The Sony PRS700: the Newest Member of the Sony Reader Family - Page 18

bbusybookworm · 10-07-2008, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

It's not that straightforward. Sony would need to define a dictionary format (you need to have a special format for dictionaries to allow efficient lookups) and then provide tools to allow the major publishers of dictionaries - Oxford, Collins, Chambers, Websters, etc - to do the probably considerable work of converting their dictionaries to that new format and pursuade those publishers that it's commercial worth their while to do it.

It's not a 5 minute job.

The thing is Harry, that they might already have started.

If thosed publishers were present at the launch, they probably knew about the new device as Sony was negotiation the deal for more books.

You're right, i'll take some time, but I'll take a guess and say that at least a couple of small dictionaries will be available at Launch or just after it goes on sale to showcase the feature, with more following soon.

And for the comment on Mobi being the format that most dictionaries are in is true but most if not all are also available as MS Reader and a few for eReader as well.

vivaldirules · 10-07-2008, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peto

Well, there goes then the only feature I really like in the 700.

I think it's a safe bet that if Sony enables the 700 with usable dictionary features, they will sell a dictionary for it. It may not be a simple effort, but it can't be terribly onerous.

HarryT · 10-07-2008, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbusybookworm

You're right, i'll take some time, but I'll take a guess and say that at least a couple of small dictionaries will be available at Launch or just after it goes on sale to showcase the feature, with more following soon.

I very much hope that you're right

.

Dave Berk · 10-07-2008, 09:10 AM

And of course you can all add your voice here. As they say, every little bit count, and who knows - maybe they will announce dictionary support by the time they bring the device to market.

They can always release it in epub format, for example, with the support of Adobe. That way, they can sell it to the big guys of dictionary publishing by telling them this will be the first dictionary in an open format

.

HarryT · 10-07-2008, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Berk

They can always release it in epub format, for example, with the support of Adobe. That way, they can sell it to the big guys of dictionary publishing by telling them this will be the first dictionary in an open format

.

Unfortunately the ePub standard does not currently define any format for dictionaries - except as normal books. Dictionaries need to have some kind of internal "database" type format to allow efficient lookups, with clear separation of "lookup terms" and their definitions; you can't just do a text search of a dictionary.

Since ePub is a "proper" open standard, the addition of dictionaries to that standard would require ratification by the standard committee - it wouldn't just be a question of Sony or Adobe "inventing" their own standard for it.

pilotbob · 10-07-2008, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

It's not that straightforward. Sony would need to define a dictionary format (you need to have a special format for dictionaries to allow efficient lookups) and then provide tools to allow the major publishers of dictionaries - Oxford, Collins, Chambers, Websters, etc - to do the probably considerable work of converting their dictionaries to that new format and pursuade those publishers that it's commercial worth their while to do it.

It's not a 5 minute job.

True... but it Sony provides a tool to convert an existing Mobi format dictionary to Sony's format/indexing then the dictionary makers could quickly make their content available.

Of course, Sony has never had a lookup dictionary feature before. So, if they haven't even started on putting this feature in to the reader than it could be a while. Also, if they are using Adobe's code for the PDF readers they would need to work with Adobe to have the dictionary lookup work the same in PDF/ePub books as it does with BBeB books.

All that said I wouldn't expect to see dictionary lookup on a 700 for quite a while... unless the open source community does it.

BOb

Peto · 10-07-2008, 10:04 AM

There are simple ways to search text dictionaries. One is to add ":" after each entry and then add ":" to each word you want to find. Some dictionaries come this way, others have a line return after each entry, some come in bold so you only search words with a return or in bold... And every single entry to a dictionary comes right after a line return (^p).

I know nothing about this, but were I to look for an entry in a txt dictionary using MSWord, I would use a macro to search for "^pentry". I would try to get things a little more complicated and try to search for "^pentr*" if "entry" was not there, then "^pent*" and so on until I got the closest word to the entry I want.

If an ignorant like me can manage to conceive this, it shouldn't be very difficult for the guys working with dictionaries around here.

But that wouldn't work with the 505. It would work with the 700.

DaleDe · 10-07-2008, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Pretty much all the dictionaries out there are in DRM-protected Mobipocket format. Somehow I can't see Mobi being willing to licence that technology to Sony - they have a strict policy of insisting on "exclusivity" when it comes to DRM-provision on a device.

There are LIT dictionaries and eReader dictionaries. Even my eBookwise has a dictionary. Sony originally define a format for their libre so I don't think they need to buy the format from Mobipocket. They just need to devote the time and energy to get one ready.

