Do you actually NEED a dictionary on your reader?

[pking36330]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

(IMHO), the Kindle has built-in obsolescence due to it's AZW and lack of ePub. So buying a Kindle is like buying a singe core CPU based computer. I cannot see how Amazon will survive without adding ePub support. They won't make it outside the USA for one. By adding a dictionary to the 600, Sony has just upped the stakes and take away the biggest objection to ePub.

JSWolf, I'm asking this sincerely, I don't want you to go off.

I'm VERY interested in the new Sony devices and part of the reason is that they do have a dictionary lookup, which I find is a dealbreaker must have feature. You mentioned above another reason I'm interested in them, ePub support. So here is my question: I've read here on Mobileread that the ePub format doesn't have a formal dictionary schema yet (I know folks here are trying to change that), so if you are reading an ePub book on the new Sony devices, do you lose built in dictionary support? Or does the device run a LRX/LRF dictionary in the background? How does that work? Please tell me it does work!

[kazbates]

Originally Posted by pking36330

JSWolf, I'm asking this sincerely, I don't want you to go off.

I'm VERY interested in the new Sony devices and part of the reason is that they do have a dictionary lookup, which I find is a dealbreaker must have feature. You mentioned above another reason I'm interested in them, ePub support. So here is my question: I've read here on Mobileread that the ePub format doesn't have a formal dictionary schema yet (I know folks here are trying to change that), so if you are reading an ePub book on the new Sony devices, do you lose built in dictionary support? Or does the device run a LRX/LRF dictionary in the background? How does that work? Please tell me it does work!

As of right now, I don't think anyone actually knows how Sony's dictionary look-up will work (with the exception of the developers at Sony). The application has not been available on their readers to date. I would hazard to guess that it will be in the LRF/X format, since that is Sony's format. As far as being able to do a search on an Epub file, I could only guess again since I have little working knowledge of Epub, but I would think that it wouldn't actually matter which format the ebooks are in. The application is basically a search engine. I could be, of course, be completely wrong and bow to the greater wisdom of the Epubn gurus here at MR.

[montsnmags]

It is insufficient to me for the Sony to have a single, built-in dictionary (if that is the case). I need to have the option to buy dictionaries of my own choosing, as with the mobipocket format. Putting aside that I would not buy a Sony device for other reasons and experiences (as with a Kindle), I would be far more interested in the future of epub with this option available. Otherwise, and if mobi became obsolete, and no other such dictionary option became available in yet another format with a possible future, I would revert to pbooks, seeing as the dictionary option was the clincher for me to be moved to purchasing such a device.

I "NEED a dictionary" on my "ereader" to have an interest in the device. Otherwise its advantages are insufficient to me.

Cheers,
Marc

[pking36330]

Originally Posted by kazbates

As of right now, I don't think anyone actually knows how Sony's dictionary look-up will work (with the exception of the developers at Sony). The application has not been available on their readers to date. I would hazard to guess that it will be in the LRF/X format, since that is Sony's format. As far as being able to do a search on an Epub file, I could only guess again since I have little working knowledge of Epub, but I would think that it wouldn't actually matter which format the ebooks are in. The application is basically a search engine. I could be, of course, be completely wrong and bow to the greater wisdom of the Epubn gurus here at MR.

kazbates , I was afraid the answer was as you listed: we must wait and see. I was just hoping that maybe JSWolf ebook editing experience might have enabled him to say "it doesn't matter what format the book is in, the dictionary can still work". Overly hopeful and obviously impatient. Thanks anyway.

[Hellmark]

I frequently use a dictionary, but usually when I do, I have a net connection available.

However, what I would LOVE to have, is an encyclopedia, which you kinda need the same features of a dictionary (text entry, etc). I am an avid wiki reader, and ever since reading Hitch-hiker's Guide to the galaxy, I've wanted a guide. That is actually why I started using PDAs.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by kazbates

As of right now, I don't think anyone actually knows how Sony's dictionary look-up will work (with the exception of the developers at Sony). The application has not been available on their readers to date. I would hazard to guess that it will be in the LRF/X format, since that is Sony's format. As far as being able to do a search on an Epub file, I could only guess again since I have little working knowledge of Epub, but I would think that it wouldn't actually matter which format the ebooks are in. The application is basically a search engine. I could be, of course, be completely wrong and bow to the greater wisdom of the Epubn gurus here at MR.

