (ok Sony?): you select a word, and the reader shows a fast pop-up window with the translation or definition.

Until I find something like this I am using a separate Franklin dictionary device (I use the MWD-1490). I do have to carry a separate device and I do have to retype the word I am searching for, but the device is very small and light and for me it is faster and less distracting to type the word in a separate device then to do the full cycle in a built-in “linked book sort of” dictionary.

[Wetdogeared]

Originally Posted by eljacob

What I really would like to see is a good dictionary implemented as a true feature of the reader, and not as a linked separate book (ok Sony?): you select a word, and the reader shows a fast pop-up window with the translation of definition.

I'm sure this is what we are all expecting in a future release of software/firmware for the PRS700.

Plus the ability to pick the dictionary of your choice would be a bonus. ie. US English (Websters?), Canadian English (Oxford), Canadian French (?), etc.

WDE.

[jbruce]

There should be no need for Firmware updates once the dictionary is supported.

How does the current software know to look up the word at all? The software on the device would need to be updated, yeah? or, am I using the term improperly?

What I really would like to see is a good dictionary implemented as a true feature of the reader, and not as a linked separate book (ok Sony?): you select a word, and the reader shows a fast pop-up window with the translation or definition.

I also don't want a separate book as a dictionary - I do that already - which is why I think an update is needed. Also, that would be uncompetitive design on the part of Sony (considering some other readers - the Kindle 2 for example - already have a highlight & define feature).

Example workflow thought:

Go to settings -> select dictionary -> oxford/webster/american heritage. While reading -> double-tap to select word (like current search feature) -> single tap selected word to get definition (like adding a note to a bookmark - because I don't like the "pop-up window" feel that this feature seems to have with other readers)

Integrates into the current design and workflows of the device - and, most importantly, we didn't have to interrupt our reading to close the book we were reading; navigate to our dictionary; open it; and look up the word; then close out of the dictionary....you get the idea.

Cheers,
J

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by jbruce

How does the current software know to look up the word at all? The software on the device would need to be updated, yeah? or, am I using the term improperly?

You would need one update to the software to support dictionary lookup but you would not need releases every year to support updates to the dictionary.

I also don't want a separate book as a dictionary - I do that already - which is why I think an update is needed. Also, that would be uncompetitive design on the part of Sony (considering some other readers - the Kindle 2 for example - already have a highlight & define feature).

If done properly the idea that it was in a separate file would be totally transparent to you. The definition would just pop-up in a window. These days the firmware implementation and the SSD implementation are the same speed. The dictionary would have an index that vectored directly to the word. The advantage of a separate dictionary is you can buy whatever one you want and even several if you wish.

Example workflow thought:

Go to settings -> select dictionary -> oxford/webster/american heritage. While reading -> double-tap to select word (like current search feature) -> single tap selected word to get definition (like adding a note to a bookmark - because I don't like the "pop-up window" feel that this feature seems to have with other readers)

Integrates into the current design and workflows of the device - and, most importantly, we didn't have to interrupt our reading to close the book we were reading; navigate to our dictionary; open it; and look up the word; then close out of the dictionary....you get the idea.

Cheers,
J

It could be designed this way without having to put the dictionary in the firmware. There is no reason in any reasonable method to leave the book. The mechanics of 1 click vs. 2 clicks can be debated, menus etc. but it is clear that you wouldn't need to leave the current book or it is no good at all.

Dale

[nicholaelaw]

Definitely, but I already have the 700. Another thing I'd like to see is calendar sync support.

[thibaulthalpern]

I would LOVE to see built-in dictionary and thesaurus support.

As it stands right now, when there is a word that I don't know and I want to look up, I highlight it on the PRS-700 and then later return to my Notes data to look up words on a paper dictionary. The PRS-700 could surely do this more elegantly with built-in dictionary support.

[thibaulthalpern]

Originally Posted by nicholaelaw

Definitely, but I already have the 700. Another thing I'd like to see is calendar sync support.

Calendar sync support. Hmm...we're expanding more and more beyond the definitions of a digital reader, no? That sounds more like an activity for a PDA. If we go calendar sync support, then why not email and web access? I don't think I want those functionality that aren't related to reading and marking up texts.

[muse]

count me in

[el.astrologo]

Originally Posted by thibaulthalpern

Calendar sync support. Hmm...we're expanding more and more beyond the definitions of a digital reader, no? That sounds more like an activity for a PDA. If we go calendar sync support, then why not email and web access? I don't think I want those functionality that aren't related to reading and marking up texts.

Aw, come on thi, don't be so harsh. The same line of thinking would go against installing any games on the PRS700 as soon as they are available, don't tell me that you wouldn't like to see that sudoku or five balls game running on your e-inkish friend

Personally I wouldn't see the use of calendar on the little bugger and I think that sort of application would require some serious coding (you would have to create a whole new way for the reader to connect and be recognized differently than just a massive storage unit) but maybe something smaller could be done with jscript without the syncing.

[thibaulthalpern]

Originally Posted by el.astrologo

Aw, come on thi, don't be so harsh. The same line of thinking would go against installing any games on the PRS700 as soon as they are available, don't tell me that you wouldn't like to see that majhong game running on your e-inkish friend

Personally I wouldn't see the use of calendar on the little bugger and I think that sort of application would require some serious coding (you would have to create a whole new way for the reader to connect and be recognized differently than just a massive storage unit) but maybe something smaller could be done with jscript without the syncing.

;-) Honestly, I don't want email access and other distracting functions that are unrelated to reading and marking up text. Instead, they should honestly work on better and faster interfaces for marking up text. On the PRS-700, I only have the option of highlighting. I'd like the option of circling a word, underlining, and so forth. Better and faster annotation too. Work on those issues before dealing with frivolous items for a digital reader like email and the like

[el.astrologo]

That's true.. I would like to be able to circle words and things like that, they would truly add to the experience however I don't think they would be possible with our current device. As I understand it the PRS-700's touchscreen is not capable of multitouch gestures which would be a must...

Now that I think about it, perhaps a there might be a way... like double taping a word "circles" it (ie. different shade of highlight) Dunno, just thinking out loud

What I would REALLY love to see is the ability to handwrite notes but that's just daydreaming

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by el.astrologo

That's true.. I would like to be able to circle words and things like that, they would truly add to the experience however I don't think they would be possible with our current device. As I understand it the PRS-700's touchscreen is not capable of multitouch gestures which would be a must...

Now that I think about it, perhaps a there might be a way... like double taping a word "circles" it (ie. different shade of highlight) Dunno, just thinking out loud

What I would REALLY love to see is the ability to handwrite notes but that's just daydreaming

Handwritten notes are coming in the new touch screen from Jinke and likely in the Netronix ones as well. Likely Q2.

Dale

[el.astrologo]

Originally Posted by DaleDe

Handwritten notes are coming in the new touch screen from Jinke and likely in the Netronix ones as well. Likely Q2.

Dale

I meant handwritten notes in the PRS700

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by el.astrologo

I meant handwritten notes in the PRS700

yea, well my point was it was not a hardware limitations in the screen or the controller. It could be that the PRS700 will be able to support this with a firmware change.

Dale