Dale

godel10 · 10-07-2008, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pilotbob

Of course, Sony has never had a lookup dictionary feature before. So, if they haven't even started on putting this feature in to the reader than it could be a while.

I am afraid this is false, my Sony Librie has support for dictionaries. In other words, in the past they had a format for dictionaries. .

What I do not know is whether right now theare are reasons to not use this format and create a new one.

NatCh · 10-07-2008, 11:41 AM

Probably means they have a dictionary or two gathering virtual dust somewhere then.

HarryT · 10-07-2008, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by godel10

I am afraid this is false, my Sony Librie has support for dictionaries. In other words, in the past they had a format for dictionaries. .

That's great news - I wasn't aware of that!

kovidgoyal · 10-07-2008, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

That's great news - I wasn't aware of that!

The BBeB format has a variant designed for dictionary lookup, IIRC.

MerLock · 10-07-2008, 03:27 PM

I'm also interested in the changes the Sony Ebook store will have as mentioned by an ealier report. Any word on when we should expect to see those changes?

recycledelectron · 10-09-2008, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PsyDocJoanne

Meh. I'm underwhelmed. Despite just buying the 505, I would have considered upgrading if Sony's new offering really blew the 505 out of the water.

At $100 more than the 505 for touchscreen functionality and some improved features (like search, which is pretty irrelevant to me), and without any wireless connectivity, I can't really say I think it's worth it. As for the integrated "frontlight", it would be nice if the 505 had it, but with the availability of the integrated cover/light, it's hard for me to justify the price.

And as I posted in the other thread, I've seen Plastic Logic's touchscreen "swiping" motion and I wasn't impressed. I hope that Sony has improved upon it, at least.

But at least it looks like we are getting a revamped bookstore, so that's a major plus!

I couldn't disgree more. Wireless connectivity is a pain, IMHO. If you do have wireless, please give me a manual kill switch like HP laptops.

What I need is
(1) MUCH more storage via SD and MSPD cards. Why does the PRS-505 max out it's SD card slot at 2GB when there are 128GB SDHC cards at Fry's?
(2) USB OTG (on-the-go) for reading USB Hard Disks
(3) A file browsing system that is NOT that <expletive> <expletive> mother <expletive> card-catalog thingy the PRS-505 uses.

I use my PRS-505 with a Nokia N800 Internet Tablet, several 2.5" hard disks, and a solar/battery charger to access a multi-terabyte library. I would love to replace both the PRS-505 (reader) and the N800 (used for file browsing, editing meta data, and accessing the hard disks) with a PRS-700.

(If you are not trying to archive all human knowledge in a single ammo can, this will not apply to you.)

Andy

HarryT · 10-09-2008, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by recycledelectron

What I need is
(1) MUCH more storage via SD and MSPD cards. Why does the PRS-505 max out it's SD card slot at 2GB when there are 128GB SDHC cards at Fry's?

You seem to be a little behind the times. The most recent firmware update added SDHC card support to the 505.

10-07-2008, 10:04 AM	#262
Peto Legal Alien Posts: 288 Karma: 105 Join Date: Jan 2008 Device: Sony PRS-505/T1/Kindle PW2	There are simple ways to search text dictionaries. One is to add ":" after each entry and then add ":" to each word you want to find. Some dictionaries come this way, others have a line return after each entry, some come in bold so you only search words with a return or in bold... And every single entry to a dictionary comes right after a line return (^p). I know nothing about this, but were I to look for an entry in a txt dictionary using MSWord, I would use a macro to search for "^pentry". I would try to get things a little more complicated and try to search for "^pentr" if "entry" was not there, then "^pent" and so on until I got the closest word to the entry I want. If an ignorant like me can manage to conceive this, it shouldn't be very difficult for the guys working with dictionaries around here. But that wouldn't work with the 505. It would work with the 700. Last edited by Peto; 10-07-2008 at 10:07 AM.

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10-07-2008, 09:10 AM	#259
Dave Berk Fanatic Posts: 574 Karma: 138556 Join Date: May 2006 Device: PRS505	And of course you can all add your voice here. As they say, every little bit count, and who knows - maybe they will announce dictionary support by the time they bring the device to market. They can always release it in epub format, for example, with the support of Adobe. That way, they can sell it to the big guys of dictionary publishing by telling them this will be the first dictionary in an open format .

10-07-2008, 11:41 AM	#265
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	Probably means they have a dictionary or two gathering virtual dust somewhere then.

10-07-2008, 03:27 PM	#268
MerLock Evangelist Posts: 411 Karma: 1034889 Join Date: Nov 2007 Device: none	I'm also interested in the changes the Sony Ebook store will have as mentioned by an ealier report. Any word on when we should expect to see those changes?

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