There's probably no technical reason that the dictionary couldn't work with different document formats. Eg, on the iRex DR1000S, you can look up a word in a PDF document using a Mobipocket dictionary.

[Ea]

Originally Posted by Hellmark

I frequently use a dictionary, but usually when I do, I have a net connection available.

However, what I would LOVE to have, is an encyclopedia, which you kinda need the same features of a dictionary (text entry, etc). I am an avid wiki reader, and ever since reading Hitch-hiker's Guide to the galaxy, I've wanted a guide. That is actually why I started using PDAs.

Yes! I can't say I have particularly thought of it, been caught up in "needing" an English dictionary, but an encyclopedia would be a wonderful addition (almost wrote "addiction" - talk about Freudian slip... )

[Hellmark]

Yeah, I wikibinge. I've literally spent days at a time, reading articles in wikipedia, just surfing from one article to another. That was the entire reason why I was considering a kindle. The browser would be good enough for pulling up wikipedia, and reading through there.

[Ea]

"Wikibinge" - what a great word I tend to stop myself when I surf Wikipedia, because I have other projects and things (and work!!) going on, too, that I need to attend to as well.

[kazbates]

Originally Posted by Hellmark

Yeah, I wikibinge. I've literally spent days at a time, reading articles in wikipedia, just surfing from one article to another. That was the entire reason why I was considering a kindle. The browser would be good enough for pulling up wikipedia, and reading through there.

It's a very strang occurance when you are entering your family members names in Google to show someone how to do it, and find out that your older brother has his own Wikipedia entry. I called his wife to let her know and she was speechless.

[Hellmark]

kaz, links or it didn't happen!

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by wodin

Actually, if I'm not mistaken the latest firmware for the jetBook enables dictionary support for ePub. But then I guess non-DRM ePubs don't count.

They do count (IMHO). And with the Ability to strip the DRM, almost any ePub would then have a dictionary.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Alisa

But for folks deciding what to buy right now, Amazon still has better content selection and the great combination of sample chapters and wireless delivery. That's pretty compelling. The DRM is strippable on AZW so I'm not concerned about preserving the books I buy now. Besides, most consumers don't know anything about ePub. It's like Ogg Vorbis. It has so many advantages but not much market traction.

If they'd had this thing out a couple years ago, they might have grabbed a lot of the folks that now have Kindles. Now that they have Kindles, they likely won't switch. Us MobileRead geeks aren't like most people. We're really comfortable stripping DRM and shifting formats. Most people who have Kindles will stick with them because Amazon has their library and their books will just work. The best format doesn't always win. I really do hope ePub becomes the standard but I won't hold my breath. If it actually becomes necessary, though, you can bet Amazon will indeed switch. They don't seem to be a company that will stubbornly stick to a non-working strategy.

I do think Amazon will have to change at some point or be left behind. Just look at the list of devices that will be able to handle ePub using ADE. Plus, with Sony's eBookstore going ePub, that's a big plus for ePub right there.

http://www.adobe.com/products/digitaleditions/devices/

[kazbates]

Originally Posted by Hellmark

kaz, links or it didn't happen!

Some people. Nag, nag, nag.

Here you go: MY BROTHER

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by pking36330

I'm VERY interested in the new Sony devices and part of the reason is that they do have a dictionary lookup, which I find is a dealbreaker must have feature. You mentioned above another reason I'm interested in them, ePub support. So here is my question: I've read here on Mobileread that the ePub format doesn't have a formal dictionary schema yet (I know folks here are trying to change that), so if you are reading an ePub book on the new Sony devices, do you lose built in dictionary support? Or does the device run a LRX/LRF dictionary in the background? How does that work? Please tell me it does work!

We've seen pictures of the dictionary working with LRF/LRX eBooks but not yet ePub. But it would be silly (IMHO) if Sony didn't have the dictionary working with ePub since they are switching their bookstore to ePub. But until someone says if the dictionary works with ePub, we'll just have to wait and see. The dictionary is not part of the ePub specification. It is a design of Sony's.

The way the dictionary works on the 600 is that you can tap the word and get the meaning and tap again to get the full dictionary entry. I don't know if the dictionary will be fitted to the 505. My guess is probably not.